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Return of the Bunny
Sponichi reported last week that g.communication completed its re-opening of schools, but not without a few hitches along the way.
According to the article, g.communication announced that it would reopen the Saitama Niizashi Shikishi Honko on January 17 making it the final school to be re-opened under g.communication. G.communication has opened 135 schools across Japan, falling short of its target of re-opening 200 former Nova schools. The lack of schools may leave g.comm vulnerable to student complaints.
G.comm, however, said it would continue open more schools.
The article notes that g.comm had trouble re-opening schools because negotiations with landlords broke down when it came to matters such as rent. Negotiations over re-opening 100 old Nova schools in AEON shopping malls also broke down.
As for the location of schools, g.comm re-opened only a handful of schools in Tokyo and Osaka where the prospect for students is the greatest. g.comm also gave up re-opening the Hakata honko after it couldn't come to terms with the landlord on rent and shikikin lease deposit. The article ends by noting that g.comm has opened no schools in Miyagi, Wakayama, Tottori, and Kagoshima prefectures, but did open a new school(s?) in Sendai.
G.comm has also set up a new website for neo-Nova, and, incredibly, the Nova bunny is back flogging lessons. I know I'm repeating myself here, but you'd think the powers that be at g.comm would have chosen a new look and a new mascot given the massive amount of ill will surrounding the brand. I guess they don't want their employees and students to forget who ripped them off.
Under the current "Nova Rebirth Festival" that's underway, Neo-Nova is offering discounts for students who sign up. People who join now pay no sign-up fee, enjoy a 30% discount on lessons, and receive a Nova bunny doll.
G.comm released their new pricing scheme at the end of December [PDF in Japanese]. Neo-Nova kept the old pay-everything-up-front system, but it's now limited to four plans: 1 point, 10 points, 50 points, and 100 points.
Highlights include:
Points still have expiry dates. For lessons paid monthly, points must be used within the month they were purchased. Unused points can be carried over for a period of one year after signing up. Lessons paid for up front have an expiry date of one year.
Reservations for lessons are made 3 weeks in advance with same-day reservations possible.
Absences and breaks. None for pre-paid and Voice lessons. Absences for monthly and Kids lessons are possible provided the reason for the absence (such as studying abroad, moving, or hospitalization) are submitted to g.communication in advance and approved by head office.
Wow, I thought they would try and slap a new coat of paint on the old and busted business model but it looks like they aren't even trying. Isn't this more of the same old thing but with smaller amounts of money and monthly payments?
ジー社 再開は４２都道府県
破たんしたＮＯＶＡから英会話教室事業を引き継いだジー・コミュニケーション（名古屋市）は１６日、埼玉県新座市の埼玉新座志木校を十七日に再開すると発表した。旧ＮＯＶＡの再開では最後となり、これで教室の継承をすべて完了する。
再開は全国４２都道府県の１２６校にとどまった。新規開校を含めると４３都道府県の１３５校となる。ジー社は旧ＮＯＶＡだけで２００校を目標としていたが、大きく計算が狂った。再開が少ないことで元受講生にも不満が出そうだ。
ＮＯＶＡの教室数は昨年１０月の破たん時には約６７０校だった。ジー社広報は「今後は新規開校を増やしていく」と話している。
ジー社はＮＯＶＡが入るビルの大家と交渉したが、家賃などの条件面で折り合わず再開できなかったケースが多いという。大規模商業施設などに１００教室程度あったイオングループとも交渉が決裂。多数の受講生が見込める東京、大阪の中心部でもほとんど再開できなかった。< /p>
福岡市のＪＲ博多駅近くのビルにある「ＮＯＶＡ博多本校」も再開に向けて協議したが「賃料や敷金などの条件面で交渉がまとまらなかった」（同ビル）ため、ジー社は再開を断念した。
再開ゼロは宮城、和歌山、鳥取、高知、鹿児島の５県。宮城県では仙台市で新規に開校した。
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Comments
brainlesss bunny
Perhaps the bunny is the only creature dumb enough to willingly work for Nova/G spot? Please tell me that there is nobody left there apart from the totally desperate! Then again, 70% of Americans once though Saddam was connected to 9/11... You will never lose any money overestimating human stupidity!
I wonder how many students-particularly new ones-they are getting. You do not need to be privy to any special info to know it will not be nearly enough to get very far after reading the article above.
Groin pubes
I used to work for Nova in Sendai(7 months ago). I think the reason for opening the new school there was that they lost the contract for the Honko branch(which had a lot of students) so its more like a relocation. Also from what I can recall Sendai branches taught a lot of kids-every teacher was kids trained. 5+ packed kids lessons a day is a lot of revenue.
I really can`t understand Gangsta Education`s buisness strategy though. You`d think they`d be making some big changes if they really wanted this new firm to work. Ah well I dont work for them anymore so I guess its not really something I should stress over. BTW-good luck to you guys up in Sendai.
G-com is using the bunnies
G-com is using the bunnies because the MM centre was polluted with them. Before nova went bankrupt about 200 school actually did close doors. Most of the resources were then sent to Osaka. A number of MM instructors were called back in to clean and separate items. G com did not pay for the items but is trying to recycle the bunnies. G com are scavengers. They do not create anything new, just use what they can. Have any of you seen the Voice tickets or new student cards? What a joke!
Open & Shut
Oh goody! They've finished opening branches just in time to start closing them down again! In my area instructors are being sent home on 'standby' and voice is being closed. I've talked to ex-Nova students who have wanted to come back but the staff told them to wait and sign up later. G comm's new ad campaign is supposed to be a celebration of the re-opening of Nova but it may well be its death knell.
It seems the expenses of re-opening Nova branches are still being calculated. For example Nova didn't pay its taxes last year! That bill is coming due along with this year's bill and G. comm/Nova can't leave the country like so many of its teachers have been want to do. Rents are way too high for the number of students and many branches have to be relocated or closed.
Here's my crystal ball prediction, for what it's worth. G. comm will start closing branches in February, laying off staff and telling standby teachers they won't be needed any more. Over the next couple of months the remaining Nova branches will be relocated to seedier premises, renamed 'EC' and Nova will be no more. (The free bunnies will be gone by then anyhow!)
The MM center is even now reopening and the Ginganet is firing up. But it's hard to imagine G. comm will be successful there when they have been so inept at everything else!
But the real spanner in the works will be the disgruntled students and teachers! At some point lawsuits will start flying and some of them might even stick. Will G. comm fight its students and teachers in court like Nova did?
All in all it looks like G. comm is a greedy little fish that tried to eat a whale and is choking on it! I wonder if the Nova trustees have the guts, or even the power, to step in and say enough is enough.
More schools
Actually, G.com are continuing to open more schools. How long that will continue for is hard to say as I doubt whether they have the money for many more.
In our branch which used to
In our branch which used to have a 3-student-max-per-classroom policy, we got told we're now increasing to 4 students per classroom. Instructors are sitting in the doorway with the Diplomat book on their lap.
in my branch rumors are
in my branch rumors are circulating that g. comm is thinking they bit off more than they could chew and may move the whole thing to taiwan instead. Things are already suspiciously being packed up and less and less supplies can be found around the office. now we are down to only one japanese staff. it seems like NOVA all over again here. when will the maddness end?
Anders is out
The rumor was that Anders Lundqvist, cofounder of Nova, quit on Friday (or was fired). Now the media have noticed and say that he's leaving this month:
I can't believe they kept
I can't believe they kept that stupid bunny... that was beyond brainless
http://oneria.ning.com/
More schools part 2
Branch #136 opened in Kyushu today.
Went to the labour office
Went to the labour office this week, any instructor on stand-by can sue Gcom because on the application for employment it was written that you shall receive full payment while on stand-by. You will now need to get documentation from G Com that they did give you that document. Good luck to you all.
osaka
There is a school I often pass in a prime location in Osaka. A couple weeks ago, I noticed workmen remodeling and covering the windows with paper. However, the left the big Nova signs up. Of course, this is a terrible image to give the public. It screams "HERE IS A FAILED NOVA SCHOOL!"
The madness/stupidity will only end when the bunny is finished off for good.
Went to the labor office comment:
Went to the labor office comment: There isn't any writing on the option A request for employment with G. Education that supports your comments:
1. You shall be hired as an employee and work for the time being according to the work area, title, work, form of
employment and working conditions as of the time when you left NOVA Corporation. The period of
employment will correspond to the remaining period of your Nova Instructor Contract. Your work, form of
employment and working conditions may be changed after due consultations between both parties.
当面の間、（株）NOVAを退職した際の勤務エリア、役職、勤務内容、雇用形態、勤務条件などを引
き継ぐものとします。雇用期間はNOVAインストラクタとしての契約のとなります。雇用期間終了時
、勤務内容、雇用形態、勤務条件については、双方の協議の上で変更になることもあります。
2. Your monthly income shall correspond to your final monthly income at NOVA Corporation. If you are standing
by at home, your salary will be paid at 60% of your final monthly income at NOVA Corporation.
月額賃金については、（株）NOVAの最終金額に準じます。自宅待機の場合は、給与の60％分が支給
されます。
3. Your allocation of paid holidays shall become available 6 months after your start date with G.education Co., Ltd.
The number of paid holidays in this allocation shall be the same as the number on your current Nova Instructor
Contract. Any paid holidays accrued while employed by NOVA Corporation shall not be carried over.
有給休暇はジーエデュケーションで勤務して6ヶ月後に発生します。その日数は現在のNOVAのインス
トラクターとしての契約書に記載されている日数に準じます。NOVAでの未消化の有給を持ち越すこ
とはできません。
4. A salary advance of ¥50,000 yen shall be provided on request. If you wish to receive this please check the box
below.
要望があれば、50,000円の前払い給与を支払います。希望する方は下のボックスを記入してください
However, option B leaves the 60% paragraph out of the request for employment:
You shall be hired as an employee and work for the time being according to the work area, title, work, form of
employment and working conditions as of the time when you left NOVA Corporation. The period of
employment will correspond to the remaining period of your Nova Instructor Contract. Your work, form of
employment and working conditions may be changed after due consultations between both parties.
当面の間、（株）NOVA を退職した際の勤務エリア、役職、勤務内容、雇用形態、勤務条件などを引き
継ぐものとします。雇用期間はNOVA インストラクタとしての契約のとなります。雇用期間終了時、
勤務内容、雇用形態、勤務条件については、双方の協議の上で変更にあることもあります。
2. Your monthly income shall correspond to your final monthly income at NOVA Corporation.
月額賃金については、（株）NOVA の最終金額に準じます。
3. Your allocation of paid holidays shall become available 6 months after your start date with G.education Co., Ltd.
The number of paid holidays in this allocation shall be the same as the number on your current Nova Instructor
Contract. Any paid holidays accrued while employed by NOVA Corporation shall not be carried over.
有給休暇はジーエデュケーションで勤務して6 ヶ月後に発生します。その日数は現在のNOVA のイン
ストラクターとしての契約書に記載されている日数に準じます。NOVA での未消化の有給を持ち越す
ことはできません。
4. A Payment of ¥150,000 yen shall be provided on request. If you wish to receive this please check the box below.
要望があれば、150,000 円を支払います。希望する方は下のボックスを記入してください。
Have fun analyzing that...
Flash, you didn't sign the
Flash, you didn't sign the same piece of paper as me. The one that I and most of the teachers in Kanagawa signed said that we would be paid fully for being on stand by. I wiil post a picture of it if necessary and the names and phone numbers of the people that gave them to us.
Nova website
Regarding the new GComm/Nova website: As of Jan.22, if you type in the old , you get redirected to the new site. I have been visiting the old site daily as it has been posting information from the trustees (although infrequently), and it is supposed to be staying up to date regarding the back-pay situation and how to get this money. I am not working for GComm, so I don't care what their website says; I am however, very much interested in the status of my unpaid wages. Anyone know the new site adress of the trustees?
Nova Website
And wasn't that a suprise! I too check the site often and suddenly it's G-comm. If you ain't got Nihongo then you are screwed. Actually that seems the flavour of the times.
Where do ex-Novarites get info re: applying for backpay. Actually on that note, "Does anyone have any info regarding this?"
I get the feeling that if you wnat to "make it" with this company, you need to be relativity fluent in Japanese and have a contract that does not expire in the near future.
Getting Back Pay from NOVA
I haven't been able to find much info about this either, but I'll tell you what I know. I've been on unemployment with Hello Work, and every time I go there I ask them if they know anything new. They told me that the trustees are still processing all of NOVA's information and trying to figure out how much is owed to whom. I was told to sit tight and wait for the trustees to mail me a bunch of stuff that is necessary to apply for back-pay. Hello Work doesn't know how long this process might take. I got the impression it will be several months at least.
I work for Gaba now, and there are several instructors at my branch who are also ex-NOVA teachers. One of them heard from someone that we have to fax our personal information to the trustees to let them know that we exist and we want our back-pay. I can't confirm the accuracy or source of this info, but I figure it certainly can't hurt so I got my info faxed off yesterday. This is what I was told to send them:
Send the fax "Attention to: Jinji Kanri".
Say that you want to apply for back-pay.
Include your name, current address, phone number, NOVA teacher number, and how long you worked for NOVA (starting and ending employment dates if you can be exact, otherwise an approximation will do)
I'm sorry, but I don't have the fax number with me at the moment. I'll try to dig it up and post it here if I can find it.
If anyone can add anything to this or verify the accuracy of this information, that would be appreciated!
Getting back pay from Nova
Yeah I heard that too- If you could post that fax number Id be most pleased- Cheers
Request for employment...
WOW, Different request for employment docs for different areas!!!!!! Go figure...anyone know how to light a fire under the butts of the people in charge of sending us our certificates for back pay???? I'm new to this country!
Old Nova web page
This is it. I hope this helps.
Hope this helps
Thank you for that. I will peruse it and hopefully gain some answers.
Trustee fax number
FP told me the trustee fax number is: 06 6360 6766
I have not confirmed this myself.
You can also call Gcomm/Nova Fp for the number at : 03-5524-2481
True info.
Jinji Kanri, the Office of the Trustees in Bankruptcy, Bankrupt Company Nova Corporation, Nishi Tenma Asahi Bldg 2nd Floor, Nishi Tenma 1-chome10-14, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi.
Fax: 06-6360-6766
Fresh off the net!
Someone I know had 5 people
Someone I know had 5 people in the lesson room today!!
I didn't mention it, but in
I didn't mention it, but in the PDF I linked to, it states the class sizes are 5 students. That seems to be the norm.
The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. -Albert Einstein
Shawn
Staff are still telling
Staff are still telling people 4 students max per lesson here. There's a sign out the front showing 6 in Ginga net lessons and 5 in a regular class, but that's not happening here *yet*
sick to death of nova
just when id written off my unpaid wages as an annoying life experience ive discovered nova is still shafting me from beyond the grave.
Who else needs their gensenchoshuhyo to reapply for their visa?
Who else has been pretty much told to piss off by anyone you contact about it?
According to what ive received from my new company we all need the above document as well as a letter of release from nova to apply for a new visa. Does anyone know a way of speeding up or circumventing this? the trustees say we shall get our gensenchoshuhyo by mid march. A convenient few weeks after the deadline for visa application for myself and a friend.
Have a nice day (unless youre A.A.M tracy dempsey or B.T.darne takahashi)
G-Communication's latest morale boost
For those of you that have not seen it, the video link below entails the details of the most recent fax sent to Nova instructors from G-Communication. It clearly explains how, once again, Nova is failing due to lazy foreign instructors. One might be forgiven for thinking that students are currently unable to book lessons because G-Communication sent a large number of teachers back on standby. However, this is an inaccurate assumption - as clearly explained in Director Ono's fax.
On the plus side, we can all take solace in the fact that Director Ono is doing his best to rectify the situation. His first step being to decree that if any instructor is absent from work, they will be summarily fired.
As one of the proud few remaining Nova instructors, I feel thoroughly motivated by this recent communication and will continue to serve G-Nova to the best of my abilities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTxRanF7Ze8
It is all your FAULT !!!!!!!!!!
You guys are all just losers. If you lazy instructors had got behind the wealth of professional executives that actually made something of their time in Japan, and actually climbed the ladder of a major corporate like Nova, instead of bitching and whining, then Nova would have never gone down, and you would all have jobs. Your unprofessional attitude and laziness is what sunk Nova, and now you all cry and moan because you don’t have jobs. Well tough luck.
Only joking. I had a laugh recently when I heard Fleming Lord got a long over-due kick in the head, let me tell you.
Nova gone – it is just fabulous news. Fabulous !!!!!!!! Burn Bunny burn !!!!!!!!!
To Hell with Nova !!!!!!!
Washing machine
These guys are trying to keep up the old game of washing dirty yakuza pachinko money opening lots of branches. This will hopefully (in their opinion) open up new fundings from clean investors.
It's the same old story and here in Italy we are experts in this game (what a shame!)
But I hope they will be able to do it, cause Nova was a shitty place packed with wonderful people and opportunities (not professional opportunities, I mean human). So this will mean lots of new people meeting and exchanging ideas , and the creation of a new micro-cosmos that will follow perfectly, as it was in the past, the same mechanism, logic and paths of the real "big" world. A fascinating social experiment.
I've spent three wonderful years over there.
Good luck new teachers! Bring vaseline with you!
Panamon - Marco
panamon23082 @ yahoo . it (no spaces)
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