It’s no secret that franchising is one of the most
popular steps to take for thriving businesses. Successful franchising acts as a
catalyst for growth, recognition, and longevity. This makes it an enticing
option for business owners across the country. The fact remains, however, that
a franchise is only as successful as the summation of its parts. It is the
franchisee’s job to carry on the business practices and systems that helped put
a company’s name on the metaphorical map in the first place; while there are
countless tips and tricks that can be employed in order to stay on top, there
are a few tried-and-true skills that can be found in almost every thriving
franchisee’s repertoire.
Sticking with a
Working Model
First and foremost, franchisees are able and willing
to follow the business model outlined by the franchisor; after investing money
and countless hours into a working system, the franchisor’s agreement generally
stipulates that franchisees will follow systems and procedures that stick to
approved products, practices, and values. One of the ways some of the best
franchisees find success is by following the guidelines required of the company
they’re working with. If a person is not comfortable following a specific and
oftentimes lengthy set of regulations, franchising might not be the best route
to take. However, being willing to adapt to a changing market
can also be a beneficial attribute for franchisees because these adaptations
can help the overall business.
One of the
most famous examples of this instance occurred in the development of McDonald’s
long running Filet-O-Fish sandwich. After noticing that his market base was
largely Catholic, franchisee Lou Groen understood why his 1960s McDonald’s
franchise was taking a big dip in earnings on Fridays, the day on which
Catholics traditionally do not consume meat during Lent. Groen noted that his
customers were instead taking their business to a competitive chain with a fish
sandwich unlike anything offered at McDonald’s at the time; so, Groen created
his own fish sandwich, presented it to McDonald’s headquarters with the
intention of saving his franchise, and ended up creating a permanent spot for
the sandwich on the company’s menu.
Business
Intelligence
Groen’s story is an example of how successful franchisees don’t just stick to their company’s regulations; they also maintain
a high sense of business intelligence geared towards ensuring that their
franchise is running smoothly and efficiently. After all, the overall goal of a
franchise is to sustain and grow a business; to achieve this, notable
franchisees are masters at communication, leadership, and organization.
Communication skills are a must because they enable franchisees to interact
with others to accomplish tasks of all types, ranging from day-to-day
operations to system-modifying suggestions for improvement. Communication ties
directly into leadership, which franchisees must exhibit if they are going to
effectively motivate others, delegate work, and spot problems before they form.
Organization is believed to be what ultimately holds
a business together because time and project management skills are necessary
topics to master if maximum efficiency is to be reached by a modern business.
In regards to franchises, organization is what gives franchisees the chance to
devote the time and energy required to get a new business to where it needs to
be. Plus, this skill can help franchisees track their progress – and seeing how
far a business has come can be especially empowering on hectic days.
For successful franchisees, the factors that
ultimately lead to their triumph can vary depending on the business, leaders,
and location. Ultimately, a commitment and passion for the franchise is what
provides the motivation people need to continue to work towards achieving a
thriving business.
About the author:
For the past decade, Upside Group has been helping franchisees develop their business plans and marketing strategies with an aim to increase sales and to ensure long term success. Comprised of an experienced and professional team, Upside Group understands every aspect of the franchise model and how to execute the most effective strategies for a number of different business goals.With measurable results and proven expertise, Upside Group is committed to providing clients with a list of comprehensive services that will strengthen the development of their franchise. The Upside franchise consulting business team is relied upon industry-wide to attract qualified franchisees that are in line with your strategic growth goals.
From sales planning to franchise lead scrubbing and screening, tracking, and customer management, Upside Group's proven franchise sales management professionals sell franchises, help with franchisee re-sales, and assist entrepreneurs interested in buying a franchise to find one in the industry that fits their professional vision and the potential for franchise profits in their local marketplace.