Quality control: noun, a system of maintaining standards in manufactured products by testing a sample of the output against the specification.
When it comes to being a great manager, quality control is extremely vital and can be the difference between having a successful fitness studio and having a mediocre business that may or may not make it. To put it bluntly, quality control matters, and as a manager, it is your responsibility.
How Can You QC a Fitness Studio?
Well, it’s quite simple, really—the best way to tell if a product is performing well is to sample said product. For fitness studios, the only way to do this is by taking one of the classes you offer at the studio. We recommend jumping in (space permitting) to a class last minute in order to avoid the instructor altering his or her regular routine, and get to work! By going through the motions, you are experiencing everything that a member does when he or she steps foot in your studio.
Make sure you pay attention to the instructor’s energy, the way he or she pushes members (safely and appropriately), his or her exercise demonstrations, and the ways in which he or she maintains positivity throughout the duration of the class.
Was the class something that you are proud to offer your community, or did it miss the mark for whatever reason? Make note of the little things mentally, and make sure you address them at a later time.
Another simple way to quality control your fitness studio is to take a look around the studio when your staff least expects it. Is the restroom clean? Are your staff members welcoming and inviting to those who walk through the door? If you sell merchandise, is it straightened up and presented in a way to promote brand awareness? These are all little things that may get swept under the rug during the hustle and bustle of day-to-day business maintenance and management. Taking the time to truly pay attention to these details will allow you to put yourself in your customers’ shoes and see what, if anything, needs to be fixed or addressed for a better experience.
A Few Suggestions…
When taking the initiative to quality control your business and your offerings, we think it’s important to remember a few things along the way. Here are a few suggestions and pointers from our team!
– Remember that if you tell people you are going to carry out QC checks, they may fix things before you can see them. An under-the-radar visit is actually a great way to get a true idea of what your customers experience when coming to your studio.
– Try not to focus on the little details, at least not until you have nailed the big picture things. The one thing your members want the most? A clean facility that offers a great workout. Try to focus on that, rather than the little details of where your brand keychains are placed in the studio or what kind of paper towels are in the bathroom.
– Approach the things that need to be fixed with grace, humility, and positivity. If you find something that needs to be addressed, try to remember that we are all human and that mistakes will happen! Simply gather your thoughts and approach your employees with tact and grace. They’ll respond in a much more positive way as opposed to a hostile and aggressive approach.
Remember, quality control may not always be the most convenient thing to do, but it truly is essential to creating a fitness studio environment that your community will love. This could potentially make or break your success; are you ready to take the next step?
Why Studio Managers Should QC Their Classes
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