Easton's Muay Thai Program Director, Sean Madden, and Jiu Jitsu Program Director, Alex Huddleston, join CEO Mike Tousignant to discuss the Program Director role, what it's like to grow into a role at Easton, and the shape and direction of their respective programs. 

Agenda

Agenda presentation

• Core Values: 

  • Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.

  • Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.

  • Compassion: We honor the dignity of all. 

  • Stewardship: We empower others. 

• Principles: 

  • Last meeting

    • We pursue excellence

    • We provide frequent feedback

    • We lead with empathy

  • Next 3

    • We bring positivity into every situation

    • We listen to learn and ask questions to provide guidance.

    • We solve problems, we don’t create them. 

Questions

• Director of General Managers - Ian Lieberman

  • Personal Success

  • Last month you told us about some books we should all read, can you tell us why these are so significant? You can just choose one to chat about. 

    • Good to great by Jim Collins

    • Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko 

    • Extreme Ownership by Jocko

    • Delivering Happiness by Tony 

  • What is the most difficult part, in your opinion, about management, GM or otherwise?

  • When managers or staff are struggling with the job or facing challenges, who should they turn to for help? Or should they turn to anyone?

• Director of Ops and Admin - Sarah Rochniak 

  • Personal Success

  • What is happening on the backend of Easton? 

  • Wellness Living progress? You think it was the right choice?

• Director of Marketing - Michael Phipps

  • Personal Success

  • What, in your opinion, makes a community? Are there different levels of communities? Where does Easton fall?

  • What struck you most while doing all the editing for the video for the smoker and inhouse?

Agenda

Greeting and agenda presentation

• • • 1 Personal and 1 Business Success

Core Values: 

• • • • Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.
      • Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.
      • Compassion: We honor the dignity of all. 
      • Stewardship: We empower others. 

Principles: 

• Last meeting

• We are early and prepared
• We assume good intent in others 
• We don’t ignore deficiencies 

• Next 3

• • • • We pursue excellence
      • We provide frequent feedback
      • We lead with empathy

Departmental Debrief: 

• • • Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ, MT, & Kids)
      • Kids BJJ(292 total competitors) 
        • Easton Open Feb 18th
          • Registrations: 292
      • Adult BJJ
        • Winter Belt Promotion
          • Over 100 students promoted
          • 6 new black belts
        • Easton Open Feb 18th
          • Registrations: 215
        • DH Guest teaching rotation
          • Starting Q1
      • Kids MT
        • Kids MT PD will restart his visits 
        • Easton MT Smoker Feb 19th
          • Competitors: 100 combined with kids
      • Adult MT
        • New Short Heavy Bags
          • plans to add more to each location with striking 
          • Easton Open SmokerFeb 19th 
            • Competitors: 100 combined with kids
            • Still looking for volunteers
        • Upcoming important dates
          • Saturday, 02/11: Referee and Judge Training at Easton Denver! Time TBA. This will be for anyone interested in reffing and judging at our in-house event. 
          • Saturday, 02/04: Prime Fight Promotions, Hammond, IN. Allie Readmond from Boulder and Devon Scott from Denver will be fighting on this event! 
          • Saturday, 02/11: Referee and Judge Training at Easton Denver! Time TBA. This will be for anyone interested in reffing and judging at our in-house event. 
          • Sunday, 02/26: CO State Muay Thai Championships in Aurora, CO
          • Friday, 03/10 - Sunday, 03/12: Team USA Qualifier, Foothills Fieldhouse, Lakewood CO
    • Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman
      • Question: How do you approach management? What are some key skills and books first time managers should seek out? 
        • Approach from humility. You don’t know everything.
        • If you are trying to achieve something or put initiatives in place try to think about how he would be motivated or how they would be motivated. We want people to want to do things not out of fear.
        • Understand the why behind what we are doing so they want to do it. 
        • Try to check your motives in every decision and action you make.
        • Self deception is real. Someone gives me feedback and it makes me feel defensive and I want to respond defensively. Even if they are wrong. We all have this initial impulse to respond defensively. But in MGMT we can’t just act on impulse. If I can find out that my initial planned response is reactionary because you are insecure then you can stop and reconsider my response. Then recalibrate response based on the idea that motives are faulty. 
        • Always check yourself before responding. 
      • What do we need to do in our mind to be the best? 
        • Every decision we make look to core values first. 
        • Always putting the mission above yourself.
        • Easton has to come before personal wants, needs, and feelings.
        • Real dedication to what we are setting out to do. 
        • Every facet of this company needs to be attended to. Everyone. 
      • 3 books
        • Good to great by Jim Collins
        • Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko 
        • Extreme Ownership by Jocko
        • Delivering Happiness by Tony 
    • Director of Ops and Admin: Sarah Rochniak
      • What are some key insights that can be helpful for a first time front desk?
      • What are some lessons you learned in the DFI role and the AOD role?
      • Any tools or resources that could be useful? 
        • Tools: 
          • Grammarly plug in to help with tone and grammar and spelling
          • Calendar. Has to exist and you need to follow it. Saves room to concentrate on the important things. 
          • Trello for organizing flow. 
    • Director of Marketing: Mike Phipps
      • How would you define marketing? How would you tell staff(instructors, GMs, DHs, whatever) to view marketing and if they are part of it too? 
        • Marketing: Telling our story. Most compelling and persuasive part of our story and telling it as best as possible
        • Right content, right audience, right time. 
        • If people are interested in how they are always marketing what can they look at or resources or books?
          • Show interest
          • Learn their name
          • Build rapport
          • High level martial arts plus experience
          •  
    • Director of Creative: Van Tran
      • What does your creative process look like?
      • What would you change about what we do on the creative and design side? 

Mike

• • • Looking for volunteers for inhouse 
    • Registration closes Feb 10th for Easton BJJ Open
    • Summer camps. Registration is open
    • Martial Arts Moves!
    • Conquer Colorado
      • Kid’s competition training. Jordan will take the reigns
        • Survey going out for improvements and suggestions
        • New registration will open for a year at $400 for 2023 and it will be a yearly renewal in Q1.
        • You can register throughout the year at a prorated rate. 
      • New year strategy. I will send out our plan to the entire team so you can see where you can help and where you fit into the overall goals. We all have a major part to play.
      • Structure vs creativity. How we will innovate to keep improving everyday. 
    • Any leads on off the market real estate in Central Park or surrounding areas?
      • 2000-3000 sq ft to lease
      • 5000 sq ft to buy(great deals)
    • Wellness Living update

New promotions

• Mikkel Buhl-Madsen Kids DH in Arvada
• Bojan Velickovic Kids DH in Denver
• Sebastian Berti BJJ DH in Centennial
• River Mayfield Kids DH in Longmont
• Payden Thanner BJJ DH in Littleton
• Jordan Shipman Kids PD for Easton
• Mike Phipps Director of Marketing for Easton

Agenda

Greeting and agenda presentation

1 Personal and 1 Business Success

Core Values: 

• • • Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.
    • Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.
    • Compassion: We honor the dignity of all. 
    • Stewardship: We empower others. 

Principles: 

• Last meeting

• We are reading and learning
• We trust each other
• We make being open-minded a habit

• Next 3

• • • • We are early and prepared
      • We assume good intent in others 
      • We don’t ignore deficiencies

Departmental Debrief: 

• • • Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ, MT, & Kids)
    • Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman
    • Director of Operations and Administration: Sarah Rochniak
    • Director ofDigital Media/ Marketing: Phipps/Mike Tousignant (placeholder)
    • Director of Creative: Van Tran

Mike Tousignant:

• • • Holiday party
    • Kion discount
    • Holiday time and schedule amendments
    • Schedule changes in January
    • DH learning platform

New promotions

Q&A(a chance for everyone to ask questions or get ideas out they may have on their mind) 

Questions/Feedback:

Agenda

Greeting and agenda presentation

• 1 Personal and 1 Business Success
• Core Values: 
  • Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.
  • Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.
  • Compassion: We honor the dignity of all. 
  • Stewardship: We empower others. 
• • Principles: 

• Last meeting

• We utilize Failure
• We recognize success
• We remain rational

• Next 3

• • • • We are reading and learning
      • We trust each other
      • We make being open-minded a habit
• Departmental Debrief: 
  • • Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ, MT, & Kids)
    • Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman
    • Director of Operations and Administration: Sarah Rochniak
    • Director of Marketing: Mike Tousignant (placeholder)
    • Director of Creative: Van Tran
    • Director of Digital Media: Mike Phipps
  • Mike
    • Central Park Update
    • Wellness
    • Halloween
    • Holidays(Thanksgiving and Xmas)

• New promotions

• Q&A(a chance for everyone to ask questions or get ideas out they may have on their mind) 

Agenda: - Greeting and agenda presentation - 1 Personal and 1 Business Success - Core Values: Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.

Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.

Compassion: We honor the dignity of all.

Stewardship: We empower others.

Principles:

Last meeting

We take accountability. We don’t blame others

We show our care

We appreciate effort

Next 3

We utilize Failure

We recognize success

We remain rational

- Departmental Debrief:

Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ, MT, & Kids) Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman Director of Operations and Administration: Sarah Rochniak Director of Marketing: Mike Tousignant (placeholder) Director of Creative: Van Tran Director of Digital Media: Mike Phipps

- Mike Central Park Update Waiting on response on our LOI for building in Central Park Wellness Living training has started Discuss fall New students Halloween parties Competition team

New promotions

Q&A(a chance for everyone to ask questions or get ideas out they may have on their mind)

Questions/Feedback:

Agenda

Greeting and agenda presentation

• 1 Personal and 1 Business Success

Core Values: 

• Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.
• Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.
• Compassion: We honor the dignity of all. 
• Stewardship: We empower others. 

Principles: 

• • Last meeting

• We remain nimble
• We are ready to pivot
• We show appreciation

• • Next 3
    • We take accountability.
    • We don’t blame others
    • We show our careWe appreciate effort

Departmental Debrief: 

• • Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ, MT, & Kids)
  • Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman
  • Director of Operations and Administration: Sarah Rochniak
  • Director of Marketing: Mike Tousignant (placeholder)
  • Director of Creative: Van Tran
  • Director of Digital Media: Mike Phipps

Mike

• Central Park Update
• Waiting on response on our LOI for building in Central Park
• Fully transitioned over to First Bank
• Martial Arts Moves nonprofit update
  • https://www.martialartsmoves.org/
• Wellness Living training should start in September

New promotions

• Daniel Groom has been promoted to Academy Operations Director in Centennial
• Rob Cole has been promoted to MT DH in Centennial
• Chino has been promoted to MT DH in Boulder
• Ashly Dunn has been promoted to BJJ DH in Longmont
• Kyle Wright has been promoted to BJJ DH in Denver

Q&A(a chance for everyone to ask questions or get ideas out they may  have on their mind) 

(This is the all staff June meeting held on July 11 due to timing with the holiday) 

Agenda

• Greeting and agenda presentation
• • 1 Personal and 1 Business Success
• Core Values: Presented by Alex Huddleston 
• • Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.
  • Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.
  • Compassion: We honor the dignity of all. 
  • Stewardship: We empower others. 
• Principles: 

• Last meeting

• We consider our impact on others.
• We actively seek to contribute.
• We embrace the unknown as an opportunity. 

• Next 3

• • We remain nimble
  • We are ready to pivot
  • We show appreciation
• Departmental Debrief: 
• • Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ & MT)
  • Director of Kids Martial Arts: Vellore Caballero
  • Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman
  • • Currently on our off-site retreat
    • Will be working to implement the enrichment program across all of our locations in the fall 
    • In Q4 Ian will begin preparing and structuring the “How we do anything is how we do everything” Rock. This is the customer service and hospitality project we have been talking about, but I just haven’t had the bandwidth to tackle it quite yet 
  • Director of Operations and Administration: Sarah Rochniak
  • Director of Marketing: Mike Tousignant (placeholder)
  • Director of Creative: Van Tran
  • Director of Digital Media: Mike Phipps
• Mike
• • Central Park Update
  • • We have it narrowed down to 2 buildings pending anything else popping up. 
  • We should be transitioned over to First Bank from Wells Fargo by August 1. It will be good to support a local business.
  • Roles and responsibilities of Program Directors.
  • Martial Arts Moves nonprofit..
  • Easton Online
  • • Helping other gyms with their programs and the successes we have seen.
    • Helping us build our internal training for the team.
    • • Led by Eliot Marshall, Jordan Shipman, Mike Phipps, and Vellore Caballero.  
• Q&A(a chance for everyone to ask questions or get ideas out they may  have on their mind) 

Agenda

Greeting and agenda presentation

- 1 Personal and 1 Business Success\

Core Values

Excellence: We set and surpass the highest standards through constant improvement.

Trust: We authentically earn and grant trust.

Compassion: We honor the dignity of all.

Stewardship: We empower others.

Principles:

Last meeting:

We bring positivity into every situation

We listen to learn and ask questions to provide guidance

We solve problems, we don’t create them. 

Next 3:

• • We consider our impact on others.
  • We actively seek to contribute.
  • We embrace the unknown as an opportunity. 

   

• Departmental Debrief: 
  • Director of Martial Arts: Alex Huddleston(BJJ & MT)
  • Director of Kids Martial Arts: Vellore Caballero
  • Director of General Managers: Ian Lieberman
  • Director of Operations and Administration: Sarah Rochniak
  • Director of Marketing: Mike Tousignant(placeholder)
  • Director of Creative: Van Tran
  • Director of Digital Media: Mike Phipps

• Make sure we talk about
  • Central Park Update
    • A couple of proposals
  • Overpayment of benefits from Government for UE
  • Drop in members.. About 7%
    • Summer time
    • Price increase
    • Leads went down for a bit
• Q&A(a chance for everyone to ask questions or get ideas out they may  have on their mind)