Franchise Secrets Podcast

“Franchising is like a marriage, there is going to be ups and downs but it is exactly like a marriage” – Delena Farmer “Be open minded, have a listening attitude and have your eyes open when it comes to products and their place in the market.” – Delena Farmer “Franchising is a long term investment” – Delena Farmer “There is no ‘Off the clock’ for franchisees” – Delena Farmer “Business is very emotional, especially franchise business” – Delena Farmer “Staff are a tool in your business” – Delena Farmer “People buy from people they don’t buy from catalogues” – Delena Farmer Delena Farmer Franchise Development Delena is a seasoned professional in franchise recruitment, franchise re-sales and franchise renewals.  She is a whiz at developing targeted franchise recruitment strategies to identify current and future franchisees by using a variety of marketing streams. Delena has extensive leasing, franchising and marketing experience and has high level skills in relationship management. She enjoys supporting business owners who share the same focus, passion and drive for their business and the service they provide to their customers. During my conversation with Delena she shared: * Questions you should ask your Franchisor * Why you should really know the product you are selling * Why you need to talk with your fellow franchisees * Why you should know your exit strategy before you actually buy your franchise * The enthusiasm and passion within franchising in Australia * How to effect change within a franchise system * How franchising involves the whole family * Why you need to understand the figures of your business – drilldown into every category in the expense section of your Profit & Loss report to find out where your profit is going * Why you need to set yourself targets in your business * Why you should know who is in the management team of your franchisors business Delena’s “One Thing” that she does every day….. * Keeps a diary and writes down what happened during the day – If you write it down you have the right to forget it Delena’s secrets are * Getting “Me Time” – make appointments for the things that make you feel good * To getting the right employee – ask questions that require the employee to give an example of their experience Delena’s tips for Franchisees * Know your financial position daily, hourly even; definitely not yearly – become a numbers person * Ask your franchisor – who is in the top seat, how long have they been there, ask to see their resume – this person is making the big decisions that affect your business * Interview Question: Where do you want to be in the next two years The book Delena recommends; it’s a system really * The Four Quadrant leadership model http://www.progressseminars.co.nz/pdf/4QL-Overview%202008-PSL-b.pdf [http://www.progressseminars.co.nz/pdf/4QL-Overview%202008-PSL-b.pdf] In Delena’s words…… I wish I had known that there is so much information out there that I have access to, I just need to take the time to look for it. Selected Links For This Episode https://au.linkedin.com/in/delenafarmer [https://au.linkedin.com/in/delenafarmer] For your FREE E-course click on the linkhttp://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish [http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish]/ The post Summer Series – Delena Farmer [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/summer-series-delena-farmer/] appeared first on Franchisee Success [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au].

“As McDonalds taught us, you can take a bunch of school age children and run a multi million dollar business” – Matt Brearley Absolute GOLD in this episode by Matt Brearley – learn from those who have excelled before you “I may be slightly obsessed by spread sheets” – Matt Brearley “Bring everything back in line with what the system is and start from the beginning with a set of values” – Matt Brearley “I spent a lot of the day in-store with staff to train them to my set of values” – Matt Brearley “Sometimes you need to give yourself the day off” – Matt Brearley “Due diligence is the key to having a successful business” – Matt Brearley Matt Brearley Franchise All-rounder Matt has worked across all areas of franchising. From McDonalds team member to Bakers Delight Corporate to life as a Bakers Delight Franchisee. Matt has seen franchising from all areas. During my conversation with Matt he shared: * Turning around a store that had gone broke twice * Why product range, quality and customer service are the secret to running a great franchise * His first management shift in McDonalds * Being a McDonalds manager at 22 * Training your staff to your values * Putting in a leadership team into your business * Why he rented a house 800m up the road from his store * The skills he acquired by being a franchisee Matt’s “One Thing” that he does every day….. * At the end of the day, he writes a “To Do” list for the next day Matt’s secrets are * Getting “Me Time” – You need to be able to assign roles to staff, be clear on your expectations and be okay when things don’t always run to plan * To getting the right employee – make sure that you are clear on your values and behaviours and hire based on these values * Schedule time to worry about things Matt’s tips for Franchisees * Understand it is your own business and that you need to run your own business within the bounds you are paying for. * If you think you are going into this business to have someone else do it for you – you are sadly mistaken * If you are coming into the system make sure you understand how to read a Profit & Loss report and live that Profit & Loss in the environment you are in * Interview Question: run behavioural based questions based on the STAR methodology Matt’s thoughts for the future of franchising…. * Take an established Australian brand in perhaps retail food and look to emerging markets to see if you can establish the business there * Look to Bangladesh to establish your Australian brand The book Matt recommends * Mindset by Carole Dwecht http://www.mindsetonline.com/thebook/buythebook/index.html [http://www.mindsetonline.com/thebook/buythebook/index.html] In Matt’s words…… I wish I had known to seek help Selected Links For This Episode https://au.linkedin.com/in/mattbrearley1 [https://au.linkedin.com/in/mattbrearley1] https://www.bakersdelight.com.au/ [https://www.bakersdelight.com.au/] https://mcdonalds.com.au [https://mcdonalds.com.au/] https://www.thebalance.com/top-behavioral-interview-questions-2059618 [https://www.thebalance.com/top-behavioral-interview-questions-2059618] For your FREE E-course click on the link http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish [http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish]/ The post Summer Series – Matt Brearly [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/summer-series-matt-brearly/] appeared first on Franchisee Success [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au].

Great customer service begins with listening to the stories of your customers” – Annette Kirby Isn’t that so true – in today’s summer series we revisit our episode with Annette Kirby “the beauty of franchising is it takes the guesswork out of what you are doing” – Annette Kirby “we thought we knew best and didn’t follow the system properly to please our customer, but it is actually very detrimental to the business”– Annette Kirby “It is really important if you do buy a franchise that you follow the manual” – Annette Kirby “Eat cake every day” – Annette Kirby “Your passion is the million dollar thing – you must really love what you are doing” – Annette Kirby Annette Kirby Shingle Inn Franchisee Annette is a glamorous Coffee Shop owner who works 12 hour days. She opened her first Shingle Inn cafe in Caloundra in December 2009 and her second Shingle Inn Cafe in Sunshine Plaza in December in 2011. She was the “first on file” franchisee in the Shingle Inn franchise system. Her Caloundra store was the second franchised store in the Bellchamber family owned, Shingle Inn Café brand. The original Shingle Inn was famous for its delicious cakes and sweet treats, but it continues today to be so much more. Their new menu is evidence of their ability to keep abreast of new trends in food in an ever-changing, highly competitive market.” Shingle Inn recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, having opened in Edward Street, in Brisbane’s CBD, in 1936. Despite always offering a lunch menu, it was most widely known for its cakes. During my conversation with Annette she shared with us: * Knowing what you want from Franchising before you buy in * Having non-negotiable activities that are planned and mapped out * Being passionate (crazy) about the business you are buying into * The hard work that a franchisee signs up for * Her first day in her store * Working with family * Sharing staff between stores * Researching your competition Annette’s “One Thing” that she does every day….. * She smiles! Annette’s secrets are * Getting “Me Time” – Tuesday afternoon is Yoga time * To getting the right employee – may sure they walk in with a purpose and have researched your business * Cashflow – pay bills on a weekly basis Annette’s tips for new Franchisees…. * If you have lost your passion get out and do something else. * Provide feedback to your Franchisor * Attend all your Franchisor and Landlord meetings * Employee Interview Question – Why do you want to work here?” * The book Annette recommends Play a bigger game achieve more; be more; do more; have more – Rowdy McLean http://rowdymclean.com/ [http://rowdymclean.com/] I wish I had known….. how hard it was Selected Links For This Episode https://au.linkedin.com/in/annette-kirby-9b02563a [https://au.linkedin.com/in/annette-kirby-9b02563a] http://www.shingleinn.com/ [http://www.shingleinn.com/] For your FREE E-course click on the link http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish [http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish] The post Summer Series – Annette Kirby [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/summer-series-annette-kirby/] appeared first on Franchisee Success [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au].

Talking with Uncle Google – Summer Series with Katie Richards Virtual Legal “When researching your franchise system, really do your online homework – Good old Uncle Google has a lot of information” Katie Richards “Go and speak with other tenants in the Shopping centre to understand the traffic flows of the centre and speak with Centre Management about their plans for the future” Katie Richards “Most of your due diligence should be done before you actually apply for the due diligence documentation” Katie Richards Katie Richards Virtual Legal & Franchise All-rounder Entrepreneur, Lawyer, Educator, Author and Innovator. Katie is a commercial solicitor passionate about systematisation and efficiency. As previous commercial legal advisor to corporations like Domino’s Pizza, National Australia Bank, GE Mining and Ecowash Mobile both in Australia and in the USA, Europe and Middle East. As a strong advocate for the provision of access to legal services Australia-wide regardless of financial position or geographical location, Katie set about the establishment of Virtual Legal, driving a high-energy team of lawyers to provide standard legal services through an online platform allowing clients to have legal work done without leaving their home or office. The use of the latest technology and systematisation of all processes within the corporation has given Katie’s team the ability to charge only competitive fixed fees for amongst other things retail leasing, commercial leasing, buying franchises, selling franchises, setting up franchises, wills and estates services, and setting up new companies and trusts. During my conversation with Katie she shared with us: * Having the right mind frame before you enter franchising * Using professionals that know franchising not just dabble in it * Using DISC behavioural profiles * The questions you should ask your Lawyer * What makes a good franchisee * Being “Buyer Beware” when entering a franchising Katie’s “One Thing” that she does every day….. * Have a quick meeting with her staff every morning so that she can get an idea what is really going on in the business Katie’s secrets are * Getting “Me Time” – Be deliberate; take time out for thinking time * To getting the right employee – align your employees to your company vision and values and culture * Cashflow – Share cashflow with the team; involve everyone so they know how important cashflow is Katie’s tip for new Franchisees…. * Know where you want to be in 10 years time and plan accordingly * Ask the franchisor; “What is the hardest part of running your business?” * Interview Question – Who are you? What are your values? The two books Katie recommends The five love languages – Gary Chapman http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resources/books/ [http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resources/books/] Eat that Frog – Brian Tracy http://www.briantracy.com/blog/tag/eat-that-frog/ [http://www.briantracy.com/blog/tag/eat-that-frog/] “Franchisees need to be willing to give it a good go; be willing to be knocked down and get back up” – Katie Richards “You have to love what you do – you will have plenty of good days and plenty of bad days” – Katie Richards “You (Franchisees) must be good at paperwork and record keeping” – Katie Richards “If you have one franchisee who is unhappy in the franchise system they can do a lot of damage” Katie Richards Who is responsible for the businesses success? The Franchisee – at the end of the day the Franchisor provides the system but the Franchisee provides the personality Selected Links For This Episode https://au.linkedin.com/in/katiemrichards [https://au.linkedin.com/in/katiemrichards] https://virtuallegal.com.au/ [https://virtuallegal.com.au/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment] For your FREE E-course click on the link http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish [http://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/wish] The post Summer Series – Katie Richards [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/summer-series-katie-richards/] appeared first on Franchisee Success [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au].

It seems you need a great wife if you want to enter franchising according to todays summer series episode with Mark Norman. Mark shares what he knew before buying a franchise “have a great wife!” – Mark Norman “We weren’t looking for a franchise as such we were looking for a business and just happened to buy a franchise” – Mark Norman The term of the franchise agreement is only as long as the first term of the agreement. Mark Norman “The standard that you present product should be that if it is good enough to deliver to Mum it is good enough to deliver.” – Mark Norman “Communicate positively with your Franchisor and their team” – Mark Norman “Speak with other franchisees in the system before you buy in” – Mark Norman Mark Norman From Farmer to Franchisee Mark and his wife Liz bought their first franchise, Mr Rental in Toowoomba in June 2003 and their second store in Ipswich in December 2003. Both stores were “Greenfield” sites that Mark and his team have grown to now have 1100 customers each. Mark’s stores service the area from the Regatta hotel in Brisbane west to the town of Roma in South West Queensland. During my conversation with Mark he shared: * Opening your second store within 6 months of your first store * What a typical day for a Mr Rental Franchisee looks like * Being the first Franchisee in an Australian system * How he did his Due Diligence * Why his friends now own a Mr Rentals Franchise * The importance of following up * How he established a team in his business * Why he benchmarks his business with other franchisees in the system Mark’s “One Thing” that he does every day….. * Have Coffee – Start your day with coffee * Would rather it be a bike ride every day but this does not always happen Mark’s secrets are * Getting “Me Time” – Bike Riding – Go riding 3 – 4 mornings a week * To getting the right employee – Use the attitude test; Hire on attitude then train the skills * Cashflow – Have a great wife! Do monthly BAS’s as it gives you the opportunity to view the monthly reports of your business to track how you are really going Mark’s tip for new Franchisees…. * Do your Due Diligence before you buy in. Know the key drivers of a good site. * Talk to other franchisees in the system, not who is selling you the system, but others operating the systems, as they will give you the honest opinion of how the franchise system is working * Ask the franchisor; How profitable are your franchisees? You are here to make some dollars and deliver a lifestyle * Interview Question – Describe a situation where the pressure to compromise your integrity was the strongest you have ever felt? The book Mark recommends * The E-Myth – Michael Gerber http://michaelegerbercompanies.com/web/the-e-myth-library/ [http://michaelegerbercompanies.com/web/the-e-myth-library/] The post Summer Series – Mark Norman [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au/summer-series-mark-norman/] appeared first on Franchisee Success [https://www.franchiseesuccess.com.au].