The nerve of some people!

Flexx10 started this discussion · 10/22/2011

This is not pole related it all ~ But the SV forum is full of really smart ladies and guys so I'm posting my predicament here: I own a pole studio that also teaches lyra, yoga, Zumba and a few other group fitness classes. The other day a gal came in to one of our Zumba classes and introduced herself by saying "I'm #@%$#, I'm a certified Zumba instructor, I teach at the gym around the corner (LITERALLY around the corner from my studio!) and I'm here to learn your songs" As you can imagine we were dumbfounded. We choreograph 90% of our Zumba songs. The other 10% comes from the DVD's sent out by Zumba. I do appreciate this gals honesty, but I do not feel she should be frequenting my studio for the sole purpose of learning our custom choreo so she can teach it at the gym. Am I wrong for feeling this way???? If she were from a town 30 miles away, I wouldn't have a problem. But the gym she is teaching at is literally a stones throw away! I don't want to be rude here ~ But I feel that since we take the time (LOTS of time) to choreo our own classes, so should she. To me it feels like stealing. Your thoughts????? Thanks!

17 replies

AlphaKitten · 10/22/2011
Unfortunately, it happens all the time. Check your inbox. ;-)
AriFerrari · 10/22/2011
Flexx, WOW! I'm no reliable source since I'm not an instructor or anything but just for the sake of my two cents I'd have to say I think you are justified in feeling a bit irritated by her behavior. In my opinion, I think it would have been a lot less of an issue had she not been so tasteless in her approach. She could have come in politely and asked for help or suggestions with her Choreography rather than walking in with what sounds like an attitude of entitlement to your steps. I imagine you would have taken much more to that than her blatantly coming in to "steal" your hard work! I think whether she's two blocks, miles or states over it's still disrespectful to take advantage of someone else's efforts and creativity! Not sure how you handled it but I know I would have expressed that I didn't appreciate her intentions and would rather help her create her own choreography or nothing at all. Either way, I don't think you were the one being rude at all!
aisha reid · 10/22/2011
That I'd rude-no doubt about it! She shouldn't benefit from your hard work when it could impact on your business! I hope you tell her where to go!
Chiffon · 10/22/2011
Well, as you said at least she was honest about it. She could've easily been a sneak about it and just came in to take classes until you caught her. But you are not wrong. Purely from a business standpoint, you cannot allow a competitive business to potentially come in and steal your business which is basically what she would be doing. As a certified instructor, she should be professional enough to realize that she should contact you in advance to see if you have a policy concerning teachers from other studios/gyms coming in to take your class. It's the professional and ethical thing to do in my opinion. Since her gym is so close, it would not be wrong of you to say, I'm sorry but we have a policy that does not allow other instructors to take our classes since we have original choreography that is exclusive to our studio.
HotelChick · 10/22/2011
Omg. I absolutely know where you are coming from. I own a bar and grill and the bar down the street rips off my ideas ALL THE TIME! They have used my slogans, copied my party themes, and have attempted to imitate my signature menu items. It's gotten to the point where it is blatant and almost a joke to them. It makes me absolutely crazy because I spent 20k on my BS in Marketing and have invested countless hours in creating menu items and promotions only for them to take all my effort and recycle it. However, everyone in town knows they do it and most people think they're lame for stealing my hard work. Also, on the plus side (because you have to find the positive in even the most undignified behavior), it inspires me to work even harder and to be even more creative in my promotions. Furthermore, my promotions are designed to serve my niche of our tiny little market. So, while stealing them may be fun for the other bar, it may not be profitable, as they serve a different niche. As my mother says, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." As I often say, "I'll keep taking the high road even if it's a harder road to travel, because I know my competitor with be beneath me to break my fall." Good Luck and Keep Creating!
Cherished · 10/22/2011
Are you able to have members sign an agreement that prohibits use of choreography in other establishments and or maybe sign something that says they are not employed with competing establishments and can be held liable otherwise, or something like that? I had to sign a waiver at my pole studio (nothing to do with duplicating lessons for the purposes of teaching it myself) but my point would be that having to sign something beforehand would probably not turn students off. Especially since most of them are just there to learn. It looks like agreements are pretty standard these days whenever you do something online there's almost always some kind of agreement to accept in order to proceed. It might not put a stop completely if someone is dead set on stealing your ideas but it might help to deter because there would be a risk of some kind of consequence.
jade s · 10/23/2011
Omg! That is really so rude and disrespectful! I help teach at a pole studio and take classes at another, and I never teach tricks at the other studio nor do I bring their routines to our studio (we teach free dancing). I'm not sure what you could do to stop her other than refuse to let her take the class or teach her a lesson in etiquette! Good luck : )
pegasusaerialfitness · 10/23/2011
ever heard the term...keep your friends close and your enemy's closer. Take her class and hand out some promo's for your place.
Dancing Paws · 10/23/2011
Although I do think it is totally insane what she did, I have a different thought. Maybe she is new to teaching zumba and thought that everything you guys had was ALL pre choreographed from other sources??? Just a thought. That still doesn't make it right, because it is still stealing.
chemgoddess1 · 10/23/2011
Zumba is a different world. Have you talked to your Zumba instructor? I know a LOT of instructors that take other instructors classes...I am not sure if this is part of the Zumba culture.
Flexx10 · 10/24/2011
Thank you all for you input!! Every one of your comments helped in one way or another :) No ~ It is not uncommon for fitness instructors to take someone elses classes ~ I occasionally like to do it just to be on the receiving end of a class once in a while! Typically we take the classes of those who work at the same facility as we do. Or in a completely different town! I'm actually a little flattered that she chose my studio and wants to "learn my songs" (Her exact words by the way) ~ I'm all for sharing knowledge... Just not with the DIRECT competition. The gym she works for and my studio are literally on the same street! Had she come in and said "Hey, I just got certified in zumba and would like to try one or two of your classes" I would not have a problem at all! Having had time to think over the situation, I've decided to speak to her privately if/when she comes in again. Deep down I don't think she meant any malice ~ Even though it felt like a slap in the face! Not sure exactly what to say though.... I would like to tell her that 'she is welcome to take classes at my studio, but not with the intention of stealing our original choreography'.... I might also remind her that it is in poor taste to what she is doing as our businesses are in direct competition. Ugh!!! I hate having to be nasty ~ But I have every right to protect my business. The studio is how I make my living. I have no other job. I do not charge memberships ~ All my classes are pay-as-you-go and I count on pulling in large numbers for my group ex classes. I have about 6 ladies from the gym that come to our zumba because they like our style. If she copies our choreo ~ I'm afraid I'll lose those gals. We usually have about 20 in our Zumba classes and losing 6 would make a big difference. Who knows, maybe she won't come back and I won't have to say anything :)
Runemist34 · 10/24/2011
Flexx10- I've found something important when it comes to those kinds of talks, be they critique, firing an employee, or just generally having a "conversation" about something you don't really like. I call it the Praise Sandwich: Start with good things, end with good things, and put the less good stuff in the middle! Most people remember the beginning and end more immediately, while the middle fades a bit. I'm sure you already know that, while coming right out and saying it might be more "direct," some people respond better to a more balanced approach. It's not sugar coating if you still get your message across! Besides, if it is...what's wrong with a little bit of sugar now and then? I eat icing out of a bowl, for goodness sakes! Both figuratively and literally :P (Kids movies and icing, yaaay!)
yogabeachbabe · 10/24/2011
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the Zumba Instructor Network sends out cds every month for their teachers to use, and dvds of choreography that they "expect" them to use. According to most Zumba teachers that I've spoken to, very few come up with original choreography or even vary the moves until the new dvd comes out. Could that be her thought process?! Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, but it still stings when someone is blatantly trying to rip you off and possibly hurting your business.It sounds like you're handling it very professionally. Kudos to you!
Flexx10 · 10/25/2011
@Yoga ~ Thanks! Yes ~ Zumba does send out choreography dvd's every month. We have found them to be rather boring, although they have stepped it up a little in recent months. Anyone can buy Zumba dvd's from an infomercial and do them in the privacy of their own home ~ Which is why we feel its important to come up with original choreo and song lists. And it works! People love our Zumba! We utilize all the same latin based moves you would expect to find in a Zumba class. We've just added our own style :) She showed up again last night and I didn't have the nerve to say anything to her!!! I can't tell if she's being malicious or just doesn't know any better??? I don't know her personally, but my gut tells me she was sent over (by the gym) to see what our classes are like. This would not be the first time the gym has done this, which is why I'm losing sleep over the whole thing. @Rune ~ If I ever get the nerve to talk to her, I will use the "praise sandwich"! Thanks!!!
Dancing Paws · 10/25/2011
Maybe you should go to HER gym and seek her out to have a talk with her on her turf.
litlbit · 10/26/2011
Myself I don't worry about that. I have all of my routines etc. trademarked. The form they sign when they come to a class states the legalities of using "Total Woman's" format etc. I had it written up by a lawyer to protect my programs. I do understand that people will still try to "copy" what I do, but I feel better knowing that I can go after them legally. Most people here are afraid to try anything like that as we are a small community and for the most part we respect each others rights. I know most of the instructors in town and we get along pretty well. I also believe that if I keep providing the type of atmosphere I do, the ladies will keep coming back. :) Good Luck to you. I agree that a conversation with this person could benefit you both!
Flexx10 · 10/26/2011
@litlbit ~ I updated my waiver to include a confidentiality agreement (thanks AlphaKitten!). Since I'm VERY non-confrontational, I will let the new waiver speak for itself. I also live in a small community, but I'm not from here, so it has taken some time to build up a clientele. Now that I have a solid following, I want to keep it so I'm probably a little over-protective of my business! So - I did a little "investigating" and found out this gal is actually a friend of a friend! Our mutual friend told me she is a very kind and good-hearted person and probably had no idea of what she was doing when she came in saying she wanted to learn our choreo. She is in fact new to Zumba and the fitness industry as a whole. Knowing this, I have come full circle in my thinking and feel she just didn't know any better. When she signs the new waiver tonight, I will have the chance to get to know her first hand. Who knows.... Maybe she'll want to work for me instead :) He-he!!!! Thanks a million everyone for helping me with this!!!!