Owning It: Keys to Successfully Growing Your Franchise
If you’ve purchased a business from a franchise and are now officially a franchisee, you’re likely excited about your professional future. After all, you can now run your own business with the support of a reputable franchise with a strong and successful business model in place.
However, even with the support of your franchiser, you are in the driver’s seat to reach your full business potential. Here are some of the keys to growing your franchise and experiencing success.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Even though you’re working within a well-established model and can essentially hit the ground running (or mowing), that doesn’t mean you won’t feel a little overwhelmed from time to time. Owning and operating your own business is a big deal, and you might have many questions about procedures, policies, or something else.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. One of the many benefits associated with purchasing a business as part of a franchise is being able to rely on a support network. Someone will always be available to assist if you have any questions or concerns.
Take Advantage of All Training Opportunities
You might already have plenty of knowledge about your industry when you purchase a new franchised business, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room to learn and grow. If your franchise has offered you training opportunities for the day-to-day running of your business, health and safety procedures, finances, or something else, don’t be afraid to take them up on it.
There’s always room to learn and grow, and you might learn helpful tips and techniques that allow you to grow your business and experience great success.
Be Brave With Marketing
Many new business owners are afraid to put themselves out there, worried they won’t welcome new customers into their business or experience the feedback they hoped. Some business owners simply don’t know how to market their business or take advantage of the many wonderful and innovative digital options we now have at our disposal.
However, being brave with marketing can be crucial for business success. Take the plunge, and reap the rewards.
Firstly, talk to your franchiser about the marketing packages they have available. Some of the most well-established franchises already have marketing programs and systems in place for franchisees to take advantage of, including:
A dedicated page on the main business website, talking about who you are, where you’re based, and the services you offer
A Google My Business profile with your name, phone number, website, and email address.
A Facebook page with a profile photo, description, and posts about your products, services, and general industry information
Printed products like business cards, door hangers, folders, letterheads, quote forms, note pads, pens, fridge magnets, and invoices
Scale Up Your Services
While some franchisers limit the products and services you offer for consistency throughout the brand, others let you pick from a range you feel comfortable offering. For example, if you purchased a lawncare franchise business, you might offer lawn mowing as a basic service, but you can also provide garden tidy-ups, hedge trimming, tree trimming, and more.
You might experience success in your franchise by scaling up your services as you become more comfortable with your day-to-day operations. Lawn mowing might be an ideal service to get to know your customers, but then you might start branching out into offering water blasting, fruit tree pruning, and garden bags.
Live and Breathe the Franchise
Piggybacking off the success of a franchise is one of the most pronounced benefits of becoming a franchisee. All the hard work has already been done for you with regard to brand recognition and reputation.
If you want to be successful, live and breathe franchise while still making your business your own. Consider branding your vehicle, wearing a uniform, and offering products and services consistent with other franchises. If you stray too much from the brand, you risk the general public not thinking of you and your brand when they require your help.
Provide Great Service
Sometimes, experiencing success in business is as easy as providing outstanding service. When customers are happy with your products and services, they’re more likely to return, knowing they’re going to be satisfied.
Providing great service can mean being approachable, friendly, competitively priced, and an expert in your field. It can also mean hiring employees you can trust and training them to provide the same great service you yourself are now known for.
Become a Franchisee Today
As daunting as the prospect can be of owning and operating your own business, there’s no reason why you can’t experience success. Provide great service, live and breathe your brand, and utilise your support network. You might then be well on your way to growing your franchise and achieving all your professional goals. Why not look at businesses for sale and see if now is the right time to take the leap?