Personnel
Employees undertake a performance review every year. This is self-completed online and then completed by a manager, which is followed by a meeting. The aim is to set objectives and engage in formalised and constructive feedback. It is not linked to a salary review.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) contribute to each employee’s individual performance review. They inform employees about the business outcomes and give meaning to their performance. They ensure employees have drives to help achieve their objectives and help standardise measuring and reporting on performance.
Every staff member has the equivalent of three percent of their salary reinvested into them through training. An annual Individual Development Plan is drawn up by the employee and their manager; it includes both internal and external training.
The staff development programme is both functional and managerial. Using the Les Mills Group Fitness management system, all group fitness instructors go through intense training at every level. Those who make it to the position of head teacher, presenter, or national trainer have training that is second to none in the world. Staff undertake extremely thorough sales training as Membership Consultants (sales people); our Team Training Instructors undergo advance training to be certified to teach programmes such as Les Mills LOOK BETTER NAKED® and Les Mills BOOTCAMP®; and the Personal Training programme is a journey from Gym Instructor through to Personal Training Apprentice to full Personal Trainer.
Les Mills is in the process of finalising a leadership development programme that will help grow leaders from all levels and areas of the organisation into their full potential – and give them the tools, resources, and support they need to live the company’s values every day.
Strategies
Les Mills uses a Sales Balanced Scorecard to generate sales success. It’s a reporting tool that identifies the main sales KPIs, allowing business managers to make timely and informed decisions, performance comparisons, and benchmarking to be made easily at a group, club, and individual level. This is encouraged through "relationship selling" – an idea that consultants are remunerated not only for sales but also for the success of a member’s induction, which is measured by their attendance during their first twelve weeks as a member. Feedback is also provided by online independent member and staff satisfaction surveys.
Each club also focuses on creating member events as part of a "club within a club" philosophy. These are to build deeper, stronger bonds between members and the club, and members and members. They are non-profit and range from training for specific events such as half marathons, to healthy cooking classes, to motivational speakers.
"Inform our people" is one of the company’s five key strategies, and regular staff meetings, conference calls, intranet work spaces, online collaboration, e-newsletters, and training sessions are held at clubs across the country. Clubs also have annual internal award nights to recognise and reward those who have excelled in the field over the past year.
The Treaty
Les Mills is serious about its Treaty of Waitangi obligations. Māori culture is a huge part of the success of the Group Fitness product. Les Mills has its own Group Fitness Haka that is used internationally, created by Steven Renata and Paora Sharples (Minister Peter Sharples’ son).
The song "Kotahitanga", performed by its composer Hinewehi Mohi, features in nearly every international Group Fitness presentation. It is the Kaha, or strength of their people, that the New Zealand Les Mills team are proud of.
Tu Mai Nei Nga Toa E© (Les Mills Haka)
Kaitataki: Kia wiri
Hope
Ki raro
A kia mau Hi
Kia whakata hoki au i ahau
Hi Aue Hi
E nga matua tipuna
tukua mai te kaha
te rangatiratanga e
Kapa: Tu mai nei nga toa e
Haka ana ki te noho mangere
Ko te whakaara ko te momona
Me pakanga, parekura e
Kia pakari hinengaro, tinana, wairua.
Ko te ha o tane e
Kaitataki: I te wehenga ka puta hihiri e
Kapa: Na reira, me puta to ihi e
Kia tu te wana
Kia tu te wero aue
Kia tu kotahi tatou
Ana, Ana, Ana,
Tenei whakatau. Hi.
Les Mills Haka (trans)
Leader: Let your hands quiver by your side
Hands on hips,
Hands down by your side (still)
Be steadfast
Let me be at one with the earth
Hi aue hi
Ancient ancestors/warriors of old
bestow upon us strength and leadership
Group: Standing here are the new warriors
We haka in fury at sedentary lifestyles
Obesity is our adversary
Let us do battle
Let your mind, body and spiritual essence be revitalised
Through the breath of life
Leader: At the separation of earth from sky, all potential was released into this world
Group: Therefore, let your true potential be known
Reveal your inner strength & power
Hold fast to the challenge
Let us unite as one global entity
Yes it is , Yes it is, Yes it is
This we decree.