2017 has began. I am looking forward to great things that are going to take place this year.
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Following is a view on Tango as a business, that came up during a chat with a friend. He saw Tango as a business, like an MBA or a business consultant. The point of view was interesting (and actually, not unlike mine).
But if you see Tango with romanticized eyes as most learners do, the view may sound little blunt.
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Describing the services the business provides is the start point for analyzing the business.
A Tango instructor can provide various services, including,
(1) Set up and have Milongas, functioning as a party host.
(2) DJ at the milonga
(3) Teach beginners who are starting from scratch. class or private, or with other media
(4) Teach intermediates who are at various levels. class or private, or with other media
(5) Teach advanced dancers. class or private, or with other media
(6) Communicate beauty and attraction of Tango in some ways (vocal, writing, video, etc).
(7) Perform Tango and entertain audience (in person or with media).
Looking from the standpoints of customers/students/service recipients, their "needs and wants" vary, and they may have different "needs and wants" from conventional services by a Tango instructor.
The business will go well if the service contents and the "needs and wants" match well, and the customers/students/service recipients pay for the service. If not, the business will wither.
Toughest part for his business is to get customers/students/service recipients who pay for his service, just like many other small businesses.
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Right, that is blunt. But all business people have to think of their business model.
In my opinion, Tango business is not at the rapid growth phase, like Kizomba was or has been. In the case, strategies that work for the rapid growth phase are not going to work.
Then what should he do?
The Professional has to think hard.
If you see your business like a Ramen noodle shop owner does, the world will look different.
A thought at the dawn of the Businessman-President era.
PS
Don't get me wrong. People who even want to be a Tango teacher are lovely people with passion. They commonly had an extended time when they just practiced or danced Tango on their own out of their love for Tango. They did not usually plan on becoming a Tango dancer, but most of them just became one as a part of their journey.
But at one time in their journey, they would have to face what it means to teach Tango, or think seriously on what they are even selling to be a professional. That is the theme for today's entry.
PS2
Also, not all should act as professionals nor are qualified to do so. Being a good customer, functioning as a patron and supports the business, while enjoying the dance, is very important thing to do.
After all, Tango is a dance with only 120 years of history, meaning it did not exist before that. During the 120 years, there was a time it almost went extinct, meaning that support is important for its survival and prosperity. Don't take Tango for granted. Support it.
