As I read articles, listen to podcasts, and peruse blogs, I typically accumulate 4 or 5 pieces that feel like a great fit for my Friday Four. This week I opened up my list of content tagged as "newsletter appropriate" and I had 14 links. It is amazing how much valuable material is right there at your finger tips, entirely free of charge.  I've managed to narrow it down to my four favorites.  I hope you enjoy:

First things first, here's a link to my blogging efforts from this week:

• No One Signed up for Our Transformation Program, and It Was a Financial Success - People often ask me what the biggest mistake is that we've made at CSP. I can't blame others for seeking to learn from our failed endeavors. My answer is that while there have been mistakes, measurable progress and positive change has followed each scenario. This post discusses a program that failed to thrive, but ultimately generated revenue in unexpected ways.

• 5 Ways to Increase Your Sales Conversion - While it is rare to find fitness facilities employing a "business guy" like myself, I've identified a complete rockstar in this exact role and his name is Michael Keeler. Michael is to Mark Fisher Fitness what I am to Cressey Sports Performance. He and his business partner Mark blog regularly on the business of fitness, and he knocked it out of the park with this piece discussing selling strategies. I can't emphasize enough how much I agree with his take on the need for "ruthless authenticity."

• Listen Up Interns - This is a quick (2:39) video from Gary Vaynarchuck emphasizing how important the networking component is in ANY internship scenario. Gary is fond of "saying it like it is," so you'll want to steer clear of this one if you have a problem with a little bit of foul language. 

• The Best Advice from 2016 Commencement Speeches - I can't imagine a much bigger compliment than being asked to deliver the commencement speech at a college or university. This is probably why people like Sheryl Sandberg and Larry Ellison carve time out of their insanely busy schedules to do so. When thought leaders such as these talk, I listen. This article outlines some of the most important takeaways and also links to video of each commencement address in it's entirety.

• 8 Questions for Assessing Your Website - Eric and I have begun loosely discussing a website overhaul for CresseySportsPerformance.com. Our site was initially designed to present the service offerings of a single-location fitness business, but now that we are operating in two states, we're realizing that we could design a more efficient version. When we do find some time to sit down and attack this project in the coming months, these will be the 8 questions we ask ourselves.