World Class празднует 25-летие . Интервью с основателем бренда Ольгой Слуцкер
Sport in the City
World Class celebrates its 25 th anniversary . Interview with the brand founder Olga Slutsker
© www . worldclass . ru © www . worldclass . ru
World Class празднует 25-летие . Интервью с основателем бренда Ольгой Слуцкер
Interviewed by Anton Zhelnov
President and founder of the World Class fitness club chain talks about the history of the brand , life guidelines , turning points in her work and personal life , attitude to sport and business .
Президент и основатель сети фитнес-клубов World Class об истории бренда , жизненных ориентирах , переломных моментах в работе и личной жизни , отношении к спорту и бизнесу .
HelloMonaco : This spring World Class celebrates its 25 th anniversary . What is your perception of the company these days ? What result can you see 25 years later ? Olga Slutsker : Our most important accomplishment over these 25 years was creating the World Class brand and introducing the fashion for fitness classes . In 1993 , Russia was not a reference of any kind in the fitness world . Today World Class is successfully operating 82 clubs in Russia and four more abroad . Not only do they have the same name , but also common values and high quality service standards . World Class is part of the Top‐10 fitness brands in the world . Looking back , I ’ m proud that we were its pioneers . In addition , we created an understanding among professional athletes that their career can continue in a different form , as a fitness instructor . One of the postulates of the World Class , one of our values is that we never do anything just for the sake of doing it . If your employees are working just to tick a box , they are only motivated by their need to submit reports and fear of superiors and this becomes a permanent functioning model — then no matter how successful the start-up is , the brand will not be viable . We managed to create a fantastically viable brand .
HM : The company was changing , and you were changing with it . To what extent are you currently involved in the World Class operation ? Is this more in defining strategy or does it include operational management ? OS : It is more in the realm of strategy , an analysis of what our company and fitness industry are going through . For my first deal ( selling a stake to Alfa Capital Partners ), I took a lot of advice from my friend Alexander Mamut . As a very experienced investor , he told me back then : « Look , you have to understand one thing : this is a start of another life . Apart from you and your personal decisions there will be partners . If you bring in investors , you must accept the rules of corporate governance , and they differ radically .» I accepted it . When I hire a CEO or a CFO , I understand that if I were to interfere in the operational management after hiring them , I would prevent people from growing professionally . They come to work in my company not only to earn money , but to grow as managers . If I required them to ask my permission for everything , who would do this kind of job ? A talented person who has ambitions will not go for it . And I love bright , talented people . I respect intelligent , thoughtful , ambitious individuals who love my company and take care of it . That ’ s why I set just one condition for myself : I should not interfere with the operational management any more than I should as a chairman of the Board of Directors , President of fitness clubs and a shareholder . As to the brand development , yes , this is quite a large company , employing about 3000 people . In earlier years , I used to know all the coaches , managers , receptionists and cashiers by name or in person ; now this is impossible . Of course , I ’ m more engaged in the strategy and analysis of the current situation . I come to the club every day ( I spend two hours in the fitness room ; I visit our spa regularly and talk with the coaches and beauticians in different cities and countries ). I therefore have an opportunity to look at the business with a client ’ s eye , it ’ s very important . I travel a lot around the country and I never specifically warn my employees about my arrival — it ’ s the best way to keep your hand on the pulse .
HM : Please tell us about the club in Monaco . Are you satisfied with this experience ? What are the differences between a business in Russia and Monaco ? OS : When we were creating the World Class Monaco project , we had an ambition to make the best fitness club in France , and I believe that we managed it . Monaco residents must be happy to have the best club in France with respect to its customer service , relevant fitness programs , equipment and top instructors .
156 / Hello Monaco Summer – Autumn 2018