Visiting With CEO Guitarist Joe Moore And The Leadership Of IHRSA

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Upon the advice of many, including my partner and friend Robert Dyer, Sal Pellegrino and others, to learn more about the pulse of the health club industry, I headed up to Boston this week to sit down with the President and CEO of IHRSA, Joe Moore. Representing thousands of health clubs around the world and being the voice of the health club industry in general is no small job. However, in speaking with people like Joe Moore, Pam O'Donnell (pictured above with Joe and I), Meredith Poppler, Helen Durkin and others, I continue to discover a lot more about the thinking behind the organization that I'd like to share and of course hear back from you on. I also understand the importance of why people like you and I need to do more for this organization in order to help it succeed.

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Mobile Isn't A Trend. Its A New Era. Are You Ready ?

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I've written a lot about mobile trends and what they are going to mean to your life and your business, particulary in the fitness and health club business. Watch the video below and ask yourself these questions: Is your website mobile friendly ? Can your customers easily take action with your business using their mobile devices ? Do you deliver a unique mobile experience for your customers ? Is mobile part of your marketing strategy ? I didn't think so; but don't feel badly because you're not alone. Mobile isn't a trend, its a new era in customer experience and its going to change everything. Mobile is one part of a huge revolution that's underway in every industry and the health club business and fitness industry in general are no exception.
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What Digital Darwinism Means To The Health Club Industry

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Going through my morning content over tea I came across this from Brian Solis:

“Digital Darwinism is the evolution of consumer behavior when society & technology evolve faster than your ability to embrace it.”

I love Brian, but what do you ask is he talking about ? I think I know.

Conveying to leaders in the health club industry, or leaders from many businesses and industries for that matter, that: 1) change is coming very fast and 2) the future will entail new business models and ways of doing things that will be very different from the past, often falls on deaf ears. While its lonely being the voice of a revolution amidst the monarchy, what Brian Solis is saying is true and Digital Darwinism is an important concept to explore. Here's why.

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Think I Was Kidding About Augmented Reality Taking Off ? [VIDEO]

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I've been talking and writing about the impact of Augmented Reality on all industries, but particularly the health club industry and the fitness business in general, for some time now. In fact, over the past few years I've referenced Layar as one of THE up and coming technology platforms that could be harnessed to create some impressive new consumer interfaces. Its all about the merger of the physical and digital worlds in the health club industry, the fitness industry and others; with smartphones connected to the Internet in increasing numbers the possibilities to connect, engage and market to members and customers is incredible.
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Planet Fitness - Why The Health Club Industry Should Pay Close Attention

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Change is painful, ask any retailer or grocer that faced the onslaught of WalMart’s expansion in the past few decades. New business models emerge when there is a market opportunity and it isn’t very comfortable for any business owner to face the fact that they will have to deal with new progressive competition or go broke.

Enter Planet Fitness. I had been skeptical about the press and buzz I've heard on this low cost health club concept but recently took the time to acquire their latest 2011 Franchise Disclosure Document [FDD].

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