Blog from A Fitness Industry Renegade

Hello! Michael Scott Scudder here! This is my very first blog, so I hope you'll stick with me as this moves forward in the months ahead...I plan to cover stuff here that I might not normally put in my eNEWS online newsletter (to subscribe free of charge email me at msscmeto@gmail.com).

My intention in this blog is simple: to give YOU, the reader, fresh, sometimes-outrageous, often in-your-face stuff that will help you to run your health clubs - or your department in your facility - BETTER, STRONGER and MORE INNOVATIVELY. You don't know me...doesn't matter...I've been around this fitness game longer than many of you have been alive (I started in this business in 1976). I don't know it all...but I know a lot and I've been through a lot - including 3 previous recessions! You might want to listen up to what I have irreverently to say.

If you're looking for "more of the same old, same old" - STOP READING NOW! This blog ain't ever gonna be that way!

First topic on this blog: THIS UGLY-MUGLY ECONOMIC RECESSION! SOME BAD NEWS STILL AHEAD...AND SOME HOPE.

STRAIGHT TALK:

1. It's gonna be brutal...people are gonna pull back from spending all but absolutely necessary monies...meaning that for the first half of this year, you ain't gonna see anywhere near the number of prospective new members walk through your door that you're used to! Sorry, it just ain't gonna happen.
2. THE HOPE? Pay attention to your present members! They're the ones who will stay around if you just treat 'em right! That means treat 'em special! Every single one of 'em. You can't afford not to! Have your front desk people learn members' names...your fitness staff know names and walk over and offer to help - even if there ain't a personal training sale to be made! Group fitness instructors get out there and drag people into classes.
3. ANOTHER HOPE? Your upper management - they gotta get out on that fitness floor and in those classes and behind that front desk and mix with the members! It'll pay huge rewards.

MONEY MANAGEMENT: The reality is you ain't gonna have as much of it! Not from memberships, not from renewals, not from program purchases, not from PT sales or other. You just ain't. Stop dreaming and hoping. What do you do?

• THE HOPE? Get your sales staff trained to close more of the people that do come in! (We've got an online course: "STOP Making Selling So HARD! - email me at msscmeto@gmail.com for details.)
• ANOTHER HOPE? Cut expenses by at least 10%. That's right! Just do it! Get rid of unproductive or unwilling employees. Cut back late-night hours with little attendance.
• ANOTHER HUGE HOPE? Ramp up your group fitness classes...cameraderie and social interaction is a must for members in down times...after all, they're feeling it just like you!

'Nuff for now. Need help? Call me (505-514-0294). Email me (msscmeto@gmail.com or michaelscottscudder@yahoo.com). Leave me a comment on this blog. I ain't gonna fleece you or try to sell you crap you don't need...but I may just be able to help you through this mess that you're in or about to get in. Isn't that what this is all about, anyway?