Expert advice from franchise professionals
Whether you’re just starting a franchise business or simply looking for ways to improve, expert advice is always welcome. Inside Franchise Business can help connect entrepreneurs to education and training and from partners such as IBE Connect, which helps people looking to expand their franchise business overseas, and Franchise Simply, which works with new and established franchises to grow their business. Franchise Simply offers a number of programs to spur growth.
The Franchise Council of Australia runs the Franchise Academy, with certificate, diploma, and certified franchise executive levels of degree. The council also sponsors the Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The most recent was Melbourne’s exhibition were 24-25 August at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Wharf. More than 100 exhibitors from Ace Chef Apparels to yourlaundry.com.au were on hand. There will be no shortage of expert advice to be gleaned at the expo. These words of wisdom from top franchisors, franchisees, and franchise lawyers across Australia will provide a guiding light as well.
Hire well
“Our teachers are passionate about what they do and genuinely invested in helping prepare children for optimal learning at school. We find a lot of our families came to our teachers for advice,” Toddler Kindy Gymbaroo CEO Beth Pocklington said after the developmental program for babies and preschoolers took home four titles from the What’s On 4 Kids Awards.
It’s a fairly simple concept, but the execution really pays off. Teachers at the more than 100 centres nationwide receive training from the company. After five years they can train to be neurodevelopment consultants, working with parents concerned about their children’s development. It’s this kind of specialised training that builds trust with clients.
Lean into It
“It might be a little hard at first if you don’t come from a business background, but again, the best thing about getting involved with the right franchise is the support you will receive. If you’re lacking in any areas or skillsets you will be surrounded by a knowledgeable network, making a huge difference to your own business development. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or outsource to the franchise network. Making sure you’re aware of the franchising regulations and working with a solicitor that specialises in franchise law is also a must when considering getting involved in a franchise,” Australian Skin Clinics franchisee Zoe Baker wrote for Businesswoman Media.
You’re not going to know everything right at the start, but you will have access to a network full of those who have been through the same struggles willing to give you expert advice. Baker has gone from a franchise newbie to sitting on the clinics’ franchisee council.
Know the Law
“Every day, someone is considering buying or selling a franchised business or setting up a franchise network. All these things have a legal dimension. The laws have a big impact on the practical side of franchising — what can and can’t be done, how it is done and how risky it is to do it” Peter Sanfilippo of The Franchise Lawyer said. “The specialised laws that apply to franchising can be confusing and difficult for many people to understand. While there is a fair bit of information available online and elsewhere about franchising, it is rare to find information about the law and franchising that is simple to follow and prepared with an eye to practical commercial questions.”
The Franchise Lawyer offers an app full of videos, documents, and expert advice to keep you up to date with the latest in legal requirements.
Keep up With Technology
“The transport and delivery industry has changed dramatically over the past 25 years,” Aramex (formerly Fastway Couriers) CEO Peter Lipinski told Logistics Magazine. “The first Fastway van in Australia distributed in a world pre-smartphone technology and internet, in a market made up predominately of business-to-business customers.
“The rise of online shopping in the past five years has completely transformed our industry. The rapidly growing appetite of Australian consumers for online shopping and the expectation of round-the-clock convenience has underpinned the development of a number of innovative new technologies to help future proof our business and franchisees and delight every customer at the door.”
How people buy might change, and you must adapt to that, but if you understand why they buy and how to meet their needs, you’ll have their loyalty.
Keep it Simple
“We’ve created something that’s incredibly convenient for the customer and is a very simple to execute business for the franchisees,” 12RND Fitness COO Jonah Hales told VENTURE. “When we look at the product, boxing and functional strength training have global appeal, so we have designed systems that can be replicated anywhere using technology that’s growth-oriented and that allows owners to scale to operational efficiency.”
People don’t want to have to jump through hoops. Customers want a product that’s easy to use and meets their needs. Employees want clear outlines of expectations. Make things as easy as possible and it will be that much easier to replicate success as you expand your business.
Follow this expert advice, and your franchise business is sure to thrive.
You Might Also Like
