Welcome to 2006!
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. I hope that you were able to enjoy a few weeks off – if not we had better talk!!!
This is the first edition of Active E-News for 2006, no point interrupting you with emails during the busiest month of the year!
I hope January was a profitable month for you and it sets a trend for 2006! Check out this month’s newsletter:
Saving You on Telephone Calls
For anyone contemplating using the Sensis directory service number, 1234 . . . DON'T!
 Sensis, as you may or may not know, is a subsidiary of Telstra. The 1234 number is replacing the Telstra 12456 directory assistance number, but this time with outrageous costs attached: 40c to call the number, then 4c A SECOND!
By law, Telstra have to provide a FREE directory assistance number, because they are still majority owned by the government. They choose however, not to pass this number on to the public.
What's the number?........... 1223
Eight Ways to Increase Customer Loyalty
Over the Christmas break I read this great article from Jay Bower. I think you will find his suggestions basic but useful – you could use them as a checklist to see if you are doing them.
Say thank you. You'll be surprised how much this matters. Say "thank you" to new members the day they join with a card or email. Plus, make sure you say “thank you for being a member’ at least once a year, with no ulterior motive.
Make it easy to be a customer. Remove some of the necessary barriers you set up for your customers – have flexible memberships, policies, and programming. Think about how customer friendly your web site is?
Reward and recognise longevity. You might be able afford to give long-time customers discounts but perhaps some red carpet treatment. In many cases, it's not even necessary to invest in a formal "loyalty" program. Recognition can go as far in exceeding customers' expectations as rewards. Stage and invite best customers to "inner circle" events, even if the customer has to pay for the trip.
Personalise and customise. Think about how good it feels when the waiter at your favourite restaurant greets you by name and knows exactly where you want to sit. You return again and again and always tip more than usual. How could you do the same for your members?
Ask them what they want. Members want their opinions heard. And they'll like being asked for their point of view. The act of surveying your customers communicates the message that you care what they think and what they want. When you report the results of the survey back to them, that's a double confirmation of your concern.
Market to the members’ lifecycle stage. New customers have different needs and expectations from those you've had for years. Do some research to understand them and respond to these differences. Be pro-active rather than reactive – that could be too late!
Turn customers into stakeholders. Build a member panel or an advisory board, and invite special members to join. You'll be surprised by how many will join, share, refer and buy more as a result of their participation. If you listen and act on what they have to say, that not only builds their loyalty but also makes them more willing to reach out to potential members.
Manage the relationship enterprise-wide. Make sure everyone knows how important the member is, and develop foolproof communications that reflect the knowledge. You don't want to have one of your Team thanking a customer one day, and then having the member being treated poorly the next day.
NEW Round Table for Club Owners! And spots for personal trainers!
The very successful Rex Round Table program has continue to expand in 2006. The program is designed to help you work smarter not harder. We look at improving your business strategies, marketing, human resources, pricing and more. With the end goal of you making more money and working less hours! For more information on the Round Table go to http://www.activemgmt.com.au/roundtable.
This year we are launching another Round Table for Club Owners! The first meeting will be in June but you will need to act quickly as there can be only 14 members and we have 4 already!
So if you own your own gym, health club or fitness centre and you would like more information on the Round Table program, please email Justin at jt@activemgmt.com.au.
Attention: Personal Trainers!
We also have a place for you! Our PT Round Table has met several times and we have 6 places left for PTers who have a studio or mobile business. If you would like to know more email Justin at jt@activemgmt.com.au
Aussie Government Wages War on obesity & inactivity.
I received this news during the month. The federal government is tackling rising rates of obesity and diabetes in Australia by offering Medicare rebates for exercise services.
The new scheme, was due to be launched on January 1st 2006 will enable overweight or chronic disease patients to receive rebates for health services provided by Accredited Exercise Physiologists accredited with the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS).
AAESS President, Dr David Bishop commented, 'I welcome this proactive initiative by the Federal Government and comment Minister Tony Abbott for taking a landmark step towards proactive health care for the Australian public.'
'Physical Inactivity is the second largest cause of chronic disease and ill-health in Australia, and now the community will have access to expert advice and management on their lifestyle.'
A federal health spokesperson said, 'This may set the standards for the international community to follow in Australia's footsteps.'
The cost of diabetes alone in Australia is $6billion.
To find an exercise physiologist nearest to you, visit the AAESS website at www.aaess.com.au and follow the prompts to 'find an EP'.
But the Federal Government still wants to tax companies 48% if they purchase memberships for their staff – HOW paradoxical!
Profit Centres in Your Club
 A new addition this year to our e-news is that we’ll share with you some ways you can add income to your Club with new products. This month, we are excited to share a product from the Health Australia Project.
As members love to know more about weight loss, why not come to the experts for information – YOU! Your opportunity to demystify the facts about weight loss can come by selling this fantastic book!
The authors are Kerry McEvoy & Rowena Szeszeran-McEvoy with forward from Prof Robert Newton and Matt On-Neill, Australia’s leading dietitian. And you can have the book tailored to your club with your logo on the front and 8 pages for your personal messages, programming philosophies or vouchers for the club.
You will purchase the book for about $13 and then be able to sell it for around $25. Excellent profit!
You want to know more? Contact Daryle Calder on 03 9804 5007.
Lead Boxes For Sale
Get your Lead Box now! Just $49.95. No minimum orders! Email Justin now to order! |
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Promote personal training NOW!
With so many new members in January, here is a perfect opportunity to promote personal training in your Club. To keep your members motivated and training, why not run a personal training promotion in March?
We can help design an internal promotion for you or maybe you would like to take advantage of our Personal Training MArketing Package for just $649:
- This flyer tailored to your club and offer
- The following material:
- 500 x A6 flyers
- 10 x A4 posters
- 5 x A3 posters
- 1 x A1 poster
- And delivery!
And for only $649!
To order, email Justin at jt@activemgmt.com.au. Orders must be made by 24th February with delivery around March 10th.
STOP PRESS: Health Club For Sale
 I have just been told of a health club in country NSW is for sale. This is a great opportunity for some to take sea change or make a purchase for lifestyle! All the confidentiality agreements are currently being drawn up but this will be sold quickly! If you are interested in finding out more. Contact Justin at this stage: jt@activemgmt.com.au
Your club can be even more successful
Live your Passion at FILEX 2006!
21-23 April 2006
Sydney Convention Centre
Would you like to:
- Share in the most current and successful business management information from leading fitness business presenters?
- Network with fellow facility operators and managers?
- Keep your knowledge about fitness business practices and industry trends on the cutting-edge?
Would you like your staff to:
- Become motivated and inspired?
- Feel appreciated and valued?
- Remain on the cutting-edge with their knowledge?
- Be eligible for re-registration?
By attending FILEX 2006, all of these things can be achieved!
FILEX has over 30 business sessions to choose from, the FILEX one day Business Summit, a Business Breakfast, a Business Lunch and with the Business Gold Pass, there are many other fantastic opportunities packaged together.
Run in conjunction with the Australian Fitness Expo, this annual convention provides the ultimate fitness event all under the one roof.
Remember, as a Club Network member of Australian Fitness Network, you can save almost $400 in total off registration fees to FILEX! Contact Network for more details.
For more information on FILEX, go to www.fitnessnetwork.com.au/FILEX or contact Network on 02 8424 7200.
 
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