This Month in Club Insider: February 2019
Team Quest4ALS
Supercharging Augie's Quest
By: Justin Cates
Justin CatesHeroes and Villains. Villains and Heroes. The comic book, television and movie universes have revolved around the classic dichotomy of two relatively simple concepts: Good and Evil. In the aforementioned lore of old and new, with good, evil rises in balance. In turn, good rises to create counter-balance. And, on and on we go into sequel after sequel, each usually worse than the previous. Thankfully, real life can be different... if we try. At the 2015 Bash for Augie's Quest, an artist painted Superman on canvas as John Ondrasik, the incredible singer of Five for Fighting, sang It's Not Easy (Superman). Having only taken five minutes to create, and I am sure a thousand times longer practicing its creation, the painting went on to be the headlining item of the silent auction for the night, raising tens of thousands of dollars for Augie's Quest. Being there for that moment was incredible. And, I have no problem admitting that, for me, as tears ran down my face, it was the moment I knew ALS would be defeated... In my lifetime. In Augie's lifetime. Read More...
Kenneth O. Melby
1929 - 2019
Kenneth O. Melby, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away January 22, 2019. Born August 31, 1929, in Holladay, Utah, to Arnold W. and Ruth Clarkson Melby. He married Charlotte Bryner, later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple after she passed away. He then married Cheryl McRae, later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Read More...
Launch Your Own Augie's Quest Fundraising Effort!
By: Mike Alpert
Mike AlpertAs the month of March approaches, I look forward to two things: MLB Spring Training and our annual IHRSA convention, especially when it is in San Diego, one of my favorite cities in the United States. Like many of you, the opportunity to meet old friends and make new friends, as well, as to soak in all the education I can makes IHRSA a can't miss event. Importantly, it also allows me to attend and support Augie's Quest on the Friday evening of the convention. That is why I want to dedicate this article to my dear friend and industry icon, Augie Nieto. Read More...
Properly Classifying Workers as Employees or Independent Contractors
By: Paul R. Bedard, Esquire
Paul R. Bedard, EsquireThe typical health club operates with a diverse group of people, including managers, personal trainers, group instructors, salespeople, childcare providers and more. The business bears the responsibility of properly classifying each of these people within each respective role as either an employee or an independent contractor. For employees, the business must withhold and apply payments for income taxes, Social Security, Medicare and unemployment tax. If the business is found to have misclassified an employee as an independent contractor, fines, penalties, interest, any employee benefits due, and even criminal charges may accompany the organization's resulting diminished goodwill. Read More...
How Technology Is Changing Club Design
By: Bruce Carter
Bruce CarterWe are all aware of the rapid changes in technology affecting our lives. Now, more than ever, there is a rapid escalation in the use of technology in clubs, providing members a more engaging experience. This is especially true if you want to attract the 20 - 40 age group, yet all members want the best possible solutions to their desire to look and feel their best. All of these technological advances affect club design. If you plan accordingly, technology will function more effectively, cost less and be an integral part of the excitement of a club. Here are some key factors to consider when incorporating technology into a design, and they apply to any size or type of club, new or renovation... Read More...
What is Holding You Back From Being a Better Manager or Leader?
By: Karen Woodard-Chavez
Karen Woodard-ChavezBeing a manager or leader is most often a choice. Sometimes, it is not your choice, as you may find yourself thrust into a new position you do not really want. Hmm... something for you to ponder... do you really want to be in the management or leadership position you currently hold? It is not about doing what you think you should do but about doing the right thing. My last two articles for Club Insider have been focused on how to effectively deal with having a bad boss and how to identify if you are a bad boss. In this article, the focus will be on what holds you back from being a better boss. Read More...
Getting Celebrities To Work For You:
Learn How To Appeal To The Hearts And Minds Of Celebrities Who Care About Fitness
By: Nancy Trent
Nancy TrentNot so long ago, companies that wanted to sell their products hired authentic experts in the actual field they were trying to promote: authority figures, frequently acclaimed researchers or authors with advanced academic or medical degrees, who seemed incorruptible, ethical and thoroughly reliable. They possessed a high degree of credibility, and their own notoriety rubbed off on the brands they endorsed, either blatantly or subtly. They were, and many still are, powerful influencers of human behavior. Read More...
How to Sell More Memberships, Even When
You're Surrounded by Competition
By: Casey Conrad
Casey ConradIs the competition beating up on you and your salespeople? By far, the number one call I currently receive as a consultant is, "Can you come and train my sales staff how to effectively sell against competitor objections." Let's face it, the competitive landscape in the fitness industry is at an all-time high. Regardless of the market size, there is competition. In larger markets, there will be several of the big box national brands, one or two of the smaller franchise concepts, a YMCA, one or two independent clubs, personal training facilities, yoga studios, CrossFit, Orangetheory and any number of other boutique concepts. Some are franchises, and many are owner-operated. In smaller markets, there may be fewer players, but the landscape is the same; a lot of competition and choices for the consumer. Read More...
ABC Financial Services Acquires Brazilian Market Leader, Evo W12
LITTLE ROCK, USA and SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - ABC Financial Services, LLC, announced that it has acquired Brazil-based Evo W12 Inovações Tecnologicas, South America's largest provider of club management software to over 2,700 facilities across 10 countries. ABC is the leading provider of software, billing, and membership services to over 7,000 North American commercial and franchise health and wellness facilities. Read More...
LNK Partners Exits Investment in Fitness Connection
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - LNK Partners, a leading consumer-focused private equity firm, announced that it has sold Fitness Connection, together with its parent company, Titan Fitness Holdings, to affiliates of Roark Capital. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More...
Norm's Notes for February 2019
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 302nd monthly edition! YAHOO! This being our 302nd monthly edition, an edition produced by a dude who flunked English 101 at N. C. State while he was playing college football, there is more proof there IS A GOD! Haha! I know in my heart that God smiles down on us every day as we work on this true LABOR of LOVE for you called Club Insider! Read More...