Soon after I decided to become an "exercise therapist," I realized that I was in a business where I could guarantee results, and that made me giddy. I had witnessed firsthand that if someone put a physical demand on their body, made healthy nutritional choices and rested enough, they would see positive physical change -- guaranteed! I've had dealings with financial planners, attorneys and realtors, and none of them could determine a sure outcome or guarantee any results.
    I am not putting those professions down. Clearly, they can produce a positive result and make a lucrative living doing so, but they have no quantifiable guarantee of the results their client will achieve.
    I remember contacting a PR agent when I first began expanding into media. When I asked what they guaranteed for their monthly fees, they said "Nothing. We can't guarantee anything, but we'll try our best for you!"
    I still don't have a PR agent!
    I am getting ready to move a week from today, and as I was clearing the books from my shelves, I glanced down at Phil Kaplan's Transform Program, and across the bottom in large letters was the statement "100% Money Back Guarantee." There were no conditions or fine print. Simply, if the program does not fulfill all that it promised and more, your money will be cheerfully refunded! That stood out in my mind. It's not a statement I see being made when I go to get my hair cut or buy a new vacuum.
    It should add a bounce to your step and piece of mind to your clients to know the results from your fitness offerings are 100% guaranteed. If you cannot confidently make that offering, you should ask yourself why -- I'm serious! Why aren't you standing behind your own work?
    When you think about living a balanced life, that entails being able to have sweet sleep each night knowing you are doing the most good for your clients and you can stand behind your work. In today's market, it's a rarity and something that can separate you from the competition.
    Offering a guarantee is part of working with excellence. No one respects or follows mediocrity. Offering a 100% money back guarantee not only displays your skills and talents but your great passion and hard work, something that is hard come cross in any industry.
    Perform at the highest level you are capable, and, if I were a betting woman, I would wager that you will gain 100 fold the business than you will ever have to pay out because of dissatisfaction. Those who find the courage to stand behind their work will serve more clients and be our industries greatest leaders.


    Kelli Calabrese is the Master Coach for Phil Kaplan's Be Better Academy, an eight month transformation to discovering the career possibilities inside you. This self-searching, mind shifting curriculum unlocks the potential in trainers who desire to have a career and life they can live to the fullest.www.KelliCalabrese.com