Fridae

Perhaps Ken should rethink his business model. For the center to survive it must be sustainable, relevant & marketable. Where does the fund come from? As other businesses, without a smooth flow of revenue, it can't survive. How can it fit into the LGBT community's lifestyle so that it becomes a part of their lifestyle rather than just a clinic-like center? How does donating to it benefit commercial donors? I admire Ken's enthusiasm and passion. But he really needs better marketing planning. If he continues to rely on occasional fund raising campaigns from which he hopes he get the big fish, he can't ensure that the center can survive in the long run. Even NKF & Renci in Singapore need higher predictability of revenue by having thousands of regular donors. So, Ken needs more numerous small donors who contribute regular, such as monthly, via Interbank GIRO. Second, he needs commercial donors, especially pink businesses such as discos, saunas, pubs, hair salons & media companies (e.g. Fridae). He could work with them to sell vouchers that may be redeemed for the latter's products & services on behalf of them, for a commission. He should also organize regular fund raising activities at their premises. For example, his center may co-host annually a Man Hunt at one of the gay discos. Profit from the cover charges could be split. Regular donors (e.g. via GIRO) may be rewarded with some vouchers. For example, a monthly donation of HK$100 may entitle the donor to a free entry + a complimentary house pour at one of the gay discos (usually priced at around HK$100 too) during the same month. He may enter into some agreement with the disco owner that the center would pay him HK$70-80 for every redeemed voucher. HK$20-30 would become the profit. On top of that, a gift of, say, 3 months' VIP membership of Fridae may be given as reward for each full year's donation. Donors may also be entitled to buy vouchers for drinks packages for a discount. Other businesses that are good candidates include hair salons, travel agencies, health food stores, fashion boutiques, cafes, pubs and saunas which gays frequently do business with. Next, it should also focus on LIFESTYLE rather than HIV PREVENTION. Most gays who haven't been affected personally get bored when you try to preach about HIV-prevention, just like smokers being told about how harmful smoking can be. People only start to worry when their health deteriorates. Perhaps only when they themselves or a family member had been diagnosed with lung cancer would smokers start to worry. So, its strategic posture has to change from that of HIV PREVENTION CENTER to GAY LIFESTYLE CLUB, with the aim of promoting a hot, exciting yet healthy lifestyle. This makes it more appealing to most gays. Gays want to know how to look better, where to club, etc. So, if you want them to swallow a 'bitter' pill, you'd better coat it with 'sugar' like these. There are many things that can be done at the center beside promoting HIV prevention. Talks about grooming, body sculpting, make up. Sales talks for travel packages, hairdressing courses, gyms, etc may also be conducted. Many gays are keen about these information. Some may even be willing to pay to obtain the information. Certificates of Competence may be awarded for participants who have achieved, say, 75-100% attendance for a series of grooming talks to enhance the attractiveness of these talks. These educational seminars also enhance the life of the participants by helping them enhance their employability in certain cases. Other skill areas that may be considered are: public speaking, conversational English/Mandarin/Japanese, negotiation, retail selling, customer service, wine mixing, social dance, relaxation techniques, job interviewing, CV preparation, studying skills, time management skills, journalism, proofreading, telephone skills, bookkeeping and Charsiew making.

Sun...wow, thats a well thought out plan! Wish you could work with the center, you sound quite enthused. Asia needs more guys like Ken and company, and supporters such as yourself.

#2:
I am flattered. While I could offer some tips offhand I haven't the opportunity or time to go further. I guess Fridae's being helpful by reporting on Ken's difficult situation. Apparently, Ken is in need of some help. While I don't discourage those who want to offer some donation to do so, I don't think it helps much. A more sustainable solution is what Ken needs. I guess every individual in our community would feel it's a pity if such a passionate soul is forced to forgo his noble mission. A more practical solution would be for members of the HK's LGBT community to offer their help to Ken asap. As I mentioned, the problem lies on poor planning, so even our timely donation can only buy Ken time; it can't solve the root problem. Ken really needs an MBA to sit down with him over a weekend to discuss about what he has to offer, and explain in layman terms what it'd take from a business perspective to achieve his goals. Preferably, a business plan should be crafted for Ken over the weekend or the following week. Without a road map, Ken may be clueless as to how he could afford the costs of operations, such as the rental. Without more funding, the scope of Ken's activities is also limited. If his mission is to promote safer sex and regular testing, and to provide counseling, to distressed gays, how could he help much more people in these areas economically? To address all these issues, he would need examination into the integral aspects of Economics, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Project Management, Operations Management, Strategic Planning, Human Resource Management. As such, I suggest that Ken seeks the guidance of an MBA in HK. A change of perspective is often necessary for a business facing crisis to turn around. For example, Hollywood once had a crisis due to a myopic view that it was in the movie business, when entertainment was really the business it was in. That's the reason I emphasised the importance of Ken repositioning the center's business from HIV PREVENTION to HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. As for the other issues, I guess I'd leave it to the MBA-whoever he may be-who'll be helping Ken to address later. Let's all wish Ken all the best with, and thank Ken for, his endeavor.

With all of HK's thriving SAUNA businesses (at least 20 or so!!!) they should start GIVING BACK to the community by taking turns SPONSORING the Center. By donating the proceeds from even their SLOWEST night of the week, making the rent would be no problem.