There are six main steps in the consultation process. These are establishing a relationship with the client, evaluating the problem, setting goals, implementing solutions, evaluating the effectiveness of treatment solutions, and ending the relationship once the goal has been achieved. The global pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19 has caused millions of infections and more than a million deaths so far. This pandemic has dramatically affected the lives, health, and economy of our communities and colleagues. At the IDB, we have gone from visiting projects and having in-person interactions with clients and stakeholders, to having to manage everything remotely.
A new reality has forced us to change our methods and approaches in relation to the consultation process and the participation of stakeholders. This provides us with the opportunity to be creative and use conventional and unconventional media to ensure that the opinions, ideas and concerns of stakeholders remain at the center of program design and implementation. For more guidelines and advice on virtual consultations in the context of COVID-19, see our technical note on the subject. Establishing a relationship with the customer is essential.
From the client's perspective, hiring a personal trainer is as much a personal commitment as it is a financial one. An effort must be made to show the client that the personal trainer deserves their trust, energy and time. These simple concepts can help establish a good relationship and improve the credibility of the personal trainer. The development of a truly successful program involves several levels that the personal trainer must approach with time, competence and critical thinking. A thorough and comprehensive initial consultation can ensure that the personal trainer has all the data they need to design a successful and time-efficient program.
It's important to take the time to facilitate an initial consultation that is worth the time and energy of the personal trainer and your client. It's important for personal trainers to explain to the client that they are not doctors or physical therapists, but this information can help determine what steps to take next. Several models recognize the value of having specific steps to follow to manage a query, which can be useful for the emerging professional.
