Its always a pleasure and privledge to attend IHRSA's annual conference, and
this year is no exception. Its a full week meeting with everyone from Michael
Bruno, fitness manufacturing icon and legend, my partner and health club guru
Robert Dyer, our Fitmarc team, the Les Mills team and many other leaders in
the fitness and health club industry like Brent Hallo, Lisa and Nigel
Champion, Lauretta Stace , Sal Pellegrino, Ginger Collins and many many
others.
Make sure you stop by the Star Trac booth (they've got some pretty cool stuff
there this year) and the Les Mills booth to see the latest in group fitness.
Please consider attending The Next New Thing, Wednesday from 2:00 - 3:30 pm
where I'm on a panel with Patch Evans and others discussing key trends. You
should also check out the Fit-C group on Wednesday afternoon (room 301 A) to
learn why technology standards ar... (more)
I know, I know...I can almost read the minds of some of the folks who will
read this article. "Gee Bryan, give it up already with this creative
disruption stuff....Picture taking has nothing to do with the health club or
fitness industry. Enough !" OK, I'll try not to beat the "dead horse" of
disruption too hard again, be it with examples of Best Buy, Sears, or Borders
Books.
In this case, however, I could not help but serve up the interesting tale of
Kodak and Instagram in light of Facebook's announcement that they'll acquire
the Instagram business for $1 billion dollars. I thou... (more)
You heard the news last week of course, Best Buy is shuttering 50 locations.
Conventional thinking says that bricks and mortar retailers, like Best Buy or
Sears (here is a long nostalgic list of failed retailers to prove the point)
are becoming dinosaurs. Online competitors, like Amazon, are the future
because they don't have to invest in physical locations and offer better
pricing and selection. Retailers argue that Amazon's competition is unfair
because people don't pay sales tax and customers can come to their retail
locations, obtain the information they need, and buy online... (more)
Wow, last week was quite an IHRSA event. I just penned a note of thanks to
several IHRSA leaders because I thought this years convention in Los Angeles
was really great. There were so many highlights I can't get to them all, but
thought I'd share a few for those who might have been unable to attend.
First, Simon Sinek and Guy Kawasaki were super keynote speakers. A little tip
for those who did not know is this; when you contribute to the IHRSA Industry
Defense Fund, you get very special access to these speakers, literally almost
one on one. So consider making a contribution today... (more)
Believe me, all industries and institutions, and in particular the health
club, fitness and wellness business, are going through tremendous change,
whether one wants to admit to it or not. History tells us that transformative
times are met in two ways: as an exciting opportunity for advancement or as a
threatening force to the status quo. What people think about change is
usually aligned with how much they benefit from the way things are not the
way they could be.
When I say that the fitness, wellness and health club industry is wrestling
with "Digital Darwinism" "the evolution ... (more)
Strategic adviser, author, presenter and contract executive with technology, business development, organizational development and finance experience. Proven performance in an array of industries including fitness, food and beverage, hospitality, franchising, and IT among others. International background, managing projects in Asia, the EU, and the Americas. A track record transforming organizations and bringing stakeholders together. Has served as a catalyst and team builder significantly growing revenues in small, large and mid-sized profit and not for profit firms. A court appointed expert able to quantify complex business matters. Extensive experience raising capital and managing M and A activity as a principal, agent or adviser. Available for testimony, analysis, consulting, and public speaking engagements. For more information visit www.bryankorourke.com
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