Final Blog Post

Up until a few weeks ago my blog page was very bland and to be honest quite boring. After viewing my entire blog, it dawned on me that anyone who were to visit my page the first time around wouldn't see my page as that of a representative of Bally Total Fitness, but just as someone who happened to be blogging about the company.

After careful observations of my page I decided to make some much needed changes to boost the appearance of my page to make it look more appealing.

The page could use more details in past blog posts, more visuals and more planning or the overall setup of each post.

I plan to continue posting on this blog, for both personal and professional uses. After the first few weeks of blogging I began to really enjoy posting, it reminds me of a free-writing forum, and that's the main reason I've decided to continue the blog.

Bally Total Fitness-PussyCat Dolls Commercial

This commercial proved to be unsuccessful in many ways. Many viewers commented on whether or not any of the members of the hit band "Pussy Cat Dolls" actually uses the Health Club Chain. In most of the reviews the it was said to be some kind of a ploy to lure prospective members into their facilities. The genuine overall concern of people leading healthy lives and staying in shape was not portrayed in this video.

AFTER



BEFORE



Above are images that Bally Total Fitness has previously posted on their website. Visuals which show the before and after affects of improvements made to any business in general is always positive. These visuals show Bally Total Fitness members that as a business they are moving along with the times, by updating their facilities layout and adding in new equipment as well.

Example of an Ad

Type of Ad

The type of Ad I am going to use for my final project is a poster size print ad that will be displayed in all Bally's Fitness Locations. It will be posted out front so members can see it as they walk in, as well as by exits in all locations so that they're able to see it as they leave.

Blog 1: Product Recommendation

Above is a picture of one of Bally's most popular energy drinks. Nine out of 10 consumer's recommends buying this product. This Energy drink is proven to give you the energy you need to get your workout regimen started. I personally have tried it myself and have found to be very beneficial as a part of all my workout routines. Our company understands that its not always easy to motivate yourself to get to the gym but with this drink that we've created we are confident that it will give you that boost you need. Unlike most energy drinks you wont crash later. So if your one of those people who sometimes fights with themselves about getting to the gym to workout, try our energy drink, we guarantee you wont be disappointed.

Blog 2: Congratulations Email

Dear Bally Total Fitness Team,

I am writing to congratulate you on your new promotional offer to bring in more potential members to Bally's Total Fitness. Offering a 6 month free membership pass to everyone who joins your facility is a brilliant idea. So far it seems to be working extremely well in the favor of your company. I wish you even more luck and success in your future endeavors.


Jennifer Lawton

Visual 2

2. What type of visual presentation would best represent your company and why?

I believe that the visuals which would best suit my company are ads and commercials. Placing ads on bus stops, buses, trains, and on billboards in very small radius's all around the city is beneficial because it can reach people anywhere. Another way is through commercials because its more likely to reach stay at home parents or people working from home. Studies have shown that since the company has been advertising more on T.V that the rise in stay at home parents joining Bally's has gone up considerably because they also offer childcare services at their facilities.

Visual 1

1. How has the visual evolution affected your company?

The visual evolution has benefited Bally's Fitness as it probably has other well known companies. Visuals put a face with a name. Visuals have helped tremendously in the branding of my company, making us even more well known. An amazing example of a great visual would be our commercials, showing regular (not physically fit) people exercising as well as showing some before and after shots.

Analysis of what Bally's has to offer

In this proposal to individuals who are contemplating becoming members of Bally Total Fitness, it gives a brief yet descriptive overview of what their facilities has to offer. They seem to reach most needs of people in search of the perfect gym, such as Childcare, Yoga, Racquetball Tanning, Boxing, Training Equipment and more. This description shows that Ballys is not an ordinary Health Club Facility, it offers so much more, with all the added activities.

Bally's Business Proposal: What they offer for potential members

Member benefits in our state-of-the-art facilities include extensive multi-level, high-energy Group Exercise programs, such as Reaction Cyclingsm, Step, Low and High Impact Aerobics, Hip Hop, Body Sculpting, Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing, Powerflex®, KWANDO®, and Zumba®. The latest and best cardiovascular and strength training equipment from the top innovative fitness equipment manufacturers is also available. Bally membership options range from single club memberships to premier memberships, which may provide additional amenities such as Total Martial Arts, Personal Training, Child Care, Tennis, Racquetball, and Tanning, plus the use of Bally Total Fitness centers nationwide.

Chapter 13

I realize the importance of the three step writing process. It makes planning and writing proposals easier and also well organized. It does make all the different types of reports appear more cohesive which looks good in any business sector. It really helped understand the Reports on Problem Solving.

SC Johnson Email

TO: SC Johnson, A Family CompanyReference Number: #014571421AS.C.Johnson: consumerproducts@...RE: Scrubbing Bubbles® Bathroom Cleaner-Prof. Evans Case Study

My name is Jennifer Lawton and I am a student in Professor Evan's Business Communication Class at Borough of Manhattan Community College. I as well as my fellow classmates are doing a case study on your company, in reference to your helpfulness in your communication with consumers in regards to resolving their product concerns.

My project for this semester is updating a Business Blog which I have created. On this blog are the updates of your conversation(s) with my Professor in regards to the Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner. It's interesting to see the feedback he receives from SC Johnson. It's an enlightening experience to see if your company is successful in acquiring a resolution for his concern of the lack of effectiveness your product has. I look forward to learning how this will be resolved.

Jennifer Lawton

The Persuaders

1. "The definition of insanity is to continue to do the same things over and over and expect different results." This quote comes from the "The Times They Are-A changing" slide. This slide made me realize just how much technology has changed over the last decade, and in some cases it can actually hurt marketers. The fact that people have "TiVo" to record their shows to view later gives them the option to bypass viewing the commercials that marketers have been using for decades to attract potential buyers/customers.

2. I think that its smart that some company's such as "IEP" are trying to integrate their products into T.V. programs. One example they gave was the popular television show "Friends" and how most of the show revolved around the coffee shop "Central Perk." For the company Starbucks that definitely would've been the perfect opportunity to showcase their business and produce higher sales.

Chapter 5

1. I've have presented several business proposals as well as held meeting with employee's a few years back, however I've always felt at the end that they were not effective. I'm starting to understand now the importance of developing an organized proposal, presentation and even business letter.


2. I also see how effective it is to not only know your purpose but also understand it. In order to get your audience to listen with enthusiasm and also actually have them agree with what your saying, your purpose has to be obvious and I feel it should also be obvious that your purpose shows your passion for what your presenting.

Powerpoint Slideshow

Blog 1: So far its been relatively easy to find photos related to my company for the powerpoint presentation. The challenge however seems to be writing a short paragraph thats to short and to the point without being redundant.


Blog 2: This is the second time that I've had to use powerpoint for a presentation and it's actually not as hard as it was the first time around. I'm really starting to enjoy putting this project together. I'm currently thinking of ways to use this to keep myself more organized in my everyday life.

Chapter 10 & 17

After reading both chapters, I've developed a more detailed concept on presenting/developing a well written and clear business letter. I also think that what Professor Evans said about knowing what "the bottom line is" as well as how "each paragraph should be able to stand on its own as a persuasive message," ties into what these chapters are showing us in using and performing more descriptive yet to the point, forms of communication through writing skills.

Chapter 1

I am a firm believer that proper communication is the key to any successful thriving business. Prior to attending BMCC, I was working at a Health Club Facility as a General Manager. One of the underlying issues that proved to be detrimental to the location I was managing was the lack of communication between my superiors and myself. I never recieved full and vital information that would've benefited my club. It was moreso that the expectation was if "there is something worng or lacking in your location, it was up to you (the manager) to fix it. Which to an extent is true, however I also feel that you need eyes and ears everywhere to help your business succeed. A successful company doesn't run on one person, it takes a team of people.

Assignment #3: Brief history of Bally Total Fitness

Bally Total Fitness was created in the 1930's. The Healthclub chain was originated by a small group of investors from a Chicago manufacturing industry, which primarily developed and sold pinball machines and oxygen regulators.

The company expanded their business into Health and Tennis in 1983. After only 4 years of this new venture into the Health & Fitness Industry, they became the world's largest owner of fitness operation centers.

Although Bally's currently has some extreme competition from other health chains such as Equinox and New York Sports Clubs, the fitness chain is till viewed as one of the most accessible and affordable for consumers.