KSE IOM Consulting: Robot School Case
In today's challenging business landscape, small businesses face unique hardships, especially in regions like Ukraine that have been affected by war. The ongoing bombing of peaceful citizens resulted in mass exodus of people running for their lives, that has led to a reduced population in the country, with an estimated 20% decrease. This percentage consists of primarily women and children, who are often the direct consumers of various goods and services, and in the case of Robot School - educational services. However, amidst these adversities, Ukrainian entrepreneurs have consistently demonstrated resilience and a remarkable aptitude for entrepreneurial skills, earning a reputation as innovation experts in the global arena.
Ukrainians have long been renowned for their proficiency in technological fields, contributing significantly to technological progress worldwide. The country's IT industry, in particular, stands out as one of the most vibrant and dynamic sectors, gaining international recognition. Ukraine's IT professionals excel in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, agritech, and e-commerce, among others. These achievements have positioned Ukraine as a key player in the global innovation and technology landscape.
Fascinating facts from Ukraine's innovation and technology sector further illustrate the nation's expertise and impact (source: UkraineInvest):
Ukraine's IT industry ranks among the world's top software development outsourcing destinations, serving renowned companies from around the globe.
Ukrainian tech talents have been instrumental in developing cutting-edge solutions in areas such as blockchain, machine learning, and data science.
The country boasts a vast pool of highly skilled IT professionals, with over 200,000 software engineers and developers.
Ukrainian startups have gained significant traction and funding, with numerous success stories emerging from sectors like fintech, healthtech, and agrotech.
Ukraine's tech community actively fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, hosting vibrant tech conferences, hackathons, and meetups.
Consulting Engagement
Against this backdrop, our consulting engagement with Robot School took place within the unique context of Ukraine's entrepreneurial realm, where the impact of the war and population decline necessitated innovative strategies. We recognized the importance of leveraging Ukraine's historical technical prowess and entrepreneurial spirit to propel Robot School's growth and success.
At KSE Consulting, we go beyond traditional consulting, offering a personalized coaching approach to help our clients thrive in both spheres. We firmly believe that actively participating, taking initiative, and embracing theory are the keys to success.
Case Study: The Journey of Robot School
Take the inspiring journey of Robot School, a company facing challenges in optimizing internal systems before selling the franchise. This raised an important question: How deep does one need to delve into theoretical aspects when it comes to small businesses? Entrepreneurs often face an overwhelming amount of information, leading to what is commonly known as "analysis paralysis." The critical question is, at what point does one transition from preparing to taking action?
Robot School, a Children's Robotics School founded by Maksym Burlai, a talented entrepreneur and a graduate of the KSE MBA AI & Data Science program.
Website: https://robotschool.com.ua/#
Courses offered offline and online:
Introduction to Robotics
LEGO Robotics
Arduino Robotics
Robotics and Programming with Scratch
Robotics and Programming with Python
Robotics and Programming with C++
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Robotics and Internet of Things (IoT)
3D Modeling and Printing
Drone Engineering
Robotics and Engineering Design
Mobile Robotics
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Robotics
Robotics and Game Development
RoboArt: Robotics and Art Integration
RoboMath: Robotics and Mathematics Integration
RoboScience: Robotics and Science Integration
RoboTech: Robotics and Technology Integration
RoboCode: Competitive Robotics and Coding
KSE Consulting expert: Oleg Zubchenok
Robot School operates a network of branches in cities such as Kyiv, Bila Tserkva, Poltava, Kremenchuk, and Sumy, catering to children and teenagers aged 4 to 16. However, despite Maksym's successful entrepreneurial background and excellent business education, scaling and growing the business proved to be a challenging endeavor, particularly in the face of a full-scale war and its consequences.
Consultation Insights
Throughout the consultations with KSE, various business processes were carefully reviewed, adding layers of analysis such as competition, territories, and traffic generators. Tools like the matrix of responsibilities, RACI, and sequence tables were established to enhance communication frameworks for both franchise operations and opening branch offices. As a result, a new briefing was developed for real estate purposes, incorporating the valuable insights gained from KSE consultations.
Embracing Innovation
In Ukrainian reality, innovative solutions are a must. As a result, KSE Consulting connected Robot School with a mobile app developer. Robot School has shown openness to embracing innovative tools, and through our extensive network, KSE offered them an opportunity to have a mobile app developed for them for free + 1 year of free usage, enabling enhanced operational efficiency for one year. This exemplifies how our consulting services go beyond the official engagement, as we continue to support our clients in their growth journey.
The field of supplementary education for children and teenagers, including Robot School, has faced multiple hardships such as decline in demand due to parents and families relocating for safety reasons, as well as the overall decrease in purchasing power, has added additional obstacles to overcome.
One of the common challenges in this industry is the constant need to search for qualified candidates and provide professional development opportunities for the teaching teams, who often find themselves having to relocate due to the danger to their lives, as this is the reality of Ukrainian life.
As Robot School embarked on the journey of developing their branch network solely through their own investments, it became crucial to efficiently address these challenges in a centralized manner. That's where our consulting services came into play.
Through the consultations, Oleg and Maksym focused on optimizing internal systems, analyzing competition, evaluating territories, and identifying potential traffic generators. They also discussed such effective tools and frameworks like the matrix of responsibilities, RACI, SIPOC, and other communication frameworks for both franchise operations and opening branch offices.
Although the official consulting period for Robot School is completed, the collaboration has been extended beyond it. Recognizing the importance of ongoing support, we offered to continue cooperation by organizing webinars and leveraging our networking resources to create new connections for their future endeavors.
But we didn't stop there. In my previous post, I shared about the "Global Connections Alliance" initiative, where we established connections with 70 small and medium businesses across various industries, including Robot School. We witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth and transformation these businesses experienced with our guidance.
The engaging consultations with Robot School, touched the following key areas of focus, combining friendly consulting expertise with a collaborative approach. Here's how we offered and discussed these ideas to support their business growth.
Hybrid learning model
Maksym and Oleg discussed the concept of a hybrid learning model with Robot School, highlighting its potential benefits. We discussed how this approach, blending in-person and online education, could enable them to navigate challenges while exploring partnership and franchising opportunities. By embracing this model, Robot School could optimize operational costs and increase their overall turnover.
Licensed courses for teachers
Oleg presented the idea of developing licensed educational courses tailored for teachers in schools and preschool institutions. He emphasized how this innovative offering would empower teachers to independently teach Robot School's curriculum, leveraging their own educational platforms. By collaborating with educational institutions, Robot School could generate additional revenue streams through course subscriptions and the provision of educational materials.
Increasing sales and company turnover
Recognizing the significance of sales growth, we facilitated discussions on refining Robot School's value proposition for different customer segments. Through comprehensive analysis, we identified the unique decision-making processes and expectations of each segment. By tailoring their products, customer communication, and sales scripts to meet these specific needs, Robot School could enhance their sales and marketing efforts, ultimately driving an increase in both sales and company turnover.
Special courses for external teachers
To maximize scalability without physical expansion, Oleg proposed the development of specialized courses for external teachers. He outlined how teachers could undergo training at Robot School and subsequently teach licensed courses within their own educational institutions. By establishing this collaborative partnership, Robot School could expand its reach and generate revenue through course subscriptions, while external teachers could enhance their offerings without the need for additional investments in infrastructure or marketing.
Expansion of the branch network
Maksym and Oleg engaged in detailed discussions on various approaches to expanding Robot School's branch network. They explored the benefits of both internal investments and partnership/franchising models, carefully considering the unique circumstances of each location. A proprietary network in strategically important regions can be established, leaving partnerships with local entrepreneurs for other areas. These collaborative partnerships would allow Robot School to share risks and profits while benefiting from the expertise and local knowledge of their partners.
Through a friendly consulting approach, KSE Consulting experts fostered a supportive environment that encouraged open dialogue, shared insights, and innovative ideas. By collaborating closely with Robot School, we provided valuable guidance and actionable strategies to help them thrive in their industry and achieve their business objectives.
At KSE Consulting, we understand that beyond the technical aspects of business consulting, small businesses also crave human connections and a sense that someone cares about their journey. This is where each of you can make a difference. By engaging in meaningful conversations, demonstrating genuine interest, and providing support, you can unlock innovative insights and fresh perspectives from these resilient Ukrainian businesses.
A Call for Empathy and Collaboration
KSE Consulting has connected with 70 small and medium businesses across diverse industries, including agriculture, FMCG, HORECA, manufacturing, fashion, music, sports, STEM education, and more. These businesses have experienced remarkable growth and transformation with the guidance of KSE Consulting.
Beyond Business Consulting
Through our interactions, we have discovered that Ukrainian businesses yearn for meaningful human connections—a sense that someone genuinely cares about their journey. This is where you, our LinkedIn community, come in. By engaging in conversations, demonstrating genuine interest, and providing support, you can unlock innovative insights and fresh perspectives from these resilient Ukrainian businesses. Together, let's inspire each other and embrace the power of collaboration.
Read my post about this program here: LinkedIn Post
Joining the Program
By participating in our program, you not only contribute to the growth of Ukrainian businesses but also gain valuable knowledge for your own entrepreneurial endeavors. These enriching experiences can be shared as compelling stories on your social media platforms, highlighting your dedication to supporting small businesses and making a positive impact within your community.
Let's come together as a community to inspire and support one another. We invite Canadian businesses to participate in our “buddy” program, you not only emotionally support the growth of small businesses in Ukraine but also gain valuable knowledge for your own entrepreneurial endeavors. Together, we can create impactful connections that transcend boundaries and empower businesses to thrive.
