How was 2006 for you and your business? Be Honest!

• Do you think that 2006 was the best year in business you have ever had?
• Did you need someone to bounce ideas off at some stage?
• Could you have had someone to give you guidance and help through some challenges this year?
• Did you want to boast to someone?
• Did you want someone to cry to?
• Did you say you would do some things and never get around to them?
• Does your motivation wane during the year?
• Do you need ideas and want to know the next big thing in the fitness industry?

These are the questions, emotions and frustrations we all go through as business owners. And as an owner it is a tough, challenging and lonely role. We spend so much time supporting our Team but often there is no-one to support us.

Here is your new challenge, make 2007 the same as 2006 or make it a better year for your business and yourself?

If you want to make 2007 a better year then you need to do something different, otherwise you will achieve the same things and be in the same position this time next year.

After 10 years of being in a Round Table, this is the single thing that has changed my business. The Round Table has given me someone to hold me accountable for my business, education, challenges to make me a better person, a sounding board, and someone to cry out my frustration to.

Just this week, I emailed my Round Table and asked for advice. I think my bank fees are too much so I asked my Round Table what percentage of turnover were their bank fees. I also asked them what were they paying for their phone calls. This information gives me evidence to go to the bank and Telstra to ask for reductions – in an effort to increase the profitability of my business.

Don’t just take my word for it, here is what members of the Personal Trainers Round Table said:

• Besides keeping up to date with current management strategies, the PTRT has made my business accountable, if you don’t know your key numbers how are you going to properly manage your business! The RT gives your business direction.
  Paul Lewis, CEO of Fit To Travel
  
  
• The PTRT has made a huge difference to my business. By focusing on my KPI’s and implementing the strategies we have shared, we have doubled our turnover and session numbers in 6 months. I would recommend the PTRT to any business owner who wants to develop a strong and profitable business.
  Summer Nelson, Managing Director, My Trainer Corporation
  
  
• Round Table has been the best initiative I have had for my business. It has made me accountable, which has meant that I now don’t let anything slip through my fingers. It all gets done when it should get done, and this means that my bottom line keeps on improving. To be able to have my own mentor group who I can turn to at any time for advice, has been an absolute savior with all the big and small decisions that I have had to make.
  Heidi Dening, Director, Jump Start Outdoor Training
  
  
• Roundtable is absolutely fantastic. I cannot speak highly enough of the progress I have made personally and professionally in the 18 months I have been involved. It is a great grounding point ever four months. It holds you to be accountable and also ensures you take time out to work “on” the business not just “in” it. It forces you to get traction and move forward in all aspects of your business and life. I cannot imagine not having it as part of my world.
  Andrew Verdon, Owner Beyond Personal Training

What is a Round Table?

A Round Table is made up of independent club and personal training business owners. The decision makers. It is designed for maximum interaction between and during meetings for members:

• An on-line forum to present discussion points to members and also all members of the Australian and New Zealand RT program – coming in 2007.
• An Agenda that is determined by the members
• A professional facilitator at every meeting to ensure all items are covered and all members have equal input.

Who can be invited to join?

• Non-competing Club owners.
• Non-competing managers who have full decision making authority.

When do they meet?

The national Round Tables meet 3 times year. In fact the dates have been set for 2007 and 2008 already! But they do fit in around school holidays. The State Round Tables meet more frequently but for less time.

Where do they meet?

We meet all over Australia for our national Round Tables or in Adelaide or Perth for the state Round Tables.

What do you get for your money?

• Round Table logo that can be used in marketing, websites and other material
• On-line monthly KPI reporting to compare your results with other clubs in your RT and also with your previous month’s performance
• On-line discussion forum
• Professional facilitator at all the meetings
• Three 2 day meetings per year for the national Round Tables and bi-monthly half day meetings for the State Round Tables
• Opportunity for a Club Evaluation by the members
• Opportunity to ‘sit in the Hot Seat’ at a meeting
• One 1 day meeting after Filex & IHRSA to discuss insights with other members of the Australian Round Table program facilitated by Active Management
• Meeting costs – venue hire, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
• Copies of hand outs
• Access to download the meeting material from www.activemgmt.com.au
• Travel to and from the club visits
• Independent note taker for the meetings
• Annual Club Network membership
• Preferred pricing for various services and products
• Potential network for reciprocal rights for members through all Round Table members
• Opportunity for work exchange programs with other Round Table Members
• Time away from your business, to work on it not in it!

Note: These may vary slightly with each Round Table.

What do they cost?

Each Round Table has a separate investment, so they range from $165 per month to $595 per month. Your expense is getting to the meeting and your accommodation

In Australia & New Zealand we have several Round Tables and there are some vacancies on them:

• Australian Fitness Round Table – 3 vacancies
• Australian New Zealand Round Table – 7 vacancies
• Australian Club Owners Round Table – 5 vacancies
• Personal Trainers Round Table – 5 vacancies
• South Australian Round Table – 4 vacancies
• Round Table Western Australia – 6 vacancies

If you would like more information on the Round Table Program, please drop Justin an email by clicking here

Or if you want to chat with a current member, drop Justin an email and he can give the details of one of the members for another testimonial.

So remember the challenge . . .

If you do what you did in 2006, then you can expect the same results in 2007. If you want to make 2007 your best year ever for your business and yourself, then do yourself a favour and join a Round Table. You will truly benefit!