NEW EHFA BOARD

Once again elections are on my mind.


No not the gladiatorial spectacle on TV – fascinating as it is – but something far more humble.

I was recently elected onto the EHFA Board and I started to think about what my manifesto promises would look like as a ‘deliverable’. I am realistic enough to know that my presence on the board is a reflection of my position at the FIA and not a testimony to any political machinations. Therefore, what are my goals.

As a representative of the UK health and fitness industry I think they are twofold:

- How can we, as a UK industry, benefit from a European health strategy, in much the same way as we have from the UK one

- Think MoreActive4Life, Let’s Dance...., Know your Limits, Fit 4The Future, etc

- How can our European peers benefit from our learnings in the UK.

The reality is that the health agenda is as important to Europeans as it is to us and European politicians are as desperate to find a pathway to a healthier Europe as ours’ are. Therein lies our opportunity.

We have much to share and much to learn – which is why I am quite enthusiastic at the thought of my quarterly jaunts into a market which is not only bigger, but far more complex than anything I can even envisage. But think of the upside. Imagine what impact a European Change4Life could have on the value and reputation of our industry – in this country and across Europe.

Imagine the impact on a healthcare sector which still contains luddites who either don’t or rarely acknowledge/appreciate the value of exercise in the ‘healthcare-mix’.

We know that we have a huge role to play in both (health) prevention and remedial strategies... my challenge is to be part of the Executive to take that message to politicians who are committed to developing long term strategies and healthcare professionals who need convincing.

Small ambition then!!

Finally, speaking of remedial issues, a quiet and unashamed plug for a hair brained initiative I’m involved in - Help For Heroes, the charity set up to help returning servicemen and women wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq, need your support (read ‘money’). A team of six misled and over ambitious people plan to ‘climb the equivalent of seven of the highest peaks on the seven continents’ in just 24-hours.

This attempt to climb 6,250 feet an hour.... on a VERSA CLIMBER might be ill conceived for a man in his forties, but it is for a very good cause. So please do support us to sign up or find out more just visit http://www.justgiving.com/davestalker.

David Stalker
Executive Director
Fitness Industry Association

Help for Heroes

Every now and then we agree to do things because we believe ‘we should do’ rather than because ‘we can do’.


I will be 1 of 6 (the oldest) who will attempt to climb the equivalent of the seven highest peaks, of the seven continents, in just 24-hours, that’s over 150,000 ft in 24 hours on the versa climber! For those who don’t know the machine, it will be similar to going up a ladder with a full ruck sack on your back for 4-6 hours!

A momentary lapse in my sanity but it's for a good cause - Help for Heroes,  the charity set up to help the wounded servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. So please do support us. Our feat will be great, but it is nothing compared to the physical and mental traumas faced by the brave and sometimes broken heroes on their return from the battlefront.

Please sponsor me here - http://www.justgiving.com/davestalker.

David Stalker
Executive Director
Fitness Industry Association

OUR CONSTITUENCY

I was watching the election coverage on the News last night and listened to all the bright new futures each politician was selling me – but they also offered me pain.

This was followed by a piece on MPs expenses and I realised that this was a sad microcosm of our own world - and every sales environment the length and breadth of the land.

Like prospective Prime Minsters, we promise a ‘bright new you’, but we also warn prospective members/users that “There’s no gain without pain”. Then sometimes, unfortunately it all goes sour because, like politicians, we either ‘misrepresented the truth’, stopped listening, stopped thinking about our constituency or even, started innovating (read legislating) without thinking about what ‘they’ wanted.

Maybe our politicians need a Code of Practice which, like the one developed by us (the FIA), is designed with the end user in mind. Perhaps the House should appoint a team of independent experts (think Active IQ, who have just been appointed to audit, assess and approve our Code of Practice). Or maybe I shouldn’t take my work home with me.

But I do know that we lose sight of our constituency at our peril.

David Stalker
Executive Director
Fitness Industry Association

In Praise of Gen Y

Having read Tim's last post, I was chatting to a client recently and we were reflecting on how amazing some of our Gen Y colleagues and friends are. We both confessed to feeling a little envious at times. A touch of the "I wish I had been that confident, capable, wordly... at their age."

I reckon these feelings are pretty common. Here is a generation who see fewer barriers in their lives, they tend to have more confidence in themselves and what is possible and they have much broader horizons on the world because of the internet and the fact they connect so easily with people around the world.

I think it is understandable if the older generation occasionally feel a little envious, jealous, resentful even. I often hear comments like "I had to work my way up the ladder, why do they think they shouldn't have to", "they are far too confident - verging on the arrogant", "they just expect things too easy."

I sometimes detect a mixture of resentment and a desire to put Gen Y in their place. Yet on the other hand there is a realisation that their talent and confidence are marvellous assets that present a huge opportunity for employers.

I think the healthy and productive attitude is to accept the negative feelings as understandable, but to move on and look at the assets that all the generations bring to the workplace.

The key is for each generation understood the others more: their intentions, passions and strengths. It's not for Gen Yers to 'stay in their place'; it's for them to challenge the status quo, come up with new ideas, question old assumptions.

It's uncomfortable for us Xers and Boomers but great leadership is about allowing and encouraging that whilst mentoring and guiding when necessary.

Note to self: remember that when next talking to amazing, accomplished and inspirational 23 year-old.

Simon Walker
Co- founder
Talent Smoothie

A co-founder of Talent Smoothie, Simon Walker is one of the UK's leading authorities on Generation Y and how to better understand and lead them. Simon will be giving two presentations at the FIA Conference on July 14th at Cheltenham Racecourse.

To find out more about the conference and to book your place with an Early Bird discount visit the FIA website or email flame@fia.org.uk.