Chapter 498 - I Knew I chose the Wrong Person! (1/2)

Pei Qian had one word to describe Deposit Fitness’ current situation:

Unacceptable!

He had already displayed all the requirements at the entrance, prohibited Deposit Fitness’ trainers from roping customers in, and set unreasonable prices by collaborating with Fish-Catching Take-Out to sell packages…

He had even transferred the gym’s original customers to another gym. Why were there still so many customers? Why?!

Pei Qian was extremely indignant. He wanted to look for Guo Licheng for an explanation. Guo Licheng had just finished teaching a student when he saw Boss Pei walk in. He quickly stepped forward to welcome him.

“Boss Pei!” Guo Licheng smiled brightly.

Could he help himself? The gym used to be so empty before, and no one had bothered about it. Apart from training himself, Guo Licheng could not do anything else but sit in the resting area. He had been very bored. Yet, what about now? There was work to do!

This was the first time Guo Licheng felt that it was worth celebrating the work he had to do.

While he had been working at other gyms, his schedule had always been packed. However, he had not felt accomplished. Instead, he felt exhausted.

The exhaustion was mainly due to three reasons:

First, as a personal trainer, his job was mainly to supervise and accompany his trainees. After customizing a training plan for his students, he had to watch his students do the prescribed number of reps or sets. Once the students got the hang of it, the personal trainer would only have to watch. It was pure manual labor, which did not require any skills. Of course, one would not feel a sense of accomplishment. Second, a personal trainer had to endure the pressure of making sales throughout the lesson.

Third, since Guo Licheng’s schedule had always been packed, he had had no time to work out during working hours.

Thus, he had always had to stay behind for an hour after the gym closed, so that he could train himself. Since he had not had set meal times either, he had become increasingly exhausted over time.

Now, however, Guo Licheng did not feel a hint of that exhaustion anymore!

Deposit Fitness’ business model did not result in customers being completely neglected. Instead, it was more flexible.

When newbies entered the gym, trainers could help to correct their form. However, once the newbies adjusted, the trainers would not be required to stand around, doing nothing.

That way, trainers would have additional time to guide others, train themselves, or rest. At the same time, trainers did not have to think about making sales. Thus, their relationships with the students were no longer transactional. Trainers stopped guiding the customers as a burden, and customers stopped feeling defensive towards trainers trying to make sales. Interactions between both parties became much more comfortable.

On top of that, Fish-Catching Take-Out was providing fitness meals, and Deposit Fitness did not allow trainers to work overtime. All trainers had adequate rest, and they were no longer suffering at work. Now, they could enjoy the joy that fitness brought to them during working hours.

Thus, Guo Licheng and the other trainers were feeling extremely energetic and motivated.

After working out—when they had nothing else to do, they would think about how to provide better service to the customers or passionately guide the newbies.

Of course, at that moment, Pei Qian could not tell that all of that had been happening. He could only sense that Guo Licheng was looking healthier, both physically and mentally

Now, Pei Qian was only concerned about the profits that the gym was generating.

“Why are there so many people in the gym? Didn’t I tell you not to rope customers in? Where did they come from? They couldn’t have walked into this place on their own, right?” Pei Qian looked very cautious.

Confused, Guo Licheng explained, “Boss Pei, we really didn’t do anything. They really walked in on their own.

“Didn’t you expect this?”

Now, Pei Qian looked confused.

Guo Licheng continued speaking. “It’s mainly because of the sign that you told us to set up!”

“What did the sign do?” An ominous feeling overwhelmed Pei Qian. Excitedly, Guo Licheng answered, “Your sign made us look very proper!

“Before this, we all thought that the sign would dissuade passers-by. However, the exact opposite happened. Not only did it fail to dissuade passers-by, but it also drew in a large group of customers!

“A few students from Handong University walked past our shop and were dissuaded by the prices. However, when they read the sign, they became intrigued. Thus, they took pictures and sent them to their friends.

“Our gym’s rules invoked interest in them. Thus, a huge group of young people started paying attention to us!

“Of course, most people were only interested in observing and not in spending money. However, a minority—who were not sensitive to price-came to experience our gym. Those are the customers you’re seeing right now!”

Pei Qian was stunned.

It was then that he realized he had committed an empirical mistake!

He had set up a sign in front of Fish-Catching Internet Cafe before, which had indeed worked to dissuade customers from entering. For a long time, many people walked away after seeing the prices, and no one bothered about Fish-Catching Internet Cafe.

Later, Fish-Catching Internet Cafe became popular mainly because of Chen Lei, and Chen Lei had only been hired as the resident singer because of Zhang Yuan. All of those had nothing to do with the sign.

Thus, Pei Qian had always been under the impression that putting a sign up at the entrance was a good way to dissuade customers from entering.

However, he now realized that Fish-Catching Internet Cafe and the gym’s signs had different contents!

Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s sign had its prices written on it, including the cost of drinks and surfing the net. After reading it, customers had only one thought: ‘expensive’. They did not become curious; neither did they have the desire to investigate more or spread the news.

However, Deposit Fitness’ sign had its sales model. It wasn’t just expensive, but it also included fitness meals, a strict and custom-made fitness plan, and the like.

Customers’ first thought after reading it would not be that it was expensive, but that it was interesting! That was because no other gym was doing the same.

Of course, unique regulations like Deposit Fitness’ would ignite discussions. Curious people would naturally come over to take a look.

In other words, Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s sign was alright, but Deposit Fitness’ sign was problematic. In fact, it was very problematic! Pei Qian’s face drained of all color when he realized his mistake. After a moment of silence, he said, “Take down the sign.”

Guo Licheng pondered for a moment and then said, “Boss Pei, news of the sign has already spread, and we’ve already attracted the nearby customers. Do you want to take down the sign to attract more people?” Pei Qian: “…”

I can’t leave the sign up, and I can’t take the sign down. What the h*ll should I do then?!

Finally, Pei Qian decided not to be hung up over this matter. Sorrowfully, he said, “So… you’re not going to tell me that the gym’s losses have been turned into profits, are you?”