Top Tips/Career Development
Name 2 ways of accelerating your development & career at bande as suggested in the prework
1) Take Class: Instructors who regularly take class continually learn from and show support for their teammates, develop a more intuitive sense of how clients experience different types of programming, and increase their visibility among clients, leading to stronger connections and higher attendance.
2. Say “Yes”: You will be presented with myriad opportunities during your time at bande to build your skills, your brand, and your career. Saying “yes” as often as you can to everything from sub opportunities to corporate classes and VOD recording, to PR requests will help distinguish you as a leader and open more doors in the future.
3. Connect and Promote: Utilize your social media channels not only to build your class rosters, but to connect with clients and the larger bande community. Time for personal engagement during class is limited and, as a virtual company, we don’t have many opportunities for impromptu conversations and interactions, making your presence on social media even more essential to building relationships. As a startup, our collective effort to promote the bande brand, our team, and our initiatives is essential to success, and your contributions to these efforts will help you stand out.
4. Show Up: Beyond preparing and teaching your classes, showing up for team meetings (required or not), social events, and other instructors’ classes shows that you’re “all in” with bande and sets an example for the entire team. Showing up also extends to being responsive on email and Slack and otherwise engaging with the team and company at every opportunity. Finally, as part of a start-up, we owe it to each other to take full ownership for solving problems, sharing ideas and taking action to take advantage of opportunities, and sharing candid feedback when something’s not working!
5. Invite Feedback: We’re all working toward the same goals, and the fastest way to get there is through continual improvement and building each other up! By asking for and welcoming feedback from other instructors, managers, and other bande employees, you will lead by example in creating the culture of feedback needed for success – you’ll also accelerate your own growth while doing it!
What is one extra step you must take to prepare for a corporate class?
Take time to learn some time to learn about the organization we're working with. A quick Google search can help you learn the organization's mission, where it's based, and get a sense of the work its employees do.
- Review your class list to gather information on the clients visit history and exercise preferences. In many cases, most or all clients in a corporate class will be new to bande. In some situations, the group’s general level of fitness may also be lower than the average bande client.
- Take extra time to think through how you will introduce new clients to bande, and how you might adjust your programming on the fly if the average fitness level in class is lower than you expected.
How should you always start class according to last week’s workshop and the prework for both sessions?
ALWAYS start class by welcoming clients to bande. While reminding clients that they are taking a bande class may seem unnecessary, without the branding of a physical studio, we must take every opportunity available to build equity in the bande name. The more you mention bande in class, the more clients will see class as part of a larger, comprehensive fitness experience, making them more likely to return to your class and to try other bande classes!
Name 3 of the “Top Ten Tips” for Planning & Teaching a bande Class listed in the prework
1. Prepare your class in advance (but flex to support your clients’ needs)
2. Innovate within the programming guidelines for the class modality/format you are teaching*
3. Ensure your devices are charged and test your internet connection well in advance of class
4. Ensure your physical space (class setting) meets bande guidelines
5. Curate your class playlist in advance and update it frequently
6. Always wear bande gear or unbranded athletic gear while teaching
7. Always log in a minimum of 15 minutes before the start of class and go through the preparation checklist
8. Always welcome clients to bande at the start of class and share the week’s key announcement(s) during class
9. Remember to watch to your screen to let clients in (Zoom), monitor the chat, and give personalized feedback
10. Adjust your audio to create a dynamic atmosphere while ensuring mic/music are balanced
What is one thing to especially keep in mind when teaching a corporate class?
Consider opening class to clients more than the minimum of 5 minutes before the published start of class time to give them an extended welcome to bande and to learn more about the needs of this specific group
- When relevant, introduce clients to one another. In today's virtual world, it is likely that many associates have not interacted with one another before! The purpose of these sessions is often to team build and bring company associates together.
- Be sure to make any special announcements that Nicole has provided to you in advance, and to spend extra time ensuring clients are aware of their options for taking the next step with bande (e.g. encouraging them to sign up for our free trial so that they can take your class again, or a class you recommend!)
What’s one way you can “walk the talk” during class when it comes to our Community First core value?
Actively promoting other bande instructors (especially if they’re in your class!), bande’s diverse offerings, and bande’s marketing initiatives in class and through other channels
Creating personal connections with clients before and after class, by taking other instructors’ classes, and through client follow-ups to help ensure that they feel part of this exceptional fitness community!
Regularly sharing about bande on social media, contributing to bande’s social media presence, and taking advantage of the PR opportunities you’re offered through bande
Speaking authentically and in your own voice about your positive experiences with bande and the bande community
What are two things you should do “well in advance of class” according to the “Top Tips” in the Prework?
Ensure your devices are charged and test your internet connection well in advance of class
What should be included in corporate class email follow up that wouldn’t be included in normal follow-up emails?
Please include the specific complimentary class code provided by Nicole before class if relevant.
What is one thing you should avoid doing when speaking to clients about bande?
Avoid naming other fitness studios or fitness brands in interviews or when asked by clients, and never disparage or directly compare bande to our competitors.
Never answer questions about bande’s future strategy/growth plans or proprietary company information including product features still in development, financial information, instructor training and development, or instructor compensation structure. If you are asked about these topics, and clients have further questions, please direct them to the chat feature on the bande website or offer to connect them directly with eric.solomon@bande.com.
Respect client’s privacy and never disclose information about who takes bande classes, or any other aspect of their involvement in the bande community. Our social features on the bande platform allow our clients to share the information they choose with each other!