Not an hour goes by that we don't hear about a closing. Folks, things are tough out there. The pandemic fallout and bad business decisions during the tech boom have come home to roost.
WeightWatchers has tried to repurpose a seasoned brand, and in so doing, destroyed everything that worked. No, it is not your mother's weight loss program. Mine would never recognize the #studios. The meetings went from weight-loss pointers, directed primarily at suburban housewives, to a new-age, Self. help program, which alienated many. They ran to Oprah to save it, and in so doing destroyed it. WW Magazines, meetings to share pointers and Recipes and Trinket incentives have faded way, replaced by 45 minutes of exploring feelings.
Even with the changes, I stayed. Because it worked. No tricks, not shortcuts. Sensible and sustainable.
Now, hundreds of meeting locations are shuttering, and a few will reappear in community centers. {ironically my first attempt at WW was at a long gone at-work program}. The once-sought lifetime program is obviously not valued. (I expect to be charged come 2024) Instead, they have partnered with a pharmaceutical company, which promotes WW Magazines injections.
Lost in this are the, mostly women coaches/leaders, who will lose their jobs and the peer groups who will miss the comradery of weekly visits to a friendly center.
I also learned my local RETROFITNESS CLUBS, LLC may be closing with no notice. The Writing was on the wall, broken machines and dirty bathrooms. But, telling members the day before? Why? Maybe increased rent, and overhead. Maybe they never recovered from the pandemic closing. When they reopened, the fee increased, classes all but disappeared, and repairs were neglected. Yet, they expected to draw new members?
For me, these two franchises have kept me sane during difficult times. I took the support and advice from #ww to avoid stress-eating and the treadmill, and other gym equipment to release my stress.
And guess what? I was very open about communicating my appreciation and allegiance to both. I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting in 1993 and became lifetime in 1994. I have been below goal almost eight years, attending meetings frequently and referring friends and family. It works.
I also referred plenty of people to #retro because of the family atmosphere. I thanked the part-time workers for being friendly and responsive. Kids, now out of work, who will land on their feet and find another position. But our members, who watch out for each other, and the frail, disabled and newbies, who come to the gym to enhance their lives... that's another question. #jobs #business #work #community #pharmaceutical #people #brand #writing #selfhelp
In both cases, the huge salaried CEO's have lost touch with the needs of the consumers. Too bad. #tech #sustainable #share #help #leaders #ceo
