By Steve Roulstone
If I have learnt anything in my first year as a Franchisor, it is that the best help and assistance I can give to any potential Franchisee is twofold; clarity of purpose and a clear route to achievement. I should not be surprised at all and really should have known from day one, as it was what I was looking for when I first approached Franchising as a way of achieving my objectives in life, back in 1999. But as it is something that happened in my case rather than something I knew I needed, it was something I accepted without questioning why or even realising it was what was being offered and subsequently was then delivered to me.
Franchise visits.
At the time that I was investigating the Franchising market, which luckily for me was in the autumn of that year, just at the time of the National Franchise Exhibition, I visited several organisations from differing trades and Industries, all of which in my mind could be an industry that I could operate in. In the end it did not take me long to choose the Company I now head, but looking back at why, is more revealing.
Why Castle Estates?
So why did I choose Castle Estates? I had decided that it was an Industry that I felt comfortable operating in (Requirement number one!) but they were not the only organisation that I looked at as I visited the possible partners in Franchising with my Wife (which is exactly what any prospective Franchisee should do, right from the start, as it is so important to ensure that all partners believe in the venture you are about to launch) so I asked her when I was thinking about the answer what she remembered of the day at the then Head Office in Milton Keynes and her answer was what formed the basis for this Blog.
A vision of how it worked!
Jenny’s words not mine, that was her answer and it is exactly what I have learnt in putting together the manner in which I present not only our Company, but also the Industry and most importantly, Franchising itself, to all who come to discuss the opportunity of becoming a Letting Agent with Castle Estates. It can be frustrating sometimes to realise why and how some things come together, what I have come to describe as ‘earth shatteringly obvious moments’! As a Franchisor, we need to offer a clear route to becoming a Franchisee, so that it is understood what is needed and how our goals are achieved, offered within a timetable which clearly states when all of this fits together as we work towards starting this all important and all encompassing venture for both parties. Added to clarity of vision, so that what we are trying to achieve is clear for all to understand and how it is achieved is understood as well as what is needed to continue to progress towards completion and the start of a new business.
What to look for.
This is not something that has come easily and needs careful consideration in ensuring the plan (which in my case has taken the best part of six months to assemble, this with the assistance of professionals trainers to ensure nothing is left to chance) that every franchised organisation puts together is consistent and delivers ‘what it says on the tin’ (a saying I am using more and more) but I would recommend everybody looking at a Franchised Company considers this methodology above all others. Only when what you buy in too can be clear and decisive about what they deliver, can the end result be worthy of your investment.
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