Chuck Runyon, CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fitness, the world's fastest-growing gym, has been presented with an inaugural "Leadership" award by Chief Executive magazine. The award was presented at the National Center for the Middle Market at the Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University.
"While the concept behind Anytime Fitness was clearly a winner, the company's leadership philosophy—one the founders describe as ROEI or Return on Emotional Investment—is as integral to its success as its business model," said J.P. Donlon, Chief Executive editor-in-chief. "Its founders think of themselves as 'coaches' helping people, whether employees or gym members, become better people."
In identifying the best mid-market companies—private or public firms with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion—the Middle Market CEO Award Selection Committee used both quantitative and qualitative criteria to sort through the universe of 197,000 firms. This meant finding firms that had superior growth relative to their industries, as well as companies with innovative products, compelling leaders, unusual practices/business models or an ability to leverage assets in uncommon ways.
"Some companies are good at reinvesting in their employees, but it's about helping them become better employees," said Runyon. "We invest a significant amount of resources to help our employees become better people."
For example, Anytime Fitness regularly hosts workshops for employees ranging on topics that have little to do with running a fitness club. "We call them Ingredients classes," said Runyon, who notes that the topics range from tips on gardening and financial planning to parenting and skydiving.
READ MORE ABOUT THE "LEADERSHIP" AWARD HERE: http://chiefexecutive.net/meet-the-mid-market-ceo-award-winners-2013/2
Shortly before receiving the "Leadership" award, Runyon sent a message to the entire Anytime Fitness corporate staff which stated in part: "This award will be accepted on behalf of the best team in franchising. A collection of people who lead with heart, courage, empathy and an insatiable hunger to learn, improve and support others. A team that strives to improve the self-esteem of the world."
Other recent accolades for Anytime Fitness include being named "One of America's Most Promising Companies" by Forbes (February, 2013) and being honored as the "Best company to work for in Minnesota" – two years in a row (2012 and 2013) – by Minnesota Business magazine.
Corporate employees, franchisees, gym managers and members are so passionate about Anytime Fitness, in fact, that approximately 1,200 of them have gotten the company's "Runningman" logo tattoos on their bodies.