Unit One
RESOURCES
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Phone: 1300 960 136
Address: Hope Island QLD 4212
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF
About Franchising
Purpose
Learn about franchising in general
Learn about the ‘Franchise Simply’ Franchise Success Path
Actions
Action 1: Attend a Franchise Simply Weekend Training Workshop
Action 2: Read this Unit and follow up on the recommended supporting material.
Action 3: Understand the Franchise Simply Success Path and how this is delivered
Action 4: Additional work needed
Supporting Material
PDF Version
Purpose
Background to franchising and the Franchise Simply Franchise Success Path
Action 1: Attend a Franchise Simply Weekend Training Workshop
One of the quickest and simplest ways to get your head around each of the steps and associated elements is to attend one of my Franchise Simply Training Workshops
I will be explaining the system in detail and showing how you can apply it to your own business. And I cover the commercial realities you need to think about with each step.
We will organise the date for your Workshop when you join.
Action 2: Read this Unit and follow up the on recommended supporting material
At ‘Franchise Simply’ the first step taken when I meet new clients wanting to franchise their business, is to have a discussion on what franchising is about and how we go about making the changes to your business with you.
I find this important step makes sure we are all on the same page – we at Franchise Simply understand you and you understand us and the words we will use through the process.
Even business owners and franchisors who have been in an industry for years will start with this discussion.
Resources on franchising
We have found there is a simpler way to cover this general introduction – we do ask you to do a little homework researching the topic. And we have provided some resources to make your research quicker and easier.
Here is a list of things you could do to start to get your head around what is different between a franchised business and an ordinary one, the responsibilities that go with being a franchisor and the many different variations there are in the way franchise groups are organized.
I list many items here and there is a temptation to try to cover them all before moving on to actually doing the work outlined in following Units.
Please don’t let this background research stop you moving onto the following units. This background research work can be done as a sideline. Move on and add the items to other spaces in your life (Radio Shows while driving to work maybe).
1. Information from the Franchise Radio Show Interviews
From Franchisors in the industry
It is great to talk to franchisees and franchisors already up and running in the industry. These Franchise Radio Show interviews with leading franchisors in the industry give lots of information on the subject generally.
From Industry Experts
And there are so many experts in their own fields who truly have what it takes. Here are a few to start with.
2. ‘Franchise Simply’, books
I have written a couple of books which give my take on the industry, the questions people want answered and my suggestions on the way forward. You will be given a copy of at least one of these books with your program.
3. Franchise Simply Resources List
There are also many books on the market which describe franchising and which tell stories from some of the best known and successful franchise chains.
Some of the best of these are listed in the Resources List.
Topics covered include:
- Franchising and some detailed issues associated with franchising Business
- Time management Goal setting
- Managing your mindset Marketing
- We do not suggest you buy everything on the Resources List now. Some deal with issues we will cover later. Come back to the list from time to time and check out the contents.
At this stage, the most useful will probably be:
- Darren Stephens, Top Franchise CEO’s Secrets Revealed, 2007 Greg Nathan, Profitable Partnerships, 2000
- Gerber, Michael E, The E-Myth Revisited, 1995 The Resources List gives information on availability.
4. Franchise Simply suggested internet sites
As well as the written material, we have found there are some internet sites which deal with franchising well. Some of the best are also given in the Resources List.
5. Great magazines
Subscribe to some good business magazines. Again, some of the best are in the Resources List.
These are all useful and give an up to date picture of what is happening in the industry.
Action 3: Understand The Franchise Success Path and how this is delivered through this Program
One of the important elements to understand at this stage is the Franchise Simply Success Path which is based on Three D’s, Develop, Define, Deploy, each delivered in a separate Module.
The Three D Modules underlie the process you will be taken through as you develop your franchised business structure.
The Three D Modules are:
Module One – Develop The Foundation
Develop the big picture for your franchise structure and the way you will undertake the project
- Learn about franchising
- Plan your project so you know what is to be done and when
- Establish the Big Picture by looking at Marketing and your Organization Structure
- Start work on building your Franchisee Operations Manual
Module Two – Define The Elements
Define the business elements which will make up the detail on how your franchise will operate
- Money and Fee Structures
- Territories Corporate Structure
- Franchisee Business Management
- Franchisee Support, Communication and Training Leadership
- Budgets Business Plans
- Finalise the Franchises and Franchisor operations manuals
- The legal documentation
Module Three – Deploy The Relationships
Establish and manage your franchise group
- Establish the franchisor business
- Establish the franchisee pilot business
- Recruit 1st franchisee
- Undertake Induction
- Lead into the future
Each Module is broken up into several action-based Units.
The diagram below shows how the Units fit into the Three D Modules in the Franchise Success Path.
The Unit Structure
Showing the ‘Franchise Simply’ 3D Modules with relevant Units
The Franchise Success Path is also described in my book, How Do I Franchise My Business, and in the overview document we offer free on our web pages. We will be taking you down these steps through the Program.
It is very tempting to just jump into parts of the process which are outlined in later stages of the process before you have completed parts recommended to be completed earlier.
Don’t….
It breaks my heart when I meet a prospective franchisor who says, ‘I want your help to franchise
my business and I have had the legal agreement prepared – here it is.’
The legal agreement and other documentation required to franchise are not generic documents.
They are carefully crafted around much work you need to do first to work out all the important things they refer to such as fees and territories, and exactly what each party will do. The money paid for the generic legal document prepared before this work is done will inevitably be wasted as the documents will probably need to be prepared again from scratch.
Start at the beginning and then move onto the next step as it comes up. That way you will be finished faster, more efficiently and more effectively and end up with a franchise group to be proud of.
Action 4: Recognize there may be additional issues to cover
There are some things needed when franchising a business.
A knowledge of business basics
We have assumed everyone wanting to franchise a business has an understanding of business basics:
- Branding and Marketing Financial Management
- Strategic and Operational Planning Systems
- Delegation and Leadership
It is necessary to understand each of these topics so that you know how to run a successful business and accommodate the differences needed when you convert to a franchised business.
We do not cover the business basics.
The principles behind successful business management is outlined in my book How Do I Franchise My Business, and if you have questions, I suggest you begin there.
Having said that, we do cover all the business basics which are changed in a franchised structure, and one of the main values of these Units is the simple step-by-step process you are taken through as you convert your business.
Specialist information
While this Program takes you through all the steps so you can do the work yourself, there are some steps which may require specialist information and advice. The advice you need will depend on your knowledge of business, the level to which you have developed your business, and your understanding of the franchise model.
At the very least, you will need to obtain advice from a lawyer and an accountant experienced in franchising.
Branding and Marketing is another area you probably could seek some advice from an expert in the area.
Recommendations are made throughout the Program where we think it appropriate you seek specialist advice.
Mentor or coach
It is also recommended some advice is obtained from an experienced franchise mentor and a business coach on other aspects of franchising and running your business.
General Reading
You are supplied with a couple of other books with this Program. They include:
All of these will give you great background for building your franchise system and working with your franchise partners in the future. I strongly suggest you read them, especially the books by Greg Nathan.