Club Insider

The Club Insider Archives: February 2012

A Special Tribute to Sandy Coffman
The Dean of Club Programming

By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesWhat do you do for a woman who's 70 years old (hard to believe that!), has been married to her husband Bud for 50 years (as of this July) and has spent 40 years in the health and fitness club industry? That's easy! You do a second cover story about her as a Special Tribute to this amazing lady! Read More

The "Insider Speaks"
The Spirit of IHRSA

By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesThe Spirit of IHRSA is alive and well after 31 years. The Spirit of IHRSA is one of learning through sharing, and it's important that everyone that is in our industry for the long haul understands how the Spirit of IHRSA came about. In short, IHRSA's slogan, "Success Through Association," summarizes the end result that the Spirit of IHRSA has achieved. Read More

The Fourth Wave of Customer Service
Part I

By: Will Phillips

Will PhillipsWill PhillipsIn 45 years of consulting with businesses of all kinds, I have seen customer service evolve into what I would now call its Fourth Wave. The first wave was, "Here it is; take it or leave it." The second wave emerged as businesses discovered that a welcoming and pleasant manner could give them an edge. Read More

Appreciate Them!
By: Misti Burmeister

Misti BurmeisterMisti BurmeisterFor someone who's not big into shopping for clothes, doing so during the holidays is... Well, you can imagine. In order to avoid the large, crazy masses, I wandered into a smaller clothing store and was greeted immediately by Mary, a woman who clearly loves her job. Read More

Medical Fitness
Is Your Club Part of the "Trend" ?

By: Dr. Cary Wing

Dr. Cary WingDr. Cary WingSince the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative was launched in 2007 by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), there has been increased exposure for the medical fitness model. A key component of the model is the physician referral pathway and a physician's involvement in an individual's continuum of care or circle of health. Read More

Social Media CAN Drive Revenue. But How?
Turn Facebook Into an Online Lead Box

By: Mario Bravomalo

Mario BravomaloMario BravomaloSocial media is changing our world. The adoption rate of users to Facebook was the fastest of any product in history. Facebook has done a remarkable job of connecting people. The concept of community is core to Facebook, as well as our clubs. But for most, it is still a mystery as to how social media communities can immediately and directly affect the bottom line and drive business for clubs. Read More

A Secret Million Dollar Weapon
By: Donna Krech

Donna KrechDonna KrechIn 1982, I started in this industry without so much as a pot to 'you know what' in and owned my first location in 1986. I've owned dozens of clubs since, and in addition to the hundreds we've been blessed to serve, I still own a club to this day. The most amazing thing about that is I started with absolutely nothing; no place to live, no car, no money. Read More

Control and Manage Your Money!
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesMoving forward in 2012, if you are not doing so already, one of the most important things you can do to be a success in your club business is carefully control and manage your money. If you're trying to do this in your club without the help of a professional financial company that specializes in membership dues collections and other financial services for clubs, you may lose thousands and thousands of dollars each year that you should be collecting. Read More

Programming Tip of the Month
Get Your Act Together!

By: Sandy Coffman

Sandy CoffmanSandy CoffmanSpecialty programs are programs that are run annually, seasonally or as one-time special events. Specialty programs can be run with many different formats and focus on many different niches. They will usually involve several activity areas and departments in the club and almost always will require support and participation by the entire staff. Read More

Big China Expansion Plans Announced By World Gym Taiwan Operator
World Fitness Asia (Hong Kong) Limited (WFAL), the largest fitness operator in Taiwan and largest Franchisee in the World Gym system, is launching its first mainland China clubs this year with plans to open 100 stores within five years. "We have obtained a dominant position in our market, making it relatively easy to expand rapidly in greater China," said John Caraccio, WFAL founder and President. Read More

Norm's Notes for February 2012
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in! How 'bout those New York GIANTS! Read More

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