Is staff turnover higher at budget clubs?

We’ve been reading a lot about staffing in clubs, budget club staff turnover, and Personal Trainers lately on various blogs and LinkedIn groups (n.b. member only groups)

There is a perception that turnover of staff at budget clubs is higher than at other clubs, and that member attrition is also higher. Here’s why:
Member attrition is a well-known problem in the fitness industry. However, staff turnover is also an industry-wide issue, and poor member retention can be a symptom of the staff issue.

If we consider a ‘standard’ low-cost club model of minimal staff, long opening hours, automated member communication, centralised operations, it is a different environment than fitness professionals expect, or are used to.

Personal Training Aspirations

How do Personal Trainers help to deliver great member retention, and what can clubs and staff learn from them?

Many gym staff aspire to be personal trainers. Some are motivated by the ‘money’, but instructors who make the transition successfully are likely to be focused on interaction and getting results.

A Plethora of Cancellation Options / aka “I Got A Deal”

Our November post about TV media packages took us back to the cancellation story… There's more that gyms could learn from this, particularly after recent bad press about clubs not letting people out of contract.

So do you know anyone who has tried to cancel their Satellite TV/broadband/other subscription? It's simple enough to downgrade (at the end of the month), but terminating your contract can be a very interesting process.

Take Your Time Online – Control Your Social Networking

When it comes to being in control of your social media, lots of people, particularly small businesses have concerns over wasting time on social websites. I know several people who avoid social networks because they fear losing time, and I have coached a few folk on time management where social media has been identified as a focus.

Part of the problem stems from the fact that social networks were frowned on historically, and seen as ‘play-time’ in the corporate world.

However, social websites are becoming more accepted in the office;

The perfect gym induction – a little bit of what you fancy

We all know that the gym induction and initial exercise ‘programme’ is critical to member retention, but it’s surprising how many clubs still get this wrong. The “sign them up, get them in” culture in member sales seems to pass through to the gym staff. Rather than providing great customer service, we find ourselves processing members, ticking the box, and moving onto the next number.

Networking – how do you make it work?

What works for you when networking or meeting new contacts? Do you feedback to yourself what worked well, what you could do differently, and what actions you will take next?

New Member KPIs - How to increase efficiency after the gym induction

January is the busiest time of the year for the fitness industry, as everybody knows. But how can your club be more effective and make the most of the seasonal member influx, while motivating your staff more?

Most clubs are packed this month, especially at peak times, and club staff feel rushed off their feet with inductions from dawn to dusk. They’re also handling queries and trying to deliver good customer service to existing members who may have concerns about all these new members getting more attention.

“I’ve done 25 new member inductions this week... 

...I am invincible!”

Control your social media - don't let it control you!

Here's a short (5 min) version of the talk I gave at Business Biscotti in Winnersh today.

Being Your Own Boss

Many of my coaching clients and people that I meet at networking events love being their own boss… it is one of the main reasons that they started their own business. It takes hard work, passion, and a lot of dedication, and a coach can offer a lot of support in these areas.

The benefits of being your own boss are manifold;

Support focus needed for Health Clubs in 2013

Bjorn Johansson of gymbusiness recently blogged about the support that clubs want for 2013. Here’s the wish-list from over 600 club owners:

1. Regular input on changing industry trends
2. New marketing ideas for more stakeholders
3. Customer Loyalty – how to get members to stick around