Comments for Small Biz Franchise Blog http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog Expanding small businesses via franchising and helping those businesses succeed. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:20:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on 5 Ways to Resolve Conflict with your Franchisees by Lizette Pirtle http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-relations/5-ways-to-resolve-conflict-with-your-franchisees/comment-page-1/#comment-2699 Lizette Pirtle Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:20:15 +0000 http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/?p=792#comment-2699 Thanks Paul! You are absolutely right... it is all about relationships... You mention working on the relationship in the early stages and that got me thinking about the franchise sales process.. how would it change if we saw each candidate as the person with whom we are possibly entering a relationship for 10 years or longer instead of just selling them a franchise... I wonder what that shift in perspective could do to the traditional franchise sales process??? Thanks Paul! You are absolutely right… it is all about relationships… You mention working on the relationship in the early stages and that got me thinking about the franchise sales process.. how would it change if we saw each candidate as the person with whom we are possibly entering a relationship for 10 years or longer instead of just selling them a franchise… I wonder what that shift in perspective could do to the traditional franchise sales process???

]]> Comment on 5 Ways to Resolve Conflict with your Franchisees by Paul Segreto http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-relations/5-ways-to-resolve-conflict-with-your-franchisees/comment-page-1/#comment-2662 Paul Segreto Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:37:06 +0000 http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/?p=792#comment-2662 Excellent post, Lizette. I believe you're spot on in your thoughts and advice in resolving conflict. I agree in relationships, conflict is bound to happen. It's human nature, right? However, I believe what is often missed, both in and out of franchising, is being proactive in fortifying relationships to minimize the possibility of conflict. That to me, is key and paramount in establishing and strengthening relationships. What can be done in the early stages of the relationship to make sure communications don't break down? Afterall, a break down in, or lack of communications is often at the root of conflict... Excellent post, Lizette. I believe you’re spot on in your thoughts and advice in resolving conflict.

I agree in relationships, conflict is bound to happen. It’s human nature, right? However, I believe what is often missed, both in and out of franchising, is being proactive in fortifying relationships to minimize the possibility of conflict. That to me, is key and paramount in establishing and strengthening relationships. What can be done in the early stages of the relationship to make sure communications don’t break down? Afterall, a break down in, or lack of communications is often at the root of conflict…

]]> Comment on What do I Love about Franchisees? by Allie http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-relations/what-do-i-love-about-franchisees/comment-page-1/#comment-2201 Allie Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:55:28 +0000 http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/?p=766#comment-2201 One of the things I like most about franchisees is that they never rest on their laurels. They are always on the look out for new and innovative ways to grow their business. They stay hungry! One of the things I like most about franchisees is that they never rest on their laurels. They are always on the look out for new and innovative ways to grow their business. They stay hungry!

]]> Comment on What’s the Makeup of a Franchisee? by Kate Groom http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchisee-success/whats-the-makeup-of-a-franchisee/comment-page-1/#comment-1609 Kate Groom Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:21:43 +0000 http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/?p=760#comment-1609 Lizette, your observation about franchisees being people in transition and subject to internal upheaval is really valuable - and often a forgotten point. Franchisor staff are sometimes puzzled when a new franchisees struggles, especially if they were previously in a management position. What, they ask, happened to the prospect who 'had it all together'? To help franchisees succeed, it certainly helps to appreciate that fear of failure can result in people stalling, appearing unconfident and perhaps not following all the systems perfectly. This does not mean you've made a poor selection of franchisee, it simply means they are human. As a franchisor team member your job includes helping people find their own way through this stage so they can succeed. This is one reason why it's so important to focus on and review progress against the franchisee's own goals - it helps see that progress is being made, encourages people to keep going, plus it gives something to celebrate. Great post, lots of thought provoking material here. Thanks! Kate Groom Lizette, your observation about franchisees being people in transition and subject to internal upheaval is really valuable – and often a forgotten point. Franchisor staff are sometimes puzzled when a new franchisees struggles, especially if they were previously in a management position. What, they ask, happened to the prospect who ‘had it all together’?

To help franchisees succeed, it certainly helps to appreciate that fear of failure can result in people stalling, appearing unconfident and perhaps not following all the systems perfectly. This does not mean you’ve made a poor selection of franchisee, it simply means they are human. As a franchisor team member your job includes helping people find their own way through this stage so they can succeed.

This is one reason why it’s so important to focus on and review progress against the franchisee’s own goals – it helps see that progress is being made, encourages people to keep going, plus it gives something to celebrate.

Great post, lots of thought provoking material here. Thanks!

Kate Groom

]]> Comment on Are your Franchise Prospects Thieves? by Sean Kelly http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-sales/are-your-franchise-prospects-thieves/comment-page-1/#comment-919 Sean Kelly Fri, 14 May 2010 20:38:14 +0000 http://www.smallbizfranchisingblog.com/?p=468#comment-919 Good post and a very real problem. I remember once (while a franchisor) we had a prospect not only gather as much info as they could, but had an employee go to work as a manager for a franchisee to learn our system inside and out. As luck would have it, the franchisee went into the knock off location while on vacation and saw their ex-manager running the joint. The lawsuit was most satisfying. On the other hand, it's the franchisor's sales job to sell the value they provide. If they don't provide tangible ongoing value, expect to be knocked off. On the still other hand, you're better off with a knock-off artist outside your system rather than inside. Most don't really get it and inevitably fail. Good post and a very real problem.
I remember once (while a franchisor) we had a prospect not only gather as much info as they could, but had an employee go to work as a manager for a franchisee to learn our system inside and out. As luck would have it, the franchisee went into the knock off location while on vacation and saw their ex-manager running the joint. The lawsuit was most satisfying.

On the other hand, it’s the franchisor’s sales job to sell the value they provide. If they don’t provide tangible ongoing value, expect to be knocked off.

On the still other hand, you’re better off with a knock-off artist outside your system rather than inside. Most don’t really get it and inevitably fail.

]]> Comment on Franchising Your Business? Things to Keep in Mind by john - dogs love running! http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-success/franchising-your-business-things-to-keep-in-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-819 john - dogs love running! Thu, 06 May 2010 13:09:20 +0000 http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/?p=719#comment-819 Great info - thanks for all the insight! Great info – thanks for all the insight!

]]> Comment on How to get the first 5 franchisees. by Franchising Myths | Small Biz Franchise Blog http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/uncategorized/how-to-get-the-first-5-franchises/comment-page-1/#comment-780 Franchising Myths | Small Biz Franchise Blog Mon, 03 May 2010 14:38:07 +0000 http://www.smallbizfranchisingblog.com/?p=182#comment-780 [...] sell those first franchises is not as easy as many people think.  (Refer to the Blog entry about selling the first Franchisesfor more information on this subject.) Time and money must be invested to attract the right [...] [...] sell those first franchises is not as easy as many people think.  (Refer to the Blog entry about selling the first Franchisesfor more information on this subject.) Time and money must be invested to attract the right [...]

]]> Comment on Sustainability of the Franchise Relationship — THE 4 Keys by Franchising Myths | Small Biz Franchise Blog http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchisees/sustainability-of-the-franchise-relationship-the-4-keys/comment-page-1/#comment-779 Franchising Myths | Small Biz Franchise Blog Mon, 03 May 2010 14:18:07 +0000 http://www.smallbizfranchisingblog.com/?p=449#comment-779 [...] a franchise must have a viable and sustainable business format (See earlier Blog entry on Sustainable Franchising). It must also be properly marketed so that the franchise network can grow before substantial [...] [...] a franchise must have a viable and sustainable business format (See earlier Blog entry on Sustainable Franchising). It must also be properly marketed so that the franchise network can grow before substantial [...]

]]> Comment on Looking for Franchise Leads? Start With Your Website by Allie Mims http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-sales/looking-for-franchise-leads-start-with-your-website/comment-page-1/#comment-710 Allie Mims Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:59:20 +0000 http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/?p=705#comment-710 Hi Lizette. Thanks for the kind words and the plug. Much appreciated! :D I always enjoy our calls. It's a great opportunity to discuss new ideas, especially ideas to help franchises grow. Franchise leads are the life blood of any franchisor and finding sources of quality leads online is a never ending pursuit. What worked today may not work tomorrow. Franchisors need to keep a laser focus on their online marketing and lead gen strategies, including SEO and compelling franchise content. Thanks again for the mention! Hi Lizette. Thanks for the kind words and the plug. Much appreciated! :D

I always enjoy our calls. It’s a great opportunity to discuss new ideas, especially ideas to help franchises grow. Franchise leads are the life blood of any franchisor and finding sources of quality leads online is a never ending pursuit. What worked today may not work tomorrow. Franchisors need to keep a laser focus on their online marketing and lead gen strategies, including SEO and compelling franchise content.

Thanks again for the mention!

]]> Comment on Are your Franchise Prospects Thieves? by Jon A. Holmquist http://www.expansionexperts.com/blog/franchise-sales/are-your-franchise-prospects-thieves/comment-page-1/#comment-529 Jon A. Holmquist Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:18:22 +0000 http://www.smallbizfranchisingblog.com/?p=468#comment-529 Great article and an reminder to listen for that insistance that indicates too many answers spoils the broth. Ok, that doesn't make sense but I will be doubly aware of the things people ask and what I answer. I am new at this and want to make the whole sales pitch on the phone. Thanks for the heads up. Jon at Edgemaster Mobile Sharpening. Great article and an reminder to listen for that insistance that indicates too many answers spoils the broth. Ok, that doesn’t make sense but I will be doubly aware of the things people ask and what I answer. I am new at this and want to make the whole sales pitch on the phone.
Thanks for the heads up.
Jon at Edgemaster Mobile Sharpening.

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