Successful people sometimes tend to think they are successful at the health club business because of some instinctive understanding. They are good and what has happened is…they've done it once; they think can do it again and again.
"Club owners forget that success is guaranteed to no one."
At some point club owners and managers start to eliminate some of the key details and some of the reasons they were successful and they get a bit apathetic to the ultimate detail and fundamentals that made them successful in the first place. They take things for granted. They don't plan and train their staff quite as hard. They forget that success is guaranteed to no one.
In membership sales, such key items as the master appointment book, daily phone contacts, daily appointments, regular sales training and prospecting for new leads can be taken for granted and even overlooked. We become reactive in our approach instead of proactive.
Try Different Modes of Communication
People listen in different ways. Some people like to read, some people like to look at their email, some people like people to call them and tell them, some people like meetings, some like text messages, etc.
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Health club staff need to be held accountable for their duties, but we want it to be enjoyable as well.
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"Don't expect one form of communication to get the job done."
What I suggest is that you of come up with several different ways to communicate with your employees (and members for that matter) and make sure you follow up to get confirmation of the fact that they got the message. You might want to use signs, communication log books at your front desk, office banners, emails, text messages, newsletters, phone calls, formal training classes, informal training, and so forth. Don't expect one form of communication to get the job done.
One of the common statements I hear from club owners and manager's is, "Well, I told them." What they mean is, they told them once and then expected it to be done.
If it were that easy, the job of management wouldn't be necessary.
Accountability
Accountability is what the job is, who is going to do it and when. This needs to be in writing and confirmed so that everybody involved in this accountability has a complete understanding. You should understand that everybody needs to be held accountable for completing their assigned job duties on time and in an effective manner.
"Accountability is what the job is, who is going to do it and when."
You'll see as you go along where accountability falls into…generating reports for salespeople…reviewing reports… getting a job done, or an open house. One of the things I hear is, "I was way too hands-off, way too
easy going, way to worried about being a friend to my people and not holding them accountable."
Earn their respect, not their friendship. Inspect what you expect.
When we go into a facility and conduct an Operational Analysis, we will conduct interviews with key staff members. One of the questions we ask is, "What is your job description?"
We go to the club owner and ask the same question…it's always interesting how often the answers differ.
Be sure you're on the same page with what's expected. Your silence will be interpreted as acceptance.
Make it Fun, But Not Too Much Fun
We know that the health club business should be fun and we want to run a tight operation, but we want to treat people well…we want to make sure that they are enjoying their work and that we are providing an environment that allows a motivated person to act.
The club business can be too much fun, if you are not careful. Other health club businesses can be too dry. So somewhere in the middle you, as the owner or manager, holding people accountable, need to have all of this process in place and think in terms of we want it all to be done, but we want it to be enjoyable as well.
Have a System and Have a Plan
We all know that the most valuable asset in any facility is our people. However, one of the keys to avoiding success apathy is to manage the system.
"Don't simply assume they are going to do it."
Whether it's a long-term employee or a new hire, the system remains the same and should be implemented and followed up on each day. Don't simply assume they are going to do it. Everyone needs leadership and direction.
Have a plan for your membership sales, a plan for advertising and marketing, a plan for recruiting staff, a plan for resolving conflict, etc.
Be sure you are following a proven system…and follow up.
Now, go score yourself!
About The Author
Go to About Jim Thomas for more of his articles and his bio.
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