If you know me, you know I am NOT a fan of the phrase “industry standard”. I’ve said before, our industry is not a unicorn. It’s not unique in the challenges it faces in comparison to any other industry. All industries face challenges. The cost of inflation, the cost of minimum wage, backordered items, lack of staffing – this is common across all industries. Why though, do I refuse to play into conversations that end in, “Well, I do it that way because it’s the industry standard” ?

Because I’m not mediocre. My gym is not average.

You aren’t either. If you believe you should follow the industry standard, then you would:

  1. Take payment for something you can’t promise on time (and no, I’m not referring to major shipping delays in overseas products. I’m referring to the years and years of posts from people who were scammed or duped into believing they were making a reputable purchase.)
  2. Change policies, rules and standards each year in an effort to clarify things while also making things more confusing and difficult for consumers.
  3. Let emails sit in your inbox for weeks on end while you sift through more important things all the while poorly managing your time and showing your customers who is least important.
  4. Forget that customer service is the #1 reason people will return every single time. You can have a great product – poorly delivered – and you just won’t make it in business.

I could go on and on about the things we accept in this industry that I’ve never seen other industries accept. (OK, I get it. We ARE a unicorn in our level of patience for vendors!) But, instead – I’ll tell you – our idea of “industry standard” is all wrong.

  1. We should be going above and beyond to make someone’s experience amazing. It doesn’t matter if you have 12 athletes or 1,200. Every child should have someone they look up to who knows their name and cares for them. This can be done in a gym of any size. It just requires people who love kids more than they love cheerleading.
  2. We should be welcoming parents’ questions as they walk alongside us learning the sport and developing a passion, love and loyalty to cheerleading. If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone get annoyed that parents were asking questions (otherwise perceived as “questioning them”), I’d be rich! There is a difference between someone questioning you and someone asking a question. In my gym, ALL questions are welcome – even if you’re questioning me. I’m not perfect. Sometimes I make mistakes. If a parent questioning me prevents that or opens my eyes to my own mistakes so they happen less often – bring them on!
  3. We have to focus on our communication. It’s not OK to let emails sit in your inbox unanswered for days on end. Can it sit for 24 hours? Yes. But for 3 days? No. Get organized and answer those emails.
  4. Put a smile on your face and welcome people into your gym. Did they pop in three weeks after choreography and they’re hoping to get on a team now? (I know coaches just read that and rolled their eyes….) Great! We’re glad you want to cheer. Let’s put you into a tumbling class until our half-season team starts in a few weeks. Better yet? We’re skilled coaches who have studied the sport. We’ve got this. As long as I can get you a uniform (which a great uniform company will absolutely do), let me work my magic and add you to our routine. We’re glad to have you.

So, if I hear “Well, that’s the industry standard” as the reason (or excuse) why people do things – I simply won’t accept it. My gym is better than the standard we’re currently allowing. Your gym is too. So, let’s take that word out of our vocabulary or change the standard. Those are the only two options, and I’m on board with the latter. Are you?