Fitness Center Information Systems Plan

Essay by shenricks4College, UndergraduateA+, November 2008

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Fitness Center Information Systems PlanShannon HenricksAxia CollegeFitness Center Information Systems PlanProposal to Open an On-site Fitness Center for Texas Instruments through Health Fitness CorporationTexas Instruments, Incorporated has been a leader in offering the latest and highest quality technologies since 1930. Among the many contributions to the success of Texas Instruments is its involvement in providing the United States with the equipment to remain the most technologically advanced nation. Success like this is a result of hard work on the part of the management as well as the employees. With the rapid advancement of technology, however, America lost track of a few more important aspects of living such as health. The year 2004 has presented itself with a bang. More and more Americans are coming to the realization that good health is the key to living "the good life". A great deal of significance is being placed on the health and wellbeing of our country as a whole.

In order to maintain a healthy, hardworking staff, Texas Instruments must ensure that each employee is performing to the best of their ability.

Healthy employees have been proven to be more productive and efficient to the company for which they work. With this knowledge, various companies, including Texas Instruments' competitor, Casio, have built on-site health centers for employees. After doing so, Casio experienced steady growth and increased employee satisfaction. Texas Instruments is missing out on this opportunity for growth and extended employee relationships. By simply investing in a health center, Texas Instruments will increase recruiting, employee retention, and overall company expansion.

The following proposal will elaborate on the remunerations of opening an on-site health center for the Texas Instruments location in Dallas and on the benefits of doing this project through Health Fitness Corporation. Included is an overview of Texas Instruments' current status, an explanation of the benefits to both the employees and the corporation of Texas Instruments, and a timeline of how quickly and easily this project may be executed. There is also a brief description of the success Health Fitness Corporation has delivered to other companies, followed by financial information about the gains Texas Instruments can expect to see upon completion of this project.

Company officials are just becoming aware of the benefits exercise has for the company. While having a healthier body may help each individual employee, the benefits to the company are numerous as well. With today's fast-paced workplace, the demand for sharp employees is greaterthan ever. In a study by Purdue University it was shown that people on moderate exercise programs have the ability to solve problems 25% faster with 25% greater accuracy. In the workplace, this translates to large gains in productivity. Exercising also reduces stress. Employees that are under less stress are more likely to have a larger output. Healthier employees are also less likely to need regular visits to their doctor. This means that in the long run company health care costs will be reduced.

For centuries people have known that exercise leads to a more healthy body. People that exercise have lower heart rates. Because the heart has been exercised, it is more efficient and can pump more blood resulting in better blood circulation (BUPA). People who exercise have a lesser risk of heart disease because of this. In addition to the heart, all of the body's other muscles are being used as well. The benefits of working your muscles during exercise include greater flexibility; stronger, more healthy bones; long-term strengthening of immune system; and an overall sense of a greater well being (GSU Health and Fitness).

As previous mentioned in the introduction, Casio has recently put into service an on-site fitness center for their employees. After doing so, Casio recognized a 5% increase in recruiting and a 10% increase in employee retention. This means that after investing in the health center, 90% of the employees from the previous year chose to renew their contracts and continue to work for Casio. Just one year before the center was built, only 80% of employees renewed their contracts.

One of Health Fitness Corporation's current clients is Best Buy. Health Fitness Center opened an on-site fitness center for the Minneapolis, Minnesota location, offering state of the art equipments, classes, massages, and personal training. Best Buy has seen a dramatic improvement in the wellness status of employees and has realized a positive return on their investment through reduced health care costs. A poll that was taken before the onsite fitness canter was built showed that only 10% of employees worked out regularly. After the center opened in May 2003, this percentage jumped to 50% and has remained at that level for the past year.

Our relationship with Federal Express has been entirely positive. By following a timeline of four execution phases, Health Fitness Corporation was able to successfully open a fitness center for Federal Express.

"We have found the people with HFC to be very qualified, competent, and professional. They were able to recruit an outstanding manager for our facility, who in turn recruited a very qualified and competent staff."Allan Freeman, Director, Wilton P. Herbert Health and Wellness CenterHealth Fitness Corporation's RecognitionHealth Fitness Corporation is the proud recipient of the following as well as various other awards:•The Club IndustryBest of the Best Award•C. Everett Koop National Health AwardClient Awards (three time winner)•Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA)Gold Well Workplace AwardThis recognition is well deserved, and Health Fitness Corporation continues to work hard to ensure that only the best products and services are offered to clients.

All Health Fitness Corporation's centers offer the best equipment and facilities available. Health Fitness Corporation supplies state-of-the-art fitness machines. The facility is also convenient for employees. There are oversized lockers to hang suits and dresses; and individual showers to serve the dressing needs of the employees after working out.

No fitness center is complete without a guide to healthy eating. Protein shakes, vitamins, and vitamin snacks are available for sale so that the employee on the run can still have all the nutrients necessary to have them in prime condition to work.

Health Fitness Corporation supplies clients with a trained staff of personal trainers, dieticians, and management. Each employee is certified to create a workouts, goals, and eating plans for clients. They are knowledgeable about all machines and have a sole purpose to assist those working out.

For a more structured atmosphere, Health Fitness Corporation prides itself upon offering the best physical fitness classes available. Classes include everything from Cardio Aerobics and Tae Bo to Karate and Cardio Jams classes.

In order to meet the fitness needs of each client, Health Fitness Corporation has designed a database with a profile about each client. This is comprised of various pieces of information such as the current weight, measurements, and exercise habits of clients. Based on their progress, this information is updated.

End-user functional requirements;Internal control and information security requirements;Operating, database, and backup system requirements (type, capacity, performance);Connectivity requirements (stand-alone, Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, external);Network support requirements (number of potential users; type, volume, and frequency of data transfers); andInterface requirements (internal or external applications).

To make exercising in our facility convenient, Health Fitness Corporation equips all centers with internet and telephone access. Employees will not miss an important phone call or email message while squeezing in a daily workout.

In an attempt to make visits to the center most pleasant for clients, Health Fitness Corporation conducts various drawing and contests. These incentives to exercise include a frequent flyer miles drawing and most improved client contest.

This entire project can be implemented in four simple phases, totaling up to about one year. Each phase will put Texas Instruments one step closer to a successful on-site fitness center.

Health Fitness Corporation will meet with employees of Texas Instruments to discuss their needs and wants for an on-site custom health center. Specific issues that need to be discussed are size, accessibility, accommodations, and location. Also, more personal issues like what Texas Instruments can do to ensure that employees are using the service and fully benefiting from it will be addressed. At this time, with the help of Health Fitness Corporation, Texas Instruments will launch an internal media campaign encouraging employees to be physically active and letting them in on the information about construction. The purpose behind this campaign is to build anticipation and "hype" before the construction of the center even begins.

In order to ensure the lowest possible costs, Health Fitness Corporation will seek bids from outside contractors for all parts of production. During this time, bids will be accepted, the lowest will be chosen, and production will begin. By the end of the two months, the structural frame of the center will be built.

During this time, the interior of the center will be completed. This includes adding lighting and air-conditioning, painting, installation of equipment, and housekeeping duties. At the end of the two month period, Health Fitness Corporation will send a team of staff to "try-out" the facility by using it like the Texas Instruments employees will on a typical day. This way Health Fitness Corporation is able to detect and correct any problems before the opening of the center.

For the duration of the trial period, Health Fitness Corporation will staff the center concurrently with Texas Instruments employees. They will train the employees on how to use equipment and run the center effectively. This will include introduction to software and assistance in scheduling and recruitment for employment within the center. This transition period is one of Health Fitness Corporation's unique and most effective services offered. An informed Health Fitness Corporation staff will be on-site to deal with any questions or problems. If Texas Instruments discovers that they need to change something in the center within this first month, Health Fitness Corporation will begin the development of the project. Also during this time, there will be another big marketing push for Texas Instruments employees to introduce them to the facility and their new, healthier lifestyles, thanks to Texas Instruments.

As the income statements demonstrate, Plan B offers the greater gross profit while Plan A offers lower implementation cost to Texas Instruments. Based on the wishes of Texas Instruments, Health Fitness Corporation is equipped to put either of these options into action. Upon completion of a company analysis for Texas Instruments, Health Fitness Corporation has found that Plan B best fits the needs of Texas Instruments.

Not only will this investment improve the financial status of Texas Instruments, but it will also develop stronger employee relationships.

A company analysis of Texas Instruments shows that the total investment in new capital is approximately $842,000,000. In order to recognize the greatest return on investments, Texas Instruments need only spend 0.39% of this on an on-site fitness center. Please refer to Figure 4 for a graphical representation of these numbers.

As America's desire for a healthier, more convenient lifestyle continues to gain importance, many forward-thinking companies are offering on-site fitness centers for their employees. This trend has quickly expanded and is becoming much more than mere fitness centers, but major sources of revenue for companies as well. Health Fitness Corporation has assisted many companies in increasing both recruitment and employee retention.

In today's fast-paced, competitive business world, companies who do not innovate are left behind. Texas Instruments cannot allow these other corporations to gain a competitive advantage. Health Fitness Corporation can provide Texas Instruments with a facility that will not only compete with other companies, but will also offer special programs, products, and training that will separate Texas Instruments from the competition. Health Fitness Corporation looks forward to the commencement of this project and a long and rewarding relationship with Texas Instruments.

British United Providence Association [online]. Available:hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/exercise.html [2004, April 22]Georgia State University Exercise and Physical Fitness Page [online]. Available:www.gsu.edu/~wwwfit/benefits.html [2004 April, 24]Hoover's The Business Information Authority [online]. Available:www.hoovers.com [2004 April, 18]