Memberships With Leading Fitness Clubs in the UK - Case Study Example

?Any topic Table of Contents Any topic Table of Contents 2 Executive Summary 3 Introduction 3 Advantages of Memberships 4 Comparative Analysis 6 Cost 6 Facilities 7 Convenience 8 References 9 Executive Summary The need for organizational excellence has led to a situation where organizations are going to any extent to retain their best talents and attract the best talents from the market. The present study would analyze the importance and the advantages of providing employees with company sponsored fitness and wellness memberships in leading clubs in UK. The study would include an analysis of the proposed benefits that can be offered by such programs along with a comparative evaluation of three vendors based in UK so as to help a firm undertake an agreement so as to provide club membership options for its employees in an attempt to create motivation and generate organizational excellence in the competitive business environment. Introduction In an age of increased competition business organizations are looking forward towards generating overall excellence in business. The role of human resource management is very important in this regard as they form the most important asset for any organization. Organizations are trying to provide various benefits to employees in order to retain the best talents and increase the job satisfaction levels. In addition to monetary rewards and benefits, companies are also providing non material benefits like meal passes and other recreational items to the employees in order to ensure motivation among the employees. The present study would analyze the aspect of providing fitness center memberships to employees as an added benefit. The study would analyze the various advantages it can have on the employees of the organization that in turn can lead to generation of organizational excellence. The study would analyze the fitness center programs of LA fitness center that is based in UK and offers fitness center facilities to the members. In addition to this a comparison would also be made with two other competitors namely Virgin Active and David Lloyd with regards to the facilities and cost of each of these centers. Advantages of Memberships The aspect of providing fitness club memberships for employees has far reaching benefits for the organization. Some of the possible benefits for employees and the organization include reduction of insurance premium costs for the employees; generation of disability based benefits as well as reduced expenses on medical related reasons. In addition to these benefits a fitness center membership can also help in improving the physical fitness of the employees. This would help in reduced absenteeism due to lesser instances of an employee being unfit. This can also lead to generation of more productivity that can help the organization in the long run. It has also been found that sponsoring fitness schemes for employees leads to improvement in the morale of the employees that affects their performance at the organization which in turns affects the productivity of the employee. Certain other derived benefits of health club memberships for employees include attractiveness among the new and prospective candidates, reduced turnover rate of employees that in turn helps a company to not only get the best talents but also helps in retaining the talents of the organization that helps generate competitive advantage for the organization. Inclusion of family members in the fitness club membership can increase the satisfaction levels of employees manifold and would help the organization generate greater motivation for the employees. The effect of fitness center memberships can multiply if education and promotional programs are included as a part of the fitness program offering. Special efforts should be made to popularize these aspects especially among employees who have chronic problems such as blood pressure and diabetes as well as workers whose tasks are largely sedentary in nature. Physical fitness programs can help generate a healthy balance of mind and body that would help these employees give their best shot at the workplace (US Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service, p.103). Various research studies conducted in this aspect have stated that providing fitness and health club benefits can help in cost savings of approximately 100-400 dollars per year in the form of medical expenses. Employees are also found to take up lesser sick leaves as they remained fit and healthy to do their jobs that in turn results in generating greater organizational excellence and competitive advantage in the long run (Messmer, “Fitness facilities or health club memberships”). A physically fit employee is more likely to add more values to his/her work by having better interaction with co workers as well as clients. Employees are also able to better withstand the pressures and stress arising out of their jobs and handle complex situations in a better manner that would help the organization generate competitive advantage in the market. Employers providing fitness memberships score high among the prospective candidates with regards to recruitment and selection of the company. This helps firms to source out the best possible talents from the industry and creates organizational excellence. Employees getting greater benefits from their organization are also more likely to promote these aspects that can not only create a positive image about the company in the minds of employees but can also lead to better positioning of the company in the minds of the target market audience helping generate competitive advantage for the organization in the long run. It has been proved in various research studies that a satisfied and motivated employee generates more efficiency. This could imply better interactions with the consumers and better standards in service delivery that is very essential for firms to survive in this tough and competitive business environment. The implementation of welfare programs such as wellness centers is specifically beneficial for bigger organizations where it is not possible for managers and supervisors to take care of the needs of each and every employee. Employee welfare schemes like fitness center subscription can help in generating better value proposition for the employees so that they can perform better and deliver their best services to the organization. All these aspects could very well generate the much needed drive among the employees to perform better and contribute towards the well being and growth of the organization so as to help generate sustainable competitive advantage for the company in the long run. Comparative Analysis In order to provide the best possible package to the employees, it is essential to evaluate the various fitness schemes that are being offered by various fitness and wellness companies. In the present case three wellness centers would be evaluated namely that includes Virgin Active and David Lloyd and LA fitness center all of which are located in UK. The companies would be compared on the basis of three aspects namely cost, facilities being offered and the convenience generated due to the subscription. Cost The offering offered by La Fitness includes an offering in which every employee would have a personal online based program that would include a trainer who would provide customized services to the employees. The rates for the program would depend on the number of employees being subscribed. Cost of membership would vary from individual packages that would cost lesser as compared to family memberships (La fitness, “Each employee receives a personal online program with”). David Lloyd leisure would have three options that would determine cost. They would categorize the corporate memberships into four groups that are essentially determined by the size of the company and the members enrolled. No hidden costs would be applicable; however programs beyond the package would be optional and would be charged extra as applicable (David Lloyd, “Corporate Membership”). The cost of programs for Virgin Active would also be largely based upon the services and the packages being taken and the number of members enrolled for the program (Virgin Active, “What we offer”). Facilities The facilities at the La fitness center would include providing personalized fitness programs for individuals that would accompany state of the art equipments. A private account would be designed for all the members that would also include a lifestyle report with dietary suggestions for the individual members. Detailed progress report shall also be provided to the members after a regular period of time. The facilities at David Lloyd would include personal gym trainers who would guide and provide feedbacks. These trainers would offer customized solutions for every member. The service offering would also include diet charts and fitness schedule for the members. Virgin Active would provide facilities like world class equipments. Apart from this the company would also offer team efforts that would increase human interaction and help generate sociable instincts along with health and fitness aspects. Other facilities would include online support, communications plans so as to shape up the overall personality of the member. Convenience All the three fitness clubs would offer 24/7 service as well as online support for the members. The services at La Fitness would include local support programs, support through coaching and customized services. David Lloyd’s centers would also be open 24/7 and would also provide the flexibility of using facilities at any of their locations based in UK. Virgin Active would offer round the clock service with access to multiple clubs across UK. References David Lloyd. Corporate Membership. 2011. Club Finder. November 30, 2011 . La fitness. Each employee recieves a personal online programe with. 2011. Introducing La fitness Health Manager. November 30, 2011 < http://www.lafitness.co.uk/content/2030515380/index.html>. Messmer, M. Fitness facilities or health club memberships. Motivating employees for dummies. John Wiley & Sons, 2001. US Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service. Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives (1991) (Full Report). DIANE Publishing, 1994. Virgin Active. What we offer. 2011. Memberships. November 30, 2011 . Read More