Open Thread: GEOS Scuttlebutt

"You said, "22:46 spoken like true GEOS manager who is frustrated they cannot control the message. "

How is it that you say that? You think that he is a GEOS manager, or parroting the GEOS manager refrain? I didn't feel that at all.
"

because you are correct. Not a Geos manager. Just an anti-a()hole... I mean an anti-union schmuck, who lives in a place were a school is downsizing, NOT going out of business, listening to those with chips on their shoulders trying to control something that is NOT in their control, because it makes them feel more important and less impotent!

recap.

about a dozen foreign branches closed. big deal! Japanese students cannot go abroad with the same school they are enrolled in.

84 domestic schools to close. That is bad, but right-sizing means the business can continue AND perhaps expand one day again.

I meant Stockholm of course

K's business model is to be adopted by Harvard and other leading Colleges:

1. Successful business need only signboard and signboard must not be designer self-satisfaction.
2. If city council say 'no can have signboard', must negotiate as nowhere in the world is it allowded
3. Fees in advance is not a liabilty. It is MY cash
4. Managers who no understand cash sending system I fire. Managers who pay staff before sending me cash it is not allowded
5. If business make $1 profit, I take $5 dividend.
6. Only I know how to motivate staff....look at all the V-chats...the more I insult and abuse the more motivated staff are. This is key to happy staff.
7. Cash sending system is second revolution. First revolution was local recruitment. Only I know system. We are now in third revolution but I dont know what it is, but yes 'third revolution will be the key I think'
8. Key is to have competent family members in business....even nephews.

Like Nostradamus, we need to look deeply into what was actually meant. Take the following words of Special K which we have all heard:

"If parent keep giving money to son, son become lazy man. If parent stop giving money, son become a beggar'

OK, now substitute 'parent' for 'Australia' and 'son' for 'Special K'....and we have a prophecy come true!

That is at once very funny and inspiring (in a strange way). Thanks!

Yes, agree.. very funny and very true!

14:53 "People who work for, or are studying with GEOS and have livlihoods and money on the line, should definitely be keeping themselves up on what is happening and be thinking about their options very seriously."

A wise and excellent suggestion. Keeping the resume handy and up-to-date is a good policy even in the best of economic times!

The few people(with mulitiple aliases) ranting about how 'the sky is falling! the sky is falling! I know a secret about the sky falling, but I cannot tell you right now', need to chill out.

any good union stooge worth his yellow journalism degree knows that senior instructors are entrenched and very anti-union. Getting them to jump ship is the first step toward the anarchy they so enjoy. Newbies are timid and more than likely to join, then spy, then stab co-workers in the back to get ahead in their school organization. Seen that drama TOO many times at 'so called' "Union success sagas".

Any downsizing ahead of the (double digit?) consumer sales tax increase planned for 2011 would be a step well-taken. Students reportedly bailed when the tax was raised from three percent to five percent!!

Clearly the senior management here did not plan for an extended global recession. Few Japanese business leaders do. Too much trust in the old systems and a lack of an imagination are to blame. The higher you get, the few people you have to listen to.... !

peace... and QUIET!

Is to pop into the local Lexus dealer, treat himself to a nice new LS600 plated "IWON" and drive off into the sunset with a smile on his face and a song in his heart ready for another day of business in the world of eikaiwa.

HOW DO YOU TURN THE CAPS LOCK OFF?

.. and which is more effective, CAPITAL LETTERS or bold type?

Hell, WHY NOT BOTH??!!

GEOS Vancouver no more?! That is what is being said at this moment. Someone check...

And this goes for the VP in NA too!

There is more than one that would second that motion...

14:12 Page 3

You definitely did work at a GEOS NA location. I can support all of your statement as I did too...And it wasn't pretty. Rent barely paid, teachers had to scrounge for markers (don't they always at GEOS), could not photocopy without permission from the head honcho, office staff did not have even the most basic of supplies OR A DESK (ah, work in the "lunchroom"/ hallway...The list goes on. The GEOS manager used and abused his staff for any kind of free hours he could get out of them just to be able to suck a$s and send money back to Special K. Rent would barely be paid and usually through someone else getting screwed payments. ,

Rita Chen, GEOS North American Regional Marketing Manager, seems to be gone. Her name has been removed from the agent sites for GEOS Canada. Or she just doesn't want her name all over this mess.

"Riddle me this Batman. how would wishing the fall of GEOS, or helping it along by anonymously advising those gamefully employed by GEOS to QUIT, help, in any way, those teachers who have already lost their jobs, or those students who had lost their place of higher education....??"

When was this thread ever about helping teachers who've lost jobs at GEOS or students who left GEOS because their school closed? This is all about finding out just what the heck is going on at that mess of a company, pooling the info together and speculating on just what might be coming down the road. The best advice that could possibly be given for anyone in that situation is to get yourself away from such a place. NOVA gave everyone involved with GEOS an important lesson; companies like this don't give a shit about you. They only care about themselves. Both staff and students are expendable. When a company like this is experiencing such problems, what sane person would trust them? I sure as hell wouldn't. So, my advice remains; GET OUT NOW!

I don't sympathize with any company who knowingly lies to both staff and clients. They deserve to fall if they do not change.

Good that we are ignoring the union guy. I do not agree with unions, but this guy is just trying to divert attention away from the mess GEOS is. He is not anti-union as much as he is desperately trying to distract everyone's attention away from the collapse of GEOS.

It has nothing to do with all companies, just this one that is bad. And its dirtbag managers (the smart ones left a long time ago to manage other schools...M in NYC for example).

"but this guy is just trying to divert attention away from the mess GEOS is. "

dude! why are YOU, through all these aliases, working so hard to bring down a company before it has a chance to work itself out.

Bitter?? Vendictive?? Pray tell, what was the cause?? Did the owner man-hanclle you in the cloak room one day??

No one cares what Rita Chen is wearing or the care she is driving, or where she was last seen. No one cares if another Canadian vacation destination with English classes goes by the boards. Get over it.

And last time I checked they had still not repaid Australia the debts they owe! Easy to live on borrowed money and ignore the obligation to repay.

Unless of course Mr Union man or whomever you may be, you think non repayment of debts is 'allowded'

First effort to distract: this japan staff versus NA staff thing. Next effort to distract: the union thing. These guys are working hard on the old divide and rule principle - however, whenever they get a rebuff they give the game away - - total amateurs.

13:56 "Dude. like dude. dude. dude..."

Not the most intelligent of our group. Nor does he speak for everyone as he tries so hard to do...And what is with all the "multiple aliases" comments repeated over and over? Seriously, you sound paranoid. The last time I checked 99% pf the people, including that poster, use "Anonymous" on here. So unless you are Shawn with access to our locations, etc. (?), how could you know it is one person with "many aliases"? Dude, we all use "anonymous"!

By the way, where is Rita Chen. This actually is somewhat of a big deal because she recently moved from GEOS NYC (where Mike the NA manager suddenly quit) to GEOS Montreal where that Uri guy is who seems to try and run the show. Rita Chen is the NA marketing head and was instrumental in writing the GEOS agent letter (signed by her) telling everyone nothing was wrong at all...until, of course, the GEOS Australia collapse, GEOS England gone, etc. She had her name everyone, but suddenly it is no where and not attempts to reach her have been successful. She is a kew part of the NA management team, so if she is gone, well, it says a lot.

P.S. Seem to have a bitter GEOS manager back on here. We non-managers (including former staff) can usually pick up on their arrogance. This person smells desperate now and a little bit frustrated. :-)

"Good that we are ignoring the union guy. I do not agree with unions"

Good for you sir!

Hope you enjoy the unemployment line!

Stupid stupid stupid!!

I do not agree with unions or GEOS corporation. Next...

In other news, GEOS managers are really starting to be a whiny bunch. I guess that is what happens when your whole (fake, corrupt) world comes crashing down on you.

That's what I love about this forum. Us GEOS insiders can post anything we want without being controlled by GEOS anymore. The only people who have an issue with these insider accounts are the stooge managers and Mr. K.

It is great to see all those posting on here. There is more I know, and it will come out in time. I will only do so if it doesn't hurt those I know still working in GEOS that are good people. Although there are not too many of those left.

Bets part, make sue everyone can offer some information can warn other and hold those in GEOS accountable, well, accountable for their actions. No one is calling out the good people still left in GEOS or those who are good and used to work there. The only people that are getting their sh*t expose are the ones who have sh*t to expose. Like the old saying goes, if you have done nothing wrong then you have nothing to worry about.

So far people have called out Wendy (but now she bought some schools), Uri Carnat (who I have heard is a real a*s and all on here seem to agree a Napolean), Rita Chen (who was all about excuses in December but seems to have disappeared from the GEOS radar), and a few others. We have also talked about the good people, such as Mike in NYC and N. in Vancouver, but they have left the company.

Few beers, near beer or no beer notwithstanding, most people here write just like you.

Well, it looks like there was nothing "big" to announce; or perhaps the prognosticators will have to suck it in and admit that another rumor has passed us by in the night.

Where are you now, oh Great Prognosticator? ET call home.

PLEASE PUT THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!! THE LINK HAS EXPIRED!!

There is a certain manager at GEOS Canada who likes to, well, complain when he doesn't like something. It usually involves something he doesn't want exposed about him or he feels insecure about because it might put his "marketing efforts" to shame. Let's just say this little someone decided to make a complaint against the video that was posted early...Possible a copyright complaint, but as we know it had nothing to do with copyrights. ;-)

There goes the paranoia again. Come on. You use words like "Let's just say..." and "possible copyright". I can well imagine the film's owner making a complaint, but there is no way that "a certain manager at GEOS Canada" would have any credibility. And who would that certain manager complain to? Would it be Shawn? Let's Japan? If I were Shawn or Let's Japan I would not give a GEOS manager the time of day. It is a basic legal thing. Let me explain. If Tom and Jane enter into a contract, that contract cannot obligate me to do anything, because I am not a party to the contract. Although we have a different situation here, the concept is the same in that the so called GEOS Canada manager has no obligations and NO RIGHTS under copyright law, because he does not own the film. Simple.

People can make fake copyright violation complaints to get a video removed, even if only temporarily. Just depends in the service. Some are automated. Research, please.

could have been the manager complainig about the content of the vid? Actually, the vid is interesting as it was beginning to explore the role of GEOS notables in - allegedly - being compliant in transferring funds out of domestic GEOSs and over to Tokyo. And here we again begin to touch on the idea of de facto directors in a company. A fascinating area to consider. And an area that has become of real interest to corporate regulators subsequent to the GFC. Time is ticking now as the liquidation process gains momentum down in Australia.....which way will the regulators jump? Heads into the sands or active investigation? Stay tuned. folks.PS Pze get the video up onto YouTube!

I tried to post it. I got an email from YouTube saying it was copyright of some film company, (libitoires, or something) so it had been blocked. The email actually came as I was uploading it.

This is the email, I deleted the bit with my details (of course);

ヘルプ センター | メール オプション | スパムの報告
TheMidnighttalker様

あなたの動画「Mr K hears bad news」に、Constantin Film さんが所有またはライセンスを所持しているコンテンツが含まれている可能性があります。

Sincerely,
- YouTube チーム

© 2010 YouTube, LLC
901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

Well, it looks like there was nothing "big" to announce; or perhaps the prognosticators will have to suck it in and admit that another rumor has passed us by in the night.

Ok so they didn't go ahead with making the GEOS NA news public on Friday. Throw me to the lions. In fact every thing is rosy at GEOS. The place is thinking about opening new operations in exciting new emerging markets. Australia, NZ, Europe are all but mirages. They're actually still open. GIOTurkey was just having a joke. They've actually just opened another office. And as for Mike leaving NYC for a leading competitor, well, Mike just doesn't exist. Never did. Never will. GEOS cutting back with their domestic market? Mr K's april fool joke - nicely done. Japanese staff consistently paid late? Just not true - they get monthly double bonuses these days plus a Toyota company car - Prius I think. Global agents leaving in droves? More like they are flocking to GEOS in numbers greater than ever.

Everything at GEOS is wonderful. A big friendly bear with milk and cookies in fact. As you say, it's all rumors. Damned those rumors.

Look what you've reduced me to - and I hate sarcy twats. So you haven't appreciated my heads up on numerous developments that came to be? Well excuse me for throwing my toys out of the pram but I won't be leaking any more insider info I get here. And when the NA announcement does come, whether tomorrow or next month, I'll expect a grovelling apology.

Thanks MT! That was a good laugh. MEIN FUHRER!!!!!!!!

That was so funny... I laughed so hard.

I am currently employed by the Giant Exploitative Oppressing System within Japan, and I thought you all might like to know some interesting events which have occurred. First, we were instructed to send photocopies of every students' attendance sheet to Tokushima Head Office. Second, we were suddenly told that we are required to show up early on Tuesday morning to attend some kind of emergency v-chat about "the new school system."

I have heard rumors that the Giant Exploitative Oppressing System wouldn't be able to survive the week without income over Golden Week, and this meeting is to occur giving us one continuous week before Golden Week... I've heard people putting all of the above together and speculating that this is the end, that we'll be supposed to tell the students over the course of the week that the Giant Exploitative Oppressing System has popped some cyanide capsules and shot itself in the head.

I hope these speculations prove to be incorrect, but I'm figuring fifty-fifty.
Now, where can we get these managers some treatment for Stockholm syndrome?

If anyone with the copy of the video wants to post it on Youtube (and they censor more than the guy who runs this blog!), just open it with a video editing software and make some kind of small change (like add a frame at the end).

I pulled a video I made mocking islam several times. Just make a small change and upload it again!

Anyone have any idea what the emergency, really urgent, mandatory, outside of working hours V-chat on Tuesday for all GEOS Japan staff is about? Something about a new system but even my manager has no idea what system they're talking about. I've been here awhile and there's never been a v-chat for all staff that starts at 10 am on a workday!

Could Shane be next? Check out the latest post on TEFLtastic

Looks like the big announcement is true after all! I work for Geos and can verify the above details re the tuesday meeting. No way am I going to come in at 10am not in my contract and not gonna happen. They said make sure we sign in early to get paid "extra". Like extra screw you for coming in early you stupid schmuck. Why else would they ask us to come in early other than they don't want the students around when everyone freaks out. Maybe this will be one final "Ganbatte!" put on your genki face and hail to the company. If this was a new system why can't they send an email with the details, they want no evidence that's why. I don't get paid I don't work that simple.

Exactly. It is something bad. Maybe 7 or 6 months ago the pres sent out a video rambling about how gotta do this and that. managers are bad and teachers gotta do well and "they just don't understand" remember that one. terrible audio on the video and his English sucked ass (you could tell he must have taken the sprint classes). They could send a video right? They made it clear that everyone should have their mic disabled. No questions no comments. Why no video? I mean does anyone really believe they are going to pay us extra to come in 2 or 3 hours early? My ass they will! Maybe the company will survive a little longer I hope so I can get one last paycheck. But come on who has faith in this company?

Each month they stay open is a surprise to me. My manager was paid late several times in the last 7 months (four days was the longest period in January. The managers were promised a bonus last summer but they kept telling them it would come later and later and later until they didn't pay them. I figured they might go bust before Xmass since they would be out the long holiday to bring in cash. Since Golden week is coming up, I'm afraid they might have finally hit the wall. I don't know for certain but look at the school goals. They have been halved and few schools are close to making those reduced goals. I've heard a similar thing happened to Nova... They closed a lot of schools then shortly after they went bust. The economy is terrible here in Japan. Learning English is a luxury or hobby for most people. Few visitors if any at all this year. Much much worse than last year. Really bad. How about your school?

Hah, I've never actually done a "V-Chat", and an only vaguely aware of what they are. Never had a manager or anything. I've never sent in a DTR, etc. I'm good at computers so maybe I can figure out how to start it up but... do I really want to bother? I mean, that e-mail about the silly tuesday meeting (which, seriously, made me go through, what, 10 MS excel files to try to figure out which time I was supposed to sign in...) came right as I was leaving. I could easily just be like, yeah I didn't get that.

Anyway I've told all my students that the place is closing soon, so... what's this big ... 'new system'? Can't you just tell me what I'm supposed to do..? And if the 'V-Chat' is supposed to be so it doesn't leave a paper trail, someone needs to inform this company about, like, the fact that it's 2010 and there's an internet and all that. The school closing email was sent as a .GIF file, as if that's ... somehow harder to copy and paste...

anyway. I mean it's kind of interesting seeing this all firsthand. I'm only annoyed that I didn't use any of my 有給 days, planning that all for the summer. Ah well.

I feel very bad for the students. I could never ever understand why Japanese people pay 1 year or 6 months upfront. After Nova and all!

Please, some get a way to record the V-Chat and get it on the Internet!!! Would be priceless.

So Tuesday is the big day, eh? So I figure we will finish work here in NA by the time the V-chat goes live. But I bet my manager will stay late (as he has trying to figure out how to drum up business) and watch the v-chat. Ahh, would love to be there just to hear the yelling and screaming. Sucks that the doors probably will be locked when I try to go in Tuesday morning (NA time).

4:17 and an earlier posting...

Relax, we are mostly just jesting with you. Did you ever think we were just trying to put a little pressure on you, in a kind way, to divulge more info? We just want to know and know for sure given all the jobs on the line, etc. So missed deadlines for "big announcements" just make us more agitate and confused. That's all.

But we DO believe you. We just want more info, and preferably before Special K gets his chance to announce it and tell us how stupid we are...

Tuesday sounds big. Please, if anybody has even a hint of what that means to the GEOS NA operations please tell us as much as you can and quickly. Thank you in advance.

0:15 Are you the same person who posts about the "big announcements"? Curious to hear what you have to say.