Welcome back WOD killas, if you missed part one, check it out here. In part two of this series I will share with you three more systems that can be implemented into your facility to keep your trainers happy and your box growing. It’s important to realize that a high turnover ratio for trainers is not only a pain, but does not reflect well on your facility.
In a box gym every member knows who the owner is, but the trainers become their therapist and friend. They build stability throughout your facility and should not be looked at as easily replaceable. Sure you can always find another level 1 coach but you cannot find another Jack or Lisa. Realizing their importance is something all owners should be aware of.
Below are three more systems that take about as much time as doing Cindy to implement. Take pride in them and make them your own. The important part is that you take action before you loose an important piece to the puzzle.
1) Education
Bu what if they leave right after I invest in them? I know the arguments, but we are supposed to be thinking with the glass half full here. If you help educate your trainers they are going to look at you as someone who cares, a friend. It is hard to screw over a friend. Easy to screw over a boss.
The obvious choice would be to help pay for a certification. You could also get creative and hire a rowing specialist to come teach all five of your trainers at once. A writing, coaching, or speaking course could also help them in the fitness field.
Example:
- Get a specialist to come in for one hour
- Coach them yourself for one hour
- Buy them books or instructional DVD’s
- Set up a library for them full of the best fitness books
2) Eliminate stress
Quality of work matters, your not paying them enough to deal with a stressful work environment. You might be thinking, “Yeah yeah they are not stressed, their job is easy.” How do you know? You may have to suck up some pride, and actually ask them. Create an anonymous survey (free on survey monkey) to have your employees fill out at the end of each month (yes each month). You just email a simple ten second multiple choice survey so they can evaluate your work as an owner. Yup, you need checking up on too.
Example of a Survey: 1- definitely 2- sometimes 3- not at all.
- I genuinely believe this company has a higher purpose beyond profits
- I feel my role in this company has a real purpose, it is not just a job
- I feel as if I am in control of my career path and I am progressing in my personal and professional development
- I am happy with my job
- I consider my co-workers to be like family and friends
(Survey from “The Zappos Experience”)
Feel free to use these or tweak them to your liking. Although, it is really not about what you ask it is about actually asking. Along with sending this survey out once a month you can have a separate facebook page, website, forum, or meeting to get employee’s feedback on the gym. I have found a private facebook page to be the best. It is free easy and people tend to speak more openly behind their computer. This creates another form of bonding between the trainers and you.
One more point on surveys, send out anonymous ones to be completed by the members of the gym. Make them specify a coach then give them simple multiple choice questions about their coaching/training style and what they can improve on. Make this information available to your coach/trainer. Not only will it improve their work at your facility it will give them something to work towards.
Examples:
- If you owned a gym would you hire Tim to be a trainer?
- Do you attend Tim’s class because you have to or you want to?
- Would you encourage your friends to come into Tim’s class?
3) Study Leadership
Study leadership like you study the squat snatch. Learn what makes people tick. Ronald Riggio is a professor of leadership and organizational psychology at the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College and according to his survey people admire two characteristics in a good leader. Integrity and self motivation – someone who accomplishes things and is inspirational.
It is easy to tell yourself you already possess integrity and self-motivation, but as I have been saying you need to dig deeper. Take out a pen right now and write down five ways you inspire your trainers. When you are finished take a look at your list and think about how you can improve or add to it.
Remember, you need to act like a leader. Have fun, promote happiness, and always lead by example. Negative pessimistic people are not leaders. Use these systems and you will be on your way to growing your box and developing your staff into something truly special.
Leave a comment below and let me know which system you are going to try.
This blog post was kindly written for us by Geo Rockwell, the owner of CrossFit Mission Gorge in San Diego and founder of Fitrilla.com, where fitness entrepreneurs share their secrets to success. He has his CrossFit level one certification, CrossFit Endurance Certification, ACE Certification, and a Bachelors in Physical Education.