This is a gem of a show on ABC on Friday nights... yeah, the show time sucks so no one will be watching I think so you should TIVO it. Listen, it's worth your time to understand these business concepts of marketability, negotiations and the value of an idea. Looks like Youtube has a bunch of episodes so you cold really see how the "sharks" operate.

Enjoy.

Post thoughts to comments.

There is some big news coming up regarding the BIZ. In the meantime, enjoy this video from one of our seminars.

BTW - are you going to the CrossFit Affiliate Gathering in Miami? We are.

Post thoughts to comments.

Creating the Experience from CrossFit LA - The BIZ on Vimeo.

Because you say it is, that's why... because there is only NOW and there is no other year to make your dreams come true... because haven't you waited long enough to get out of 2nd gear... because you choose it to be the year and that's all that matters and no one, no matter how close or respected or their expert opinion if contrary to yours, will get in your way. And this is because you...

go the extra distance

write that thank you note

show up early for class

listen more intently

dig a little deeper

hand out one more business card

have more fun

look for the things your clients do right

enroll more people for your team

dream a little bit bigger

know your numbers

watch one coaching video every day before leaving your house

walk the talk and talk plenty

dial in your Zone

smile with your clients more

make your weaknesses your strengths

believe in yourself

give tough love when it's necessary and give love every other time

Because this is who you are. You are the man and you know it.

So tell me, why is this the year for you?

Enjoy this clip:

I'm proud to announce the first annual award recognizing the best run Crossfit school. That award is based on outstanding coaching, great programming, professional location, passionate & professional coaching staff, and business effectiveness. In addition, this years specific winner has also brought a level of innovation that hasn't been seen outside of CrossFit LA yet. There is no surprise that they have been growing at their rate with their client performance being as outstanding as well... they love what they do and it shows.

The winner:

CrossFit Scottsdale run by Luke & Najla Kayyem and Tiffany Divelbiss

Congrats!!

Here is a video from one of their PR days:

A book that I suggest reading is HOW THE MIGHTY FALL by Jim Collins which is a follow up to his book GOOD TO GREAT. As usual this book is a great read. What I got most out of it is that if business has gone wrongs, sideways or just "off" it's not over... you could still salvage your dream.

Below is a video overview of Jim on the Charlie Rose show.

Post thoughts to comments:

Thanks Seth Godin for this entry.


How to lose an argument online

- Have an argument. Once you start an argument, not a discussion, you've already lost. Think about it: have you ever changed your mind because someone online started yelling at you? They might get you to shut up, but it's unlikely they've actually changed your opinion.

- Forget the pitfalls of Godwin's law. Any time you mention Hitler or even Communist China or Bill O'Reilly, you've lost.

- Use faulty analogies. If someone is trying to make a point about, say, health care, try to make an analogy to something conceptually unrelated, like the space shuttle program, and you've lost.

- Question motives. The best way to get someone annoyed and then have them ignore you is to bypass any thoughtful discussion of facts and instead question what's in it for the person on the other end.

- Make assumptions about their motivations and lose their respect.

- Act anonymously. What are the chances that heckled comments from the bleachers will have an impact?

- Threaten to take action in another venue. Insist that this will come back to haunt the other person. Guarantee you will spread the word or stop purchasing.

- Bring up the slippery slope. Actually, the slope isn't that slippery. People don't end up marrying dogs, becoming cannibals or harvesting organs because of changes in organization, technology or law.

- Go to the edges. This is a variant of the slippery slope, in which you bring up extremes at either end of whatever spectrum is being discussed.

So, what works?

Earn a reputation. Have a conversation. Ask questions. Describe possible outcomes of a point of view. Make connections. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Align objectives then describe a better outcome. Show up. Smile.

Thoughts?

At CrossFit LA we strive to make each person's visit different than any other place that they have been or will go to. And we do this from the first moment we answer the phone or when someone finds our website. If you have been to our seminar, or are planning on going, we cover this extensively on how you can do it as well. How does your box stand out in a crowd of fitness choices? If I called your box, would it sound like any other place if I replaced the word Crossfit with the word Golds? Is everyone's first experience with your box memorable even if they DIDN'T join?


Post thoughts to comments:

This video is from our seminar. I'm sorry it's so long but it's full of valuable information and I did not want to "dumb it down" for time's sake.

What's the Difference? from CrossFit LA - The BIZ on Vimeo.

Great speech on branding, passion and people...

And I appreciate his ability to tell people to "get out" if they don't love what they do... because the customers deserve better.

Thoughts? Post to comments.

How did you choose your business model? Does it support your desire to be a business owner by duplicating your skills? Or do you find yourself hating going to the gym because the reward is to small?

When Andy and I teach at our seminar we cover the way that supports your need to be financially stable while delivering a great product to your clients. AND this model also supports your staff's desire to have a real future as a professional on par with other doctors, lawyers and other respected people.

Post how you chose your business model to comments:

Business Models (2 min. version) from CrossFit LA - The BIZ on Vimeo.

To sign up for the next BIZ: Raise your Game seminar in LA click here now.

Don't believe me... let's see what Coach Glassman has to say about it. The following excerpt is taken from the CrossFit.com Affiliate blog Oct. 13th. 2009


"Imagine you're a new affiliate: How do you figure out your prices?

Imagine you're an established affiliate: How do you know when it's time to raise prices?"

Posted by Lisbeth at October 13, 2009 12:05 AM



"This is an important conversation. Your personality and confidence will play a strong role in a) what you will charge, b) what you'll feel like asking, and c) whether you'll get it or not.

I always made sure that I was charging considerably more than the average training rate and made sure that the margins by which my training was better than average were even greater. To wit, when the average trainer was making $40/session, Lauren and I were charging $75/session, but we figured that was a bargain because our training was three times more effective and fun. I also never raised the rate on a client, ever, but extracted ever increasing amounts from newcomers. My clients locked into a rate for a lifetime. Early adoption/support had it's rewards. I generally kept my rates about 50% above the regional mode (by dead-reckoning).

In the traditional non-CF gym model the memberships of the super committed are in effect subsidized by the large number of gym members who do not go to the gym but continue to pay. That's not our business model. You want to look not at what gym membership at Gold's, Balley's, or Spectrum costs but the average take per client of their trainers. On the basis of that comparison our average CF affiliate monthly fee of $150 is a steal, and those are the clients you want - people who want to be trained.

I'd rather be the most expensive CF trainer in a demographic region than the least expensive - by far. The guy undercharging the market is making a statement about his worth that I'd never make.

These are my opinions."

Comment #11 - Posted by: Coach at October 13, 2009 4:26 PM

Post thoughts to comments:

Here's a Video for more on the topic.