Tom Durkin, owner and operating manager of seven fitness centers in Iowa joins the podcast today. Before fitness was the popular thing to do, in a state that isn't even on the top 25 of 50 fittest states, Tom Durkin invested it all in the fitness industry. In the doors every single day since, acting as membership sales manager, general manager, personal training director for the majority of his clubs...he's got knowledge from experience to share.

What did he see 35 years ago? What came true and what surprised him? What does he see for the future and how would he recommend personal trainers or personal training directors prepare for a successful future?

Few fitness club owners have been in business for 35 years. Hear this unique voice in the fitness industy.

How do you hire? It's a skill set we often don't come to the fitness profession with. If you've grown up through the ranks of fitness trainer to having a business of your own it's a guessing game that can cost you. 

If your business is dependant on customer care and liability is a concern, the right person is key. 

What works? What mistakes should you avoid? 

Guest Debi Pillarella has 30 years fitness industry experience. With 80 employees and an 80% retention rate at Community Hospital's Fitness Pointe in Indiana she's learned the ropes. Hear what she has to say, whether your interviewing or the interviewee. 

The resources she mentions include: Match, Top Grading, and Ask The Right Questions Hire The Right Person

Contact Debi at 219-924-5348 or dpillarela@comhs.org 

See a written transcript of this podcast at www.voiceforfitness.com by using the fitness professionals tab and The Dollars and Sense of Selling Exercise blog. 

Email marketing is the best way to get information to your customer base for pennies. It's fast, simple and provides almost immediate feedback about your effectiveness. You can't pay thousands and get that!

There are gaps in most fitness pros' approach though. I share here my own mistakes and how I fixed them with the step-by-step thought process to buiding a relationship with your customers. It's all about transitions. Bridge the gap between where they are now and where you want them...as new members and clients!

Find details in writing at www.voiceforfitness.com and the Fitness Professionals tab. The Dollars and Sense of Selling Exercise blog "The Right Words At The Right Time" is what you're looking for!

Go From Good to Great this spring. Check off this list and make sure you're doing all you can to set your programs on the path to profitability. Six simple steps will help make all the difference. Number one matters most. If you're in need of a first quarter revival, this is your time to focus. Slow down to speed up. 

Every year about this time everyone else sets New Year's Resolutions. The busy-ness sets in and you are left in the dust. Creating a year that reaches goals professionally is just as much about creating goals that get you the actionable steps and the tracking measures to get there.

If you create a system that you commit to on a daily basis, with goals and tasks you intend to complete before the day is done, you're 100% in charge of your day, week, month and year accomplishments. If you get the calls made, the sessions booked, you go home. If not you stay until you do what you said you were going to do. 

Look back, look at how and look ahead. It's never too late to learn from it, appreciate it or plan for it.