The first thing I learned about franchising was that it is the ideal way to establish a national and international presence for a well-known local business with an exemplary reputation. It is a way for like-minded entrepreneurial colleagues to have skin in the game and to have their own enterprises profit from experience and mentorship. 

My company Angels & Associates Pty Ltd is the franchising arm of DIAL-AN-ANGEL and although we are not in ‘the business’ of franchising but in the business of home and family care and support services, we like to share our 47 years of experience in the industry with our carefully selected franchisees.

I have always wanted each of our franchisees to be millionaires in their own successful businesses. If they do poorly, we receive no income from them and they are discontented colleagues.  

COMMUNICATE!

It is important to have close and frequent communication both ways. Nurturing a new franchisee is very time-consuming but if it is done well, franchisees will gain confidence faster and not be so demanding of time and energy in the long run. Our association with one of our original franchisees lasted for more than 25 years and the others have also been long-standing and outstanding successes. 

One of the most important aspects of franchising is the development of a proper “package” to present to a new franchisee. This includes a training program and the tools with which to start their venture. 

From the franchisor’s point of view, the incoming franchisee must be prepared to listen carefully and learn quickly and not assume that they understand every nuance of the new business venture. Nothing is geared to irritate a franchisor more than (after providing the franchisee with all the tools to access frequent Q & As) than to have them phone at all hours for the same information.  

I believe that the success of a franchise lies in the selection process. I have always chosen capable caring franchisees with people skills and sound business principles. Business acumen may be assessed by their previous exposure to the various skills required in running their own businesses.   

I can’t emphasise communication enough. Feedback as to how the franchisee is coping or the advice of any major changes being contemplated or initiated by the franchisor are integral to the relationship.