This is a discussion board post, please reply:

Complete stop flagging it's complete please read the post

xternal environment of the YMCA includes competition, economic, social, technological, and legal. YMCA has large base of loyal customers and name notoriety because of it's nonprofit and community driven platform. Although there are many gyms that can rise in competition to the YMCA, there is nothing quite like the multifaceted recreational organization. Each YMCA offers a different array of recreation for the community members but for certain it expands well beyond its main gym category and can range (depending on location) from swim lessons to farming. While there are many competitors for certain recreational activities such as sports, gym and summer camps, there isn't a huge competitive threat from any one-stop-shop type organizations.

However, the consumer trend (social) is a threat that the YMCA must look out for since it needs to make sure it is staying in sync with the market demands. The gym needs to be offering mostly what other gyms are offering and if more of the community is interested in soccer than baseball then it needs to have availability on teams of in-demand sports. This external factor is actually the main reason why I am currently patronizing the YMCA. I have a community pool in my subdivision that isn't open until May and the indoor pool 5 minutes down the road does not have any availability for swim lessons, so my 5 yr old daughter goes to the YMCA 30 min. away because they have availability appropriate to the demand this time of year for swim lessons.

Let's talk YMCA external economical factor. This organization is known for being conservatively priced. In fact, it originally aimed for a low-income consumer base and now has a diverse membership of the general public. However, economic instability can have extreme negative effects on the organization. Recreation is a luxury that can be easily eliminated if the purse strings need to be tightened. I think that the fact that profits from the YMCA go back into the community through various methods help their members to rationalize holding onto their membership longer than other luxury expenses.

External technological factors important to consider in most organizations because of the worldwide shift towards artificial intelligence and technology, and the YMCA is no different. With a nationwide staff shortage, automation technology will be one technology they have to up their game with. Over the years, they have stayed in step with the growing online website, registrations and memberships. Another side of technology that the YMCA has to consider is the virtual gym equipment. Some locations have weighted the cost vs demand and chosen to get virtual coaches and other technological advances in their facility while different locations feel that standard exercise equipment met the general members needs.

External legal factors are probably one of the largest considerations YMCA needs to have. Ever changing laws and regulations determine what the organization can and can not do. As a personal example, I will tell you that the YMCA was shut down because of Covid mandates and lock downs. They struggled to function to the point they are willing to follow any rules in order to keep their doors open. As I previously stated, my 5 yr old daughter attends swim practice at the YMCA and in order to keep their doors open they agreed to mandatory masks for all employees. It is very awkward to see a swim instructor teaching 5-7 unmasked kids how to swim in a pool with her mask on and assisted by 2 masked life guards. I understand they are doing what they need to do to keep the doors open but I also get a clear visual of how much government policies local and abroad will effect this type of organization.