How to deal with peer competion ?
So I’ll try to keep this clear as beat I can
How would you handle the situation described below?
Long term client A refers you another client (b)
Client b forgets your name to the person with whom they are greeted at your training facility
Client b offers the name of client a as a referrence in hopes of find the recommended trainer(you)
Greeter does not persue clarification but instead signs client b up with their training services.
You mention to greeter that you had been expecting client b to be stopping by and ask if they had seen any people looking for you. ? Client b’s name is offered to greeter incase they do come in … Greeter admits they are training client b but was a “mistake”.
Greeter promises their next new client to you as a apology
Greeter then receives a referred client (c) from b and their is no offer to hand them off to you. Or any client for that matter.
Both client b and c train 3x per week
What if any action would you take?
Quite frankly I’m surprised that over time, Client B didn’t mention to Client A (the original client who referred B to you) that Client B is now training with “trainer X” and that at some point they didn’t figure-out that Client B’s new trainer is NOT you. Hmm, this doesn’t sound like a very good environment for building a client base since referrals are not being honored. I’m very sorry that this happened to you. This sounds like a case of someone (the other trainer) being “penny-wise and pound foolish” because taking this one client from you paints them in a very bad light to you and perhaps others at the gym (e.g. other trainers, potential clients etc.).
If you are still working at this particular gym, I wish you much luck!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]