'Education,' A Recession Proof Franchise Business.

'Education is a recession proof business'

Q&A: DINESH VICTOR, MD, SIP Academy

Chennai-headquartered SIP Academy India Pvt. Ltd., a skill development organization for children, provides a unique learning experience to more than 1.5 lakh school children in the area of mathematics, art and languages. Moreover, it gives a business opportunity with a nominal investment with substantial returns. SIP India has been awarded ISO 9000:2008 certificate for the intensive quality training. Dinesh Victor, MD, SIP, India in a chat with Hrishikesh Joshi shares the business opportunities in understanding that each kid is unique and has the potential to be a winner

What is SIP Academy and how does it function?

SIP Academy India Pvt. Ltd., is a children skill development organization headquartered in Chennai started in the year 2003. Various programs offered by SIP Academy have been developed after years of research and testing and are of International standards. These programs focus on developing various skills in children. In the process of developing skills they improve the learning ability of the child. This fun learning methodology achieves the objective of making the child achieve excellence not only in academics but also in other walks of life. This requires constant communication between the three - viz. Parent, Teacher and the Child to ensure best results.


How has the concept emerged?

Basically, this is Malaysian concept and founded by Kelvin Tham. We have developed our own courses in Mathematics, art and learning and linguistics. The courses are designed by international experts and are globally reputed. Now it is over many countries like Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, USA and Nigeria.

Tell us something about your franchise business?

This network is the biggest strength of SIP Academy. We have a network in the states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. But 40 per cent of business is concentrated in Maharashtra. There are over 80 cities and towns were the franchises had been offered. And more than 45000 students are learning the courses. Currently, we have 44 master trainers and 562 trainers all over India who are actually running the academy. SIP is expanded over 20 states, 200 cities and 500 centres across India with a turnover of Rs 10 crore.

To whom do you offer franchise? What kind of investment does it require?

It does not require a huge investment around Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh. You can earn substantial amount of profit out of it. For an educated individuals, graduates, housewives it is a very good opportunity to start their own business. My opinion is that education is a recession proof business. Parents will never compromise on their child's quality of education.We conduct training sessions for them so that they are able to teach students.

What kind of courses do you offer and how they are help full in a kid's development?

We conduct courses for the children pf age groups between 5 to 13 years. We offer SIP Abacus and Brain Gym to develop arithmetic skills and learning abilities. The other one is Global Art which was launched in 2005 which helps to enhance their level of creativity. Third programme is AMAL which is Accelerated Mental Learning has been developed with a vision to build and improve multiple intelligence in the child. Mi Kids is phonics based language programme for children and it incorporates phonemic awareness, phonic fluency and vocabulary.

We do conduct competitions known as SIP Prodigy and it holds Limca Book of Records in 2007 conducted in Bangalore and till date we have conducted 30 competitions all over India.

The children who are trained in the SIP programme are now studying in prestigious universities. Over the past six years, over 1.5 lakh students have been trained in this system.

What are your expansion plans?

We are planning to increase franchises. Currently we have 500 centres all over India. We have not expanded much in north India as compare to South India and Maharashtra. The revenue target is around Rs 15 crore in next three years.

Source:Business Standard, Hrishikesh Joshi / Mumbai May 11, 2010, 0:29 IST