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Ever thought about what you can learn about risk management from a brothel? As it turns out, a lot—and that's just one of many risk-management examples author Allison Schrager uses in her book "An Economist Walks Into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk." In this episode of Two-Brain Radio, Chris speaks with Allison to understand how the risk-management principles that guide other high-end service providers can apply to microgym owners. You'll also learn how to compete with big chain gyms charging $10 a month, how the commoditization of fitness training with technology could actually help your business and how to best position your offerings in the face of a recession. Links: "An Economist Walks Into a Brothel: An Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk." Contact: Allison Schrager Timeline: 1:59 – Allison’s passion for teaching risk management. 3:02 – Risk management: Lessons from the pro poker world. 6:31 – How to mitigate risk when opening a gym. 8:12 – Don’t just take risks for risks' sake: You need a clear goal. 9:26 – Defining risk. 11:07 – There’s a recession looming. Should gym owners be worried? 13:42 – In the face of an economic downturn, focus on high-touch services. 14:39 – How Equinox got Allison hooked. 17:40 – The industrial revolution and personal training. 19:33 – There’s no escaping Jeremy. 21:21 – On differentiating yourself in a commoditized market. 26:37 – Virtual personal training: a high-touch service at a more accessible price. 28:52 – The second wave of industrialization: technology. 31:43 – Eliminating the mediocre and how technology can enhance your service without replacing it. 33:34 – Allison’s first trip to the brothel. 36:27 – Learning negotiation and risk-management tactics at Bunny Ranch. 39:34 – Balancing the personal and the technological in fitness service.
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