The Club Insider Archives: November 2014
Big John McCarthy... One of a Kind!
A Conversation With the Legend Himself
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesThe health and fitness club world is vastly different now than it was in 1981 when the man I affectionately call, "Big John," and describe in the title of this very special Club Insider Cover Story as, "One of a Kind," stepped into the role of IHRSA's Founding Executive Director. Big John McCarthy truly had a destiny 34 years ago... At the time, it was an undisclosed destiny that he would someday become known and acknowledged worldwide as the man who would take IHRSA Founder and club business icon, Rick Caro's vision for the brand new trade Association to a level of excellence that all of us were only dreaming of at the time when we founded what was then called IRSA, The International Racquet Sports Association, (now known as IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association).
Read More
Rick Caro Comments on John McCarthy
By: Rick Caro
Rick Caro"John McCarthy was hired as the Executive Director of IRSA, which was intentionally called 'International' because there were clubs in both the United States and Canada, but there was also a vision of going to many other countries down the road. John was asked to be an Executive Director of a startup association where we needed members, vendors and products and services to be successful. John was given virtually no resources to accomplish this. But, fortunately, he had the self-confidence and the belief that this could be a significant story and one in which he could be successful in accomplishing it.
Read More
Building Great Teams
Part III
By: Dr. Art Curtis
Dr. Art CurtisIn Part I of this 3-part series on teamwork, I discussed some of the characteristics and behaviors that are common to high performing teams. In Part II, some of the triggers that can lead a team down the road to dysfunction were covered. In this final installment, I will share some thoughts on an approach you may find useful when assembling your senior management team or when you need to replace a team member.
Read More
Who's Got Your Back?
By: Derek Barton
Derek BartonHave you ever seen a Disney car? You may never see one on the road because of the Brand Manager at Disney many years ago. What may seem like a perfectly logical brand idea to many may seem like a very bad idea to one. And that ONE just might be what most companies call their Brand Manager, or as I was nicknamed at Gold's Gym, the "Keeper of the Brand."
Read More
Trees, Turkeys and Club Insurance
By: Justin Cates
Justin CatesIt's that time of year again. Halloween has come and gone, it's getting cold out and the Holidays are upon us. I can already smell the freshly cut trees and freshly cooked turkey. However, so too is the need to prepare your club for the new year. There are a myriad of things to prepare for every new year, but there is one key item you can get done even before you hang your decorations! That key item is updating your club's insurance.
Read More
The Secret Member Retention Tool That
The Big Gym Chains Don't Want You To Know
By: Joe Imbrogno
Joe ImbrognoMember retention: The ultimate challenge for club operators today, and it seems, forever. There is no doubt that retaining members is critical to your gym's success. A deeper look into the economics paints the picture. Recently, I had to deliver the unfortunate news to one of our new gym clients that the first 30 members that they had signed up for the month didn't even count. Translation: $10,000+ per year in lost dues caused by attrition!
Read More
How to Get Your Employees to Speak Up
By: Rebecca Knight
Getting candid opinions from your direct reports can be difficult. After all, no one wants to upset the boss. But, hearing messages from down the ranks, including input from your company's customers, feedback on your performance and information from other departments or units, is critical to your organization's success. How can you encourage your team members to have honest conversations with you and to speak up when it's important?
Read More
Exercising Public Policy
Promoting Physical Activity in the Fight Against Depression
By: Joe Moore
Joe MooreAs published in The Huffington Post on 10/10/14: There are a lot of reasons why Congress should enact public policies that promote exercise. The great potential that exercise has for helping people overcome depression is an important one. Depression takes a tremendous toll on America. For individuals and their families, depression inflicts immense personal suffering. At its most tragic, depression leads to suicide, which claims nearly 40,000 American lives each year.
Read More
Programming For The "Fun Of It!"
Ten Keys to Profitable Non-Dues Revenue Programming
By: Laurie Cingle
Laurie CingleKey #1: Offer a strong menu of programs, both complimentary and fee-based. Types of programs to offer include those that are: One-day or 12 weeks in length; Short-term or ongoing; Competitive or non-competitive; Just-for-fun or results-based; Motivational, like a Monopoly-themed program; and Progressive, like personal training or behavior-changing.
Read More
Renovated Pool Opens at The Atlantic Club in Manasquan
MANASQUAN, N.J. - The Atlantic Club, the Jersey Shore's premier health and fitness club, announces the completion of one of its largest capital improvements, the renovation of The Atlantic Club Manasquan Indoor Member Natatorium pool. Updated to better serve the needs of members, the new pool was designed to match the vision of The Atlantic Club: to provide an atmosphere that enables members to escape from the world and its stress the minute they walk through the club's doors.
Read More
AFS Education Big Success at Club Industry 2014
CHICAGO, IL - Proving that there is an eager market for business-centric education for fitness studios, the Association of Fitness Studios' (AFS) "Studio Day" at Club Industry 2014 was a huge hit. The full day of seminars and networking events, took place Thursday, October 23, highlighted by a dynamic session, The 7 Secrets to Driving Studio Traffic in Today's Competitive Environment.
Read More
Orangetheory Fitness Opens First Connecticut Studio
High-intensity Interval Fitness Franchise Now in 26 States
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Orangetheory Fitness, the energizing and fast-growing fitness franchise announced it has expanded into Connecticut, opening the state's first studio in Fairfield, approximately 50 miles outside of New York City. This announcement comes on the heels of explosive growth for the Orangetheory Fitness brand in 2014 and marks its presence in 26 states.
Read More
Club Industry 2014 Slideshow
Check out photos from Club Industry 2014!
Read More
Norm's Notes for November 2014
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in!
Read More
