Like any successful school, staff training is key. From running classes to interacting with customers - people must be trained. Training provides clarity, structure and comfort. The more something is structured, the happier people are (same for your students). However, in a time where there is very little structure and/or clarity, it is up to you, the gym owner to create it!
As always, it’s important to review your local, state & federal guidelines on operating your business during COVID-19. Once you have properly educated yourself, please consider the following to help you and your school thrive once your doors re-open.
STAFF MEETINGS (VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON)
Use this meeting to give dedicated time to teach and explain WHAT type of experience you want to give your students whether it is virtual or physical.
Consider setting weekly meetings with detailed bullet points on …
- What is expected
- Daily & weekly tasks
- Procedures on interacting with students
- Proper use of personal protective equipment
Use this meeting to set the precedent on what YOU expect from your staff. Set expectations give deadlines and most importantly, INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT. Don’t settle for deviations or substandard work - especially during this time!
STAFF TRAINING (VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON)
Also, consider running weekly training sessions that consist of …
- How to run a physical & virtual training session
- Role-play scenarios
- Cleaning, opening/closing procedures, etc.
Use this meeting to give dedicated time to teach and explain WHAT type of experience you want to give your students whether it is virtual or physical. Obviously, all physical training will be heavily modified so don’t assume your staff will be able to “just figure it out”, take the time to train, and lead them to success!
Lastly, be willing to listen to your staff and actually involve them in these meetings. You want to make sure that your staff feels comfortable working just as much as your students do coming to class. Constantly evaluate the systems and plan you put in place, gather feedback from staff, and improve the process over time.