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Feature Story | By Donna Hutchinson

Mining for Program Ideas

Use tried-and-true brainstorming in your next staff meeting to program a year’s worth of fun for members.
Think of the programs you offer as frosting on a cake. Although a cake is still delicious without frosting, many people would agree it tastes much better with it. The programs you offer enhance the flavor of your business beyond just selling memberships or personal training sessions.

Programs help members stay interested and motivated. The more engaged members are, the greater the likelihood they will remain members in the long term. This is true of your personal training clients as well. The more variety you can offer, the more loyal they will be. Their customer loyalty helps your business thrive and remain profitable. How do you keep the programming prizewinning? You leverage the brain trust otherwise known as your staff.

Brainstorm or Bust
In 1941, Alex Osborn created the concept of brainstorming. The premise behind a brainstorming session is to come up with as many ideas as possible without editing them. You’ve probably participated in many brainstorming sessions, but were they done right?		 Managing a Quality-Driven Business

Osborn developed a list of four essential rules for an effective brainstorming session. They are:

1. Withhold any criticisms or judgments on ideas until an appropriate time.

2. Allow free thinking. The crazier the idea, the better! It's easier to tame a crazy idea than to crazy up a dull one.

3. Generate lots of ideas. There’s a greater likelihood that one of those ideas will be a true gem.

4. Allow others to make suggestions on how ideas can be enhanced to make them better. If someone wants to expand on a concept, More »

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