It's absolutely remarkable how, despite being called "Industry Leaders" or "World's Best" the so-called competition gets very cranky when you apparently tread on their toes :)
As a free marketeer, I believe people vote with their feet, and wallets. If there is a product or service a person likes, then ultimately they'll choose that. By virtue of one company winning over another doesn't mean anything underhand was done, or opponents ridiculed, in fact I think it means we've offered a better product and service, at a better price (or even higher price) which is more suited to the end user.
Imagine our delight at getting a booking for 3 siblings, each for 3 weeks each in Summer 2017. The father had been searching for a suitable "Homestay" program for a while, and the family while based in Frankfurt had contacted some of the very reputable companies associated with Homestay, and a few local agents / companies.
His persistent research then resulted in one of our LinkedIn re-engagement algorithms displaying the father several of our advertisements, which lead him to click on us, and eventually engage!
It seems the program of English Immersion, structured environment, English lessons, day trips, activities and local coordinators was exactly what he was looking for, and despite being quoted .... wait for it €8,987.24 for what is essentially 9 weeks Homestay in Ireland by one of our competitors, none of our competitors were offering him that service! Yes all offer Homestay, some with or without activities, some with welcome programs some without, some with English (as an added expensive extra) and some without. All in all this father was facing the prospect of paying €8,987.24 for a package he wasn't really all that "sold on" for fear he would miss out on sending his children to Ireland in Summer 2017.
Lingoo Ninja doesn't engage in pressure selling. We get enough inquiries (particularly at peak time) to sustain us nicely into a steep enough growth trajectory. We also don't rubbish competitors. Some companies offer superb packages out there, at affordable prices, with varying degrees of support and quality. Lingoo Ninja & Lingoo School is aiming to deliver something different.
Would it shock you to learn that one company in the "Homestay" industry charges in excess of €420 per week for their School Year Program yet less than €100 goes to the Host Family per week? And no the rest doesn't go on school fees, transport, uniform, day trips or English lessons, because they are ALL added on as "extras".
We want to take this opportunity to set out our stall clearly:
:: Our School Year Program is €12,775 and INCLUDES: Host Family contribution of €225 each and every week, School Fees, Transport, Day Trips, Local Coordinators, Uniform, School Books, all taxes and charges. All the student needs is some spending money and flights.
www.highschoolyear.lingooninja.com
:: Our Lingoo Academy & Camps use an internal network of Host Families, and the fee per Host Family is also €225 per week. The price you see is hiding no nasty surprises.
www.academy.lingooninja.com
::Our Lingoo Ninja WebPortal also enables students to INDEPENDENTLY book with Lingoo Ninja Approved Host Families across Ireland & UK, with local coordinators on hand to help out. Host Families on
www.LingooNinja.com can set their own fees and students / families can negotiate directly the best package for them.
Incidentally, the Frankfurt Father who was going to be charged €8,987.24 for his 3 children next Summer got an enhanced package from Lingoo Ninja for under €6,000 and that was without discounts, just our regular prices. We put him in touch with three past students, one who had stayed with us three times, one here on their second trip and a new student from 2016 Summer who is rebooked for 2017.
Our students are not only our best advertisement. And while from time to time you get the very odd "bad apple student" it is abundantly clear our services and range of options are not only competitive, but desirable.
The phone call from our so-called "competitor accusing us of "stealing" the business from them ..... I say to them look after your students, and the business will look after itself!
Catriona and myself are absolutely determined to ensure we maintain high standards and a competitive edge. Grumpy phone calls from other companies just shows desperation and lack of professionalism.
Jon
URL: www.Lingoo.Ninja
URL: www.Lingoo.School
Skype: LingooNinjaUA
