I am a gym owner and have had a problem with other area gyms recruiting my staff and eventually kids too.
My staff are well paid, have good schedules and seem happy until Gym X or Gym Y calls. They always offer just a bit more money and give them an incentive of $250 or $300 bonus for every kid they bring with them. Of course this starts all kinds of gym drama with who is leaving and who is staying since then the coaches go behind my back to call parents and tell them what a great gym X or Gym Y is. Ironically Gym X and Gym Y will lower tuition at this time as well so it is an easy sell to the parents. Then the new parents have to buy a new uniform....They jack up leotard and uniform fees like $250 for a team leotard and $300 for the warm up to make up the difference in the lesser tuition I think. (that is a different topic)
It is frustrating because I have NEVER done this. I do not believe in putting a price on a childs head nor have I ever actively sought out a coach. If they want to work for me great if not good luck elsewhere. I have an extensive recreation background, run a professional club which is rare in this business and have dozens of staff that have been with me for years.
It is getting hard to deal with this because it is our reputation on the line..... most of my staff most are loyal and have been with me for years and years.... and would not do this.... but it is getting frustrating for them as well when the kids they coached for years are being lured away simply for a bonus check for the coach at another gym. Most of these are younger coaches in their 20's so they seem to be easily swayed by $$ at times.
Would love to hear from other owners who have been a victim of this, actually done this, coaches who have done this and parents who have switched? What do you all think of a "sign on" bonus for the coach of your child?
Has anyone brought this up to USAG?
My staff are well paid, have good schedules and seem happy until Gym X or Gym Y calls. They always offer just a bit more money and give them an incentive of $250 or $300 bonus for every kid they bring with them. Of course this starts all kinds of gym drama with who is leaving and who is staying since then the coaches go behind my back to call parents and tell them what a great gym X or Gym Y is. Ironically Gym X and Gym Y will lower tuition at this time as well so it is an easy sell to the parents. Then the new parents have to buy a new uniform....They jack up leotard and uniform fees like $250 for a team leotard and $300 for the warm up to make up the difference in the lesser tuition I think. (that is a different topic)
It is frustrating because I have NEVER done this. I do not believe in putting a price on a childs head nor have I ever actively sought out a coach. If they want to work for me great if not good luck elsewhere. I have an extensive recreation background, run a professional club which is rare in this business and have dozens of staff that have been with me for years.
It is getting hard to deal with this because it is our reputation on the line..... most of my staff most are loyal and have been with me for years and years.... and would not do this.... but it is getting frustrating for them as well when the kids they coached for years are being lured away simply for a bonus check for the coach at another gym. Most of these are younger coaches in their 20's so they seem to be easily swayed by $$ at times.
Would love to hear from other owners who have been a victim of this, actually done this, coaches who have done this and parents who have switched? What do you all think of a "sign on" bonus for the coach of your child?
Has anyone brought this up to USAG?