Coordinators Resource
“Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail”
Weʼve all heard this quote a million times before and no doubt you groan every time someone
writes it or says it. In fact, itʼs right up there with “Thereʼs no I in team” as one of the most annoying
quotes of all time! However, what we canʼt ignore is that planning really is essential to good project
management.
Many 10,000 steps challenges have suffered due to poor planning, however, this trap is easily
avoided. You can create an effective strategy that will see your challenge seamlessly fall into place
when you plan for the crucial three core areas – challenge development, program implementation
and program evaluation.
Development of your Challenge
No matter if youʼre creating your own pedometer challenge from the ground up or enlisting the help
of a dedicated 10,000 Steps challenge provider, there are a few important questions youʼll need to
consider first:
• Desired duration of your challenge – a short 30-day blitz or a 10-week challenge that
encourages lasting lifestyle changes?
• Participation – individuals or perhaps a team vs. team challenge is a better fit for your
workplace?
• Limit step entry to pedometer steps only or encourage recording of other activities
undertaken outside the workplace like swimming, court sports or cycling?
• Know your budget – when allocating funds, remember pedometers are your number one
measurement tool and the greatest investment you can make. Donʼt let your participantsʼ
efforts down by buying poor quality pedometers. Purchase walking grade pedometers that
provide participants with the greatest accuracy, and ensure their hard work goes
rewarded.
Program Implementation
Creating a plan for a stress-free challenge rollout is often left to chance. You can avoid unexpected
hiccups when you focus your program implementation on these important areas:
1. Promotion, promotion, promotion
If location, location, location is the catch cry of Real Estate agents, then promotion needs to
become yours. If you take nothing else from this article, please let it be this: “Plan you challenge
promotion like a military campaign”. Use every means available to you: e-flyers, posters, emails,
meetings, company newsletters. Make your messages precise and include a call to action.
Workplace pedometer challenge
www.10000StepsTasmania.com
Copyright © 2012 Walk With Attitude
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Coordinators Resource
Remember, promotion doesnʼt end once your challenge starts. Itʼs also an important way to
maintain momentum. Keeping the 10,000 steps message top of mind throughout your workplace
challenge is essential. Consider offering incentive prizes, encouraging fun weekly mini-step
challenges or scheduling workplace events like lunchtime walks.
2. Plan the allocation of pedometers
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a challenge coordinator than hearing these words: “I havenʼt
been given my pedometer and the challenge starts today”. Pedometers are the hero of your
10,000 step Challenge. Plan in advance how these will be distributed.
Do you need to arrange a central pick-up point, additional shipping to offsite staff members or a
checklist to ensure the right people receive their pedometers?
Careful planning here will ensure everyoneʼs prepared for day one of your challenge.
3.Rally your Support Crew
Find yourself Challenge Champions. These are staff members who are scattered around your
workplace who have a knack for organisation and encouragement. Ask these people to be your
ʻsupport crewʼ and let them know which tasks you will be calling on for their assistance, for
example, helping to promote the challenge, getting people to register, and generating excitement
throughout the challenge. Having a support crew is particularly important if youʼre a multi-site
organisation. You canʼt be everywhere at once – so onsite representatives will make all the
difference.
Program Evaluation
Evaluating success is all part and parcel of running a workplace program. With a little planning,
you can identify key benchmarks early to ensure reporting and evaluation tools are in place before
your challenge starts.
Benchmarks that are well suited to a pedometer challenge:
1. Number of participants – typically, thereʼs a 30% take up of employees. If youʼve run a similar
program previously, use that number as your benchmark.
2. Increase in daily step averages – on average, most participants increase their daily step count
by 2,500 steps a day.
3. Challenge completion – if your pedometer challenge has a finish line (a set number of steps to
record by a given date), a reasonable benchmark is 80% of teams / individuals complete the
challenge.
Another useful evaluation tool is participant surveys. These help you measure changes in
workplace behaviour and provide important feedback on your 10,000 steps challenge.
Workplace pedometer challenge
www.10000StepsTasmania.com
Copyright © 2012 Walk With Attitude
All rights reserved
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Coordinators Resource
Your challenge blueprint for success is complete
Now that you know all the steps to take and questions to ask to set yourself up for 10,000 steps
challenge success, get planning! Create an outline of the structure, implementation and evaluation
of your wellness program using the techniques youʼve just learned – and it will pay off ten-fold.
If youʼd like to discuss these points in greater detail, or get our insight into what would work and
what wouldnʼt work for your particular workplace challenge, give us a call. Weʼd be happy to lend
our knowledge.
About
10,000 Steps Tasmania is a pedometer workplace challenge that is uniquely on demand and
customizable. Our walking experts have combined intelligent design with up-to-the-minute technology to
create an interactive step challenge that inspires employees to be active, and provides coordinators with a
turnkey solution to running a successful corporate wellness program. If your organisation is interested in
taking up the challenge, contact us for a live demo.
Workplace pedometer challenge
www.10000StepsTasmania.com
Copyright © 2012 Walk With Attitude
All rights reserved
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