In the latest leadership viewpoint, Rachel Koretsky, the ceo and founder of upace, discusses issues she sees community rec centers have with data analytics along with possible solutions that can assist operations. By using her experience with upace, which is an all-in-one reservations platform and mobile app doubling as a member engagement tool, she provides expert insights, examples of innovative initiatives from across the industry and her top advice for rec center operators.
Questions asked and a summary of Koretsky’s insights are as follows:
1. What are you seeing are common problems or struggles among recreation centers at this moment in time?
One common problem is figuring out how to best leverage data analytics to increase and maintain member retention. Also, what does the AI boom mean to the industry and to members? How do centers best stay ahead of other fitness options?
2. What are your thoughts on the solution to these challenges?
First, figure how to best capture important data and how to best use it to your advantage. Utilize different platforms and service providers that will help you capture as much data as possible from what’s happening in your center. Create an entire customer profile from that data to best impact individual members.
3. What’s an example of a recent innovation you’ve seen with a rec center customer? Is anyone doing anything really cool or forward thinking?
Some innovative examples include the JCC of Greater Boston’s JWork program, the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh’s techniques on leveraging data, and also the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta making the schedules of workloads of trainers more efficient.
4. What’s the best piece of advice you could give to rec center operators at the current moment?
Overall, leaders need to be personalizing the member experience as much as possible. That will help drive retention and engagement. This can be done through the power of data analytics by creating true ‘wow’ moments for members.
