The Future

This past weekend was a bit of whirlwind. Friends from high school get together annually, generally a weekend in August, at a cottage owned by one of the gang. We used to play football in the shallow water, swim, hang out on the raft, water ski, etc. Now, as parents, we watch the children play football, swim, hang out on the raft, and water ski or wake board. At least we’re all still somewhat involved. We also sit around a campfire at night and tell all the same jokes and stories that we tell every year.

The cottage is near Minden, Ontario, a good 3.5 hour drive. We left at 6:00am and were in my home town shortly after 8:00am. From there it was only another hour to the cottage. After a day by the water we left around 12:30am and were home by 4:00am. A long day, but it was nice to see everyone.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the future lately, both business and personal. They’re clearly intertwined. Both my Saturday driving and a free Sunday afforded time for quiet contemplation.

Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo will open in early 2008.

I am contracted with Parmasters Golf Training Centers to open four other locations in southwestern Ontario by July 2014. I believe the schedule will go something like this:
- London – Summer 2010
- Third Location – Summer 2011
- Fourth Location – Summer 2012
- Fifth Location – Summer 2013

Candidates for locations Three, Four and Five include Windsor, Cambridge, Guelph, Chatham, Sarnia, Woodstock and Brantford. I have a lot of golf and population analysis work to complete before final decisions will be made. I’ll also consider things like economics, the availability of suitable locations and local interest.

By targeting 2013 for completion, I’ve left myself a buffer of one year.

Change is a good thing, but not change simply for the sake of change. Moving forward, making progress, working towards a goal, growing, these are the changes that will happen over coming years. In speaking with a friend today, we both agreed that the pace of change, and the timing of major changes/openings, had to be manageable. While I’m eager to open these centers and simply get into a comfortable life of living with them daily, it’s critical that we get it right from the beginning, that we be sure when it’s time to move forward, and that we make sure all parties are consulted and all opinions are heard. Clearly, it’s also important to listen to wise advisors.

For now, I must get back to working on location One, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo.