Franchisees, and sometimes franchisors, get frustrated when (in their view) it takes “too” long for the former to produce the desired results.  They think that attending training and implementing the steps and tasks required “should” produce results at their determined time frame. When results are not forthcoming, many franchisees blame the system and the franchisor, while many franchisors blame the franchisees.

Both are missing the point. It is not about who is to blame, instead it’s about trying to understand what’s really happening. Assuming that the franchisor has a good system and an effective training program the focus then needs to shift to the barriers to learning and to assisting franchisees identify and overcome them. On the franchisee’s side, a refocus to the internal dynamics is needed to be able to discover what may be preventing results.

A franchise business is more than a collection of tasks, job descriptions, concepts and business related activities. What makes it a system is the way in which all of these elements are brought together. A franchise system is a way of thinking. It is here (in the new way of thinking ) that we find the barriers to learning and thus to implementation.

Of the thousands of franchisees I have trained and supported, I can count with one hand those who faced traditional learning difficulties such as ADD or other similar problems. Yet all other franchisees, to one of degree or another, had to face and overcome some sort of barrier. Franchisees are smart people. They have been successful at previous endeavors and are now in new situations that requires them to think and do things differently.

Typical barriers to learning and performance are:

• Lack of confidence
• Propensity to project and transfer the old situations into the new
• Inability to see themselves in a new role
• Perceived sense of urgency and specific time frame for results
• Inability to adapt to new working conditions
• Expectations not based on facts
• Lack of the outwardly set discipline and feedback normally found in a job
• Emotional states
• Fear of failure and fear of change

So, when are franchisees ready to produce results? When they have the ability to implement the system, and that only happens, when they have identified their hurdles to learning and have learn to cope with them.

In future posts I will take each of these barriers and expand on how it affects franchisees and their success. Until then, let me know of other barriers you feel are important to mention here. Thanks!

Related posts:

1. When are franchisees ready to produce results?
2. How does lack of confidence affect the success of franchisees?
3. Are Your Franchisees Suffering from Quantum Leap Syndrome?

Franchisors and franchisees often fail to recognize the magnitude of change required of a person who joins the franchise. They have to totally alter what they do for a living, how and where they do it, and often even when they do it. But these are all habits of doing and although not complety easy, with time, training and perseverance new ones are formed. A different kind of habit deals with our perspective, with our habitual way of “thinking” and “seeing” and it’s often the most difficult habit to change.

We need a new set of lenses to fully appreciate and be able to respond to new conditions. Changing the way we habitually think and see is thus pivotal to our success in any new venture. Many franchisees get frustrated when they realize that their old ways, which previously produced success, don’t have the same result in the franchise. They try to apply logic forgetting that the context is different and thus the results will be different.

So, how do we do it? How can franchisees or anyone else learn to change the way they think? Here are 5 beginning steps:

1. Understand that a change of perspective is not necessarily a huge shift. If you have ever taken a drawing class this is the first lesson you learn. With a small tilt of the head you’ll be able to see a whole new picture. When we recognize that we don’t have to go through drastic change we are more open to it. So, know that all you need is that subtle tilt.
2. Notice, notice, notice. Developing awareness is the key of being able to change our minds at will. Awareness comes with practice.
3. Change the words you use and you’ll change your mind. At first it will feel awkward; if it doesn’t, guess what? You aren’t changing!
4. Learn to be okay with being uncomfortable. Check your level of comfortableness throughout the day. The more uncomfortable you are, the more you are changing.
5. However, discern between discomfort due to change and that which arises from resistance. The first one makes you feel as if you are not you, while the latter is definitely you, just on angry mode.

There is much more we can do to change our minds, and in future posts I will address this topic in more depth. Until then, ask yourself, am I willing to fully let go of the old? How can I do it? Do I need new lenses? How do I get them? Your intention and questions will start opening up possibilities for you.

Related posts:

1. How does lack of confidence affect the success of franchisees?
2. Could it be that your “BUT” is too big?
3. Are Your Franchisees Suffering from Quantum Leap Syndrome?