STOP PRESS NEWS

For those who may not be aware we have just launched Interactive Martial Arts (IMA TV) , a new martial arts TV show to promote our industry. Our first season (7 shows) was a big hit by viewers and will be repeated through summer until our second season starts in March.

We have just got our stats back from the network and it looks like nearly One Million Melbourne Households tuned into the show between October 2007 and January 2008. It is amazing to see that in our first season we have become one of the top rating shows on the network without even advertising the show.
Find out more by going to www.interactiveartialarts.com

WHAT'S NEW!

1. The IMA will soon be a National Sporting Orginisation (NSO) which means official recognition from the Australian Sports Commission and the chance at government funding to sponsor our elite martial arts athletes. Yes now there will be funding available for all styles of martial arts not just to those via the limited number of federations.
Watch this space for more updates coming soon!

2. We have moved to much bigger exciting new offices in Preston, Victoria, so we can better serve our members.
Check the details in our contact pages link here

3. We are putting on more instructor 'Circle of Knowledge' training sessions and Better Business Seminars.
Check out the dates and locations in our Events section link here

4. Want to create a promotional dvd that will make your school stand out, look more professional and recruit you students? The IMA can make it happen at a super cheap price for members. Visit our film studios in Preston.
Find out more link here

5. Like to be featured in our new TV Show 'Interactive Martial Arts' or our magazine style newsletter?
Submit an article or book a film shoot link here.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

* Need Insurance or help on starting/running a school ?

The IMA has decided to further increase its service to members by reducing its time and resources to non financial members. The IMA has been emailing and sending important industry news via mail, through forums and conferences to virtually the whole industry for a number of years. We have taken it upon ourselves to try and keep everyone in the loop as a gesture of good will to all martial art instructors.

Some people acknowledge our material and thank us, some people support us by joining and the minority, simply don’t respond. For those in the minority will not be sending anymore correspondence, freeing up our time and resources to better serve our members. We have just culled 700 schools from our database so we can now increase our customer service and expand our discounted product lines.

Has just confirmed a special low rate for all IMA members (direct debit for students). If you already use them they will reduce your rate. If you use someone else check these guys out because their deal is the best I have seen. There will be a new logo on the right side menu with all the info, coming shortly in between times call them direct:

Ezi Debit Australia
Tel:     07 3255 1733
Fax:    07 3255 3733
Web:  www.ezidebit.com.au

Some people rave about how good their billing company is and don't hear where the real savings are.

There are many billing companies and they all do pretty much a good job in collecting student fees, maybe I'm too kind. Of course there are a few variables that do make a difference like the fees they charge you or your students, the frequency of collection, the set up cost and dishonour fees etc. Want the full story

Want to visit Australia and gain a qualification? (Up to 6 years)
Step 1 Send a resume and register with us
Step 2 Once received/accepted we will send you course information
Step 3 We will discuss procedures directly relating to your case
More info click here!
Who do you Contact? The IMA office 03 9897 3213

More important news

Another handy tip for running your martial arts school / club
Are you finding it hard to keep your student records? Does it take you too much time to work out how many classes a student has attended, or when their last grade was? You can do everything manually in a book if you only have a few students but you may want to consider some form of electronic tracking system. If you can use a computer you will know doubt already have MS Excel and you can configure that to track students easily. You may even have MS Access but this is a bit harder to configure however, a lot more powerful. If you want something easy to use, powerful and specially designed for martial arts to can pick up some excellent software packages like: ‘Full Contact’, ‘Martial Arts Studio Manager’ by Cabinsoftware and Dojo Manager to mention a few. Watch out for annual licence fees on top of the purchase price. Most programs start from $500 plus an annual licence fee of $100 and the one we found to be the best value is Martial Art Studio Manager by Cabinsoftware for less than $300. More info!