Dixon Judd/CEO/Performance Resource Group

Superior Performance Through Integrated Solutions


Management consulting

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Management consulting indicates both the industry and practice of helping organizations improve their performance primarily through the analysis of existing business problems and development of plans for improvement.

Organizations hire the services of management consultants for a number of reasons, including gaining external (and presumably objective) advice and access to the consultants’ specialized expertise
Because of their exposure to and relationships with numerous organizations, consulting firms are also said to be aware of industry “best practices“, although the transferability of such practices from one organization to another may be problematic depending on the situation under consideration[citation needed].

Consultancies may also provide organizational change management assistance, development of coaching skills, technology implementation, strategy development, or operational improvement services. Management consultants generally bring their own, proprietary methodologies or frameworks to guide the identification of problems, and to serve as the basis for recommendations for more effective or efficient ways of performing business tasks.

Change management,embrace it and SUCCEED !

Change management is a structured approach to shifting/transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. It is an organizational process aimed at empowering employees to accept and embrace changes in their current business environment.

Examples of Organizational Change

 

  1. Missionary changes – Laser specific Mission.
  2. Strategic changes – The “HOW” to get there .
  3. Operational changes (including Structural changes) - Proper Market Alignment.
  4. Technological changes - To bring Your value to the forefront.
  5. Changing the attitudes and behaviors of personnel - Making sure the right people are in the right positions.

As a multidisciplinary practice that has evolved as a result of scholarly research, Organizational Change Management should begin with a systematic diagnosis of the current situation in order to determine both the need for change and the capability to change. The objectives, content, and process of change should all be specified as part of a Change Management plan.

Change Management processes may include creative marketing to enable communication between change audiences, but also deep social understanding about leadership’s styles and group dynamics. As a visible track on transformation projects, Organizational Change Management aligns groups’ expectations, communicates, integrates teams and manages people training. It makes use of performance metrics, such as financial results, operational efficiency, leadership commitment, communication effectiveness, and the perceived need for change to design appropriate strategies, in order to avoid change failures or solve troubled change projects.

Successful change management is more likely to occur if the following are included:

  1. Benefits management and realization to define measurable stakeholder aims, create a business case for their achievement (which should be continuously updated), and monitor assumptions, risks, dependencies, costs, return on investment, dis-benefits and cultural issues affecting the progress of the associated work.
  2. Effective Communications that informs various stakeholders of the reasons for the change (why?), the benefits of successful implementation (what is in it for us, and you) as well as the details of the change (when? where? who is involved? how much will it cost? etc.).
  3. Devise an effective education, training and/or skills upgrading scheme for the organization.
  4. Counter resistance from the employees of companies and align them to overall strategic direction of the organization.
  5. Provide personal coaching (if required) to alleviate any change related fears.
  6. Monitoring of the implementation and fine-tuning as required.
  7. Hiring Dixon Judd early on will provide the “Best Case” for your company.

America’s Most And Least Reputable Big Companies

Sales Leadership

America’s Most And Least Reputable Big Companies

Jacquelyn Smith, 04.05.11, 12:01 AM EDT  Forbes List

“Amazon is the most reputable company in the U.S. in 2011 because consumers believe that it stands for more than what it sells,” says Anthony Johndrow, managing partner at Reputation Institute. “Its enterprise-wide story engages consumers in more than just delivering innovative products and services, a trustworthy and ethical customer experience or strong financial performance. The whole really is greater than the sum of the parts with Amazon, and this holistic perception creates a meaningful connection between Amazon and consumers, resulting in an excellent reputation score.”

The industrial products firm 3M ( MMM news people ), another newcomer to the top 10, holds the No. 4 spot with a pulse score of 81. The St. Paul-based company is constantly innovating and acquiring businesses to stay ahead of the curve. A year of strong financial performance raised its profile and enhanced its reputation as a company.

“The people of 3M have always understood the compelling nature of character and integrity as the defining elements of our reputation,” George W. Buckley, 3M’s chief executive, told Reputation Institute. “This reputational foundation is the critical element in building the trust of our customers in 3M as we work towards their success, as well as our own. Technology and integrity are the combined glue that holds 3M together.”

In Pictures: America’s 10 Most Reputable Companies

In Pictures: America’s 10 Least Reputable Companies

After dropping out of the top 10 last year, FedEx ( FDX news people ) returns in the No. 7 spot, with a pulse score of 79.63. Why? With its legendary founder, Fred Smith, still pushing the envelope as he leads the way on vehicle energy efficiency standards, FedEx’s excellent reputation starts at the top. The logistics services company invests in telling its enterprise-wide story rather than focusing exclusively on products and services, and that allows consumers to applaud what it stands for, not just what it sells.

Last year’s winner, Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ news people ) (No. 3), has made the top 10 for the past six years. Food makers Kellogg‘s ( K news people ) (No. 5) and Sara Lee ( SLE news people ) (No. 8) and tech giant Google ( GOOG news people ) (No. 9) all dropped two spots from 2010–but stayed near the top nonetheless.

Overall, consumer products, industrial products, food manufacturing, computer and general retail companies scored highest. At the other end of the spectrum, telecommunications, energy and diversified financial companies earned the weakest scores.

“The next segment gives a reason to pause. Let’s consider the” why” before we look at “how” this can be turned around. Sometimes a glaring ” F” on the report card is the wake up call needed to inspire change. Both success and failure leaves clues. The companies at the top of the list are  not there by accident, neither are the ones at the bottom. Will you and your company position yourselves to be at the top  of your segment?

Number 34 , 35 and 62 are in very competitive segments and yet they maintain a ranking far superior to their peers between the 100 – 150 positions.”

Decide to Compete at YOUR highest level!, Dixon Judd, CEO of Performance Resource Group.

The least reputable company on the list this year: Freddie Mac ( FRE news people ). In dead last, the home mortgage financier earned a pulse score of 29.47. AIG ( AIG news people ) did only slightly better with 33.94 points, and Fannie Mae ( FNM news people ) proved the third least reputable company, with a score of 34.70. In the No. 4 spot, Goldman Sachs ( GS news people ) dropped 9.6 points to 37.14. But it’s not all bad for financials. A few in the sector saw significant reputation gains this year. US Bancorp ( USB news people ) and JPMorgan Chase ( JPM news people ) saw their scores increase by 4.79 and 4.11 points, respectively. Citigroup ( C news people ) (+9.11) and Morgan Stanley ( MS news people ) (+8.04) had some of the biggest jumps on the list.

2011 Rank Company Stock Ticker RepTrak Pulse 2011 RepTrak Pulse 2010 Change vs. 2010 Industry
1 Amazon.com AMZN 82.7 76.94 5.76 Retail – General
2 Kraft Foods KFT 81.4 84.84 -3.45 Food – Manufacturing
3 Johnson & Johnson JNJ 81.32 85.82 -4.49 Consumer Products
4 3M MMM 81 77.15 3.85 Industrial Products
5 Kellogg’s K 80.87 82.78 -1.91 Food – Manufacturing
6 UPS UPS 80.46 78.93 1.53 Transport & Logistics
7 FedEx FDX 79.63 77.59 2.04 Transport & Logistics
8 Sara Lee SLE 79.53 80.04 -0.51 Food – Manufacturing
9 Google GOOG 79.25 79.31 -0.06 Information & Media
10 Walt Disney Company DIS 79.02 82.11 -3.09 Information & Media
11 Texas Instruments TXN 78.46 75.79 2.68 Computer
12 Caterpillar CAT 77.95 78.07 -0.12 Industrial Products
13 Kohl’s KSS 77.91 71.43 6.48 Retail – General
14 Whirlpool WHR 77.51 76.81 0.69 Consumer Products
15 General Mills GIS 77.44 78.46 -1.03 Food – Manufacturing
16 HJ Heinz HNZ 77.29 77.46 -0.17 Food – Manufacturing
17 Berkshire Hathaway BRK.A 77.24 73.92 3.32 Financial – Diversified
18 Eastman Kodak EK 76.85 77.73 -0.88 Consumer Products
19 Staples SPLS 76.5 77.7 -1.2 Retail – General
20 Procter & Gamble PG 76.45 74.26 2.18 Consumer Products
21 Lowe’s Home Improvement LOW 76.35 76.64 -0.28 Retail – General
22 Intel INTC 76.34 76.88 -0.54 Computer
23 Target TGT 76.17 73.49 2.68 Retail – General
24 Home Depot HD 76.11 74.29 1.83 Retail – General
25 Coca-Cola KO 75.85 76.86 -1.01 Beverage
26 Macy’s M 75.69 70.43 5.27 Retail – General
27 JC Penney JCP 75.34 76.28 -0.94 Retail – General
28 PepsiCo PEP 75.09 81.2 -6.1 Beverage
29 Colgate-Palmolive CL 74.4 77.99 -3.59 Consumer Products
30 CVS Caremark CVS 74.31 71.44 2.87 Retail – General
31 Xerox XRX 74.31 75.99 -1.68 Industrial Products
32 Kimberly-Clark KMB 74.14 73.25 0.89 Consumer Products
33 Baxter International BAX 74.04 68.98 5.05 Services
34 Southwest Airlines LUV 74.02 73.38 0.64 Airlines & Aerospace
35 Marriott International MAR 74.02 76.29 -2.27 Services
36 Kroger KR 73.86 73.35 0.51 Retail – Food
37 Avon Products AVP 73.67 73.2 0.47 Consumer Products
38 Goodyear GT 73.62 74.24 -0.62 Automotive
39 Office Depot ODP 73.58 73.06 0.52 Retail – General
40 Hewlett-Packard HPQ 73.58 76.92 -3.34 Computer
41 Nike NKE 73.45 74.11 -0.66 Consumer Products
42 Cisco Systems CSCO 73.22 71.1 2.12 Computer
43 Costco Wholesale COST 73.21 72.98 0.23 Retail – General
44 IBM IBM 73.12 76.77 -3.65 Computer
45 BJ’s Wholesale Club BJ 73.04 73.63 -0.59 Retail – General
46 Apple AAPL 72.89 78.36 -5.47 Computer
47 Microsoft MSFT 72.73 79.28 -6.55 Computer
48 State Farm Insurance 72.7 65.1 7.6 Financial – Insurance
49 Oracle ORCL 72.66 70.04 2.61 Computer
50 Tyson Foods TSN 72.51 72.66 -0.15 Food – Manufacturing
51 Honeywell International HON 72.27 66.82 5.45 Industrial Products
52 Deere & Co. DE 72.2 73.58 -1.39 Industrial Products
53 Walgreens WAG 72.14 73.33 -1.19 Retail – General
54 Dean Foods DF 72.11 78.79 -6.68 Food – Manufacturing
55 Motorola MSI 71.74 75.5 -3.76 Electrical & Electronics
56 Alcoa AA 71.51 69.93 1.58 Raw Materials
57 Ford F 71.47 64.3 7.18 Automotive
58 Medtronic MDT 71.35 72.57 -1.22 Services
59 Hess HES 71.04 68.38 2.65 Energy
60 TJX Companies TJX 70.75 66.6 4.15 Retail – General
61 Southern Company SO 70.28 72.95 -2.67 Utilities
62 Prudential PRU 70.25 67.88 2.37 Financial – Insurance
63 Boeing BA 69.65 71.16 -1.51 Airlines & Aerospace
64 Time Warner TWX 69.44 54.46 14.98 Information & Media
65 General Electric GE 69.29 76.55 -7.26 Conglomerate
66 Bristol-Myers Squibb BMY 69.27 66.91 2.36 Pharmaceuticals
67 New York Life Insurance 69.23 63.72 5.51 Financial – Insurance
68 Safeway SWY 69.15 70.77 -1.62 Retail – Food
69 Nordstrom JWN 69.06 69.28 -0.22 Retail – General
70 Gap GPS 68.91 69.47 -0.57 Retail – General
71 Dell DELL 68.71 75.66 -6.95 Computer
72 DuPont DFT 68.37 70.61 -2.25 Chemicals
73 Supervalu SVU 68.04 63.24 4.8 Retail – Food
74 Chubb CB 68 69.39 -1.39 Financial – Insurance
75 Constellation Energy CEG 67.68 66.2 1.47 Utilities
76 Travelers TRV 67.51 67.31 0.2 Financial – Insurance
77 Eli Lilly LLY 67.44 68.28 -0.84 Pharmaceuticals
78 Best Buy BBY 67.43 72.58 -5.15 Retail – General
79 Hartford Financial Services HIG 67.42 65.17 2.26 Financial – Diversified
80 ConAgra Foods CAG 67.27 71.26 -4 Food – Manufacturing
81 eBay EBAY 67.16 71.19 -4.03 Retail – General
82 BB&T BBT 66.94 66.29 0.65 Financial – Bank
83 Pfizer PFE 66.69 69.67 -2.99 Pharmaceuticals
84 Amgen AMGN 66.65 70.48 -3.83 Pharmaceuticals
85 Abbott Laboratories ABT 66.58 71.82 -5.24 Pharmaceuticals
86 Liberty Mutual Insurance 66.26 63.57 2.69 Financial – Insurance
87 Progressive PGR 66.19 67.67 -1.48 Financial – Insurance
88 Sears Holdings SHLD 66.13 63.91 2.23 Retail – General
89 Allstate ALL 66.02 64.35 1.67 Financial – Insurance
90 Bank of New York Mellon BK 65.66 60.17 5.5 Financial – Bank
91 Nationwide NFS 65.56 66.84 -1.28 Financial – Insurance
92 Continental Airlines UAL 65.46 60.29 5.17 Airlines & Aerospace
93 Rite Aid RAD 65.31 76.04 -10.73 Retail – General
94 MetLife MET 65.25 65.15 0.1 Financial – Insurance
95 Starbucks Coffee SBUX 65.05 68.2 -3.15 Retail – Food
96 American Express AXP 64.93 62.12 2.81 Financial – Diversified
97 FPL Group (now NextEra Energy) FPL (now NEE) 64.89 64.73 0.16 Utilities
98 SunTrust Banks STI 64.85 68.1 -3.25 Financial – Bank
99 Reynolds American RAI 64.83 . . Tobacco
100 CBS Broadcasting CBS 64.82 68.25 -3.43 Information & Media
101 UAL – United Airlines UAL 64.76 59.95 4.81 Airlines & Aerospace
102 Delta Air Lines DAL 63.85 62.79 1.06 Airlines & Aerospace
103 Merck MRK 63.81 65.24 -1.43 Pharmaceuticals
104 Wal-Mart WMT 63.73 61.72 2.01 Retail – General
105 Aflac AFL 63.33 65.15 -1.82 Financial – Insurance
106 UnitedHealth UNH 63.3 56.06 7.23 Services
107 US Airways LCC 63.26 63.27 -0.01 Airlines & Aerospace
108 Verizon Communications VZ 63.08 65.93 -2.85 Telecommunications
109 Duke Energy DUK 63.06 . . Utilities
110 General Motors GM 62.95 52.26 10.69 Automotive
111 AMR – American Airlines AMR 62.91 63.9 -1 Airlines & Aerospace
112 Unum Group UNM 62.54 . . Financial – Insurance
113 Xcel Energy XEL 62.52 . . Utilities
114 WellPoint WLP 62.52 62.76 -0.24 Services
115 McDonald’s MCD 62.47 72.41 -9.93 Retail – Food
116 Viacom VIA 61.86 60.74 1.13 Information & Media
117 Aetna AET 61.75 66.09 -4.34 Services
118 Altria MO 61.64 57.41 4.24 Tobacco
119 Sunoco SUN 61.36 63.81 -2.45 Energy
120 Humana HUM 61.08 64.11 -3.03 Services
121 Dow Chemical DOW 61.05 63.88 -2.83 Chemicals
122 AutoNation AN 61.01 61.39 -0.38 Retail – General
123 Morgan Stanley MS 60.51 52.48 8.04 Financial – Diversified
124 Chevron CVX 60.43 58.03 2.39 Energy
125 US Bancorp USB 60.31 55.52 4.79 Financial – Bank
126 Sprint Nextel S 60.15 60.06 0.09 Telecommunications
127 JPMorgan Chase JPM 59.89 55.78 4.11 Financial – Diversified
128 ConocoPhillips COP 59.86 61 -1.14 Energy
129 Archer Daniels Midland ADM 59.77 64.53 -4.75 Food – Manufacturing
130 Exelon EXC 59.67 61.05 -1.39 Utilities
131 Marathon Oil MRO 59.61 64.63 -5.02 Energy
132 CIGNA CI 59.34 60.55 -1.21 Services
133 AT&T T 59.33 67.25 -7.92 Telecommunications
134 Assurant AIZ 59.1 . . Financial – Insurance
135 Valero Energy VLO 58.57 60.57 -2 Energy
136 DISH Network DISH 58.39 58.82 -0.43 Information & Media
137 Wells Fargo WFC 57.82 56.9 0.92 Financial – Bank
138 DirecTV DTV 57.63 55.36 2.26 Information & Media
139 Qwest Communications Q 56.14 . . Telecommunications
140 News Corporation NWSA 55.47 56.16 -0.69 Information & Media
141 Bank of America BAC 53.4 51.62 1.79 Financial – Bank
142 Comcast CMCSA 51.62 52.09 -0.48 Information & Media
143 Capital One Financial COF 50.52 52.72 -2.2 Financial – Diversified
144 Citigroup C 49.46 40.35 9.11 Financial – Diversified
145 ExxonMobil XOM 44.99 48.02 -3.03 Energy
146 Halliburton HAL 37.62 31.43 6.19 Construction & Engineering
147 Goldman Sachs GS 37.14 46.75 -9.6 Financial – Diversified
148 Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association ) FNMA 34.7 38.22 -3.52 Financial – Diversified
149 AIG – American International Group AIG 33.94 27.06 6.88 Financial – Insurance
150 Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) FMCC 29.47 33.11

Realty Times – The Joys of Homeownership

Realty Times – The Joys of Homeownership.

45 Life Lessons – It is the most requested column I’ve ever written

Written by a 90 year
old

 

This is something we should all
read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the
end!!!!!!

 

 

Written by Regina Brett, 90
years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

 

 

“To celebrate growing older, I
once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve
ever written”

 

 

My odometer rolled over to 90
in August, so here is the column once more:

 

 

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s
still good.

 

 

2. When in doubt, just take the
next small step.

 

 

3.. Life is too short to waste
time hating anyone.

 

 

4. Your job won’t take care of
you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in
touch.

 

 

5. Pay off your credit cards
every month.

 

 

6. You don’t have to win every
argument. Agree to disagree.

 

 

7. Cry with someone.. It’s more
healing than crying alone.

 

 

8. It’s OK to get angry with
God. He can take it.

 

 

9. Save for retirement starting
with your first paycheck.

 

 

10. When it comes to chocolate,
resistance is futile.

 

 

11. Make peace with your past
so it won’t screw up the present.

 

 

12. It’s OK to let your
children see you cry.

 

 

13. Don’t compare your life to
others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

 

 

14. If a relationship has to be
a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

 

 

15. Everything can change in
the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

 

 

16. Take a deep breath. It
calms the mind.

 

 

17. Get rid of anything that
isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

 

 

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you
really does make you stronger.

 

 

19. It’s never too late to have
a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one
else.

 

 

20. When it comes to going
after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

 

 

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

 

 

22. Over prepare, then go with
the flow.

 

 

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t
wait for old age to wear purple.

 

 

24. The most important sex
organ is the brain.

 

 

25. No one is in charge of your
happiness but you.

 

 

26. Frame every so-called
disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’

 

 

27. Always choose
life.

 

 

28. Forgive everyone
everything.

 

 

29. What other people think of
you is none of your business.

 

 

30. Time heals almost
everything. Give time time..

 

 

31. However good or bad a
situation is, it will change.

 

 

32. Don’t take yourself so
seriously. No one else does.

 

 

33. Believe in
miracles.

 

 

34. God loves you because of
who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

 

 

35. Don’t audit life. Show up
and make the most of it now.

 

 

36. Growing old beats the
alternative — dying young.

 

 

37. Your children get only one
childhood.

 

 

38. All that truly matters in
the end is that you loved.

 

 

39. Get outside every day.
Miracles are waiting everywhere.

 

 

40. If we all threw our
problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours
back.

 

 

41. Envy is a waste of time.
You already have all you need.

 

 

42. The best is yet to
come…

 

 

43. No matter how you feel, get
up, dress up and show up.

 

 

44. Yield.

 

 

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow,
but it’s still a gift.”

 

 

Kung Fu offers physical exercise for health, discipline and blending of body, mind and spirit.

Welcome
Kung Fu offers physical exercise for health, discipline and blending of body, mind and spirit. With regular practice, the student achieves confidence, patience, endurance, self-control and self-awareness. The longer it is practiced, the greater the benefits.Two styles of Kung Fu, Hung Gar Kuen and Tai Chi Chuan, are offered at the Seattle Kung Fu Club. Both styles are available to men, women and children of all ages. Students are taught individually.Hung Gar Kuen
This “hard” or external style Kung Fu features powerful blocks, punches and kicks. Students undergo intensive physical training to develop speed, balance and power. Hung Ga is a highly efficient self-defense system and a superior method of body building.All students begin their training with repetitions of basic exercises for strength, conditioning and coordination. Students learn hand forms, weapon forms, two-person forms and sparring.

Students of Hung Ga achieve strength, concentration, confidence and self-discipline.

Tai Chi Chuan
This “soft” or internal style Kung Fu involves slow ballet-like movements to develop speed and agility necessary to turn opponents’ energy against themselves. Tai Chi is a unique and dynamic method of non-strenuous conditioning.

All students begin their training with a set of 18 exercises for strength and flexibility. This is followed by the 20 minute hand form which is taught move by move. The curriculum also includes weapon forms and pushing-hands.

The emphasis is on relaxation, breathing and concentration. Students of Tai Chi achieve calmness, greater concentration, agility and patience.

School Branches
• International District / Downtown
• Aurora / North Seattle
• University of Washington IMA
• Redmond / Bellevue / Eastside

Master Leong demonstrates chi development by bending steel reinforcing rods against his bare throat.
Master Leong demonstrates chi development by bending steel reinforcing rods against his bare throat.
See more photos here…

News & Events

New School Now Open in Redmond, WA!


Sign up now!
Beginners and all ages are welcome!
Call Now to sign up for classes: (425)746-3838
• Shaolin Kung Fu
• Hung-Gar Kung Fu
• Tai-Chi
• Wu-Shu
• Qi Gong
Click here for more information!

Kung Fu is not just fighting

Sifu John S.S. Leong

Sifu John S.S. Leong, originally from Kwantung Province China, began his kung-fu training at the age of 12. He later studied Hung Gar Kung-Fu in Hong King under the late Master Wong Lee. In 1963, Sifu Leong began teaching in Seattle and established the Seattle Kung-Fu Club where he continues to pass on the tradition of Hung-Gar Kung-Fu.

The founder of Hung-Gar Kung-Fu, Hung Hei-Kwun, studied Kung-Fu at the Fukien Shaolin Temple. After the temple’s destruction by the Ching Dynasty Government, Hung Hei-Kwun fled to Kwantung province, China. He continued to spread Shaolin teachings, but to avoid persecution by the Ching Government he used the name Hung Gar Boxing. Hung-Gar refers to the House of Hung-Mo Chu, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Throughout the Seattle Kung-Fu Club’s over fourty-year history, Sifu Leong has emphasized the discipline, morality, honor and respect which characterize Hung-Gar Kung-Fu. When one enters the school, it is as though one has stepped into another time and place. Students treat each other as an extended family where students are referred to as older brothers and sisters.

Over the years, the Seattle Kung-Fu club has reached out to the community by organizing martial arts demonstrations and large-scale exhibitions. As early as 1968, Sifu Leong began building the school’s reputation by hosting Kung-Fu events that delighted audiences and attracted martial arts experts from around the world.

Sifu Leong has produced major Kung-fu / Martial Arts tournaments almost every year, many of which have toured other parts of the United states. Proceeds from these events have always been donated to charitable organizations. In 1973 and 1975, Sifu Leong hosted international Kung-Fu exhibitions that drew over 6000 spectators. In 1980 and 1981, Sifu Leong hosted several international exhibitions, one of which was covered in a featured article in Inside Kung-Fu magazine.

In 1984, the Seattle Kung Fu club presented the All Masters Exhibition Tour in Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In 1987 he hosted the Can-Am Northwest Martial Arts Benefits, and in 1988 the Seattle Kung Fu Club opened the first U.S. exhibition of Chinese Imperial artifacts called Son of Heaven: Imperial Arts of China at the Seattle Center.

Sifu Leong has organized a number of excursions to China, both as cultural exchange ventures and as educational endeavors for his students. In 1985 Sifu Leong and the Seattle Kung-Fu Club traveled to Hong Kong and took third place in Hong Kong’s annual International Lion Dance competition. Later that same year, Sifu Leong represented the United States as a member of the U.S. Kung-Fu Team at the International Chinese Wushu Invitational Championships. In 1989, Sifu Leong was invited by the Government of Kwantung Province, China, to participate in numerous ground breaking ceremonies and the opening of a new educational television station. Members of the Seattle Kung-Fu Club accompanied Sifu Leong and performed lion dance and kung-fu exhibitions as part of the celebrations.

In 1990, Sifu Leong visited the Shaolin Temple in Northern China. The Monks, descendants of the original Shaolin Temple disciples, made Sifu Leong their honorary adviser. In 1992 Sifu Leong organized the 1992 U.S. Shaolin Monk Tour. This was the first time the monks from the Shaolin Temple had ever performed outside their home country. The monks performed live for the media at the Seattle Kung Fu Club and participated in an interview which was translated by three Chinese dignitaries who accompanied them on the tour. They performed phenomenal Chi Kung demonstrations and forms never seen before. A video containing live footage of the Shaolin Monks Exhibition was produced by the Seattle Kung Fu Club and is available at the Seattle Martial Arts Equipment Store.

Sifu Leong presented the Northwest Open Championship Tournament and Exhibition in 1993, was elected Chairman of the United States Kung Fu Federation of North America in 1994, and in 1995 presented the 1st Annual United Kung Fu Federation of North America’s Open Kung Fu Championship. Masters and students from all over the world united to demonstrate their martial art skills.

In 1996, Sifu Leong brought the famous Taoist healer Dr. Hok Ting Chu to Seattle for a seminar. Dr. Hok Ting Chu is recognized as a “Living Treasure of China” with his tremendous knowledge of Taoist medicine, acupuncture, herbs, and healing. Sifu Leong also translated one of Dr. Hok Ting Chu’s many books into English. The book, entitled “The Ancient Esoteric Art of Health Improvement and Longevity” has Chi Gung exercises and diet and herbal formulas for all seasons.

The “Little Fighting Monks” exhibition in March 2000 at the University of Washington brought the Shaolin Monks to Seattle once again. Spectators of all ages marveled at the group of eight performers, aged 5 to 14, seen for the first time outside China. In 2001, twenty-five masters from around the world gathered for a charity Kung Fu exhibition presented by Sifu John Leong. In 2002, Sifu Leong was honored at the Qing Dao International Wushu Championships in Shan Dong Province, China.

Sifu Leong has contributed to and has been featured in numerous martial arts publications. In 1976, Real Kung Fu magazine featured an article called “Five Elements and Five Figures, Ten Patterns from Hung Gar.” In 1982 and 1983, he received honorable mention as one of the “Top Ten Instructors of the Year” from Inside Kung Fu Magazine’s Hall of Fame Awards Yearbook Special. In 1984, Sifu Leong authored a book called “Beginning Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu” and was featured on the cover of the May issue of Inside Kung Fu Magazine’s Hall of Fame Awards Yearbook Special. In his interview, entitled “John Leong: The Moral Power of Hung Gar,” Sifu Leong stated, “In the Seattle of 1959, no one knew what Kung Fu was. They thought it was something to eat!” In 1985, Sifu Leong received special mention in the Inside Kung Fu Magazine’s March Yearbook Edition. In 1988 and 1996, he was honored as “Humanitarian of the Year” in the Inside Kung Fu Magazine’s yearbook. “I always wanted to help out charitable causes,” said Sifu Leong in the article, adding, “Kung Fu is not just fighting, not just a skill. It is also a philosophy, the teaching of respect, honor, and dignity.” In 1998, he wa featured in an article called “Master John S.S. Leong: In a Class by Himself” by the same magazine.

In 2003, Inside Kung Fu Magazine featured an article entitled “30 years – 30 masters,” in which Sifu Leong was heralded as one of the most influential martial artists of the past 30 years. New Martial Arts Hero Magazine featured Sifu Leong on its cover in an article called, “John Leong – Hung Gar Hand Techniques.”

Today, Sifu Leong continues to represent the consummate example of humility, honor, and respect which underlies the practice of the martial arts. He is happiest when his students are working out and healthy. As a dedicated humanitarian, Sifu Leong passes down the knowledge, discipline, and positive ways he has acquired after years of training and experience. In this spirit, the students fo the Seattle Kung Fu Club strive to follow his example by respecting others and living a healthy life.

The Seattle Kung Fu Club has several branch schools around Seattle.

Sifu John S.S. Leong.
Sifu Leong demonstrates the three-section staff.
Sifu demonstrates chi – five pieces of rebar at his neck.
Solid granite being broken on Sifu’s back…
…with a sharpened sword at his neck.
The blow shatters the granite; the sword remains.
Inside Kung Fu Magazine cover.
Inside Kung Fu Magazine award.

Southern China has been dominated by five Kung Fu styles

Historically, Southern China has been dominated by five Kung Fu styles: Hung, Lau, Choy, Lay and Mok. Hung Gar is most widespread and popular of these. Gar means clan or family in Cantonese, whereas Hung refers to the family name of the man who invented the system, Hung Hei Kwon, a Fukien tea merchant.

According to legend, Master Chi Zin, a monk of the Fukien Shaolin Temple, taught Hung the Shaolin Tiger Style. Hung being a curious man, always sought to improve his skills. He added to his Tiger Style elements from his wife’s White Crane system, movements from the Dragon, Snake, and Leopard forms, and techniques from the Five Elements Fist. He modified and expanded his Tiger Style to develop a system better balanced in long- and short-range application, a system which better reflected his own character and skills — Hung Gar.

Hung Hei Kwan developed a reputation for being a fighter of great skill and was known as “The Southern Fist”. The essence of Hung Gar can be found in its name. “Hung” means to “stand tall with integrity.” Hung Gar tenents stress honesty, directness, iron will-power, and righteousness.

Southern China is a wet land of great rivers and agriculture. Trade and transportation center around its rivers. Its population is greater than that of Northern China and its cities more crowded. Hung Gar is well adapted to close quarter fighting in small, crowded alleyways or in wet, slippery rice fields. Hung Gar training emphasizes strong stances, iron-hard blocks, low snapping kicks, ambidexterity, deceptive hand techniques and power, all geared for close-range techniques. The low, strong stances conform well to encounters on barges and rafts. Low snapping kicks are well suited to wet and slippery ground.

Hung Gar hand techniques stress ambidexterity and use simultaneous blocking and striking. The blocking maneuvers of Hung Gar were well-known and feared. Opponents often thought twice before challenging a Hung Gar practitioner, for if a block could numb an attacker’s limb, how much more painful must a strike be? The training is grueling and highly demanding and fits well the student who is physically strong and compact, of muscular build and who possesses great endurance. Legends depict of Hung Gar students who stood in horse stance the length of time an incense stick burned down completely, anywhere between one to three hours.

 

Sifu Richard Cunningham

Head instructor of the South Bay Kung Fu Club was Richard Cunningham, formerly a senior student under Master John S. S. Leong of Seattle, Washington.  He also spent time under the late Master Wong Lee in Hong Kong.  The late Sifu Cunningham was proficient in the Hung Ga Fu Hok “Tiger-Crane” style.  His school has been open to the public in the South Bay since 1969.

http://southbaykungfu.com

http://seattlekungfuclub.com