Wednesday, August 13, 2014
There’s nothing new in their arguments. Nothing has been discovered that should increase their enthusiasm.
5 Ways to Be a Better Atheist
Nevertheless, here they are. And despite my claim that they're suffering, their impact is far-reaching.
Their appearance on the cultural center stage is truly affecting people’s beliefs: confirming some in their atheism and causing many theists to tremble. In spite of this, I believe that this movement is in desperate need of help. While they're having an effect, its intellectual weaknesses will cut it short.
The New Atheists – A Movement In Need of Help
The New Atheists are filled with emotional rage, relying on their personalities for inspiration. I just sat through 9 YouTube debates of Christians and these new non-believers. I have some advice to help shape them during this volatile time in their history.
Ironically, I truly want them to listen and improve.
Why?
Because I want every worldview to have good representation. It does me no good in my pursuit of truth to have my worldview challenged by an impotent and weakly opponent. Modern atheism can improve in five key areas which I'll lay out in detail below.
1. Make More Concessions.
After listening to and reading many of the most popular atheists today, I've found that (generally speaking) there’s an incredible lack of intellectual honesty. These volumes are filled with claims that smack of propaganda: Christianity has no evidence. Theism is completely irrational. People believe in God because they are uneducated. To be a Christian is to commit intellectual suicide. I wish this was the exception and that most public atheists didn't speak in such a way, but it’s not, and, they do.
Don't get me wrong… I understand the atheist who says that the case for theism is not compelling enough or, for them, does not make a sufficient case. But to say that there is no evidence for God or that Christianity requires a lack of education is not only an incredible overstatement it’s intellectually uninformed at best and dishonest at worst. Every atheist knows that there is evidence for God. There are reasons to believe in the resurrection of Christ. There’s much strength in the traditional arguments for theism. The atheist needs to make such concessions. This does not mean that they believe that this evidence warrants belief, it simply recognizes that a case can be made for God that doesn't require a frontal lobotomy. Concessions do nothing but help you in the marketplace of ideas.
Dismissive overstatements are for manipulation of the populace and as “red meat” for the already initiated. If you truly don't believe their is any evidence for theism or Christianity and that both are completely irrational, I’d be forced to suppose that you've been blinded by your emotions and your prejudices have disqualified you from real intellectual engagement. Bart Ehrman (who is not technically an atheist) is the only one that I have seen on center stage who is wise enough to make such concessions.
2. Kill the “Flying Spaghetti Monster” The “Flying Spaghetti Monster,” as I am sure you are well aware, is an illustrative tool that has become rather popular in your circles. The basic idea is that there is as much warrant for my belief in God as is your belief (were it present) in a “flying spaghetti monster”. The moment you use this, I think one of two things: You know better, yet you use this hoping the emotional propaganda will be enough to do the job. You really think it’s a good illustration.
In the latter case, I'd say you have not studied this issue properly and you need to research that hiatus.
The “Flying Spaghetti Monster” routine doesn't even engage the theism issue. Let me explain. There are two steps to the process of entering the “existence of God” debate. First, one must establish the existence of a “necessary being.” At this point, the “necessary being” remains nameless. During this stage, one does not identify this being as Jesus, Allah, Thor, Zeus, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
This stage is very philosophical and has nothing to do with how this being looks, acts, or directs his will. The question here is, is there an uncaused cause, an unmoved mover, a necessary being, or a sufficient and personal explanation for all existence. Once, this is established (and only if it’s established) do we move to the second step and begin to name this being by identifying its particular characteristics.
With the spaghetti monster illustration, the atheist makes the mistake of starting with the second step and uses emotionally charged assertions, which have no relevance to the issue of God’s existence until it has been established. Describing God as a “moral monster” or a “Flying Spaghetti Monster” does nothing but reject characteristics that God may or may not have and use these characteristics to ridicule the idea of His existence. But, again, what God is like does not have any bearing on whether a Necessary Being (God) exists. It would be like saying the institution of marriage cannot exist because Husband Joe is a ridiculous slob and could never get a wife. While it may be true that Husband Joe could not be expected to get a wife, this has nothing to do with whether marriage exists.
3. Admit the Weaknesses of their Position Of course, if emotional propaganda is your primary way to gain votes, this will never work. For those who are only interested in manipulating the masses, you must have your clothes ironed, your tie straight, deodorant on, and gait stable. Showing insecurity in any area will quiet the crowds and make them begin to think, if not make them shuffle out the door.
Frankly, this seems to be the last thing you want them to do these days. It’s politics on the stage of religion. That’s not what we are after, right? However, if you want people like me (who are really interested in the issue) to listen to you, admit your weaknesses. It gives a barometer to your honesty, both to yourself and to me. I already know your weaknesses, but wonder if you're secure enough to admit them. If you aren't, it’s really easy for me to write you off and quit listening. More importantly, admitting your weaknesses gives a platform for your strengths that will last beyond the emotional high that false confidence fuels.
Concede a weak point of your worldview. Concede that atheism does not have a strong explanation for the existence of morals. If you're honest and say morals don’t exist (which I respect a lot more), again, recognize how difficult this is. Concede that atheism’s greatest weakness is its inability to explain where existence came from.
Always appeal to the pursuit of the truth, even if it’s at the expense of making people feel good. Once you do this, you'll disarm me, and I'll be more apt (even though I might be uncomfortable) to listen to you. If you don’t do this, it’s easy for me to write you off as naive (which would make me comfortable).
4. Be More Open Minded This whole idea of “free thinking” and “open mindedness” is being claimed by you atheists. You must understand, this doesn't make sense at all. You're asking people to abandon one worldview with its beliefs and propositions for another worldview with a different set of beliefs and propositions. How is one open-minded and the other is not? In what way are atheists more “free” than theists? The only freedom gained in atheism is moral freedom (for those who choose to go in that direction).
Intellectual freedom (free thinking) is not attained at all (at least from what I can see). The atheist is not free to believe in God and remain an atheist, is he? Nor is the atheist free to believe in prayer? The atheist has just as many obligations that bind the intellect as any other worldview. In fact, I would think atheism has less intellectual freedom than theism. After all, atheism exists in a naturalistic box. It literally cannot think outside the box!
In the real world, when something happens that cannot be explained, the atheist, unlike the theist, is not able to claim a miracle. You have to be closed-minded. You cannot truly examine all the evidence and follow it where it leads. If it leads to the miraculous (as the resurrection of Christ may), you’re out of luck. That road is closed. Atheism closes your mind to some options.
5. Stop Trying to Position Atheism as Merely a Lack of Belief Atheists generally don't like being called “atheists”. There is a few of the more argumentative visual types of course that are the exception to this rule. Most will tentatively accept the designation while claiming there’s nothing better and making sure the proper qualifications are in order. They'll say, “We don’t believe or claim to know that there are no gods, we simply lack belief in any gods.” They think this keeps the burden of proof off their shoulders. “After all,” they say, “we don't have to provide evidence for our lack of belief in leprechauns. We are not aleprechaunist, just as those who don't believe in Thor are athorists.”
Again, this is an attempt to shift (dare we say avoid) the burden of proof. The atheist positions himself as judge declaring arguments to be “convincing” or “not convincing” But this attempt fails in at least two ways: First, people are not called a-leprechaunists or a-thorists because there is no significant movement in either area which promotes and argues for a belief in such things. Therefore, it is only natural that there be no such formal designations. And until such circumstances warrant investigation in these areas, it will remain this way. If circumstances change, we will take sides that will have formal names.
- Is there such a thing as morality?
- Does man have free will?
- Why is there something rather than nothing?
- What is the basis for rationality?
The atheist has to justify their belief in their brand of rationality. The atheist must give reason for the existence of free will. While the word “atheist” may give the impression that it only has to do with a lack of belief in God, the reality is that they are “naturalists” (often materialists) and, as such, must give a positive explanation for the claims of their worldview.
I had a few more, but I'm already past my word count. Christians and non-christians should have the capacity to defend their worldview. While this is certainly not always the case, I see an increasing number of Christians doing this well, honestly engaging the issues. This is often just the opposite with atheism. I rarely (if ever) see atheists who are seeking truth more than they are seeking emotional confirmation. Most atheists are fundamentalists with lots of claims to intellectual engagement, but little evidence of it.
I pray these points of encouragement will help you out. If this fails to circulate among the crowd it was intended for, my hope is that Christians can see it as applicable for us as well. These are axioms (basic foundational truths) for all areas of knowledge and effective communication. Unfortunately, the more passionately a belief held, the less likely these will come naturally. We have to work at this...
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A few facts:
* It will take until 2021 for Michigan to gain back the 480,000 jobs it has lost
* It will take until 2017 for North Carolina to gain back the 178,000 jobs it has lost
* Colorado has gained 11,000 jobs this year but is still 110,000 down from pre-2008 levels
* On average, California has lost 16,000 jobs each month since January 2008...add that up (and it doesn't even include the over 58,000 jobs statewide they've lost in government!)
* Ohio has lost 400,000 jobs and is not likely to EVER gain even half of them back! Ohio is only #9 amongst the states in job loss!
This is just 5 stories. I chose them randomly. There are 50 states! Guess what? Each has a significant urban/suburban population, somewhere within it's boundaries that have lost jobs for a very very long time and for some it will be forever! The farmlands of the USA are no better.
Why do I point this out in a Life Coaching and Franchise Consulting business forum? Because so many husband/wife teams are stuck and stymied, doing nothing and hoping against hope because one, or both partners aren't dealing with reality. Month after month there is no job, there are no prospects and their nest egg is running out.
But one of the partners (and often both) can't see that a new way of approaching the issue of creating earnings needs to be considered. One of you refuses to look at anything but the old ways that worked in the old days. And one of you is working against the other.
Husbands and wives come together! Get on this! You have a problem to solve. It is a problem of financial security and fiscal responsibility to your family!...Generally speaking, "a job as the likely solution?" It is as likely as winning the LOTTO. What possesses you to believe that your financial need will be solved by some unknown employer?
Virgil the poet/philosopher said, "Fortune sides with him who dares." And, that is what most wives think business ownership, and having their spouse pursuing their entrepreneurial desire is; nothing more than a dare.
The fact is it's the opposite!
Pursuing a job search, month and month and for some now YEAR AFTER YEAR has no good end. Moreover, should you find the job, then what? Is it secure? Are your problems solved? Does it secure your future? How many of you are now on the 3rd, 4th and 5th job search? Oh sure, at one time, you worked for someone for 7 years, 10 years, 15 or 20 years...and then it was gone...you were downsized, rightsized, part of a paring of the middle and upper management fiscal labor fat. You lost your financial security. The company no longer valued your loyalty.
Perhaps after this first stunner you found a second job. How long did it last? Are you on your second job search; your third, ... fourth? The typical executive, who has been in the employment pool in America for over 20 years is on their third and fourth jobs. The first one (in their career rotation) lasted 12 years. The second one 4 years and the last one less than 18 months!I am not suggesting business ownership is for everyone. It's not. That is why Cindy and I do what we do. We help you, as a couple discover what direction is right for you...as a couple. It's our calling. We have worked together for over 35 years...we have counseled couples and marrieds to better understand one another from a perspective of goals, passions, personality and purpose. We'd love to work together with you and your spouse to best understand how it is you fit best so that, together, you truly are a source of energetic support and encouragement for one another and so that, together, you find out how best to solve your fiscal issues as well...
Give us a shout...this whole job problem is not going to go away. You desire to provide security for your family. Let us help.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Thinking of Becoming A Biz Owner? The Odds Are Stacked Against You
0 comments Posted by DocFranchise at 1:59 PMThere is a great book out there by good friend and expert on all things franchising, Joe Mathews. It is called Street Smart Franchising. It states 94% of all franchise owners consider themselves successful and 75% would do it all over again.
Here is the crazy part...99% of all people would love to own a business!
99 percent!
Do you know what reality is however? Only 1% possesses the motivation needed to do so.
99% of all people would absolutely buy a business, but when asked, “What do need to make that kind of decision?” Their responses were:
* They want a business were there is little or no start up costs
* Or, at the most, from the loose change found in their sofa cushions. (Less than $1000)
* A business that doesn’t need employees, but if it does there is no turnover…(Oh Ya, there's a reality)
* A business where you opened the doors and people are lined up to buy your product…(Sounds like free sample day at the Medical Marijuana Store!)
Well this type of business just doesn’t exist and that is the reason 99% are living in a dream world (or fog). It also explains why so many "look" but never commit.
BUT the 1% that has confidence in themselves and their skill sets; they want to find a business with a proven model that they believe in but know they must work as their own. That 1% is able to reach deep down inside themselves and find the determination needed to overcome the obstacles in order to create a better future for their families and solve the challenge of an insecure financial future, they will create an action plan and make a decision.
Yes, success in franchising is terrific and more likely to create success than should you do a business independently or even a business opportunity style. But most likely you will never know unless you decide you are the 1% and take the right steps to move forward.
We can help.
Success, the faith, the confidence, the ability to create the inertia to move forward is due in large part to a developing knowledge base. That is where Vision Reach can help. Our staff works as both consultant, coach and trainer. Understanding the unknown makes it much less scary. With over 90 years of combined success in franchising we can provide you with that knowledge. Give me a shout!
John is a 30 year veteran of the franchise industry and Life Coaching. He has owned and operated, been an executive and coach/consultant in his franchise tenure. You can also contact him directly at jwilson@matchpointnetwork.com. The website is www.visionreachinc.com or office phone: 480-838-1641. His offices are located at 4635 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282. He works throughout the United States, Canada and the English speaking world as a consultant, coach, speaker and trainer
12 Things You Must Do to Ensure Your Franchise Operation Success
0 comments Posted by DocFranchise at 1:38 PMThere is a massive disconnect between what people perceive as success and a switch that goes on at the time they start investigating a franchise. It causes them to jump to silly conclusions about success and they begin to interpret the process of evaluation using false criteria.
At the macro level, we see big franchise names on the street and we assume "can't miss" success for some of them and failure or more likely to fail, for other brands.
Why?
It's subjective. Individually we naturally relate our conclusions back, somehow, someway in our personal psyche to the national company. At the local level perhaps certain brands have closed their doors. Or, perhaps a number of businesses in a category seem to be struggling. But that it is somehow the fault of the national brand? Well, nothing is typically further from the truth in the world of those franchises.
Franchise companies provide systems, training, ongoing support, marketing, group buying power and market insight. They give us a home base from which to draw information so we might constantly be updated to trends in the client and consumer base for our products. In addition, we have a whole group of franchisees from whom we can communicate in order to better understand unique and local challenges. None of this, by and large is available to the independent businessman. To think because you understand the operations of a business that you don't need a franchise is making a huge mistake beyond your apparent scope of understanding.
However, all of that support, help, purchasing power, knowledge, branding and positioning a franchise company provides is of little value as it relates to our personal success unless we practice successful habits for our business at the local level.
Here is a short list of 12 things franchisees must bring to the table to achieve personal success. Every successful franchisee is taught this and knows this. It only escapes you and I because we aren't thinking through both the big picture and how it relates to the local picture.
Here they are:
1. Be practical, tactical and useful as clients observe you in your marketplace
2. Be easy to find and understand and by that I mean YOU, the franchisee not just your business.
3. Be helpful and solve problems, pain or fear in your market positioning - be specific in describing them
4. Be authentic in the message and the way you deliver it to your market
5. Be caring, kind and generous in your local community and that means YOU be visible
6. Be grateful in your observable interaction in the community and marketplace
7. Be respectful to everyone (competitors, clients, other businesses) and have integrity in your business dealings with both clients and vendors.
8. Be indispensable for some things that others, over time will realize you do uniquely and without fanfare
9. Be resilient because it takes time and patience to create brand awareness
10. Be responsive to the community and potential client base and that means be personally involved in details
11. Be paying it forward and giving back and make this a habit and not an event in your business life
12. Be fun and have a sense of humor in your life and delivery of your messages
Finally, in this climate it is hard to decide on a right business choice. The best way to do it is have someone who understands the in's and outs of the franchises themselves, what they are looking for, what is their culture, and if their business systems provide all the tools for their most successful franchisees. If you don't know that through the process of personal experience then consult with a franchise Coach. We at Vision Reach/MatchPoint (www.facebook.com/visionreachmatchpoint) have developed a unique system to provide you with the support you need to make a confident right choice.
I hope you found this learning useful today!
John is a 30 year veteran of the franchise industry and Life Coaching. He has owned and operated, been an executive and coach/consultant in his franchise tenure. You can also contact him directly at jwilson@matchpointnetwork.com. The website is www.visionreachinc.com or office phone: 480-838-1641. His offices are located at 4635 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282. He works throughout the United States, Canada and the English speaking world as a consultant, coach, speaker and trainer
The original of this article was first published on Facebook here: 12 Things You Must Do to Ensure Your Franchise Operation Success
Monday, April 11, 2011
Do You Get Satisfaction In Creating Satisfaction?
On Facebook and Twitter; our website and LinkedIn...every week I'm asked about the secret of success in both choosing a franchise business but also, after investing, in ownership, what is critical to success? I've learned what that means to the asker, "How do I ensure my success, in the way that I define it (and further I am not going to reveal what that means to you!)"
The short answer is there is no one answer to ensure your success...in ANYTHING!
Life happens...the improbable occurs...the impossible bears down on us and then, as if what we do not control isn't enough looms heavy, we ourselves make all types of boneheaded decisions!
Security is NEVER...EVER assured...EVER!
We did a whole video with statistics and proof that a job/career in America is no longer secure. You can no longer trade loyalty for security with a corporate position. You might as well chalk up the potential of losing your job (fired/downsized/outsourced/canned, etc. etc.) to a span from the possible and improbable to the drop dead assured to happen; you will lose your job if you work for someone. You will also lose the next one too. It's a statistical fact.
So, is business ownership, overall, that much more rosy? YES! World's so.
...with some very significant "ifs" and here's one: How much do you or would you enjoy serving a customer base? If the answer is you could and it is possible and, further, that you do not feel universally that, "Business is great except for the people!" then you have a major shot at business ownership success.
Client satisfaction is of massive value in business ownership. Paperwork isn't. Systems are only important inasmuch as they work to serve the client/customer needs.
In our world you have client relationships. The transaction with the client either occurs within a relationship or it doesn't. If it doesn't then you will have to create transactions anew each time a warm body shows up. Moreover, if you aren't treating your people in a way that shows you value the exchanges with them you will be fighting upstream against an ever increasing body of knowledge through them that says, "working with this clown isn't worth the effort!" Not cool.
In customer service training they talk abut the "lifetime value of a customer.” In this scenario making a major refund doesn't matter nearly so much because that value when projected over 3, 5, 10 years becomes inconsequential and, in business, you must always take the long view over the short term value proposition. But, and as you can guess by what I've said previously, even if you’re only going to deal with a customer one time, if you approach it as a relationship, you’re much more likely to develop a "fan for life!"
When I am asked what components help to make a decision to go into business, how you feel about producing satisfied customers is at the top of the list. The guy who answers me, "I like creating solutions," usually is more about the process and not the people. That isn't enough. The one who answers they love the thrill of the hunt, securing that first deal; what they think of as "the victory" really has no vision. Business owners, large and small, must have vision. What might a right view of customer service look like?
How do you know if you are a customer service kinda guy or gal? How can you tell if you have a component necessary for small business success? Let me suggest 5 components of a necessary caring customer service attitude:
1. Integrity: Integrity is always defined by the customer to mean that you had communicated an outcome and you have fulfilled that promise. Do you communicate intentions and get agreement on expectations with the people around you? If the answer is "yes" then you will be viewed as having integrity and have a most significant component of customer service.
2. Knowledge: Again, from the customer's perspective do you understand your offering and have you, to the clients satisfaction, communicated its purpose and value proposition to their satisfaction? I know it's frustrating when you go to a company and can’t get answers to the most basic questions. Your ability as the owner to have a singular response that can be easily communicated to both client and employee is fundamental. Do you have the capability...the ability perhaps, to effectively communicate so there is little misunderstanding? You might have customer service skills and the ability to train them.
3. Create a relevant culture: A company’s culture gets transmitted from the top down. As the owner YOU are that top! Your team will only treat your clients as well as they view your treatment of those customers. As important they will rarely treat customers any better than you, as their boss, treat your team! Do those who report to you, both inside and outside your family view you as fair, pleasant, respectful in your dealings with them? You might be a quality customer service individual and that goes a long way to building a business and retaining clients!
4. Training: This is a place where franchising shines. If your business calls for employees, then it calls for employee training. However, your personality can circumvent good training materials and practices. If you are one of those who sort of slaps your direct reports against a wall, leave them to their own devices and see if they stick to it, you are going to waste resources and money. Proper and continual training is it's own reward in that you gain satisfaction as you watch your team gain confidence and develop pride in the enterprise. However, the major payoff of greater sales and significantly stronger customer retention will elevate your revenues while reducing your expenses.
5. Empower your employees beyond the expected: Nordstrom's Department Stores are known for exceptional customer service. This happens because of the chain of hiring, training, internal relationship building between leadership and associate (customer service) personnel and how it influences how adequate and empowered everyone feels. Comparatively a Nordstrom employee develops more than 50% higher revenues and 12% great profit margins and a major component of this is a culture of empowerment. Do you communicate, train, encourage and exhort individuals in your life? If you do you might have what it takes to lead and create a successful business climate.
What is the key to success? Success is a building with many doors and many locks. One key is quality customer service. As you review the 5 components, ask yourself, "Do I have those abilities?" Then, ask a few people who know you their opinion. Then, do some soul searching! Until next time...
John is a 30-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 Vision Reach and can be reached at docfranchise@gmail.com. or direct office 480.838.1641
Monday, October 4, 2010
Often when someone talks to me about franchising they will ask, "So, what are the hot franchises these days?" My answer is usually this, "The ones that most closely align to the new franchisee's personality and passions."
So let me ask, are you one of those who think a franchise’s success is the primary reason to buy a franchise? In other words do you think since they are successful I should consider becoming a franchisee in that particular business, that particular brand?
If you’re looking to become a franchise then you are likely to think just that way.
Don't!
“Hey, if it makes money for others, it’ll make money for me.”
Franchise Opportunities and Your Personality
If you truly want to find long-term happiness in a franchise, it’s critical you match your unique style, your personality, to the franchise’s operating style and that is an extension of the franchise companies culture. Every franchise either begins thoughtfully with a specific personality model in mind or develops one as part of their organizational development over time.
That is, the personal characteristics required for high levels of success regarding the franchise’s day-to-day activities need to relate to, not just your knowledge and skills but also your personality and how well they fit in with the franchise corporation.
Why?
Let’s look at the obvious…you certainly don’t want to make a significant financial investment and time to own a franchise you won’t enjoy. Work, career and business ownership enjoyment all are directly tied to how we define personal satisfaction. Personal satisfaction is not just a functional outcome of the work but a condition of how the process and components of the work/business we are accountable for is managed. Study after study conducted on behalf of franchising verifies that the primary reason for turnover and failures in a franchise is in a specific companies inability to match franchisee's with the culture that permeates the organization.
Let me give you an example.
Let’s say you’re naturally an introvert, no matter how successful a business may be for others, if an extrovert personality is required for success, it won’t be right for you. Being a Sandler Sales franchisee requires significant face time and the ability to execute the companies own process (How To Sell...) to your potential clients. Some may look at the business and think, "I am an executive. And the clients in this franchise business model are similar to me, they too are executives." But if you are not a high social contact person you will hate this business model. And, no, you cannot, in this model shrug these duties off on someone you hire.
You would find the same to be true of direct advertising franchises. You come out of corporate America and the clients in much of direct advertising are business owners and management but if you are not a people person this is a bad fit for you.
Well the franchise company will let me know if I don't fit won't they? No, not all of them use these forms of assessment and many who do aren't trained in either how to read them or their importance. The good news is that many of the best franchises use them but might not take them as seriously as you would want them to.
You’ve got to match your personality and your passions as well as the result, what you want the business to do for you, with the right franchise model. It is NEVER about liking the product or “look of the business”. It is not even enough that the franchise company has a truly button-downed, sure-fire approach.
How to Find a Franchising Opportunity Right for You
If you elect not to use a professional consulting service I would suggest you start by looking at a franchise business from the point of view of your personality.
Assess your behavior. Many behavioral and personality assessment surveys are available and they can assist you to determine your unique personality.
With this knowledge in hand, create a short list of franchises available that you "believe" match up with your personality profile.
A shorter method to this discovery is to use a franchise consulting firm. Many charge very little and some charge their consumer clients nothing and provide highly astute processes. Firms such as matchpointnetwork.com can help you do this effortlessly and immediately, at no cost. The reason it costs you nothing is that franchise companies are more than happy to pay these companies to find incredibly high quality candidates. As a matter of fact candidates that work through companies like www.matchpointnetwork.com have two things that every franchise company craves:
1. Franchisee's that perform at higher levels which translates to more money for everyone
2. Higher success rates for longer periods of time
MatchPoint queries the franchisees within franchise systems and outlines the profiles of their most successful franchisees. This also allows them to only recommend to their candidates the best of the best franchises in any given business category; talk about a time-saver!
Regardless of how you go about your investigation and learning about franchising let me provide a word of caution, don’t rationalize your profile or make excuses such as, “I’m the exception”…you’ll only be postponing the inevitable…a poor fit.
By digging into, "who you are" and how you operate most joyously you produce an atmosphere and process that increases the level of success you will achieve as you consider franchising as an alternative way of living your life and earning a living!
Monday, November 2, 2009
I do not know a franchise company that doesn't attempt to train their franchisee's to create an organized and "intentional" marketing program. Part of that would be of course to create a calendar to organize by and then execute the calendared events.
Most do not create the events so that they don't feel badly about not executing on it. We must change this!
To all my franchisee, Action Coach Consultants and small business friends it’s 60 days before the end of the year. Let's finished the year strong.
I've made these sound as if they are "end-of-year." The truth is these ideas work around any time of year, but help when they are tied to significant dates or celebrations. Some of these are not tightly defined as "marketing" but perhaps sales & marketing campaigns. These are simple and straight forward. That was my intention. Pick only one or two of them. But, know that in doing so you could change your momentum and begin a very strategic start to 2010.
All the best...
1. Plan a year-end webinar series. Record the webinar, and sell both the live event and the replays. Or consider using it as a lead capture tool to bring people into your marketing funnel in exchange for free access to the webinar replay.
2. Share a compelling customer case study. This can be shared with new prospects, or those who just haven’t made a decision yet. Be aware of updated FTC guidelines especially as it relates to testimonials, endorsements, and disclosing any compensation. (I am not lawyer, and this is not legal advice. It is something to consider before investing in a case study.)
3. Issue a press release on anything that would be classified as newsworthy of your work, company or client successes for your market. There are both paid and free online press release services. Consider PRWeb.com or OpenPR.com.
4. Create a simple contact your best customer program (Minimum: Top 10 but a better number is 25-30) Mix a short survey in with a valued personal gratitude gift to them. Determine if there are special needs you can meet in their business by end of year. Take this opportunity to also connect with them on any social networks they may be on (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.). And please, remember, ALWAYS ask for referrals.
5. Prepare a Thanksgiving email message, expressing what it is you are grateful for relating to your work and your family. Provide a gratitude offer to them (You are making the special offer because of your grateful heart over their patronage).
6. This next one is a no-brainer P.R. driven ubiquitous opportunity: Celebrate “Black Friday” with a “Black Friday” themed campaign of your own. Since “Black Friday” is for retail businesses who are becoming profitable for the first time in the calendar year (going from red ink into the ‘black’), talk about how your product has helped customers be profitable from day one, or within NN days of purchase. Build a story around the success customers have had with the product. Refer to a case study (#2 above).
7. Consider a marketing campaign themed off of the 12 Days of Christmas. Perhaps build a tip list of the 12 essential tools necessary to get the job done. Some of these tools can be ones you sell, but don’t make it all about buying from you (yet). Offer value.
8. Cap off the 12 days campaign with a special 3 day sale of your tools. Done right, the campaign should help them understand how your product or service would benefit them, and an enticing offer to cap it off will help them make a decision (to buy).
9. As an end-of-year message tell your marketplace of your most successful product, or business activity so far this year. Then offer a special sale to commemorate the accomplishment. Use email marketing or social media — or both — to communicate this event.
10. CRITICAL: Set goals and objectives for whatever marketing activities you engage in for the next 60 days. This not only helps understand the results, but often yields better results (see Hawthorne Effect). It will also serve as a guide to future marketing activities, as you learn what your market responds to.
Happy Hunting!
