BlueJeans video conferencing technology backs Les Mills’ global expansion

Video communcitions experts BlueJeans, known for their ability extends high quality video communications beyond the traditional boundaries of specialised conference rooms, have been backing Les Mills International, the world’s largest provider of gym-based fitness classes, when entering a new market.

Les Mills is a uniquely positioned business, although it was founded in New Zealand only about 0.1% of revenue is generated at home. This means that the world’s largest provider of choreographed exercise-to-music group fitness classes needs a comprehensive communication platform that can cater to the various demands of such a disparate enterprise, that allows individuals and employees throughout the enterprise to interact more effectively with each other, and with their customers, partners and suppliers.

BlueJeans APAC Vice President and General Manager James Campanini explains “the challenge for Les Mills is self-evident when you consider the scale at which the business is operating.

“This challenge is exacerbated by the various video conferencing tools being used in its many offices - each with their own limitations, interfaces and nuances.”

“Furthermore, one system that the business had invested heavily in was a closed platform, meaning that only users on that system could join the conference and considering the scale at which Les Mills is operating a more universal and accessible system became a necessity.

“Differing time-zones, internet connectivity, and geolocations made the need for a reliable and robust conferencing tool paramount to the ongoing success of Les Mills International.”

Prior to adopting BlueJeans, Les Mills’ board meetings took place in Auckland, but now they hold them wherever they want. With about 30% of gym staff travelling for about 30% of their work life, the ability to communicate with staff anywhere and on any device was a monumental opportunity for Les Mills.

BlueJeans usage statisics indicate that Les Mills’ employees are more than happy with the system. With 350 global office staff, last month 325 meetings occurred, amounting to 25,000 minutes, in 21 countries and 84 cities.

Within this usage, one individual accumulated 300 minutes on his own.

The feedback received is also illustrative of the success of this platform, with 89% of users leaving positive feedback.

The introduction of BlueJeans into Les Mills has been so successful that it has become part of what Steve James, Les Mills’ Managing Director of Technology, calls “our foundational infrastructure”.

James goes onto state that “BlueJeans is one of the first things we set up when entering a new market, because BlueJeans connects them to the rest of the business like they’re really there.”

James added “the biggest thing that has stuck out for us is the ability to fall back onto a telephone call if you are having internet connection issues.

“You can just fall back on a phone line and continue participating.

“The other opportunity is to have a system that has really good apps for mobile. BlueJeans has really good coverage on iOS and Android, and you get almost the same experience across both.

“That is really big for us because people want that familiarity when signing into the system.

“When we roll into a new market BlueJeans is part of what we call our foundational infrastructure. New employees and partners receive a Les Mills email address and BlueJeans access, it’s the first thing they receive because it connects them to the rest of the business like they’re really there.”

Campanini concludes “we were excited by the challenge to help innovative fitness giant Les Mills harness the power of technology to provide seamless communication between their New Zealand and global offices.

“Through real-time video technology, BlueJeans was able to offer face-to-face video capabilities for a unique New Zealand business, which prides itself in effective communication with all its employees and stakeholders.”

Les Mills International’s programs are used in more than 15,000 gyms and health clubs, in 75 countries, with an estimated 90,000 instructors worldwide and an estimated six million participants attending a Les Mills class each week.

For more information on BlueJeans technology go to www.bluejeans.com

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