Michael Scott Scudder's Articles

So far I have suggested more than two dozen strategies to resolve trend-based challenges such as the aging of society and the nagging member- attrition problem in clubs; th...

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idea fitness manager Challenge Question How long do you think that the average member will last in your facility if you persist with your present, perhaps outdated ...

T mid-1970s. he third year of this column commences in the midst of the most perplexing economic market in three "baby boomlet" is occurring, this influx of youngsters will ...

BY MI C H AE L SC OT T S C U D D E R FORECASTING THE NEXT 5 YEARS IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY AN INDUSTRY EXPERT EXAMINES HOW TODAY'S SOCIOECONOMIC CLIMATE WILL AFFECT TOMORROW'S...

If you have followed the first three segments of this column, you realize by now that I believe management effectiveness begins with the person who looks back at you from your...

If you made the investment in yourself to do the exercise I suggested in the last column (three sheets of paper—two columns each—titled “Things I Like to Do,...

1. Manage the business, not crises. 2. Challenge yourself to think differently. 3. Assess your vision.idea fitness manager/March 2002 fitness managerChecklist for ...

What kind of message are you sending members if you’re constantly running around solving crises at your club, or if you’re always maximally stressed with the day-...

Weathering an Economic Slowdown in the Fitness Industry What facilities and staff can do to succeed in today's cloudy economic climate. Nobody likes to talk about an economic...

Over the last three issues, this column has followed the story of “Mark,” a former club trainer turned entrepreneur who opened his own facility in Smithville, USA,...

What are your short- and long-term goals for the business? How will you differentiate yourself from the competition? What will your carrying costs be for the kind of fac...

In the last “Money” column (January 2001), I addressed what it takes to start a new fitness facility. As you may recall, I introduced “Mark,” a real-li...

Each month I receive over a dozen telephone calls from individuals wanting to start new fitness facilities in their communities. Invariably, I hear something like this: &ldquo...