Updates!!!

[Bala Balakrishna]

The silence is deafening! Hope everyone us moving along well. How about some updates?

Bala

[Atlenate]

Hi...
I do have some problems with the landlord, they won't give us the spot we were agreeing on. After submitting new spot to Kumon, they don't approve it now.....on an on.....so I'm going nowhere. Hope next week we can solve this issue.
I am still trying to finish the rest of the worksheets in the meantime, it sure doesn't look like that we can open this Nov.
Miss you all,
Supark

[Mini Sethi]

I am so sorry to hear your problems Supark. I wish you can come out of this helpless situation real soon.

Take care.

Regards
Mini Sethi

[Mini Sethi]

Bala

What's happening on your end?

I should be able to open my doors by Nov first week. This is a very ANXCITED kind of time. I am both anxious and excited.

Look forward to hearing from all.

Regards
Mini Sethi

[Bala Balakrishna]

Well, things are moving slowly along. Just signed the lease and working on the worksheets. Was told to finish E Math and DI/DII Reading before I can sign the FA. After that, will work on the buildout in Nov. Our 2 current centers are closing in on 900 subjects so crazily busy. Also working on Arti's presentation to Mexico - she is the keynote speaker for the Kumon Instructors Conference there. Lastly we have the Awards Ceremony next Saturday and have 555 medals to hand out.

Bala

Bala Balakrishna
CFO
The Future Project
p: 901.921.6132
www.thefutureproject.org
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Sent from my iPhone

[Krishnan Venkataraman]

I just got my draft lease submitted to KNA. Finishing worksheets, looking for contractors. I sign my FA on Nov 4th.

Best

Krishnan

[Manisha Peries]

Congrats Mini! Very happy for you. I just got my lease from the
landlord.

Manisha

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 15, 2011, at 10:15 AM, Mini Sethi <mini12...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Krishnan Venkataraman]

That is fantastic Mini!

Krishnan

From: Manisha Peries <man...@webgeni.net>
To: "kcy...@googlegroups.com" <kcy...@googlegroups.com>

[Krishnan Venkataraman]

Hi Supark- I hope your issue gets resolved soon. My space took 3 months!!! And it was an incompetent realtor representing the landlord and an incompetent lawyer (representing me)! Finally, once I fired the lawyer and went over the realtor's head (not recommended) and spoke to the landlord directly, the deal happened in a couple of days! I thought that I was going to lose the site until last Friday....

Keep your spirits up- apparently these things are not as uncommon as I had assumed!

Krishnan

[Supark Patsrivong]

Krishnan...

Thank you for encouraging me. I'll keep you posted how it goes. This weekend our restaurant is extremely busy because of the wool festival in town.  I am getting CRRAAAAZZZZZY!!!!!!!!

Supark

---

From: Krishnan Venkataraman <arvin...@yahoo.com>
To: "kcy...@googlegroups.com" <kcy...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: Updates!!!

[Krishnan Venkataraman]

Hi Friends- I have a concern WRT my lease. I know KNA wants us to personally guarantee our corporations, but how many of us have had the same requirement from our landlord, making us personally liable? I personally do not have a problem with it as there are ways around it that can be resorted to before signing the lease- but I would like to know how many have seen no issue with it as well....

My lawyer is making a big deal about it.

Thanks

Krishnan

[mini Sethi]

Krishnan

I had the same issue. I discussed with some of my other Kumon franchisee friends. All had to give personal guarantee. Only one person. who actually opened her center in a plaza which is foreclosed didn't have to do it and on top of everything got an amazing discount on the rent. 

Regards

Mini Sethi

[Bala Balakrishna]

Krishnan,

We were asked by our landlord to give personal guarantees too, which we did.

And Mini, regretfully I am going to DC on Nov 5th and not stopping in NY at all. I would really have liked to see your center, but will do so next time I am in the area. Jeff Milke (Jeremy and other trainers' boss) is coming here until Sunday to attend class and help with our Awards Ceremony. 

Bala

Bala Balakrishna

CFO

The Future Project

p: 901.921.6132

www.thefutureproject.org

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Sent from my iPhone

[Krishnan Venkataraman]

Hi,

I'd love to get some feedback on:

1. VOIP based phone line for their center (I was bummed that 705-myk-umon and 705-dok-umon were gone :()

2. Fax machines (Its amazing that fax is still used!)/efax alternatives.

3. Internet options (high end/low end, DSL, cable)

Thanks

Krishnan

 

[Bala Balakrishna]

Krishnan,

We use Comcast voice and Internet as a package. When not at the center, the system can record messages or we have calls forwarded to a cell phone that one of us carries so we do not miss too many calls. For the new center, I would ensure all calls are forwarded, so we do not miss answering even 1 call.

Fax is not a requirement, though I have one in my home-office. I also have a scanner, which I use more than the fax, as I can scan and email a document, so the recipient can see in color.

Email is the most widely used for communication and we send Level Completion Reports and Progress Graphs to parents regularly. This avoids the extra costs of printing colored graphs and handing them out.

[Zia&Ayesha Abdullah]

Bala

For email communications to parents (such as sending Level Completion Reports and reminding them to remit fees etc), do you use you *.kumon account (which I presume kumon provides after the center is set up), or do you use a separate gmail account which one can set up for the center.  Also, if the gamil account is set up, can it have the word "kumon" in it?

Thanks

Ayesha

[Bala Balakrishna]

Ayesha,

Good to hear from you and glad you are going forward. Did you decide to buy or build?

I have 3 email addresses and use Gmail for the 3 centers and all have the work kumon in them - KumonGer...@gmail.com etc. You will get your ikumon email address after you sign the FA. We do not use the ikumon email except for internal emails to Kumon staff.

Krishnan,

Am still doing worksheets!!! My field consultant told me to finish Level E Math and upto DII in Reading and send the workbooks to KU. Is that what you are doing? And there are no online quizzes/courses for these, right? Have been too busy last 2 weeks, but have to get back on track so I can sign the FA sometime soon.

Had our Awards Ceremony yesterday (our 10th!) and hijacked the stage for the last 5 minutes telling the crowd (there were 500 students and parents!) that I am opening a competing center and also played a video clip from my daughter about The Future Project! Will send you some pics later.

Best regards,

Bala

Bala Balakrishna

CFO

The Future Project

p: 901.921.6132

www.thefutureproject.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p80Iol48U4&feature=youtu.be!

[Zia&Ayesha Abdullah]

Hi Bala,

Yes, I decided not to buy the Kumon Center, but to start my own.  The initial green dot was in Worthington, after looking for months at sites, we decided to move to another green dot in Pickerington as there was no Kumon Cente on that side.  I should hopefully be signing my lease in the near future and then the landlord will start the build out. 
Will keep you posted.

Ayesha

[mini sethi]

Ayesha,

 

Wishing you the best for the new venture.

 

Rgds

Mini Sethi