COULSON'S 'KOOL' RULES FOR A COMPETITIVE WORLD

COULSON'S 'KOOL' RULES FOR A COMPETITIVE WORLD

BRUCE Coulson is one "Kool" character, revolutionising the childcare industry through state-of-the-art facilities for kids.

Established in 2007, Kool Kids has grown to employ more than 250 staff across 12 locations and in June last year was sold to G8 Education (ASX:GEM). However, Kool Kids founder Coulson still plays an active role in the company, developing the last two centres for the childcare giant.

The entrepreneur's most recent development, Kool Kids Nerang, is set to take childcare to a whole new level with the facility boasting a five-lane running track, long jump and shot put pits, an obstacle course and AFL goal posts, a library with interactive touch screens and a kid's nutrition centre.

The 7000sqm site, which is expected to open its doors in July, also will feature an array of furry friends including chickens, goats and guinea pigs.

"This centre is like no other - there will be nothing that stacks up against Nerang Kool Kids," says Coulson.

"Why are we doing this?  Because if we don't, someone else will and if we don't shift to align ourselves more to a school, we will get over taken.

"If you don't stay ahead of the game then the game catches up with you and then you become just another person that is operating a business that is the same as everybody else.

"With this new model, we will be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition."

Kool Kids Nerang can cater for up to 140 children and is already three quarters full. A second childcare centre is currently being developed by Coulson with the same model in Casuarina, NSW.

Speaking at a Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce event, Coulson attributes the growth of Kool Kids to "sticking to the basics" and doing things that others don't.

He adds he is not interested in being the biggest, just the best.

"My three main things to focus on in business are service, follow up and commitment from our people who join the cause - basic," he says.

"The idea is to get a team that is so committed to Kool Kids and so focused that they just become unbeatable."

Coulson has also established and runs Kool Kids Training College, providing opportunities to aspiring childcare workers.

Founded just two years ago, Kool Kids training college has grown from 15 students to more than 300 with offices in Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba and a vision to expand into Melbourne and Sydney in 2016.

"By the end of this year, I imagine we will see the training college with about 500 students under training," says Coulson..

Next month Kool Kids Training College is launching e-learning so anyone in Australia can access courses.

BRUCE COULSON'S TOP TEN TIPS:

1. Provide the world's best customer service
2. Provide the world's best follow up
3. Follow through on a promise
4. Develop a list of non-negotiables
5. Never give up
6. Stay focussed
7. Abolish cynical behaviour
8. Back-end control know your business inside and out
9. Network
10. Smile

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