10.29 Sales Letter: Weighing In at Work (Obj. 5)
Nearly 68 percent of adults in America are overweight, and 34 per- cent are obese.25 In addition to the risks to individuals, obesity costs American companies billions in lost productivity caused by disability, illness, and death.26 Companies from Wall Street to the Rust Belt are launching or improving programs to help employees lose weight.
Union Pacific Railroad is considering giving out pedometers to track workers around the office, as well as dispensing weight loss drugs. Merrill Lynch sponsors Weight Watchers meetings. Caterpillar insti- tuted the Healthy Balance program. It promotes long-term behavioral change and healthier lifestyles for Caterpillar workers. Estimates sug- gest that employers and employees could save a total of $1,200 a year for each person's medical costs if overweight employees shed their excess pounds.
As a sales representative for Fitness for Life, one of the country's leading fitness operators, you are convinced that your fitness equip- ment and programs are instrumental in helping people lose weight. With regular exercise at an on-site fitness center, employees lose weight and improve overall health. As employee health improves, absenteeism is reduced and overall productivity increases. What's more, employees love working out before or after work. They make the routine part of their workday, and they often have work buddies who share their fitness regimens.
Although many companies resist spending money to save money, fitness centers need not be large or expensive to be effective. Studies show that moderately sized centers coupled with motivational and training programs yield the greatest success. For just $30,000, Fitness for Life will provide exercise equipment including treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, multigyms, and weight machines. Their fitness experts will design a fitness room, set up the equipment, and create appropriate programs. Best of all, the one-time cost is usually offset by cost savings within one year of center installation. For additional fees Fitness for Life can provide fitness consultants for employee fitness assessments. Fitness for Life specialists will also train employees on the proper use of the equipment and clean and manage the facility-for an extra charge, of course.
Your Task. Use the Web to update your obesity statistics. Then prepare a sales letter addressed to Carol Wong, Director, Human Resources, Prophecy Financial Services, 790 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Ask for an appointment to meet with her. Send a brochure detailing the products and services that Fitness for Life provides. As an incentive, offer a free fitness assessment for all employees if Prophecy Financial Services installs a fitness facility by December 1.