097 Dealing With COVID-19: Partnerships & Strategy In a New Era

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes long time friend and business partner Robert Dyer to the show. Robert is a health club and fitness industry executive, leader, and entrepreneur with over thirty years of experience operating a variety of health club business models including consulting and advising fitness facility owners and global suppliers. His most notable position was CEO of Fitmarc, where he nurtured a team of fitness professionals into the largest distributor of Les Mills group exercise and business solutions in the U.S. He currently is an investor in Vedere Ventures, whose portfolio includes VertiMax, Motosumo, 24 Seven Fitness, and Moon Mission Media. Listeners will hear Robert's advice on continuing to operate businesses and how to move forward together during these unprecedented times. We hope these conversations continue to be of value and interest to you as the situation continues. If there is anything we can do for you, again please reach out @bryankorourke or at bryankorourke@gmail.com

If you are interested in purchasing Bryan and Robert's book, 9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons & Working Together, you can do so here: https://www.amazon.com/Partnership-Principles-Lessons-Working-Together/dp/148346315X

One Powerful Quote:
5:19: "Eventually, you have to have a strategy in understanding of how to do things. We need to do things differently and how to do those based on that, as we move forward, we are in a new normal. That new normal is undetermined, undefined right now. And I think that has to make us rethink in all areas what we are doing in our industry."

Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:50: Bryan asks Robert his impression on the world as it is for club owners and gym operators. Robert mentions his reasoning why these challenging times are opportunities for change and explains the new normal that will impact our industry.

6:03: Bryan and Robert openly discuss the structure around controllable/uncontrollable factors already identified in operations.

8:04: Bryan inquires with Robert about the reluctance to adopt technology. Robert agrees that this is a reality and a necessity as a result of the industry needing to grow for the better. Bryan and Robert recollect their business partnership and the process they underwent to change their business operations for success.

17:11: Robert gives listeners his final thoughts and suggests that the fitness industry needs a continuity plan in place as a roadmap in times like this. He also advises the industry should have an open communication strategy in place for conversations that lead to collaboration, understanding, and respect.

Bullet List of Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjdyer/

Guest Contact Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjdyer/

https://www.facebook.com/RobertJDyer

https://www.bryankorourke.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/

http://www.fittechcouncil.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163