Doc Franchise Writings and Ramblings

Owning a franchise doesn't qualify you as a better entrepreneur. What might be the things that provide you with the right foundations to succeed in your business and other businesses in the future?


A good friend and franchiser that I know told me recently, "John, we're in the business of finding already qualified franchisee's or successful multi-unit business owners and putting them into our business. You'd be doing us and them a favor if you could point out the things that create the best-looking franchisee's; someone we and other development franchises and Master Licensee's would be attracted to.

This is my first attempt at it. It is based on my years as a Covey Certified Trainer. That training, though somewhat faded through the years has always stuck with me. I've found that a person can rarely handle more than 5 or 6, maybe 7 steps in a process or strategy (though many are broken down into many further subsets it is a great place to create top of mind memory). Besides, if most franchisee's would get just 2 or 3 of these right they'd improve their business 100 fold.

The second component of this was my own personal experience and hundreds of hours of discussion with other multi-unit and area development franchisee's as well as a few Master Licensee's. Their revelations as they moved along the maturity continuum has been revelatory.

1. Create and nurture a positive relationship with the franchiser.

The fact is that a franchisee only benefits from the relationship with their franchise company if they realize it is symbiotic and fraternal. You got into this for your definition of "the long haul," and they brought you into their system in the hopes that you would be a value to the brand. Start with realizing that creating unity will serve your personal purposes more fully than constantly driving wedges between the two of you.

2. Walk in their moccasins a few miles on a regular basis.

It is natural when things are not going our way to aim our scorn and criticism at the big target, the franchise company. But, you need to be mature enough, bright enough, and for the sake of point 1, intelligent enough to realize understanding their position and perspective will help feed the mutual benefit paradox more than simply aggravating them and your own nervous system by another trip to the "whine" bar.

In the midst of pressure I've often watched as franchisee's revert to a completely and fully non-tenable position, "Franchiser YOU got me into this! YOU fix my problem." No! First, no matter what, just like you don't want the government owning companies or running health care (and NO! You don't if you ever want a car that runs or not have to wait 6 months to get into the doctors office!) you do not want to be even more beholden to your franchiser. Secondly, it's your business! You are in business for YOURSELF just not by yourself. They system works best when the franchiser coaches and not acts as partner/operator with you. Every franchise should have a huge sign at the entry of their business opportunity, "No Childish behavior tolerated!" Act as an independent business person and be proactive relating to your business issues.

3. Use the benchmark tools your franchise system provides - benchmark against success and NOT failure!.

If you are in trouble you do not need to be comparing yourself to the other losers in your system or similar systems. Spending time on BlueMuaMua.com doesn't help your situation. Review your systems successes regularly. Check with them to determine what action steps they've taken in order to ensure their successes. Adapt winning business strategies to fit your businesses needs.

4. Take every opportunity to be involved in your franchises gatherings, conventions, meetings and training's.

Commit to being a part of discovery and mentoring in your franchise system. There is always someone who needs your help (not your whiney) and there are always great business solutions shared or available in meetings. Take copious notes. Ask for clarification. Redundantly resound all those aspects of the meeting that touched off positive thinking processes within you and blow off the negative. Take the high ground and use it to your advantage.

5. Be a source for affirmation and solutions - Eventually you will need to offer your skills and talents to your franchise system

Look, it's obvious that a new franchisee enters their system more needy at the start. That's to be expected. But you should also come into the system realizing, (again) this is YOUR business - YOU open the doors every day - YOU pay the bills (everyday) - YOU hire and fire and YOU benefit from the quality of your ability to absorb solutions. for the franchisor’s support. Ultimately, (here is a lesson in walking in their moccasins) the franchise companies prays your involvement in the system makes the system that much better. That takes your involvement. It takes you moving from diapers (deep needs assistance) through training pants (I can walk and feed myself thank you) to maturity. The goal is maturity.

6. Be a systems based franchisee and not a talent pool slave.

Most franchises have employees (though, admittedly, not all) And, though you hire for success, never abdicate the success of your business to the people within it. Franchising sets itself apart, regardless the market, product or service offered by the franchise system. Revert back to that system, which includes employee, human resource and management policies and make sure that the system is adhered to in the face of pressures by the individuals to change the business. Often sadly, people will come and go in your business. The business itself must live and thrive! Stay the course of the business system.

7. Be a positive and shining light in the community where your businesses live.

Your business, and its physical presence should create warmth and a smile to the residents of that area. What do you do in order to win their hearts? What are their concerns? How do you marry your business to their interests; their work; their families and their success as a community? You want better employees? Be viewed as a place where good attitudes, good responses, good works and deeds and good things (to be interpreted as things I as a member of this community value) happen. Find time to sponsor, to donate and not just money and things but make sure that your face and that of your employee team, even your personal family are given to do good things.

You wish to be in control of your business? I want that for you. You want to grow? You should! You want to be viewed as successful? Then take positive, affirming steps. Listen, Learn, Ascribe yourself to those who are successful. Take control by acting like the owner of your franchise business. Take responsibility for it's successes and figure out how you can prevent going back through failure again. Hopefully these 7 things will give you a basis for that success. - impacting your own franchise units, the franchisor, and other franchisees is a sure-fire strategy for your current and future successes.

John is a 26-year professional in the franchise industry. He has been a franchisee, a franchise executive and an advocate/consultant to the public and to dozens of franchise companies. He is the founder and managing partner of Wilson Associates and can be reached at docfranchise@gmail.com. or direct office 480.838.1641