WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE BEST FIT
So, you’ve finally mustered up the courage to “Be Your Boss”! Good job! The most reliable strategy for company success is to buy into a franchise. But the question is, how do you choose the best one?
There are many factors to consider before settling on a course of action. Each of these factors is crucial, and your chances of success increase dramatically if you are forthright with yourself and keep your expectations grounded in reality.
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The following advice is the first of several that will be provided:
Your bio and the reasons it matters
Truthful Predictions
Advice on Doing Your Homework, Part 1: You
YOU are the primary factor. Success in every activity depends heavily on your unique character and abilities. Your abilities and flaws can either propel you forward or hold you back.
How, then, do you begin? First, you must have an honest conversation with yourself.
One suggestion I have is to make a list of the things you enjoy and those you don’t. Create two columns on paper and list the aspects of each previous job you’ve held that you loved and those that you didn’t like.
Make a list of your accomplishments and areas for improvement. It would be best if you told the truth to yourself here. What you enjoy doing, what you’re competent at, and what you believe you can improve upon with practice are all examples of your strengths.
Weaknesses are the things that you avoid doing and always put off. You despise These activities and know you will never be good at them.
You should save this list somewhere. Exhibit it to your loved one or a close friend or relative. Find out if they have any further suggestions. Let’s find out what they think of you; it’ll be entertaining. Joking aside, having an outside perspective might help you identify and measure your strengths and flaws.
After compiling this list, put it away for later.
When a company’s leader lacks enthusiasm, the company usually fails. You’ve all been to stores where the staff seems disinterested in serving you, and you get the impression that you’re intruding.
Have you revisited that store or tried to speak with the same sales associate? The answer is “probably not” if you are like me and most consumers.
When the owner or manager does not want to be there, this issue multiplies by a factor of a thousand. The people and the quality of service reflect this mentality. People will leave because of the negative impact on the company’s culture.
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you can outsource the tasks you despise. Starting a franchise or business requires learning how to do everything well. There is not a lot of money to go around, and you play a pivotal role in this operation. Leading by example is essential.
You have to put in the hours no matter what kind of business you’re in. You must find daily motivation in the work that you accomplish. You need to motivate your team by keeping a good attitude. If you can pull this off, you will be in excellent shape professionally. To maximize your chances of success, you should start by learning what drives you.
Get your own house in order first. Don’t sacrifice who you are to advance in your company. It’s easy to get carried away with starting a business without taking the time to evaluate whether or not it’s a good fit for you. The success of your company hinges on this component.
EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE REALISTIC, PART 2
One of the most compelling reasons people start their businesses is to become wealthy eventually. A company that requires $20,000 in startup expenditures cannot possibly generate $200,000. That’s why it’s crucial to know what kind of profit you’ll need to maintain your current standard of living.
Separate your present expenditure into categories, and be honest about your immediate and foreseeable needs. How much money will I need to pay for college tuition, a new car every four years, and the big one: what if loan rates go up again?
I don’t want to discourage you, but you must consider this. Consulting your accountant is an excellent first step. They will know your spending habits and can prepare an annual budget and projections. This will serve as an excellent resource. You can check off the items that need to be sent back with this. Then, you may check to see if the franchise’s projections match your research and planning. Again, I recommend doing this before you begin your search. That way, you may take a step back from the experience and the idea at hand to objectively assess the issue.
When developing the franchise’s business strategy, it’s essential to keep in mind the following:
Can you afford the monthly payments, and will you have any money for other expenses or a rainy-day fund?
Business Organization: Should a New Corporation Be Formed to Manage the Franchise? Consult a professional attorney and accountant.
Budget between $2,000 and $4,000 for legal and accounting help initially, with more money set aside for ongoing advice. Instead of having them do tasks and pay them, try to negotiate a predetermined amount in advance.
Is there enough money coming in to keep you afloat until the business becomes lucrative, and how long will that take?
Please provide the rent and any other terms, if any, that apply. What are the yearly percentage increases? The action of buying shares. How large of a financial commitment is this, and how much cash do you need?
Paychecks, both yours and the employees’. Consult with other franchise owners and financial advisors for guidance. Payment of required royalties
In-house advertising, even though most companies charge a marketing fee for brand awareness. How much of your area’s launch and ongoing work will require your personal involvement? Sometimes, the marketing levy can be all you need to get noticed.
Does your franchise offer ongoing training, and if not, would you benefit from hiring a business coach? How much does this run?
The next step is to assess your cash resources and this business plan. To what extent would your ability to lend affect your overall return? Do you get what you need from this company to maintain your current standard of living?
However, the more money you put into a firm, the more you can expect to make.
There are a lot of business concepts that can potentially help you make a lot of money, but that is not a guarantee.
The franchisee is always the key to the franchise’s success.
There is an excellent probability of success and successful outcomes if you put in the effort and follow the guidelines provided. Business won’t magically appear if you believe your name and products are enough to attract customers.
CAUTION: REQUIRED
This is a crucial component of the purchase overall. You have identified your areas of expertise and can now determine the best franchise for you.
You know your financial status and have calculated your maximum loss and desired gain.
You know that to succeed in business, especially at the outset, you must put in a lot of effort.
And now it’s time to start researching franchises!
The data you require to make a well-informed franchise choice can be found in various places. This and other franchise-oriented periodicals feature advertisements for popular franchise brands. Franchises are widely publicized in the Business Opportunities sections of major newspapers and online franchise directories.
All three forms of media are worth exploring, in my opinion. A newspaper ad is often a brief call to action that outlines the essentials. Pick up the magazines to read the editorials and overall thorough news on what’s happening in the industry, whether or not you like what you see. You could also do some investigating online. The place to advertise for most franchise brands. You can learn about a product’s pricing and royalty structure, among other things, by visiting certain websites that provide such information.
After researching and contacting a franchise of interest, prospective franchisees are often sent a detailed information packet. If you’re interested, you should learn more about the brand and think it would complement your way of life.
You can get detailed information about the company and its products in a disclosure document. Many companies will highlight the potential success of their brand.
Making cold calls to other franchisees is one of the most productive next steps. Talk to more people than simply the ones on the list they provide you.
Listening to both sides of the argument is essential when doing this. There will always be some unhappy franchisees in any given franchise system. This is how things are. Some people will demand too little of themselves and then be upset when they don’t obtain what they want. Some franchisees will be unhappy because of their franchisor’s character flaws.
The most important details are as follows:
What kind of backing do they have?
Was the location chosen for them, and if so, was it advantageous, and did the rent seem reasonable?
Is there a steady supply, or do problems with quality and consistency arise?
How is the franchisor promoting the business to the public at large?
Is it effective advertising?
How much work does the franchisor put into developing the franchise’s brand to ensure that it remains competitive?
How frequently are upgrades to your store fixtures and automobile required?
To what extent are they profiting from sales (don’t go too much into their private lives; some franchisees will spill the beans anyway). Always call a few franchisees to receive a more well-rounded view and ensure the numbers you’ve been given are accurate. Make some calls from the list they provided. Get your facts straight. If you can get this part perfect, the rest will go smoothly.
The law is another crucial part of due diligence. First, always try to negotiate a flat rate for legal and accounting services when seeking professional counsel. Verify that they have provided a detailed breakdown of the services they will render and the associated costs. Take caution in doing so since failing could result in you paying a hefty sum for unnecessary services you never requested.
Make sure the attorney you consult is knowledgeable about franchises. Franchise law is a niche area, and there aren’t too many lawyers that focus on it. It’s a particular area, and only experts are up-to-date on the laws and potential pitfalls.
Your accountant is no different. Find a CPA who is familiar with franchise businesses. Because of a lack of familiarity with the industry, your accountant may advise you to pass on a promising possibility. Again, consult an expert for assistance. Perhaps consulting with a franchisee’s accountant would be helpful. They will understand how the company operates on a fundamental level.
If you take the time to investigate the franchise you’re interested in, follow these guidelines, and create a business plan, you have a good chance of success.
Spend some time reading and doing research online.
Don’t try to cut corners, and always listen to expert advice. Make sure you and your loved ones are on the same page by asking many questions. Having their full support is crucial.
One of the most satisfying aspects of adulthood is the opportunity to be your boss. If you do it well, it can improve your financial and emotional well-being. Have fun!
Authored by Elton Williams, UBeTheBoss’s Manager of Business Development
Australia.
Read also: How Do You Determine Whether Investors or a Loan Is Better for Your Business?
