Whilst tradition and clear structures form the foundation of martial arts, Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido is breaking new ground in the area of organisation. At a groundbreaking meeting on 18 March 2026, Rich Hillman presented a concept that will fundamentally modernise the existing administration: the so-called “Loop Approach”.

Away from rigid hierarchies, towards greater personal responsibility

In his compelling pitch, Rich Hillman made it clear that modern management today requires more flexibility than classic, strictly hierarchical structures often allow. The aim of the Loop Approach is to make the administrative work behind the scenes as effective and dynamic as training on the mat.

The concept focuses on self-organisation and agility. Instead of decisions laboriously making their way through all levels of the hierarchy, decision-making powers are concentrated directly where they are needed. For those in charge at Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido, this means:

• Greater autonomy: Members and officials can act independently within their areas of responsibility.
• Greater productivity: Thanks to clear role allocations and efficient communication cycles (‘loops’), projects are implemented faster and with less friction.
• Participation: The flat hierarchies encourage more people to actively contribute their strengths.

A great concept for a strong community

The board and the members present were enthusiastic about the initiative. The Loop Approach fits perfectly with the philosophy of Tatsu-Ryu Bushido: continuous improvement (Kaizen) is not only a principle for the martial arts student, but now also the guiding principle for the organisation behind it. By implementing this management system, the administration ensures that it remains capable of acting and innovative even as membership numbers grow.

Outlook

The first steps towards the transition will be taken in the coming weeks. Rich Hillman will support this process to translate the theoretical principles of the Loop Approach into the club’s daily practice. Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido thus demonstrates once again that tradition and state-of-the-art management methods need not be a contradiction, but rather spur each other on to peak performance.

About Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido: Our non-profit clubs are dedicated to teaching traditional Japanese martial arts, placing particular emphasis on character building, discipline and community. With locations throughout the region, Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido is a well-established part of the local sporting landscape.

A second workshop followed a week later – with 10 participants working both on-site and virtually on the next steps: