Tag: entrepreneurship

HARNESSING POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND MINDSET IN RUNNING A BUSINESS

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Olena Bohovyk

Your mindset profoundly impacts how you perceive the world and respond to situations. You demonstrate a positive mindset if you see challenges as learning opportunities rather than obstacles. This mindset determines whether you’ll rise to the occasion or let difficulties dampen your spirit.

Harnessing Positive Attitude and Mindset in Running a Business

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. Starting and running a business is a journey fraught with hurdles and uncertainties. But with a positive attitude and mindset, a business owner can overcome these obstacles and forge a path to success. Harnessing a positive outlook is an essential skill every entrepreneur must cultivate to navigate the tumultuous business terrain successfully.

A positive attitude and mindset work as a force multiplier in business, exponentially amplifying your capacity to achieve your goals. A positive attitude motivates you to persist even when the going gets tough, while a negative mindset may bog you down at the slightest hurdle.

But what exactly does it mean to have a positive mindset? A positive mindset is not just about being cheerful or optimistic. It is an overall attitude that permeates all aspects of your life. It involves having faith in your abilities, staying committed to your goals, being resilient in the face of adversity, and maintaining a hopeful outlook despite setbacks. It’s the mental readiness to take on challenges head-on, unflinchingly, and with unwavering determination.

Your mindset profoundly impacts how you perceive the world and respond to situations. You demonstrate a positive mindset if you see challenges as learning opportunities rather than obstacles. This mindset determines whether you’ll rise to the occasion or let difficulties dampen your spirit.

For instance, consider the case of a business that fails to meet its quarterly revenue targets. An entrepreneur with a negative mindset might view this as a sign of impending failure, while one with a positive mindset sees it as a chance to reevaluate and refine their strategy. This difference in perspective is what sets successful entrepreneurs apart from the rest.
When running a business, a positive attitude and mindset allow you to stay motivated, foster creativity, and build resilience. They enable you to take calculated risks and stay committed to your goals, regardless of your challenges.

The power of a positive attitude goes beyond personal development. It can influence your business culture, affecting your team’s morale and productivity. A positive leader inspires positivity in the team, leading to improved communication, better problem-solving skills, and higher productivity levels.

Harnessing the power of positivity starts with understanding your thought processes. Reflect on your thoughts and identify any negative patterns. Then, make a conscious effort to shift your thinking toward the positive. It may feel unnatural initially, but you’ll cultivate a more positive mindset with time and practice.

Use meditation, visualization, and positive affirmations to reinforce your positive attitude. Surround yourself with positivity regarding the people you interact with and the content you consume. Remember, positivity begets positivity.

Moreover, focus on setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) for your business. This provides direction and allows you to measure progress, which can help maintain a positive outlook.

Running a business can be a roller-coaster ride. The key to navigating this journey successfully lies in maintaining a positive attitude and mindset. Remember, your mindset is the lens through which you view your world. Make sure it focuses on opportunities, not obstacles.

In conclusion, cultivating a positive attitude and mindset is beneficial and vital for running a successful business. It builds resilience, fosters creativity, and acts as a driving force behind every business endeavor. So, take charge of your mindset and steer your business toward success.

6 WAYS TO FINANCE A START-UP SMALL BUSINESS

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

They expect to be paid back with interest and generally require collateral (such as property) in case your business defaults on the loan. If you can find someone willing to do this type of lending, and if all else fails, then this may be worth considering. However, small business owners need to exhaust other options first before seeking out private loans as they tend not only to be expensive but difficult for borrowers because they lack flexibility compared with other forms of financing, such as SBA loans which offer more favorable terms including lower rates and more extended repayment periods.

6 WAYS TO FINANCE A START-UP SMALL BUSINESS

Introduction
There are many ways to get funding for your small business or franchise. Here are jut a few suggestions to get you started.

Friends And Family
Friends and family are usually the first ones to help you when needed. If they’re willing to provide financing, ensure they understand what they’re getting into: don’t ask them for a gift; instead, offer them an investment opportunity. Then, ask them for a loan and use promissory notes (a written promise from one person to another) or other legal documents to prove your commitment. The important thing is that you have a good relationship with the people lending you money–and vice versa! Make sure that everyone knows precisely how much money is being lent and when it should be paid back by; this way, there can be no confusion about whether or not payments have been made on time or if interest rates apply in certain situations (like if someone takes out an additional loan).

Your Credit Cards
You can use your credit cards to finance a business if you pay off the balance every month. However, there are two reasons why this isn’t a good idea:

• Credit card interest rates are high. Putting $1,000 on a credit card with an 18% APR will cost $180 in interest over one year–even if you don’t charge any! If you have no other financing options and need $10,000 to start your business, this method would cost $20 per month (assuming a 20% interest rate).
• The second reason is that it’s easy to get carried away when using credit cards for personal expenses and then forget about them as soon as they’re paid off, leaving plenty of room for overspending in future months when unexpected expenses pop up.

Venture Capital (VC)
Venture capital (VC) is a riskier and longer-term investment. It’s only for some businesses or investors, but it can be the right choice if your company has a high growth potential and you have an experienced team behind it. VC investors look to partner with entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do and dedicated to building their companies into market leaders over time. They expect that the companies they invest in will take more than one round of funding before reaching profitability–and sometimes even after becoming profitable! As a result, VCs typically provide capital infusions in increments instead of larger sums all at once. This allows them to monitor how well each growth stage is going before deciding whether or not additional funds should be provided (and how much).

Private Equity
Private equity is a form of financing where an investor buys a portion of your business. It’s similar to taking out a loan from the bank, except instead of paying it back over time, you pay your private equity investor every year with interest (the same way you would with any other type of loan). Private equity can be used to buy any company or franchise–including yours! If someone wants to invest in your franchise, they might want 50% or even 75% ownership to have complete control over all decisions made within the company.

Small Business Loans
A small business loan is another way to get funding for your startup. The interest rate on these loans is lower than personal loans, but you may need to put up collateral and provide financial statements and tax returns. You can get a small business loan from your bank, credit union, or online lender. Companies such as Guidant Financial and FranFund are reliable sources for assistance with small business loans under various SBA programs

Private Lenders
Private lenders are a good option if you’re looking for funding but want to avoid applying for a bank loan or grant. Private lenders are individuals or companies that lend money to businesses. They expect to be paid back with interest and generally require collateral (such as property) in case your business defaults on the loan. If you can find someone willing to do this type of lending, and if all else fails, then this may be worth considering. However, small business owners need to exhaust other options first before seeking out private loans as they tend not only to be expensive but difficult for borrowers because they lack flexibility compared with other forms of financing, such as SBA loans which offer more favorable terms including lower rates and more extended repayment periods.

Conclusion
There are many ways to get funding for your small business or franchise. The best method depends on what you seek, but all have benefits and drawbacks. It’s essential to consider which option is right for you and your business before making any decisions. We hope this article has provided helpful information on how to fund your small business or franchise. However, if you still need clarification, we recommend contacting Franchise Growth Solutions www.frangrow.com or a financial advisor who can help you make the right decision.

IS BUYING A FRANCHISE RIGHT FOR YOU?

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Ideal candidates for franchising are those who are excited about operating their own business, have no experience in the field, and are willing to accept the duties and obligations of being their boss. Purchasing a franchise could be an effective means of launching a new business. Consider franchising if you have yet to gain experience in the industry and are passionate about running your own business, and are willing to accept the responsibility and accountability that come with being in charge.

Is Buying A Franchise Right For You?
By: Gary Occhiogrosso – Founder & Managing Partner – Franchise Growth Solutions

Introduction
While franchising is an excellent way to enter the business world, it is not the best option for everyone. Consider the answers to the following nine questions before deciding whether or not your business might benefit from becoming a franchisee.

Do You Intend To Pursue Franchising In The Future?
If you want to start your own business, franchising may be an excellent option. However, franchising is also suitable for you if you want to be your own boss and run the show, but lack the competence or skills
required to do it independently. But franchising is not for everyone; if these reasons make sense to you, especially if they inspire and excite you, you should consider franchising as the right decision.

Do You Have A Proper Financial Plan And Ability?
As you begin the process of purchasing a franchise, you must have a sound financial strategy in place.  You will need sufficient funds to cover the franchise fees and any other expenses that may emerge during the first phases of establishing your firm. Even though a particular franchise may be a solid investment, it may still need time and patience before it starts to pay off; you will also need to ensure that your cash flow can sustain your business moving forward.

Do You Have Previous Experience Leading Others?
The terms "management" and "leadership" are not synonymous. Leadership inspires people to come together and move forward with a single goal, while management is about efficiently doing tasks. Leaders take control of a situation, define a crystal-clear vision for it, and motivate others to strive toward achieving that vision with inexhaustible fervor and enthusiasm.  Because most successful franchises require strong leadership skills from the owner or manager at all levels of the organization, beginning with sales representatives and extending to upper management, franchising may not be the best business model for you if you do not feel comfortable in a leadership role.

Do You Have Sufficient Time To Manage Both The Workforce And The Business?
If you already have a full schedule, franchising may not be your ideal choice. Running a franchise requires a substantial expenditure of time and effort.  You must be able to devote a large percentage of your focus and energy to the organization.  Initially, there may be little room for vacations or even weekends off, and you may be obliged to work multiple days a week due to the long hours. There may be little room for either! Things might be challenging for both parties if you are already committed to another job or have family duties. In addition, managing employees might be challenging since each person has unique personality features. Also, suppose a corporate employee is terminated unexpectedly or quits due to a conflict with upper management or ownership within the parent company. In that case, this can cause problems within the franchise system due to a lack of consistency in the practices and policies established by the franchisor.

Is The Industry Category Stable?
You may ask yourself, "How stable is the franchisor and industry; The answer to this inquiry will help determine if acquiring a franchise would benefit you. If the franchise company you desire to join has a high failure rate and does not seem to be growing in the near future, it may not be worth your time and effort to become a franchisee of that company.  For example, if you've always wanted to open an ice cream shop, but there are already twenty comparable businesses in the neighborhood that are thriving, what gives you cause to assume that yours will be more successful?  Also, consider whether other franchisors are entering or leaving the market. That might negatively influence business; the present time may not be the best choice! If, on the other hand, the industry you have chosen appears stable and has ample room for growth and expansion over time (especially when macroeconomic trends are considered), that brand may be a good option for you, provided that other factors, such as the cost structure and overhead expenses, aren't too high when compared to revenue projections from previous years' earnings statements.

Are You The Only Franchisee In The Market?
Although franchising is an excellent business technique, it can also be helpful if other franchised units of the franchisor are already operating in the area. No one else may be familiar with the brand if you are the only franchisee in your area. If other franchisees are in the region, you will find it simpler to build your business. They can help with some legal difficulties and the  Last but not least, these multiple locations assist with advertising strategies and marketing techniques, which are the two most influential factors in determining whether clients would buy from your firm.

Are You & The Business Capable Of Paying The Fees And Royalties?
There are costs involved with franchise ownership, ranging from $10,000. to $1,000,000. You must additionally pay a monthly royalty fee that is computed based on your sales and other company information. The royalty is the fee the franchisor collects; it is usually a percentage of each week's total sales. Royalties are calculated as a percentage of your business's total revenue. 

How Much Support And Training Will You Receive?
You should anticipate a certain level of assistance from the franchisor throughout training and after that, but whether or not they give it primarily relies on the cost of their services and the nature of your connection with them after acquiring their brand name. 

* Training: If you are new to operating a business or need help getting started, you should examine if the franchise you are considering offers any training options.

* Advertising Costs: The costs associated with advertising can vary widely based on the advertising medium used (for instance, TV ads may cost more than flyers or social media ads), but in general, these expenses will likely be higher than those of non-franchised businesses.

How much input do you need and want in determining prices?
It would help if you understood how much influence you will have on the pricing.  While some franchisors allow franchisees to set their prices, others require franchisees to adhere to the same pricing structure as the company's flagship location. 

It would be best to consider whether the franchisor will allow you to alter your product or service, add new items, and make any other required adjustments. Profit is directly proportionate to the degree of operational and marketing control a franchisor offers franchisees. Ideal candidates for franchising are those who are excited about operating their own business, have no experience in the field, and are willing to accept the duties and obligations of being their boss. Purchasing a franchise could be an effective means of launching a new business. Consider franchising if you have yet to gain experience in the industry and are passionate about running your own business, and are willing to accept the responsibility and accountability that come with being in charge. Franchising is a tried-and-true business model that allows business owners to profit from the knowledge and experience of the franchisor while also gaining from their successes. The required investment requires substantial time, money, and effort, but if executed well, it can be rewarding.

Conclusion
Some individuals may find franchising an excellent entry point into the corporate sector.  Yet, not all individuals would profit from doing so.  Before making a final choice, evaluate if acquiring a franchise matches your long-term goals and lifestyle.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL HELP FRANCHISORS SPEED UP FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

In a report by Data IKU, Korn Ferry stated that 55 percent of staff believed AI had already changed the way their organization recruits. IBM receives about 8,000 resumes a day and is the most searched employer on Glassdoor, an employment site that includes employee ratings for their company. IBM uses an AI algorithm that can predict with 95% accuracy whether a worker is planning to leave his/her job.

For those of you who have followed Ed Teixeira’s articles on FranchiseMoneyMaker.com it is with deep sadness that we report he passed away last week. We will miss Ed’s insights, willingness to help and the kindness he brought not only to our publication but the franchise community and the everyone he touched.

Artificial Intelligence Will Help Franchisors Speed up Franchise Development
By Ed Teixeira

Franchise Consultant, Blogger and Freelance Writer. Co- Author of New Textbook Franchising Strategies The Entrepreneurs Guide to Success. Franchise Executive with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.

During the past several years, you have probably read or heard about the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications. AI has already had a significant impact on Human Resource departments, especially recruiting job applicants. In a report by Data IKU, Korn Ferry stated that 55 percent of staff believed AI had already changed the way their organization recruits. IBM receives about 8,000 resumes a day and is the most searched employer on Glassdoor, an employment site that includes employee ratings for their company. IBM uses an AI algorithm that can predict with 95% accuracy whether a worker is planning to leave his/her job.

Related to AI is natural language processing (NLP) which enables computers to read text, hear and interpret speech and determine which parts are important, like Alexa. A report from Tractica predicts that NLP software solutions capitalizing on AI will grow from $136 million in 2016 to $5.4 billion by 2025.

AI and Franchise System Development
If AI resume software automates resume screening, then AI applications should offer franchisors a major opportunity to improve their franchise system development. Using AI to automate the screening of franchise prospect information could help spot qualified candidates much faster. Also, using phone call speech-to-text and NLP can provide more opportunities to gain information from candidate conversations. Service Score’s Qualifier Call Optimization (QCO) platform uses recorded prospect calls with an analysis engine powered by the latest AI tools to deliver opportunities for converting more calls to applications. A number of franchisors currently use the Service Score application.

Franchise Departments Should List Its Telephone Number
A number of franchisors fail to list their telephone number on their franchise page and require prospects to submit a form. This has become somewhat of the norm rather than offering two ways to contact the franchise department. Hiya’s annual State of the Call report found that more than 12,000 consumers and 2,000 businesses ranked the phone call No. 1 for remote interactions, beating out text, email, video calls, and chatbots.

 During my career I built three franchise systems in different business categories. In each case our phone number for the franchise department was available. I considered every franchise lead valuable and wanted our staff to be able to engage with potential franchise prospects as soon as possible. It was my experience, that individuals who called the franchise department before submitting a contact form, were eager to learn about our franchise opportunity and had important questions. In many cases it resulted in the person submitting a franchise application.

Top franchisors like Service Master Restore, BrightStar Franchising and Neighborly follow this process. Here is BrightStar’s Message: “Our friendly and experienced team is happy to help you get started. Call us at 872-xxx-xxxx or request a call from our team by filling out the form below.”

Franchisor’s Should Prepare for AI
Its time franchisors prepare for the increased use of AI applications in various franchise operations. This should include franchise development. Here are steps franchisors can take to begin the process:

* Compile data to construct a franchisee profile of top performing franchisees or the ideal franchise candidate.
* Incorporate franchisee profile data into contact form and franchisee application.
* Include franchise department contact telephone number.
* Franchisors should speak with several AI software companies to learn about the process and cost of using AI applications for franchise development. Mike Bidwell, president and CEO of Neighborly stated: “We believe employing AI will be key to gaining or even maintaining a competitive advantage in an increasingly informed and sophisticated marketplace.

About the Author:
Ed Teixeira
Franchise Consultant, Blogger and Freelance Writer. Co- Author of New
Textbook Franchising Strategies The Entrepreneurs Guide to Success.
Franchise Executive with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.

Houston TX Hot Chicken

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PRESS RELEASE

Source: Houston TX Hot Chicken
For: Immediate Release
Contact:Laura Koleniak Taylor
[email protected]
732.939.2596

Fresh, fast and on the move! We can all agree that chicken is having a moment, and it’s not going anywhere soon! And Houston TX Hot Chicken (HHC) is coming to the table for National Hot Chicken Day on Thursday, March 30! To celebrate the occasion, Houston TX Hot Chicken is providing a FREE Original Hot Chicken Sandwich with any purchase at all locations (excluding Houston) across the county.
 
Houston TX Hot Chicken prides itself on serving organic, never-frozen, antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken to its guests. With a menu that features hot chicken in the form of sandwiches, tenders and more, HHC offers high quality food alongside an exciting and elevated service standard. Coinciding with the fresh offerings, the spice is what sets HHC apart from the competition with spice levels – crafted with custom blends of spices gathered from across the world – ranging from “Mild” to “Houston We Have a Problem,” so everyone can step outside (or stay inside) their comfort zone.



Houston TX Hot Chicken has recently experienced rapid franchise growth and currently has six active locations across in Las Vegas, Nevada; Tempe, Arizona; Lehi, Utah; and Houston, Texas. HHC has plans to continue opening new locations across the country throughout 2023 and beyond, in markets such as Fresno and San Diego in California, along with additional locations in Nevada and Utah.

ABOUT HOUSTON TX HOT CHICKEN:
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Founded by Houston Crosta (owner of Las Vegas based exotic car rental company Royalty Exotic Cars) and Edmond Barseghian (owner of EMCCO Corp.), Houston TX Hot Chicken is a rapidly growing franchise brand that prides itself in serving organic, never-frozen, antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken. In just the past few weeks, HHC’s footprint has expanded to Houston and Lehi, with a new restaurant opening in Fresno this upcoming weekend.  

TIP TO INCREASE FRANCHISE RECRUITMENT

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

It has been my experience that the franchisee territory does not receive enough analysis by some franchisors. While the type of territory, whether open, protected, or exclusive, is an important consideration for a prospective franchisee, the market potential is equally important.

A Strategy to Enhance Franchisee Recruitment
By Ed Teixeira
Franchise Consultant, Author, Franchise Executive and Former Franchisee with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.

To grow a franchise system a franchisor must have qualified franchise leads that can turn into viable franchise candidates. Whether a franchisor generates their own leads, uses Lead Gen portals, or receives franchisee prospects from other sources, acquiring franchise leads is only the start of the franchise development process. The franchisee prospect needs to be motivated by a franchise opportunity before proceeding to the next step in the process.
To achieve this objective the strategy employed by most franchisors is to cite the demand for the franchise’s products or services, in addition to franchisor training, support and a financial performance representation. However, these benefits exclude one of the most critical requirements of any franchise, the quality of the territory the franchisee will acquire as part of their franchise investment.

Not enough emerging and mid-sized franchisors emphasize in detail, how it analyzes, identifies, and determines the territory a franchisee will be granted. Although this subject is typically covered at the early stages of discussions between the franchisor and a franchisee prospect, it has been my experience that the franchisee territory does not receive enough analysis by some franchisors. While the type of territory whether open, protected, or exclusive is an important consideration for a prospective franchisee the market potential is equally important.

1. Franchisors should devote more resources and place more attention on how they identify and define a franchisee market and present this information at the earliest stages of the franchise process. This strategy may require a franchisor to invest additional resources into identifying and defining franchisee territories.

2. Franchisors should avoid utilizing surface metrics to define a market. For example, a home care franchisor may use the number of residents over 65 to define a market, yet that alone won’t indicate how many in this market segment can afford to pay for home care services? The same rationale relates to home restoration services. In addition to identifying the number of single family homes in a territory, the age, size and proximity of homes to potential environmental threats should be considered.

3. Invest in using an experienced market research firm to identify an ideal market profile to serve as the basis for identifying and defining franchisee territories. This approach will benefit the franchisor and its franchisees by maximizing opportunities for brand growth.

4. Some franchisees will request a territory based upon proximity to their residence and certain demographics. Franchisors should avoid accepting a franchisees choice of territory out of hand, without a detailed analysis of the territory. Otherwise, a franchisee that experiences poor sales may attribute the problem to their territory and place the responsibility on the franchisor.

In order to attract qualified franchise candidates franchisors should devote the necessary resources to defining franchisee territories and its market potential and present the franchisee territory as a major feature of the franchise opportunity. This feature of the franchise opportunity should be introduced at the beginning of the franchise presentation process.
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About the author:

Ed Teixeira has 40 years experience in the franchise industry as a franchise executive and franchisee. He is the co-author of the new textbook; Franchising Strategies The Entrepreneurs Guide to Success published by Rutledge. Ed’s franchise experience includes the retail, manufacturing, home health care, medical staffing and technology industries. Mr.Teixeira has franchised brands in Asia, Europe, and South America. He have lectures at Stony Brook University Business School on the subject of Franchising and been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, Franchise Times, Franchise Update, New York Newsday and Long Island Business Review. Am available for Expert Witness testimony.

He has written and published The Franchise Buyers Manual a comprehensive guide for people considering buying a franchise. Ed is an Industry Partner of Stony Brook University and member of the Advisory Board Pace University Lubin School of Business and was qualified by the International Center for Dispute Resolution and The Business Broker Press as a franchise expert.

What To Consider When Purchasing A Franchise

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

Summary: To select the ideal franchise company to join, you should first find a company with a proven track record of success. A good franchisor will have been in business for at least two or three years and be able to demonstrate the growth potential of its products and services. The best way to do this is by looking at how many franchises they currently have in operation and are they profitable. A robust and growing network often indicates a successful brand.

10 Key Points To Consider When Purchasing A Franchise
Originally published in Forbes.
By Gary Occhiogrosso, Managing Partner Franchise Growth Solutions

If your goal is to purchase a franchise, choosing the right franchise brand to invest in is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. It’s not just about finding a company with a proven track record but also finding one that fits your personality and lifestyle. Your first step, is knowing what to look for when you’re evaluating potential franchises. Here are some key areas to consider:

Franchise Fees
Franchise fees are one-time payments made when purchasing a franchise. These fees can range from $10,000 to $100,000 and are used to pay for the rights to use the name, the procedures and any systems developed by the franchisor. It is also used to cover costs for training and opening support by the franchisor to assist the franchisee with the opening of their franchise. Franchisors usually charge their franchisees up-front fee when the franchise is granted. In addition, post Covid initial “turnkey” investments may be higher than in the past due to supply chain issues, inflation, and increased cost of equipment and leasehold improvements between brands.

Royalty Fees
Royalty fees are the amount of ongoing money (usually a percentage of gross sales) you pay to the franchisor for using their brand name and ongoing support such as marketing and developing new products or services for the franchisee. As a franchisee, you are required to pay royalties based on a portion of your sales. This percentage may be fixed or fluctuate on a sliding scale based on sales.

Term Length
Franchise term length can be a good indicator of how much the Franchisor invests in their franchisees.
On average, depending on the type of franchise, home based vs a retail location, franchise brands have terms that last ten years or less. This means there’s plenty of time for the franchisee and franchisor to work together and develop a solid relationship. Still, it also means that the franchisee may not be allowed to retain the business if something doesn’t work out. If a franchisee is underperforming, the franchisor may not renew the franchise agreement once it expires, or may seek to terminate the franchise prior to the full term. In such a case, the franchisee must exit the business. In many instances, there will be a contractual obligation that the franchisee cannot open a similar business for a period of time within a certain distance from their original location. This is called a non-compete clause.

Consider Your Lifestyle.
* Consider the lifestyle you will have while running the business.
* Look at the hours of operation. You don’t want to buy an 80 work week.
* Review flexibility of franchisor with respect to new products, relocation and other variables.
* See if the location makes sense for you. You will need to manage the location or develop a team to manage the day-to-day operation for you.
* Check out the type of work needed to run the franchisee. Make sure it fits your skill set and interests, including whether it’s something you’d enjoy doing as a full-time job.
Seeking the advice of a professional franchise consultant can be an extremely useful method when evaluating if a franchise is the right business model for you. Scott Milas, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFC) and Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC) with The International Franchise Professionals Group recommends you consider these questions: “What is your “Know” and “Why?” Understanding “why” you are interested in owning your own business, and “knowing” who you are, are critical steps in choosing the right opportunity. A self evaluation and clear picture of your skill sets and eventual end game- exit strategy, will help ensure that you invest in the right opportunity. Better to “know” now then after you made the wrong decision. “Why” now?
An experienced franchise consultant can assist you in answering those questions and choosing a brand that’s a good lifestyle fit as well as one that offers opportunities to meet your business goals

Look For An Experienced Franchisor
To select the ideal franchise company to join, you should first find a company with a proven track record of success. A good franchisor will have been in business for at least two or three years and be able to demonstrate the growth potential of its products and services. The best way to do this is by looking at how many franchises they currently have in operation and are they profitable. A robust and growing network often indicates a successful brand. In addition, it demonstrates that customers value its products or services enough to pay for them again through multiple businesses.
The second thing you should look for when choosing a franchise is reputation—how well does your chosen brand stand up against its competitors? While there may be other similar businesses out there with similar business models, does you selected band have points of difference to separate itself from the competition. It’s essential that you choose one that utilizes high-quality materials, produces consistent results, and provides excellent customer service while maintaining competitive prices at all times.”

Know Your Competition
One of the steps to building a successful franchise business is to know your competition. What brands already exist in the market, and how do they compare? What is their customer base, and what can you learn from them? How do your offerings differ from theirs, and how do these differences help or hinder you as a company?
Tom Scarda a former franchisee and now a franchise coach and consultant offering advice to franchise buyers regarding evaluating the competition and what it may mean to their success as a franchisee “It’s smart to think about a product or service that is needed in your area and consider bringing that sort of business to the town. However, just because there are no batting cages in your town and you think it would do great because there are kids everywhere, you may be right. However, will it make money? Is there some reason why there is no batting cages in the area? When starting a business, you must, must do a comprehensive business plan before anything else. Learn about competition in the area. Understand the local county laws and regulations around the business you’re considering. Be real about the cost to start and run the operation. These are just a few items to consider in a business plan.”

Once you’ve got a handle on who’s out there, it will be easier for you to see where there are gaps in the market—and then fill those gaps with your unique brand identity.

Carefully Review The Franchise Disclosure Document.
Read the current franchise disclosure document (check the issuance date) and have it reviewed by a competent franchise attorney. Harold Kestenbaum, a noted franchise attorney with Spadea Law advises: “When considering the purchase of a franchise, I highly recommend retaining the services of an experienced franchisee attorney. Never contemplate purchasing a franchise without seeking the advice of an attorney who has reviewed FDD;s before. I also recommend that you do your due diligence. By that I mean that you should review Item 20 of the FDD and call all of the existing franchisees who are in your general area.”

There are additional factors to consider when reviewing the franchisor’s FDD. According to Richard Bayer, a Partner in the law firm Einbinder & Dunn LLP: “Purchasing a franchise for many first-time business owners will often be one of the top three expensive transactions the franchisee will ever go through in his/her lifetime. Given the severity of the investment, a franchisee must commit to doing due diligence. It starts with speaking with existing franchisees as well as those who left the system. Their contact information can be found in the FDD. The goals from these calls include gaining a better understanding of the economics of the franchise – is it profitable, when is break even reached, do costs (labor or otherwise) or revenues fluctuate significantly making it difficult to predict performance. Equally important is getting a sense of the franchisor’s temperament – is the franchisor supportive, does the franchisor go above and beyond legal obligations (imposed in the franchise agreement) to deliver for its franchisees, is the franchisor forward thinking and/or technology driven. The FDD is a great source of information about a system, but it is has gaps that can be filled in quite nicely by franchisees in the system and by those who left. Purchasing a franchise without speaking to as many franchisees as possible is a lost opportunity.”


Investigate The Franchisor’s Tenure And Track Record of Success
In addition to analyzing the franchisors’ financials, it’s also vital to examine their overall track record. While a strong balance sheet is an essential indicator of a business’s health and stability, it doesn’t tell you much about how they’ve fared over time. So, for example, if you’re looking at two franchises with similar books and financials, but one of them has been around for four years while the other has been operating since say, 1899, it would make sense to choose the latter in this case—even if everything else on paper looks the same.
This information can be gleaned from third-party sources such as Dun & Bradstreet or franchise trade magazines or by visiting the website of the International Franchise Association. Always go directly through your Franchisor before getting this data yourself so that they can confirm that everything is correct and up-to-date. In addition, it is vital that you speak with or meet as many existing franchisees as possible before you make your final decision.

What Are The Brand’s Training Programs And Support?
When you buy a franchise, you’re not just buying the rights to use its brand name. You also get access to training programs, mentoring, and support from the Franchisor. These must be proven and effective; otherwise, it can be challenging for your business to grow or stay profitable.
You want to ensure that your franchisor is committed to your success as a franchisee. That means offering in-person training (the better option) and or using phone or video calls if necessary. It also means regular advice on running your business and what strategies might help you reach more customers or increase revenue.

Review The Franchisor’s Marketing Plans.
A good franchisor will have a written marketing plan in place. The marketing plan should include a social media strategy and details about how the franchisor plans to use the funds provided through your advertising fees. If you ask for this document, they should be willing to share it with you.

Choosing The Right Franchise Brand Can Significantly Impact Your Success.
We’ve talked about screening potential franchise brands above. Still, there are some other factors that you should also consider when choosing where to invest your time and resources.
Tom Scarda goes on to say “We always hear the phrase, “If you love what you do you never work a day in your life.” That is true if you’re working a job. But a franchise is not a job. It’s a business that allows you to build a lifestyle. In the end, the service or product the business provides doesn’t matter. Of course, it must make sense for the community where you will operate and the concept must be something that you understand. However, you can be a vegetarian and own a burger joint. As the owner you are acting as the CEO and CFO, you’re not flippin’ burgers…well you shouldn’t be. If you are doing the tasks that the business requires then you bought yourself a job and your business will plateau and not be scalable. Scarda adds “Don’t buy a business because it has to do with your hobby. If you do, you will no longer have a hobby and you will probably resent the hobby if you’re trying to pay your mortgage with it. Instead, invest in a business that will give you the time and money to enjoy your hobby until your heart’s content.

Conclusion
It is important to consider all these factors when looking for a franchise brand. Some of them, like the fees and term length, are more straightforward than others. But, if you want to be successful in your franchise opportunity, it’s worth taking the time to research what makes each Franchisor unique thoroughly. A good franchisor will have invested in training programs and support systems that will help you understand how their business works.

Tips For Employers & Employees – Effective Job Interviews

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Suppose you have not decided what to offer someone or are still negotiating with the candidate. In that case, it’s best to provide a range rather than an exact number. This gives candidates an idea of what they could make if hired and shows that you are flexible and willing to negotiate.

Tips For Employers & Employees – Effective Job Interviews
By Johnny Day

Introduction
As a business, you want to hire the best employees you can. You want people with the right skills who can help the company reach its goals and grow. But only some people will be a good fit for your organization. In fact, according to one study, about 25% of new hires fail within their first 18 months on the job. At that rate, hiring five employees who fail in their first 18 months at work with your company is like hiring only three people who succeed in that time!
Offer salary range, not a specific number.

Offer a salary range, not a specific number.
Suppose you have not decided what to offer someone or are still negotiating with the candidate. In that case, it’s best to provide a range rather than an exact number. This gives candidates an idea of what they could make if hired and shows that you are flexible and willing to negotiate.

Have a plan for the interview before you go in.
Before you go into an interview, you should plan what you want to ask and what kinds of questions the employer will ask you. You should also have your resume and a copy of the job description. Bring a list of references who are willing to be contacted.

When it comes time for your interview, follow these tips:

* Know what you want to ask. The employer may only tell you about some aspects of the job. Instead, they’ll give out one piece at a time during different parts of the interview process to see if candidates are interested in both the work itself and all other aspects related to working there (e.g., pay).

* Have your questions ready so that if something comes up during or after their presentation or tour—like whether there’s room for advancement—then feel free to ask these things without feeling like an outsider who doesn’t belong!
Explain the company culture to candidates.

* Recruiters, managers, and executives should explain the company culture to candidates. Because culture is a set of values, it’s essential to define them early in the process. The goal is to give candidates an understanding of how your organization approaches its work and what being part of that organization means. It may be helpful for recruiters and hiring managers to refer back to this definition when conducting interviews with prospective employees because it can provide a common understanding among team members if they all use the same language when describing their roles within the organization.

Make sure they know what their duties will be.
Clearly outlining the duties of a job is a must. As a manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure that employees know their position and how a manager will evaluate them. If you’re hiring someone who has been doing this type of work for years, you’ll want to take them through orientation so that they know what you expect. If someone just graduated from school with little or no experience in your field, then I recommend taking some time out of their first week on the job to explain things like:
What is expected of them in terms of output and output quality? (This is usually tracked in metrics.)
How do we measure performance? (These measurements may include customer satisfaction surveys.)

Don’t be afraid to ask them to elaborate on their experience and qualifications.
Asking candidates to elaborate on their experience and qualifications is part of the interview process. Still, it’s also an excellent opportunity to learn more about someone’s personality and character. For example, if a candidate has said they have experience in social media marketing, then ask them to describe the last project they worked on from start to finish. On the other hand, if their resume lists specific projects, ask them what kind of work they’ve done in that area before.
If someone has little professional experience (e.g., a high school student looking for a summer internship), then ask them how they’ve approached learning new skills or subjects outside of school-related activities. For example: “Tell me about a time when you had to teach someone else something.”

Give them time to think about it.
Before hiring, ensure the candidate has time to consider it. Suppose they’re ready to sign on right away. In that case, it might mean that they’ve already taken a job elsewhere and are just trying to be polite by pretending otherwise. It’s also crucial that you give them plenty of time so they can ask questions. They probably have some concerns or reservations about joining your company—perhaps even some reservations about working with you—and those issues need to be addressed before anything goes any further. Finally, once someone is hired, their start date must be pretty close to the future. You want them to feel secure and comfortable enough with their decision that they don’t leave for another position before their first day at work; this would lead directly to lousy employee retention rates later down the line!

Tell them about the benefits package.
Benefits are a big part of the job. Make sure you have a good benefits package and your employees know about it. That way, they’ll feel valued by the company and be more likely to stay with you for extended periods.
What kind of benefits do you offer? Do you offer a 401K? Paid time off? Health insurance? These things all play into how willing someone will be to commit their life to your company—so make sure you’re offering them everything they need!

Ask if they have any questions for you.
If you haven’t already, ask your new employee if they have any questions.
Asking what’s on their mind will ensure you can address any concerns they may have about the position.
This is also an excellent time to make sure they are comfortable with the role and explain more about what it entails so that you can determine if this is a good fit for them.

Use these tips to conduct a more effective job interview that will help your company find and retain the best employees it can find When interviewing candidates, it’s important to be prepared with a plan. An effective interview will help your company find and retain its best employees. It’s also important to explain the company culture to candidates during this preparation process. You should also make sure they know their duties for an effective job interview that will help your company find and retain the best employees it can find.

Conclusion
This is a recap of the tips we’ve given above. If you need to decide which ones to use, mix and match them as needed.