As an engineer, I cannot break free of my fascination with technology for advancing the cause of health ... I'm not a gadget geek; I despise geez-whiz presentations by guys in black turtlenecks that feature a glimpse into a hip, entirely proprietary future [that you can't join unless you are ready to part with a lot of money] -- I really hate the hype associated with promises of the brand new unreliable bleeding edge technology. But I am finally starting to be fascinated with mobile technology because I can see that it is getting more reliable AND it allows quant jocks like me to bring a lot more data to bear on the situation when we get really serious about studying, experimenting and attempting to rapidly optimize processes. I am beginning to like mobile technology because it is almost BEGINNING to be useful.
I know that I should be thinking about getting more healthy immediately or about improving my own martial arts practice; instead, I have been thinking a LOT lately about exploiting new developments in mobile communication and video technology to leverage martial arts expertise and establish new "franchise territories" to expand a strong existing network to be even stronger and dynamic AND [through franchise and licensing fees] to generate financial support for a non-profit educational foundation ... in a nutshell, mobile communication technology could be a big part of what is needed to eliminate geographic barriers and enable greater benefit for thousands or even millions of people by more effective dispersal of knowledge and expertise ...but there's even more potential. If we could take the next step to more effectively use sensors connected to the network, starting with video for coaching and diagnosis OR perhaps extend mobile devices with new sensors for bioelectric diagnosis (e.g. similar to GE's handheld electrocardiogram), we would generate a revolution in fitness and jin power training for the martial arts!
Mobile technology would remove many geographic barriers by making it possible for trainers to be much more mobile and have a greater impact through a dispersed network of coaches. Moreover, the accumulated knowledge and expertise of masters and experts could be shared through franchise network that exploited mobile technology ... to maintain closer relationships with as many certified trainers and coaches as possible [without destroying the ability of those masters and experts to develop and extend the theoretical martial arts basis of the franchise]. As in other pursuits, mobile communication technology enables an organizational network to maintain and strengthen its key relationships in spite of the fact that the people in that network are more mobile and more dispersed ... the availability of this highly productive technology almost demands that we rethink how organizations are structured ... entire cultures, industries and economies will be revolutionized!
The type of franchise network that I am contemplating serving would build upon the best global martial arts networks ... basically, the technology-driven quantitative process-improvement model would be an extension of the western healthclub business franchise model (i.e. technology-driven productivity and customer service à la McDonalds in fast food franchises). This extension applied to traditional Oriental martial arts network with mobile communication technology as one of key enabling technologies for an intense multi-level training and coaching franchise. In some ways, the multi-level organization would function somewhat like MaryKay or Herbalife -- EXCEPT that the primary push of the organization would instead be to develop LEADERS in order to develop discipline and lead people to be more responsible for their own health, diet, exercise, self-defense and ability to heal themselves and others from common injuries. In other words, the organization would need evangelists and marketing [like all growing organizations] but it would not push agents to become more adept as salespeople or, in anyway, push people to buy products or services -- the organization would extend knowledge and LEAD people to better health. Basically, since the model would be based on oriental master-student relationship, it would not really be all that revolutionary or different.
The franchise [target customer] would typically involve 5 levels: Masters, Experts; Trainers; Coaches, Individuals ... it might work something like this:
Masters are the theorists and thought leaders of the organization; they are responsible for training and certifying experts; masters would be few in number. Typically there would be one key master and several heirs apparent; redundancy would ensure survival of the organization. Generally, masters would not be selected but would instead would emerge from the pool of experts after a lifetime [at least 25 years as an expert]. Being a master would carry significant responsibilities for ensuring the health of the organization; mobile technology would allow masters to reach down through the organization to assist coaches, trainers as well as experts. The demands of being a master would result in the likelihood that many lifetime experts would serve as a master for only a few years ... preferring to leave and focus on their own spiritual cultivation.
Experts would be located at main facilities on call to answer difficult questions [they might ask masters for assistance with the most difficult questions], they would keep their skills sharp by training and certifying trainers. Coaches would also utilize mobile technology to call upon experts for assistance with tough questions. Gaining initial certification as a expert would involve, at minimum, a commitment of at least 10 years of dedicated practice and intensive daily study under direct guidance of masters;
Trainers would be based at main facilities, but highly mobile; often traveling to disperse knowledge and conduct seminars in different locations. Trainers would thus sharpen their skills by producing training videos and conducting seminars in which they trained and certified personal coaches; also, mobile video technology would allow trainers would be on constant call to assist coaches in giving answers to their clients. Gaining initial certification as a trainer would involve a commitment of at least 5 years of dedicated practice and intensive daily training under the guidance of an expert; with additional annual training at retreat centers conducted by masters.
Personal coaches would sharpen their skills by working with individuals to insure their personal discipline was progressing. Gaining initial certification as a coach would involve a commitment of at least 2 years of dedicated practice and intensive training. Given the familiarity built through training seminars, Coaches would probably rely mostly on the network of trainers for guidance and answers, but mobile technology would allow coaches to also call upon experts.
Individuals would rely mostly on the familiarity with their coaches to build diligence in the practice, to obtain guidance in the practice of various forms and answers to their questions about health and diet. DVDs, training videos on the internet and mobile video technology would allow individuals to also call upon the organization's network of trainers. Individuals would expected to be diligent and to progress in their practice, but they would typically be employed in other pursuits and would pay coaches for personal guidance in weekly half-hour one-on-one video coaching sessions and weekly group sessions led by the coach. Particularly skilled and talented individuals with sufficient diligence in their practice would be encouraged to become coaches ... the first stage in becoming a coach would be for an individual to assist other individuals and recruit new members through organization-sponsored introductory seminars and pro bono training sessions for people who could not afford coaching.
