Tag Archives: Lettings Franchise

15Sep 2010

Franchise News: Training Letting Agents.

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By Steve Roulstone,

Business develops so fast today, that no matter what industry you are in, training and ensuring Staff and Company systems are at the front end of both Business and people trends has never been so important. When I first started in business in the mid 70’s nothing really changed for many years and whilst you had to be much smarter to be ahead of the field, today we need to be aware of the possibilities that the electronic age has afforded every business in the world.

How to achieve the best return.

This is where I believe Franchising really delivers results. There are of course many scenarios where Companies get together to train their staff. But the only situation where it matters so much to every outlet or office, that I am aware of is Franchising.

Because it matters!

Franchising delivers because the people who are being trained need and appreciate the importance of delivering whatever they are being trained for, to ensure their business continues to perform and stay ahead of the competition. Of course some multi outlet National Companies are managed by people who also care, but I seriously doubt they care as much as those who have put their own future on the line by starting their own business!

The links that make the difference.

Of course there are as many who do so, on their own, but that is where they differ and would struggle to be so well informed. Franchise organisations have the not insignificant backing of the Franchisor, who can arrange training at reduced and more cost effective rates, and because it is not only in the interest of the Franchisor that the business succeeds, but also that they stay ahead, the Franchisee can rest assured that the training will be offered when needed and by professionals.

Hence the difference.

I do of course recognise that Franchising does not suit everybody, but what it does do is offer more than just a system and knowhow and through the training offered, it can ensure that a business that is Franchised is kept at the top of the pile, and of course run by people who really care about the success it achieves.

24Aug 2010

Franchise News: Franchised Property Lettings wrapped in the Web.

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By Steve Roulstone

The future is on line.

One of the most important principles that any Letting Agency has to understand in today’s cyber community, is not only the importance of the Web but how to control and appear in the web to all potential customers. With Google controlling 86% of all search engine activity, to be listed on the front page under any generic term, has to be the goal of every National Property Management Company.

Who does not look on the Web?

Every agent should be aware of where their customer base comes from. I was aware years ago, that the number of Tenants moving in to properties that I managed through my Agency, was growing month on month. Now nationally, the figure is around 90% and makes the cost of advertising in the local paper prohibitive and probably explains why most of the press where the income from property advertising is significant, are creating their own web site! Both Tenants and Landlords are looking for their information and sourcing the solution they require through the web and Google have captured the market!

Franchise Online.

As a National Franchise Agency we are very aware that all Property Lettings Franchise Companies look to market themselves in the same way and therefore we all have training available for our Franchisees so they make the best out of what, if you get it right, is a free service. Get your Company in the right position on the web and visible in searches relating to your business in your area and your target customers will find you!

Delivering the message

But this is not as simple as some may think or suggest it is. It takes dedication and understanding of how to achieve your aim and we are all aware that there is a plethora of Companies telling us they can train us how to appear at the top of the listings and I would recommend all Companies employ professionals to instruct them in the correct methods. If you are going to ensure you are well versed in the art (and it is an art!) of positioning then choose carefully, but there is no doubt, we all need to gain web presence!

23Jul 2010

Franchise News: Why choose Franchised services?

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By Steve Roulstone.

The Franchising path.

 Any business that fits as a Franchising model, needs to be one that follows a style of business and have methods of operation which can be easily copied across outlet to outlet. A method that can be taught uniformly and adjusted as required as trends change, well with the amount of government legislation that is involved in the rental market (as exampled by this link) we have a natural fit in my Industry. It is consistent methods that ensure that our Landlords get the correct interpretation of these legislative changes and by the needs and experiences of a group that operates and controls its methods through a central spine, best practise can be assured.

 The passion behind the reason.

 But information alone is not the answer, drive and commitment are also needed and I would argue that anybody whose income depends on their own business is not only going to be more committed in their role, but also show that commitment and indeed passion for the Company they represent far better than any employee and that is where the link with Franchising comes home and delivers, for people whose livelihood rests on the success of their Company are going to perform both more successfully and more diligently.

 Let me give you a lift!

 And having been a Franchisee for ten years, I know from practise, that they are far more supportive of others who are trying to achieve the same goal in life. I have worked in the privately owned sector and been told ‘I am not telling everybody else why we do so well, because I will no longer look as good if everybody did it!’ You never get that in Franchising, exactly the opposite, rather Franchisees are quieting up to pass on good news and good ideas, because they understand what everybody who does what they do are trying to achieve and only too happy to help!

 So who do I use?

 I believe the answer is simple, whatever services you require or want to buy, if it is a Franchise, you are liable to get a better service and probably a better product, because to those who run the Company, your business is simply more important!

15Jul 2010

Franchise news: Why choose Franchising?

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By Steve Roulstone

My recommendation. I think it is time I explained why I became a Franchisee, the following is a Blog I posted as the result of a conversation with the Blog host of the Select Your Franchise site Nick Strong. It was my inspiration to this site and explains my reasons; at a stage where all those who consider Franchising have such questions to answer. So I repeat it here for information.

 Starting point.

 In 1999 I needed to take charge of my own future, Why? Because I was no longer confident that my future was secure with the Company I worked for.   The company had been taken over through acquisition and I no longer felt comfortable.  In fact I was completely outside of my comfort zone.

It was time for change!

So why choose Franchising? I now needed to research and quickly found that Franchise Companies were prepared to send me valuable information, not only on the Company concerned but also about the market they operated in. I now had an overview of markets that I was interested in and an immediate feel for how I could operate my own Company and fulfil my own needs for the future, quickly and efficiently.

The answer to the question I have posed

I chose Franchising because it was a way of working with people who understood what I was trying to achieve. I also liked the security of working with a tried and tested system in the industry of my choice.  I was trained by professionals and worked with other franchisees who had chosen the same route.

Why did I choose a Castle Estates franchise?

The principal always has been that Franchising offers entrepreneurial people specialised assistance, systems and training in a successful proven route.  After investigating many routes to market I found that Castle Estates offered the best way forward for me.

It is a fact that 90% of Franchisees become profitable within two years whereas four out of five people who start on their own, fail within the same period.  I can say with confidence that I am one of the happy 90%.  So much so that I have now bought the company!!!

09Jul 2010

Franchise News: Information, Information, Information!

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By Steve Roulstone

No matter what industry you want to review, whether it be Business to Business, Business to Public, retail, office, or home based or a man with a van style Franchise, when considering your future in Franchising, you need to be well informed.

The initial Package.

The difficulty for Franchisors, especially if the industry concerned is a complex one like my Company, Castle Estates with varied and many areas of legislation as well as being an industry that provides different levels and styles of service, is the initial package of information sent to Prospective Franchisees, can only give a brush stroke image and never the full picture.

Grasping the message.

All Franchisors make every effort to provide quality literature, especially those who are members of the BFA but if we try to give too much information, then it is very difficult for the Franchisee to take it all on board from the written word. The answer has to be to offer an open day where the story can be told using a structured approach, giving the prospect the opportunity to ask those all important questions.

Franchise Opportunities

This is why so many organisations involved with Franchising both offer or recommend a visit to the respective Head Office and a few hours to understand method, purpose, Industry, path, and so much more. So when you get asked to attend an Open Day, do not be concerned, it means that the Company providing the Franchise wants to ensure that before you make that all important Franchise Investment, you have all the information you need. In my Industry the term Location, Location, Location, is well known, but I want to be sure that anybody who contacts Castle Estates, is in a position to receive Information, Information , Information as well!

08Jun 2010

Why Choose a Property Franchise?

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 By Steve Roulstone

OK, so you want a buy a Franchise! But in what Industry? Let me list some of the reasons I chose a Property Franchise.

Market.

Well let’s face it the Property Market could not be any bigger could it? Everybody needs somewhere to live and modern patterns dictate that we move more often and the Nation is following the European way and moving towards Property Rental more and more.

Legal matters!

The Property Law is complicated and confusing and is an excellent base for running a business. Surely the more complex the more room the market gives for professional services? Is this not why we all have a Solicitor? So yes Legal does matter and is the basis for running a professional Property Management Company.

The all important £.

It is not just that each property can give a return of four figures per year, but also that it gives that return without being prompted! The Property Rental market is set up so that Letting Agents are paid quickly and efficiently, so Cash Flow is always positive. I know how important that was to me.

Time on the Job.

I found that so many Franchises offer a return based on how much you can do in a day. Property Management is so different. Yes, the more you manage, the more you have available, but, it is also true that the more you manage, the less need involvement every day, leaving you free to develop new business, whilst the existing business looks after itself.

Put it all together and I found Castle Estates!

I chose a Property Franchise because of these reasons if you think you agree that a large professional market, offering a reasonable return for each unit of sales quickly and without delay, whilst still offering the opportunity to develop further income then property Management could also be for you!

20May 2010

Many routes to Franchise Business Opportunities

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Steve Roulstone - Director, Castle Estates

By Steve Roulstone

The traditional route of starting a business on your own is not always the route taken to Franchising, for example, the Business Franchise can be stated in many ways. In certain markets, existing offices where the Franchisee is retiring or changing direction are available for sale and can offer an instant trading return.

Other Franchise opportunities

There are also specialist agencies who market existing portfolios in certain industries, such as the Lettings Industry, that can give the same trading start, but offer the possibility of giving the existing brand fresh impetus that a recognised Franchise name can deliver and be very profitable. Sometimes, with careful research, this can be the best way forward for any entrepreneur.

Business to Business opportunities

It is also noticeable that more existing independent Letting Agent brands are approaching Franchising to ensure they are well informed and trading at the front of an industry where such information and advice has been expensively purchased in the past and Franchising now becomes a value for money method of ensuring compliance.

Being aware of what Franchise Opportunities exist

Has to be a part of any Franchisor’s strategy, At Castle Estates we make sure that we listen to every potential Franchisee’s so we can make them aware of what is available to them in this ever evolving market of ours. Partnerships, existing offices for re-sale, opportunities with existing Companies and existing portfolios, all need to be considered. What we should do is make sure our customers are aware as well.