Franchise Sales Program

If you want to run a successful franchise, one of the most important things you’ll need to do is to create a complete franchise program. This will allow you to train your staff in the sale of your product through the franchise. This sales program should include the following:

• The psychology of the franchise buyer
• Planning, organizing and controlling the sales effort
• Handling and controlling leads
• The sales process and steps to be followed with prospective buyers
• Typical questions and answers
• Scheduling and organizing meetings
• Candidate screening and selection
• Closing/selling ratios for your concept
• Complying with franchise laws

These are the skills your employees will need to uphold the vision of your franchise, so what are you waiting for? Get started today on your franchise sales program!

Planning a Franchise

If you are planning on running a franchise on your own, you need to cover certain bases to make sure your future franchisees will be able to run your franchise competently and up to your standards. One of the most important things that will allow this to happen is the development of an initial training program for new franchisees. This training program should tell people new to your business what you are about and everything they need to know to open a franchise, train employees and choose a suitable location.

You should also develop design management information systems that can evaluate the performance of the franchisee’s particular business in relationship to other similar franchises in the system. This will allow you to get a sense of what is working for your franchisees and what isn’t, and whether the problem lies with your franchise itself or the franchisee.

There are many other aspects to this process as well. Determine a realistic rate of expansion, the organization structure required to support this growth, and develop financial projections for the franchise program. Develop the marketing strategy for selling your franchises. Prepare a geographic expansion plan, and determine the best methods and approaches for attracting ideal franchisees.

Initial Planning

Here are some things to think about before to decide to go in on a franchise:

• Develop policies regarding ownership or leasing of premises.
• Research other similar franchise concepts and those that may appeal to your ideal franchise buyer, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and position your franchise offering so that you can effectively compete in the marketplace.
• Determine the best way of structuring the franchise corporate entity in terms of regulatory acceptance, limitation of liability, financial disclosure requirements, trademark usage, future spin-off possibilities, and Provincial, Federal and State regulatory requirements.
• Review the Canadian and/or U.S. trademark applications.
• Review the franchisor’s existing systems, procedures and controls and determine if they need to be modified or strengthened for a successful franchise operation. The franchisee must have all systems, procedures and methods in place and functioning smoothly in order to learn and run the operation as quickly as possible.

Subway Franchise

Subway, as you probably know, is fast becoming one of the world’s most successful franchises. With over 30,000 stores in over 80 countries around the world, it is safe to say that this is a business with some name recognition and advertising at your disposal. Entrepreneur magazine even named Subway the number one franchise for the year 2009 to watch out for. There are plenty of opportunities to either become a franchisee or franchise developer.

If you would like more information, visit www.subway.com

The Ease of Franchising

One of the biggest reasons you should be interested in franchising is the incredible range of benefits it offers to you, the franchisee. There are much fewer risks involved in this business model because of the rigidity of the tried-and-true methods of operation you will be provided by the franchisor. If your franchise is a reputable one, there have already been hundreds of franchisees just like you who have already tested the model.

For this reason, you don’t have to worry about obstacles and can instead take advantage of exciting business opportunities. You receive all the necessary information needed. This usually includes:

• Training
• Assistance
• Accounting
• Suppliers
• Manuals
• Customer Service
• Use of Trademarks
• Inventory
• Store Design
• Competition
• Pricing

As you can imagine, the learning curve is very quick, and a trial period ensures that no previous mistakes are repeated.

Searching for a Franchise

When you are looking for a franchise, be sure to be diligent in your search. Your success as a franchisee will depend upon the mutual dependence between you and the franchisor. Evaluate the franchisor and the franchise separately. How are they similar? How are they different? How do they inform each other? If a franchisor is reputable, they will go to great lengths to make sure you are right for their franchise. You should do the same with all franchises and franchisors you consider. Remember that the franchisor will suffer should you be awarded a franchise you are unable to operate successfully.

Though they are not risking an entire reputation on you, franchisors are responsible for a good deal of your future. Don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions about the franchise and methods of operation etc. A franchisor should have nothing to hide from you if they are reputable.

Ten Rules to Successful Franchising

Here are ten rules which, if followed, will help ensure you are successful in your venture to become a franchisee.

1. Read and understand the contents of the franchise agreement and other documentation.
2. Understand what self-employment is all about.
3. Capitalize the business properly.
4. Talk to other franchisees of the franchisor.
5. Confirm oral representations made by the franchisor.
6. Get professional advice.
7. Meet the franchisor’s operational staff.
8. Visit the franchisor’s corporate office.
9. Get the most out of the initial training.
10. Follow the system.

Qualifying as an Investor

The fastest and easiest way to become a landed immigrant in Canada is to become an investor. This is a very favourable method if you do not wish to be actively involved in running a business in Canada. There are three criteria you must meet to qualify as an investor. They are:

 

• You have prior experience operating, controlling or directing a successful business.
• You have a net worth of at least $800,000
• You are willing to make an investment of at least $400,000 in a fund run by the government.

To apply you must make your investment to the Receiver General for Canada in Ottawa. National Headquarters approves the funds by collecting your investment and distributing it according to their own IIP allocation formula. This investment you make is designed to be distributed throughout the provinces to strengthen the economy and create employment. The investment is report to NHQ annually and after five years in returned to you the investor without interest.

 

For more information about franchising, please visit www.franchising101.net

Qualifying as an Entrepreneur

In order to qualify as an entrepreneur in Canada, you must establish yourself by buying a business in Canada. There is no minimum amount of money that you must invest in your venture, but you should be up and running within two years while supporting yourself and your family if you have one. You are expected to be continually involved in the management of the business, which must contribute to the Canadian economy and create other jobs in the country. You will be admitted to the country as an entrepreneur if all these conditions are met within two years of your arrival. You are expected to regularly meet with an immigration officer so the country can be sure you are complying with the terms and conditions of your admittance. Usually, once you are approved, you are granted two years of probation where you have immigrant status. Once your business has been established for two full calendar years and you have continued to meet all ministry guidelines, you will be granted “Permanent Landed Immigrant Status”.