The sign proclaimed, “550 lives changed.”
Except instead of a sign, it was a white board. The board touted the names of the life changers and tallied the total numbers of lives they’ve changed with the goal of changing 550 lives listed at the bottom. The white board was propped against the Plexiglas of the cubical walls that encompass my health club’s sales staff. It is in plain sight of both members and prospective members.
It certainly caught my eye the other day. I had to do a “double-take” and move in for a closer look (on the down-low, of course). The life-changing white board captured my attention on many levels.
We have white boards in our conference rooms where I work, but have strict policies regarding cleaning them off before exiting the room. We are concerned with the possibility of our customers or competitors seeing confidential information. So it surprised me that the health club is broadcasting strategic sales goals for all to see: members, potential members, and competitors from other health clubs.
Then there’s the matter of the sales people taking credit for changing lives. Now, I’m not disputing the fact that getting in shape can change your life because I believe that it can. But simply joining a club doesn’t guarantee a fit body because if that were the case our country wouldn’t possess the current obesity rate. It takes dedication, drive, and persistence to drag your buns out of bed consistently, head to the gym, and workout.
A sales person cannot change your life—only you can do that. And I wonder if any potential or existing members have taken offense to sales person stealing our credit.
I think this is especially true for the potential members. I would question an establishment that was this bold. They were a little subtler back when I joined. In fact, I really didn’t know what I was getting into.
Now, let’s touch on the recruitment goal of 550 because you know that number nearly made by eyes pop out of their sockets. Since learning about this goal I can’t help surveying the joint and imagining what would happen if all 550 new member showed up at once. Okay, so that’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible. If 550 have memberships they are certainly entitled to all show up at the same time if they so choose to do so.
So, I picture all the equipment occupied with the 550 members and lines formed at each machine with people waiting their turn. And it’s not a pretty site.
I probably don’t have to mention that if I ever show up at the gym to find 549 other member’s working out that would be my last day at said gym. And I don’t mean maybe.
I would be one less life they get to take credit for changing. True story.
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