You can't be everywhere.
There's a way you'd do a given thing. On site, though, whoever's there decides — and you find out from the end-of-quarter numbers, when it's already gone that way.
for networks of language schools 2026-2027 edition · starts in October
School Growth
Program_
You built the network on a precise idea of what a school should be. But you can't be at every site every day, and the further a site is from you, the more that idea gets watered down. SGP puts it back at the center of every school: the same way of working and the same mindset, one piece a week for twenty weeks. So the one that grows isn't the luckiest site — it's the whole network.
20
weeks
4
operational phases
20
ready-to-use assets
2
cohorts per season
Every site looks like its director, not like your idea_
You founded the network on a precise way of running a school. Then you put a director at each site: good people, each with their own strengths and gaps. It's normal, they're people. But the result is that today each site grows, or stalls, in its own way — and the further it is from you, the more your original idea gets lost along the way.
Every director has their blind spots.
The one who's great with the local community doesn't watch the books. The one who watches the books can't get found online. Nobody can do it all: it's normal, but the site pays for the piece it's missing.
Growth doesn't add up.
Each site starts from scratch, with its director's method. What works in one city never reaches the others, and the network never becomes more than the sum of its sites.
The point
The point isn't your directors. It's that they don't have a shared way of working.
You don't need to replace them or clone yourself. You need to give each one the same workflow and the same mindset — the one the network was born from — so the gaps close and your idea of a school holds again at every site.
Does the network in your head actually run at every site?_
If each site goes however its director wants, you don't have a network: you have a bunch of different schools under the same sign. Networks that grow don't have better directors than yours — they have one single way of working, the founder's, at every site.
Right now, each site is its director.
- —The way marketing is done changes at every address: where it works, where it doesn't, and you're not quite sure why.
- —What you know how to do stays in your head: it reaches a site only if you're there in person.
- —The numbers don't compare: each director measures their own way, or doesn't measure at all.
- —If a director leaves, their site starts over — the method walks out with them.
Tomorrow, every site runs on your system.
- →The same way of acquiring students at every site: you recognize it anywhere, because it's yours.
- →Your mindset installed in the directors, no longer hanging on your presence.
- →Comparable numbers site by site: you see where the method pays off and put your attention there.
- →A director who leaves doesn't reset the site: the system stays, and growth with it.
the bridge
Between the two there's a shared method, not a star director in every city.
Nobody is born knowing how to grow a school, and you can't teach it in person across twenty sites. SGP does it for you: the same method for the whole network, in twenty weeks.
It's not a course.
It's your idea at every site_
The hard part isn't teaching well or having a brand: that's already there. It's getting the way of working the network was born from into every site, without you having to be there in person. SGP installs it school by school like an operating system: same workflow, same mindset, one piece a week for twenty weeks. By the end each director doesn't have notes: they have a machine that runs, the same across the whole network.
work
01 20 hands-on live sessions.
Every week a live session where each director works on their site's numbers, with the same method for the whole network. Not a video to watch whenever.
use
02 One ready-made tool a week.
Each week a concrete tool, identical at every site, to open and put to work on the real job. Not a handout to file away.
multiply
03 AI as leverage, not as a fad.
Each site learns to use it for design, content and campaigns, on a school's budget. It does in two minutes what today costs you hours, or a different agency in every city.
keep going
04 A cohort, not a webinar.
Your site directors walk together, and you with them: exchange, accountability and micro-actions every week. The network grows as a group, not each one on their own.
A method, not a webinar marathon_
Twenty weeks, a fixed rhythm that becomes a habit, the same at every site. Each week one piece of the system: you understand it, you apply it on the spot, the tool stays. One step at a time, without ever stopping the lessons.
the problem
Marketing courses are forgotten in two weeks.
Three intense days, a mountain of slides, and each director goes back to doing it their own way. The excitement evaporates, the network stays patchy.
what changes with sgp
One piece a week, applied right away.
A little at a time, but every time put to work at each site. By the end the system is already inside each school, the same for the whole network, not something to "find the time to apply".
a typical week
Four moments, every week.
Always the same sequence, different content. It's the rhythm that keeps the method sustainable while each site keeps the lessons running.
before the live 01
Podcast_
Each week opens with a podcast that sets up the topic: you reach the live session with the right question already in mind.
2h · live 02
Live_
Two hours live where you work, you don't just listen: each director applies the topic to their site, with real-time feedback.
ready-made tool 03
Asset_
The week's tool, identical at every site, ready to open and use on the real job. Not a handout to file away.
micro-actions 04
Action_
A few concrete actions to close within the week. This is where content becomes real change, in every city.
the arc of the 20 weeks
Four phases, in order.
First the foundations, then the engine, then growth, finally consolidation. No skipping: each phase builds on the previous one.
01
The Identity Core
phase 01 · weeks W01–W05Numeri, prezzo, posizionamento e identità: le fondamenta su cui regge tutto il resto.
02
The Content Engine
phase 02 · weeks W06–W11Il sistema che produce contenuti coerenti e trasforma le richieste in iscrizioni.
03
The Growth Machine
phase 03 · weeks W12–W17I canali che portano studenti: SEO locale, reputazione, ads, presenza e vendita.
04
Scale & Consolidate
phase 04 · weeks W18–W20Partnership, certificazioni e visione: rendere la crescita ripetibile nel tempo.
Twenty weeks, four phases, one system.
Each week a theme, an insight that flips a habit, and a tool to use right away — the same at every site of the network. Open a phase to see what you work on inside it.
the four phases
phase 01 · weeks W01–W05
The Identity Core_
Numeri, prezzo, posizionamento e identità: le fondamenta su cui regge tutto il resto.
the insight
Il margine reale della tua scuola è quasi sempre molto inferiore a quello che percepisci. Finché non metti i numeri sul tavolo, ogni decisione strategica sarà un azzardo.
the insight
Il pricing non è un numero. È una conversazione tra 4 leve. Se tocchi il prezzo senza toccare le altre tre, non stai facendo marketing — stai tirando a indovinare.
the insight
Le 7P sono come codifichi il tuo marketing. La Customer Experience è come il cliente lo decodifica. Il Consumer Decision Journey è la mappa di quando lo decodifica.
the insight
La differenziazione non si inventa: si trova nella verità più potente che già esiste nella tua scuola ma che nessuno ha ancora articolato.
the insight
Le persone comprano persone, non loghi. E l'AI non sostituisce la tua voce — la moltiplica.
phase 02 · weeks W06–W11
The Content Engine_
Il sistema che produce contenuti coerenti e trasforma le richieste in iscrizioni.
the insight
Il design amatoriale comunica inconsciamente bassa qualità del servizio. Un volantino brutto non è neutro — dice al genitore alto-spendente che questa scuola non cura i dettagli. Il design è la tua Physical Evidence quando non sei presente.
the insight
Il design del marketing di una scuola non si costruisce più scegliendo template. Si costruisce insegnando a uno strumento qual è il tuo brand. Una volta che lo strumento lo sa, ogni post, locandina, brochure esce coerente in due minuti.
the insight
La costanza non dipende dalla motivazione, ma dal sistema. Chi si affida all'ispirazione posta 3 volte in una settimana e poi sparisce per un mese. Chi ha un sistema posta sempre, anche a novembre.
the insight
Le scuole di lingue locali non sono creator. Il loro lavoro non è intrattenere milioni di follower — è restare nel radar di poche centinaia di persone della propria città. Serve un sistema diverso da quello che insegna LinkedIn ogni giorno.
the insight
Le persone non comprano servizi, comprano futuri desiderabili. 'Corsi di inglese' è una feature. 'Il tuo bambino parla inglese entro giugno' è una trasformazione. La seconda vende, la prima no.
the insight
La risposta alla prima richiesta di informazioni è il momento di vendita più sprecato. Il genitore non chiedeva un listino — chiedeva una ragione per fidarsi.
phase 03 · weeks W12–W17
The Growth Machine_
I canali che portano studenti: SEO locale, reputazione, ads, presenza e vendita.
the insight
La ricerca locale è il canale con l'intenzione più alta — e il più trascurato. Chi cerca 'inglese Bergamo' su Google Maps vuole iscriversi, non informarsi. E se non trova te, trova qualcun altro.
the insight
Una crisi gestita bene è più potente di 10 post di marketing. Quando rispondi a una recensione negativa con grazia, non stai parlando a chi ha scritto — stai parlando a tutti quelli che leggeranno dopo.
the insight
Il successo di una campagna si decide prima di spendere il primo euro. Senza Pixel, senza Conversion API, senza pubblici definiti, fare pubblicità è come accendere il riscaldamento con le finestre aperte.
the insight
Dopo 14 settimane a costruire un brand, non devi imparare a 'fare un creative' — devi imparare a dirigerlo: scegliere, giudicare e fermare uno sconosciuto col budget di una scuola, non di una multinazionale.
the insight
Un Open Day noioso non è neutro: comunica attivamente che la tua scuola è noiosa. Le famiglie entrano curiose ed escono educatamente disinteressate.
the insight
Le obiezioni sono richieste di rassicurazione mascherate da rifiuto. Quando un genitore dice 'costa troppo', sta dicendo 'non ho ancora capito perché vale quel prezzo'.
phase 04 · weeks W18–W20
Scale & Consolidate_
Partnership, certificazioni e visione: rendere la crescita ripetibile nel tempo.
the insight
Le partnership costruiscono flusso costante mentre gli ads costruiscono picchi. Un accordo con la libreria del quartiere può portare lead qualificati ogni settimana per anni, a costo zero.
the insight
La certificazione trasforma un servizio consumabile in un obiettivo pluriennale. Chi vende 'corsi' acquisisce allievi per un anno; chi vende 'il percorso verso la certificazione' li acquisisce per 3-5 anni.
the insight
Il programma non è la fine di un percorso — è l'inizio di un sistema. Finire senza misurare cosa è cambiato è come fare un anno di palestra senza mai salire sulla bilancia.
By the end, the network has run the update_
We don't promise the network numbers. We have each site build, piece by piece, the system that makes those numbers possible — the same for all of them — and we give you a way to read them, site by site, without having to poke your nose into every school every day.
alignment
Every site on the same track.
No longer a bunch of different schools under the same sign: one single way of getting chosen, the one the network was born from, in every city.
gaps
The directors' gaps, closed.
Whoever wasn't watching the numbers learns to read them, whoever wasn't getting found learns how. Each one grows exactly where they were missing a piece.
acquisition
Acquisition that doesn't depend on the person.
The same system that brings in requests all year round, installed at every site — not just where the director is already good at communicating.
data
Numbers that finally compare.
Every site measures with the same yardstick. You see where the method pays off and where it doesn't, and you step in with data in hand, not on gut feeling.
price
Prices that hold, everywhere.
The sites stop apologizing for the price: they learn to make it feel right for the value they deliver.
autonomy
The network less dependent on you.
The system stays even when a director changes. And you go back to thinking about the network, instead of putting out fires one site at a time.
honesty
SGP doesn't promise the network numbers. It installs the system that makes them possible — and your idea of a school at every site.
How much and how fast depends on each site and the work it puts in. What we can guarantee is the method, the tools and the push to actually use them, the same for the whole network.
The words of those who've already done it_
Founders and directors of networks like yours, from past editions.
“
I had five sites and five different ways of doing marketing. Now they all start from the same system: I finally compare the numbers and see where to step in, without having to be in every school in person.
G. M.
founder, school network · Lombardy “
My directors are good, but each with their own blind spots. The program closed exactly those: whoever wasn't watching the books now reads them, whoever wasn't getting found online has learned how.
S. B.
network management · Lazio “
Three of our sites did the program together. The best part was watching them align: by the end of the season they all had the same way of acquiring students — mine.
P. D.
multi-site founder · Piedmont Discover the value of the Program, answer this question_
How much does a student pay, on average, at one of your sites?
€150 a month
€0 a month €500 a month
You only need 3 new enrollments to make back the entire investment.
And those enrollments, at each site, you usually keep for years. The rest is margin.
estimate over 8 months of average attendance, for a single site · a rough idea, not a quote
the price
We made the inaccessible accessible_
PRIVATE CLIENT
On a single site
30,000 €
per school / 6 months
The standard Update Labs experience. Direct on-site work, full management, exclusive access to our team.
- 1-to-1 consulting and training
- Done-for-you mode
- Priority 24/7 support
- Flexible schedule
Standard pricing for one-off, non-cohort work.
SGP PARTNER COHORT
For every site of the network
2,999 €
per school / 20 weeks
The same SGP System as the Private Client — same IP, same assets, same protocols — at every site of the network, with guided group implementation.
- Same method and same protocols at every site
- 20 implementation support sessions
- Materials, AI Tools and Community for the directors
- €2,999 per school, splittable between HQ and directors
Reserved price for the launch Cohort.
The €2,999 apply to each site and you can split them between HQ and the directors, however you prefer. Networks that bring more than three sites unlock a dedicated network rate, which we work out together in a call — on your network, no inflated figures.
The questions we get first_
Concrete answers, no preamble. If you don't find yours, write to us in the form below and we'll add it here.
01 Who follows the program: me or the site directors?
The directors, the ones who decide on marketing, prices and growth at their site every day. You can join to coordinate and have the same method in hand. The work happens site by site, but the network moves as a group.
02 Does it work for both franchises and owned sites?
Yes. Whether the directors are franchisees or employees changes little: the problem is the same — aligning how work gets done at every site — and SGP solves it the same way.
03 How does co-financing the €2,999 per school work?
The €2,999 apply to each site and you can split them between HQ and the director, in whatever proportion you decide. Some cover it fully as an investment in the site, some split it in half. We look at the right setup in a call.
04 What's the network rate for networks with more sites?
Networks that bring more than three sites into the program unlock a dedicated network rate. It depends on how many sites join, so we define the figure in a call: no inflated prices, no surprises.
05 Our sites are very different from each other. Does it still work?
Yes, and that's exactly the point. Each site works on its own numbers and its own market: the method is the same, the application is local. That's how the results become comparable across different cities.
06 Do the sites have to stop the lessons to follow it?
No. One live session a week, two hours, plus a few practical actions whenever you want. It's built for people who run a school every day: it fits into the sites' rhythm, it doesn't replace it.
07 What exactly is the call?
Fifteen minutes to figure out together whether your network is a fit for SGP, define the co-financing and — if you have more than three sites — the network rate. No pressure: if it doesn't make sense right now, we'll be the first to tell you.
08 Who runs the program?
Davide Scalera, with Update Labs. Not a stage motivator: the person who built the method and works every day with founders and networks on the real growth of a school. He's the one on the call.
Who's behind the School Growth Program_
SGP is the program through which Update Labs — an operational research hub for Italian SMEs — brings method, tools and rhythm into networks of language schools. Leading it, the person who built it.
SGP comes from the experience of Davide Scalera, founder of Update Labs. A MISE-certified Innovation Manager, trainer and public speaker, he has worked for years with owners and entrepreneurs of Italian SMEs on the side of growth that depends on people and systems — not on the product.
The starting observation is simple: many language schools have excellent teaching and management still run like a craft, and in networks that gap multiplies site by site. SGP was born to close it — a program that brings into every school the method, the tools and the rhythm to grow as a business. Not a course you forget by Friday: a system that's still there on Monday. Don't Reset. Update. Because your network's identity is an asset to upgrade, not to scrap.
mise innovation manager trainer public speaker creator of sgp
the four labs of update labs
Four Labs to run the update_
Each Lab has its own area of expertise. SGP is the program that brings them all into the schools of your network.
lab01
Strategy
Positioning, sales, scalability. The bottleneck is rarely the market.
lab02
Human
Leadership, culture, team dynamics. Changing how people work, not how they feel.
lab03
Experience
Experiential formats, events, growth journeys. Culture isn't on a slide: you build it inside things people live.
lab04
Tech
Applied AI, automation, data. AI isn't magic: it's automating the repetitive, within a school's reach.
Update
Labs_
Labs_
Don't Reset. Update. More than a slogan, it's a mission, every day.
Book a call_
Fifteen minutes, on a call. We look at your network together, figure out whether SGP is right for your sites and define the co-financing and — if you have more than three sites — the network rate. No hard selling: if it doesn't add up for you, we don't start.
book it yourself
soon Online calendar
The self-service slot is coming in the next few weeks. For now you book by filling in the form on the left, or by writing to us directly: we reply within 48h with two or three time options.
direct channels
update labs · school growth program
for networks · 2026-2027 edition
for networks · 2026-2027 edition