Category: Franchise Recruitment

For anyone considering franchise business ownership, would recommend if possible, attending a franchise exhibition. Particularly as they provide the opportunity to meet representatives from a wide variety of brands all in one day. Also, there is the added bonus of attending seminars and presentations which provide franchisee candidates with practical advice and information on all aspects of setting up a franchise business.

Heck, even franchise consultants like myself, find value in attending these events as not only are they a great lead source, but they provide the opportunity to network and get better acquainted with the ever growing list of franchise brands. Thus, was really pleased that MatchPoint had a booth at last month's British & International Franchise Exhibition. Particularly as the event was well organised and marketed by the British Franchise Association.

Upcoming events on the UK & Ireland calendar include:

2nd Quarter 2009

9 May: South Coast Franchise Show, St Mary's Stadium, Southampton FC

21 May: Sussex Franchise & Business Start-up Show, Brighton

28 - 29 May: Business Startup Excel, London

5 - 6 June: Scottish Franchise Showcase, SECC, Glasgow

11 June: Anglian Franchise & Business Start-up Show, Newmarket

20 June: East Midlands Franchise Show, Leicester Racecourse

24 June: Wales Franchise And Business Start-up Show, Cardiff

3rd Quarter 2009

10 - 11 September: Thames Valley Franchise Show, Madejski Stadium Reading

4th Quarter 2009

2 -3 October: National Franchise Exhibition, NEC, Birmingham

November: MK Franchise Show, Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

20 - 21 November: Irish Franchise Exhibition, Dublin

1st Quarter 2010

29 - 30 January: The British Franchise Exhibition, Manchester

12 - 13 February: The Franchise Show, London

19 - 20 March: British & International Franchise Exhibition, London

Being a franchisee/franchise consultant, I read a lot of articles and books about franchising. Hands down, my favorite is: Street Smart Franchising by Joe Mathews, Don Debolt and Deb Percival. In fact, I now consider it a must read for anyone considering investing in a franchise business and so recommend to all my franchisee candidates.

One of the surprising statistics that you learn upfront is that 99% of those who investigate franchising walk way. The 1% who move forward have similiar issues/complaints to the 99%, they just have different future intentions.

Thus whereas the 99% investigate franchises with the intention of dismissing various franchise opportunities so then can rule out self-employment as a career option, the 1% make a firm commitment to put the past in the past with a view to altering and creating their desired future.

Basically, the franchisee candidate has "come to a place in their life where they would rather take a shot and fail than sit in the bleachers and wonder what it's like to play." They refuse to listen to the inner criric who often times takes hold causing the candidate to make a fear based decision and not move forward.

One of reasons franchise candidates give for delaying or walking away from the process is timing. But as outlined in Street Smart Franchising: "the 99% percent hold on the the fallacy that there's a perfect business which can be started at the right time. The 1% know they have to go out and create the right business and make it the right time."

To read a chapter of this all important book titled: why I should invest in a franchise business, go here. You can also order this book and others related to franchising via my amazon associates store.

Are you a Execpreneur or Lifepreneur? If so, then Rachel Elnaugh, one of Britain's high profile female entrepreneurs -- who has publicly experienced all the highs and lows that comes with this territory -- suggests that these two types of enterpreneurs (see definition below) should seriously consider opting for a franchise instead of taking the plunge with a completely new business.

In an article for The Franchise Magazine, Elnaugh indicates that there are "huge benefits to entering business via the franchise route, particularly if it is someone's first dip of the toe into what are frequently shark infested entrepreneurial waters. Most people's business journeys are roller coaster rides, which endure for a lifetime and feature many different projects and ventures over the years. This journey is made a lot easier if they don't experience a 'wipe-out' with their first business."

'Execpreneurs', who are typically emerging from the corporate world where they are used to working within a system and having lots of infrastructure and support;
'Lifepreneurs', who want the flexibility of being their own boss but are fairly risk averse and frequently underestimate just how much energy, effort and capital it takes to get a completely new business off the ground.

To find out if you are one of these entrepreneurs, you can take the free entrepreneurial profile test by visit Rachel Elnaugh's Internet site.

I myself am an execpreneur. No surprise really since much of my professional career was spent working for global professional services firm before I became a franchisee/franchise consultant with the MatchPoint Franchise Consulting Network. Rachel's top tips for Execpreneurs include:

• Consider creating a business with a small team of colleagues based on the same sector where you have enjoyed corporate success, focussing on a niche in the market currently unexploited (or considered too small) by your current employer.
• Alternatively, look at franchise opportunities which give a measure of business independence within an existing proven operating system and support structure, as your first venture into business.
• Execpreneurs are used to having a budget to operate with, so ensure that the business is properly funded from the outset - and that your level of funding provides for at least a year's trading before you anticipate coming into profit.
• Expect to run with imperfection in the beginning - it takes time to hone processes, systems and products/services to the point where the business runs like a well oiled machine.
• Don't be so rigid in your planning that you can't respond to new opportunities where these arise through customer demand - you may often open up whole new revenue streams which you had not previously considered. In other words, make the business customer-centric rather than operations lead.

Two other importants things to highlight from Elnaugh's article:

1. A little known fact is that most new start-ups take a good two years to come into profit - a long time to wait while you still have to support your lifestyle, especially if that includes a mortgage plus a family. Franchise owners on the other hand frequently find themselves making money after only a month or two of opening.


2. The failure rate of franchises is less than five per cent compared to the fall-out rate of something like 65 per cent for normal business start-ups.

Franchise Exhibitions are a great way for a franchisee candidate to speak with many franchisor representatives and get information on a wide range of franchise brand. One of the marquee exhibitions for the UK market is the British & International Franchise Exhibition on 20th & 21st March at London Olympia.

At the show will be:

High quality franchises, accredited by the British Franchise Association, offering top opportunities from a section of business sectors - from management consultancy and recruitment to food & drink, health & fitness, cleaning companies, and children's activities. The diversity and breadth of these franchises will ensure that regardless of your interests, you are sure to find an opportunity to suit your needs. Investments range from as little as £5,000 to over £1 million.

Franchise adivsors such as the MatchPoint Franchise Consulting Network will also be at this exhibition. Tickets are £8 if you order in adance and £13 on the door. I have 10 free tickets that I'd like to give away. So if you are considering franchise ownership and would like to attend, simple send an email with your name and postal address and I'll sent one to you. Offer is valid while supplies last.

Discover if franchising is right for you, by ordering your free copy of the Experts Guide to Franchising via the FREE Franchise DVD website.

A preview of this DVD is below:

It should be noted that this DVD was created by the MatchPoint Franchise Consulting Network as franchising is the fastest growing sector of the service and retail business world today. Everywhere you look, franchised businesses are visible in the following industries: automotive, business services, food/restaurant, retail, technology, home improvement/maintenance, personal care, technology and more.

Upon studying the benefits of buying and owning a franchised business, it is easy to understand its appeal: an affordable initial investment, a proven track record, an established operating system and the support of a franchisor are all attractice to the prospective business owner.

However, if you are considering purchasing a franchised business, there are several important questions to consider before making a decision. Is franchising the right business model for you? How will you finance your franchise? What is owning and operating a franchise really like? What legal issues are there to consider? Should you use a franchise consultant? These questions and many more are addressed in the DVD which you can order via the FREE Franchise DVD website.

Prior to giving up my corporate job in the city earlier this year, I did a massive amount of research. One Internet site that provided a great deal of insight was Enterprise Nation. Thus, when the opportunity came to meet Emma Jones the woman behind this tremendous free resource at a Business Link event, I couldn't resist. I also subsequently followed up with her which lead to the profile below on my business.

Find Your Perfect Match

Emma Jones, Enterprise Nation, 20 November 08.

Ursula Petula Barzey is a franchisee and franchise consultant with the MatchPoint Franchise Consulting Network. This is a group of consultants based in the UK, US and Canada that provides free counsel and education for anyone wanting to go into business through a franchise. We thought it was a service that could be of great interest to soon-to-be home business owners.