Crossfit Texting Service
Samantha Tollman
Colin Wheeler
JD Hefferin
David Jones
Allison Espejo
Brett Isom
Anthony Gregory
Business Information Management
November 5th, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fDQAHDaJgM
Executive Summary
This report examines the proposal of Altamonte Crossfit gym to integrate a texting service for customers, a local renowned texting service management company called TextingForward, to expand the Crossfit profits and expand their business with other parties. The new texting business accounts for a large majority of updating current Crossfit members, Crossfit can manage their own customer databases and will help to maintain customer portfolios and maintain updates in a timely fashion for members. Over the past ten years the texting business has skyrocketed and it is important that Altamonte Crossfit make changes to their clientele department to grow and expand the gym’s image locally. Additional benefits acquired through the use of the new application will bring more customers and profits to Altamonte Crossfit and expand growth locally and nationwide.
Effective January 1, 2014, Altamonte Crossfit will begin to schedule meetings to discuss the path of the texting department and ways the gym can continue to grow. We think this is an opportune time to discuss our current contracts with Crossfit partners and the proposal to initiate the new texting company and hope to grow the customer base.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the local crossfit gyms for their help during our research on the matter at hand. We provided each gym with surveys to help us get feedback from their customers to see their interest in the texting service that will be offered with the gym. Every gym ran smoothly and with a very professional attitude towards their customers and community members. Without the help of the following gyms the research would not have gone as smoothly as it did.
Altamonte CrossFit & Sports Performance - Danny Camargo
1010 Bunnell Rd Ste 1105, Altamonte Springs, FL
Lake Mary CrossFit- Susan Baker
111 Commerce St. Lake Mary, FL
CrossFit Evolution- Dustin Hollman
830 S Ronald Reagan Blvd Unit 182, Longwood, FL
CrossFit RSX- Matt Carter
600 Poyner Dr, Longwood, FL
Table of Contents
Executive summary
Acknowledgments
Figures
Background
Competencies and IS Summary of the sponsor
The Need for the System Upgrade
The Nature of Our Applications Environment
Why are we doing this?
How will this benefit Altamonte Crossfit?
Why is receiving a text message beneficial?
Project Objectives
What does a texting service offer
PMBOK
Finding a system
Selecting a system
About the system
How to set up the system
Results/Summary
References
Appendix
Figures
If the report contains figures or tables a list of these should be provided. The list should give the table or figure number, the title of the table or figure and the page number. If only a few tables and figures are present, they may be treated on one page. Remember that all figures and tables used must be referred to in the text
The information in this graph here was based off of our survey that we had conducted amongst local CrossFit gyms in the local area. When looking at the graph we have three areas of interest yes, no, and yes/no. When we are looking at the customers that said “Yes”, they are showing interest in the texting service as well as they would be willing to pay an additional fee each month for the service. When we look at customers that said “No”, they are not interested in the service nor are willing to pay an additional fee for the service. Lastly, when looking at “Yes/No” these are the customers that are interested in the texting service but would not like to see a fee attached with the service.
Background
Competencies and IS Summary of the sponsor
Crossfit refers to a conditioning and core strength program, which consists of gymnastics, weightlifting, as well as metabolic conditioning. It uses cardiovascular sessions of high intensity and compound movements, as a way of eliciting physical response (Wylie, 5). It also uses this as a way of improving fitness domains. Crossfit is a conditioning program for elite military special operations teams, champion martial artists, police forces, and Olympic athletes. The program is ideal for universal scalability, and this makes it a perfect application for committed individuals no matter their level of experience. The program has employed similar routines for everyone including elderly persons with heart disease. Further, the program is not a specialized fitness program; it is an attempt of optimizing physical competence ten fitness domains (Wylie, 6). These domains are stamina, flexibility, cardiovascular, agility, respiratory endurance, accuracy, speed, balance, and coordination (Tucker, 15).
Endurance as a physical competence refers to the ability of bodily systems to process, gather, and deliver oxygen. This trains the body on how to maintain respiratory and cardiovascular endurance. Accuracy is an ability of controlling movement in some given directions and at certain intensities. Further, stamina is the ability of the body to deliver, process, utilize, and store energy. This teaches the body system on how to maintain muscular movements of a repetitive nature. Balance is another physical competence. It refers to the ability of controlling placements on the center of gravity of a body in terms of its support bases. Strength, on the other hand, is the ability of bodily muscular units to apply force on something. Agility is another physical competence, which refers to the ability of minimizing transition time from one pattern of movement to another. Flexibility as a physical competence is the ability of the body to maximize motion ranges on a certain joint. Coordination refers to the ability of the body to combine several unique movement patterns into single unique movements. Moreover, power is a physical competence, which refers to the ability of a muscular unit in the body to apply maximum force in little time. Lastly, speed is a competence that refers to an ability of minimizing the time cycles of repeated movements (Tucker, 15).
Crossfit is a program designed to maximize the competency of an individual in all physical activities. Athletes on the program train on, how to swim, run, bike, at short, medium, and long distances. This ensures competency and exposure in all the three metabolic pathways. To reap success from the program, crossfit has some dietary recommendations. First, the amounts of protein that individuals eat should be lean. They should vary and form about 30 percent of the total calorie load in the body. Second, carbohydrates should be of a low glycemic nature, and form about 40 percent of the total calorie load in the body. Third, fats should be unsaturated and should form an approximate of 30 percent of the bodily calories load.
In conclusion, functional movements are essential in everyday life. This is because they emulate motor recruitment patterns. However, there are some functional movements that are unique to the gyms. These are squatting and deadlifting. Further functional movements are essential because they are safe and mechanically sound. They are also the movements that bring about high neuroendocrine responses. The gains made after one trains using functional movements become visible within the first two weeks of training.
In terms of information technology, Crossfit has competent information systems, a big characteristic is it being secure. For example, nobody can access databases containing individual information, unless authorized by a security advisory panel. Second, its information systems are competent because they have mechanisms of detecting users with access to confidential information (Crossfit). This is because the systems have access controls such as passwords. Once a user logs into the systems, they access information based on the access level granted to their usernames. Third, the systems limit the number of unsuccessful login attempts. This makes the systems less prone to hackers who may want to login and access confidential information. Four, the systems have mechanisms of timing out the availability of applications that deal with confidential information. This is because a user can leave his or her desk and another person makes an unauthorized use of their account to access information. Further, as a way of increasing confidentiality to information, Crossfit’s systems do not allow the saving of information on any computer that has direct internet access. This is because unauthorized people who have an interest in that information can make interception attempts. In addition, all computers that contain confidential information have adequate security (Crossfit). Five, network managers at Crossfit ensure that network vulnerability scanning takes place. This is usually of identifying security risks, as well as protecting computer resources.
This shows that Crossfit is committed towards the protection of individual data, as well as that of the organization. The organization discourages users from sending confidential information through general information systems such as public emails. This is because such systems are prone to hackers. Crossfit insists on encrypting information before sending it across any network. Moreover, as a security measure, Crossfit encourages users that have access to applications with confidential information to make regular password changes. No user password should exceed one week. Further, Crossfit backs up all its data in case the organization experiences a loss. This ensures that individual data is always available to the organization. Lastly, as a way of avoiding any security breaches, Crossfit makes sure that computer operators monitor the computer environment (Crossfit). This is a way of ensuring that patches are updated, and computer machines are operated according to organizational policy. With such monitoring, security breaches on Crossfit’s information systems are less likely to occur.
The Need for the System Upgrade
The system we designed was identified by conducting random surveys and questionnaires at local Crossfit gyms known as The Box. With today’s rapid growth of technology, there is a high demand for online applications along with other various at hand devices in order to help keep track and make life easier on the go. The application, or system, we decided to introduce is directly related to living a healthier, active lifestyle by directly relaying important information from The Box’s online database to clients cell-phones. We initially were trying to create an online scheduling system pertaining to each individual’s workout routine and schedule. In some ways similar to a work schedule through an online database except instead of different days and hours to be worked, it would pertain to particular workouts and exercises for each day of the week. Along with these workouts the system would also include; contact info of other clients with the app if permitted, the healthy dieting schedule our nutritionists have matched up with our various exercises, and daily updates regarding gym hours and important information that might be more easily expressed online rather than the client not finding out we’re closed until actually standing in front of the gym’s door. With the information and ideas we gathered, we contacted the owner of The Box gym in our area and proposed to him the idea. The system we decided to create was exactly what the owner was looking for in order to take his gym clients and memberships to the next level. He also stated that there were similar ideas he was looking to introduce into his business but the idea of our phone application was at way more convenience and more likable of a system than what he had looked into himse
The Nature of Our Applications Environment
The product we chose to create is a cell-phone application. The application correlates information from The Box gym’s online database directly to the client’s cell-phone. The Box is a facility that directs its’ attention to a highly intense crossfit training. With this training, paying attention to what you do inside the gym is just as important on the things you do outside the gym. The workout routines require performance based healthy diets, an aggregate amount of sleep in order to perform at a top notch level, and a form of schedule keeping in order to maintaining up to date workouts within your routine. The application we’ve decided to create is similar to an online work schedule app. that allows visibility of your work schedule for the week, contact information, and a messaging system which allows work wide messages to be seen by everyone. Kind of like an online forum. Much like an online work schedule system, our application will contain contact information of The box’s staff as well as other members included in the gym’s database. The app. will also contain workout dates and workout routines to be performed on those particular dates. The application will also have a healthy choice dieting helper to maintain a week to week performance healthy diet in order to gain the most benefit from the actual cross-fit workout.
Every single subject we’ve addressed will be included in the application as well as any moderations customers decide necessary to implement into our phones application. Our minds will be open for new ideas from the client’s views in regards to setting up the application how it needs to be. Having this application will not only help members of the gym become more focused and driven to their workouts; it will also make them feel better as a person due to the upkeep in dieting and proficient workout routines.
Why are we doing this?
The reason why we want to incorporate a new system is to fundamentally change the way that Altamonte Crossfit communicates with their customers by using a new SMS campaign. By incorporating TextingForward we will be able to send out daily WODs in the morning, create groups for all members that want to be alerted of anything going on at the gym, and provide a stable way to market Ads and web pages by simply requesting a text. To increase the sale of products at the Crossfit gym’s store, members will have the option to be notified when supplements are on sale for that week, which will help the gym market its store.
How will this benefit Altamonte Crossfit?
Let’s face it, almost everyone uses a smartphone or something smart like a tablet, i.e. computer. With the technology in this day in age, if a business is not using technology to its benefit it is losing out on new customers, easy ways to market their resources and goods, and provides a constant way of contact with their existing customers. Altamonte Crossfit wants to jump into this business tool and use a communication company called TextingForward to allow them to communicate to existing and future customers. The benefits that will come from using this application are necessary and will improve the business structure of the Crossfit gym and the relationship with their members.
Altamonte Crossfit will be able to send out alerts for upcoming events, new membership opportunities, and even a customer’s balance and options to sign up for workout classes or time changes. Altamonte Crossfit currently incorporates all cancellations and competitions into the BOX, and we would be able to establish a reference where members could be alerted from the database.
Why is receiving a text message beneficial?
Text messages are different from emails in that an email can be overlooked, while a text message is instant and with most smartphones (such as iPhones and Android phones) display that message on the screen without having to open your phone. According to the latest cell-carrier research, 97% of all text messages are opened with 83% being opened within one hour (New York Times, 2009)! Compared to the 33% of emails that are opened. Text messages are read within the first 3 minutes 90% of the time. With that rate a company can only benefit from sending their alerts via text and allows customers at Altamonte Crossfit to be alerted instantly.
Project Objectives
What does a texting service offer
In a normal Cross Fit gym or "box" your clients will sign into their account using the software of your choice. After the client does so, they have the ability to look upon all of their information. That information will include but is not limited to dues, work out of the day, classes, teachers for different classes and time, how many visits they have left, and how many time they have visited your box. When you implement a texting service to your box, all this information will be able to be spread out across your clientele base at a few simple clicks of the mouse.
In order for someone to start receiving a text from you they first must opt in to your services, that is done very easily by sending a text to your specific number via their mobile device. Once they have done so, their number and information will be saved in the database for future use. With this texting service you may send out mass texts or individualized messages to your clients, as well as, your customers may send a text such as, " Monthly Dues", to your number and then it will automatically generate a text that tells them how much their dues are this month and on what day they are due. On the other hand, you can send out mass texts to everyone letting them know of closings on certain days, competitions that are coming up, specials that you run on items and so forth. This system will provide great efficiency to ones box and will allow for a closer and more effective communications route.
PMBOK
For the next few steps in integrating the old existing system towards a new, we would follow the PMBOK guide, of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling then closing. Now this new system will not fully integrate and replace existing system - MindBody, but will be used in conjunction with it. Nevertheless we will follow the same steps set forth by the PMBOK guide.
Finding a system
For the initiating process we’d need to begin with research on existing companies with similar technology. Needing a system to input all existing client data and using this data to create messages to be sent daily and on a schedule at the command of the gym. Messages will need to be adaptable such that we can send regular messages to certain clients as a reminder while sending WOD’s to others, all the way to custom messages, for example if something comes up and the gym is going to be closed or the open time modified a quick or last minute message will need to be created and sent to entire client list.
Selecting a System
With the criteria set we’d begin our planning phase and search with nearby and local telecommunication companies. The search would also include nearby or competing companies that may have the same system or in the process of doing so. After searching one company “Texting Forward” stood out to our team. It seemed that they specialize in creating or importing an existing database for the same purpose we have or need for the gym. After contacting them they notified us that other companies use them for two to three reasons, sending out daily messages in the morning, creating a group of members that want to be alerted of anything going on with the overall BOX i.e. cancellations, competitions etc, and lastly for marketing, sending or viewing ads and web pages. Learning that this maybe the exact system, we decided to have a mock system set up for some testing for further affirmation.
About the System
Texting forward uses a mobile marketing operating system called Tadpole. The basics of this systems is used to either create, which would be to enter new data or client info manually, as of right now importing the client information that would be an option seeing as TADpole techs are still improving that process. A few key things to know about TADpole Campaigns are like topics, there can be multiple campaigns where each can be edited, deleted or continued for extended periods or time. Leads
How to Setup new system
For the execution phase it requires a bit of real time action, in order to test or set up a dummy system contact with Texting Forward would be made, and information traded. Information such as what exactly they do, and what exactly we need. Upon this retrieval of information, Texting Forward would then set up a mock site or dummy page that we would log into to then import or setup client info and begin sending and scheduling mock messages. Upon setup of messages, a default campaign would be created and we could assign a texting number, or reply number then a keyword would be assigned and sent or passed out to all eligible members, each member would begin texting the keyword to assign campaign number, that would trigger the confirmation to send that member the WOD. In order to test this we would need to send a few mock campaign number to our own teams phone and reply back with the keywords. Upon successful
Results/Summary
After all of the research done we would recommend that the company use and take advantage of this offer. This service would be able to send the WOD (workout of the day) to each client via text message, any closing, any events, and any promotions that could be going on. Danny Camargo, the owner expressed that even if the money comes from the gym to pay the expense of the texted service, it would be worth it to him. The fact that he has difficulty communicating effectively when it comes to closing of the gym or events that are going on makes this service valuable. The price is 35 dollars per month for 2000 text messages which a very good deal.
After speaking with Danny further he has brought up the idea that he may add the fee to the amount that athletes pay per month. Every year the gym ups the amount that is due for instance this year they have a few options:
· 3 times a week per month -$115
· Unlimited per month -$140
He is thinking about increasing to:
· 3 times a week per month -$117
· Unlimited per month -$145
If this is how he decided to go about it, then the increase would more than cover the fees that are owed per month. The website that they use (tadpole.textingforward.com) is very easy to use and can be taught to any of the coaching or assistants with no struggle and this is also an added benefit. With tadpole you are able to see what texts have been sent out for the month, to whom, when, and exactly how many. This site also saves the data in a file that is easy to work through. Some of the software that we have seen has proven to be quite a hassle. The mind body program that is used to operate all of the payments and client information is an extremely difficult program. Only the office assistant and one other coach is clear on all of the in and outs of this.
References
Crossfit. CrossFit Framingham | The premier Crossfit gym of Middlesex County located in Framingham Massachusetts. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. <https://www.crossfit-framingham.com/privacy-policy>.
Tucker, Jeff R.. Breaking parallel: a guide to CrossFit Gymnastics and body movement. Clarendon, Vt.: Tuttle;, 2013. Print.
Wylie, Ryan. CrossFit study, May 2010. S.l.: Biblioscholar, 2012. Print.
New York Times (2009). Small-Business Guide Text-Message Marketing. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/business/smallbusiness/24texting.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. [Last Accessed 13 Nov. 2013].
Appendix
Meeting October 1st, 2013 Summary & Notes
We discussed texting service proposals, in particular, with TextingForward. As a group we introduced ourselves, discussed schedules, group meetings, and the background information of the Altamonte Crossfit gym we are working with to implement a texting service. The texting service TextingForward was chosen after an exchange of emails our group had with the company. We were given a test account that allowed us as a group to enter the administration panel and test all of the features and services TextingForward said they offered. After careful and review and testing of their services, our group decided to choose TextingForward for the Altamonte Crossfit gym’s texting service.
Email 1
Samantha,
I am going to have my Executive assistant get you and Danny all setup. She will email you all the credentials and you guys can watch the videos on how to setup SMS campaigns. Many of the boxes that use our platform use it for 2-3 reasons:
1. Send out Daily WODS in the morning
2. Create a group for all members that want to be alerted of anything going on with the overall BOX (i.e. cancellations, competitions)
3. Marketing - In any of your ads or web pages you might want them to text ALTAMONTE to 37619 and get contact information.
Let us know if you have any questions but Elyse will be your point of contact. Please CC me in all email correspondence so that I can stay on top of anything you might have concerns about.
Regards,
Jerson
Email 2
Hello Samantha,
My name is Elyse Krim, I am Jerson’s executive assistant.
Welcome to TextingForward!
Here are your credentials and URL so that you can access the dashboard.
Username: sjtollman@gmail.com
Password: vendor11204
URL: http://tadpole.textingforward.com/portal
We have already created a default campaign for you. This campaign allows you to give your members a keyword that they text in and will receive the WOD for the day. Your keyword for people to text in and become a subscriber is ALTAMONTE. Have them text ALTAMONTE to 37619 and they will be all set up and ready to receive messages.
In order for you to send out your first WOD message, please refer toi the videos located on the left hand side of the dashboard.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and good luck.
Best,
Elyse Krim
Account Executive
Phone: 11 (877) 271-9624, xt 708
Email: ekrim@textingforward.com
Twitter: @textingforward
Meeting October 15th, 2013 Summary & Notes
As a group we discussed the Capstone project template in depth. We laid out each section of the template and how we were going to structure our project paper. It was decided that we would use Google Docs so as a group we can work individually online to collaborate and construct our paper as we write it. Everyone agreed that to meet weekly or post our updated work each week. The group decided who was going to focus on which part and that we would review the paper as a group to make any necessary changes before it is turned in. We discussed PMBOK and how it applies to our project. Pricing of TextingForward was reviewed and how we can offset the cost by charging an additional minimal fee to gym memberships. Colin wrote a survey to hand out to all the Crossfit gyms in the area to conduct the necessary research needed.
Meeting October 22nd, 2013 Summary & Notes
Our group had a meeting at the Heathrow campus during our regularly scheduled class time. This meeting mostly focused on beginning the project paper. Those who attended the group meeting created the Google Docs, shared it with all the group members’ email addresses, and began writing the project paper. The group discussed what was necessary to include in the paper. Those who could not make the meeting, continued writing the project paper at their convenience and added it to the online Google Doc.
Please Circle each answer that corresponds with the question.
1. How many times a week do you attend a class at this box?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2. How often do you check the website for the WODS?
Daily 2x a week Everyday
3. Would it be beneficial to be sent a text of the WODS?
Yes No
4. Would you pay an extra fee per month to receive a text every day?
Yes No
5.How much would you be willing to pay per month for this service?
$1.00 $2.00 $3.00 $4.00 $5.00
6. Please add any additional features you would expect to receive with this service.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time and information!