Back in 2006 when I started VH out of an unused loading garage I was a one man show.
That meant I was the head coach, head of sales, head of marketing, head of HR (what HR?), and head business manager.
I guess you can say I was the proverbial jack-of-all-trades… Maybe this sounds like you?
That’s fine until you hit the ceiling and are at max capacity. You know the point you can’t physically do any more than you’re currently without burning out or sacrificing the rest of your life.
As a matter of fact, I bet, like most of us gym owners out there, you have gone past that tipping point many times wearing every hat in your business and it has/is taking a toll!
As your business grows so does its daily demands. As the saying goes “more money, more problems!”
Managing the ‘issues list’ with 1 employee and 25 clients is WAY different than 20 employees and 500 clients. TRUST ME!
So, you can say to yourself “This is as far is I can go” and cap your gym’s growth, or you can delegate & elevate.
Start making a list of all the little day to day tasks that take you away from your unique ability…selling, coaching, programing whatever and pass along some of those tasks and responsibilities to someone else.
THIS CHANGED MY LIFE! Now it’s the first thing I think of when I hire someone…”What roles, duties, and responsibilities can I give them?”
If you do this your gym will continue to grow.
You’ll avoid burnout.
You will allow yourself to spent time doing what you love and what you’re best at.
You will have a gym you will enjoy more, and one that provides a REAL return for your time and effort.
Seems like a no-brainer to me but why do so many gym ownerw struggle or avoid this all together?
I’d say it’s a lack of preparation or a lack of self-confidence…or some of both.
When you hire someone, you have to pay them. Most gym owners view this as an EXPENCE not an INVESTMENT.
This must be viewed as an investment that will allow you to grow your business and allow you to focus on your best abilities.
The PROBLEM is most gym owners do not have their SYSTEMS documented, or don’t have the confidence that they can turn that new hire into an asset fast enough to be worth it.
Even if they are drowning in their own business and it make sense.
So how can you give your gym the best opportunity for success when adding a new team member?
Here are some suggestions:
- 1. Hire Smart – Don’t hire on desperation. Hire the right person for the right seat. Hire your core values and make sure everyone involved knows exactly what they are getting into.
- 2. Hire Admin Help First – Most of us HATE the BS day to day stuff; filing, scheduling, billing. We want to focus on the BIG stuff. Also, its way easier to find a great admin than a great coach. Start here!
- 3. Set Clear Measurable Expectations – This does not have to be some calculus equation, but you need a list of duties, responsivities, 30/60/90-day goals. This way the employee knows what they are working towards and you not left wondering “WHAT ARE THEY DOING ALL DAY!”
- 4. Delegate Sales Last – Sales are the toughest SKILL to master. Start small and work toward this. We train everyone at VH how to sell, but not everyone is a natural.
- 5. Treat Team Members Like Great Clients – Just as you should always be striving to improve the lives of your clients and add value, leadership, and consistency to their lives you should be doing the same for your team. If you want A+ employees, you have to be an A+ leader.
- 6. Simple Systems – Don’t over think this. Document the big stuff and keep it simple stupid. Teach it to your crew. Review it at least 1x per quarter.
In the end you as the leader, owner, CEO and entrepreneur have to be the one to take FULL responsibility of developing your team just as you would a great client.
