#JTInTheRaw Show 2: Talking 3 Business Insights, Fitness Studio Capacity and Goal Setting
Welcome to show 2 and thanks for the feedback after the last show. And thanks for the messages of luck for my marathon – I thought my Facebook feed was going to melt! I am so grateful for all the support!
I learned many things over that 42.2ks and here are 3 that relate to business:
- You have to run your own race! If you focus on your competitors you lose focus on your own game plan and strengths.
- You have to be fully prepared! You need to complete as much of the race before the race so you go in prepared – that means in business role playing!
- When you want to achieve something monumental, you need a coach. I couldn’t have done what I did without a coach. We expect our members to get a personal trainer to get results like run a marathon! So why don’t we have in business a coach?
In my research I found in the Association of Fitness Studios Report to get your copy of the survey click here
The survey identified that 57% of the fitness studios had no marketing plan – which got me thinking, why don’t they? Not sure what to do? No time? Don’t know where to start?
The survey also talked about capacity and it got me curious about what is ‘capacity’? They defined ‘capacity’ as the number of members per square foot or metre.
I wonder if this is still an accurate measure for big box clubs. When I started as an owner we aimed for 1.5 to 1.75 members per sqm. Now with low cost operators, I’d suggest it’s closer to 5 to 8.
I challenge that for a studio too. I think your capacity is measured by how much availability you have – ie free spaces in classes, groups or with trainers.
What do you think is the best measure for capacity?
I listened this week to a podcast called Barbell Business. It’s focus is on Crossfit boxes & relevant to all fitness business. Be warned it can be a bit crude. Click here to listen.
Over the next week it is all about writing a marketing plan for me. We roll out in Australia FitnessBiz Brunches & FitnessBiz for GFMs in the next 12 weeks & a product won’t sell itself without marketing! This week will be writing a plan to promote the event to the Australian Fitness Industry.
Get your FitnessBiz Brunch tickets by clicking here or FitnessBiz for GFMs by clicking here.
I’m also finalising the first quest for our Active Management members to test if their business is financially fit.
A big office week!!!
My final thoughts for you relate to goals. What do we do when we reach or achieve a goal? I find it tough to immediately roll into a brand new goal or even an extension of the goal achieved. I kind of want time out.
I remember when I opened my first gym, I’d worked so hard to get it done in my timeline. I then chillaxed. And on the gym’s first birthday I sat alone in the gym admiring what we’d done. And then it dawned on me … I’d done nothing for 12 months! I’d achieved the goal & then meandered for the next year … Dickhead!
It takes strength & sometimes some help to re-asses what to do next but consider this. We only have limited time on this earth and we can’t afford to waste a year, a month or even a day not pursuing our dreams!
And a little quote for you this week to ponder that relates to goals is ‘Make a decision! Get off the fence & make a decision or you’ll get splinters!’
Next Friday, JT In the Raw will be coming live from somewhere in Sydney! Hope you come back for another edition! Tell me what you think below!
Let me finish with a little quote of mine …
Justin is the Managing Director of Active Management, which he began January 2004. He offers coaching to businesses worldwide in everything from start up and design to marketing and sales systems. Justin also facilitates four Australian and New Zealand ‘fitness industry roundtables’ events, which allows him to see a huge cross section of business models.