WA fitness club manager surges to win '40under40' Award

Liam Taylor, manager one of Perth's most successful fitness clubs, Surge Health & Fitness, has received a WA Business News '40under40' Award.
Taylor received the prestigious business award at a recent gala dinner held at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre in recognition of his achievements in transforming the Clarkson-based fitness centre into a highly successful business in less than two years.
After setting up the centre as an owner in 2007, aylor assumed the role of personal training manager while a management team was appointed for the day-to-day operations.
However, by early 2009, the business was in serious financial trouble with membership plummeting and staff morale at an all-time low leading Taylor to take over management of the centre, initiating an intensive and large-scale restructuring program.
By mid 2010, the company had well and truly left its troubles behind, generating over $3 million in annual revenue and boasting more than 3,000 members, making it the leading fitness facility in the northern metropolitan area.
Taylor said although he had no previous management training and despite the company being on the brink of collapse, he believed so passionately in improving people's lives and that his business could make a difference that he stepped up to the chief executive role.
Taylor explained "when I first started the business, I made the mistake of taking a hands-off approach to management, thinking that I wasn't capable because I hadn't had any formal management training.
"But when the business was on the brink of collapse, I just couldn't let it go and realised I had to step in and take control of the situation. It was a matter of believing in myself and believing that I could overcome any obstacle if I was committed and just put my mind to it.
"In so many ways my approach to reviving the business is how we help people at Surge ï¾ you need to take control of your own life and believe in your ability to make your life better.
"We're empowering people to change their lives, which is the ethos of Surge Health & Fitness."
Taylor said he attributed part of his business's success to having an effective business support network through The Executive Connection (TEC), a peer mentoring and networking organisation for business executives.
Taylor adds "for many managers, particularly for smaller scale businesses, I believe that as part of your business development program, you need to be able to have a peer network as a sounding board and to seek advice to overcome issues and stumbling blocks.
"Through TEC I have received valuable advice on how to implement change and develop effective ways to operate each of the core functions of my business. The networking and one-on-one mentoring support has helped me grow and develop to be a more effective manager.
"The knowledge I have gained from TEC has empowered me and strengthened my resolve to continue striving for excellence in everything I do and everything that Surge Health & Fitness strives to do.
Taylor said one of the key focuses of Surge Health & Fitness has been to help the community combat the growing trend of people living sedentary lives and the negative impact this is having on children, with childhood obesity becoming a major health concern.
Research by Surge Health & Fitness found that many parents were not bringing their children to a fitness facility because of financial constraints, particularly for parents with three to four children. To help break down this barrier for families, Surge Health & Fitness now offers complementary classes for children as part of its weekly timetable.
Taylor explains "the focus of the classes is on socialising and engaging with others in the class and having fun. Our classes have proven to be very popular and are often fully booked, which shows that the community values the health of their children but they simply can't afford the service.
"I think our comp

http://www.surgefitness.com.au/