Accelerating Your Entrepreneurial Success with Networking

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Networking is the accelerant you can use to set your entrepreneurial career aflame. It can do so much for your career, from letting you meet potential mentors to helping you find contacts and opportunities for your start-up. The problem you likely share with many people is simply not knowing where to start.

1.      Approach Networking with the Right Mindset

The problem with most people is that they approach networking as work. Don’t approach networking thinking that it’s all about how many business cards you can get or hand out. Look at it as a way to develop genuine relationships with the people involved in your industry. Treat people as possible friends and not just potential assets.

Become friends with the people you meet. They are going to help take you and your business to the next level. These people deserve your respect and to be treated as more than just assets.

2.      Have a Goal

Don’t just network — network with a goal in mind. Have something you want to happen, a goal you can work towards, before you step into a networking event. Think about where you want to be in five years, where the start-up should be. Write it down. Write down what you need to get done in a year to get closer to your goals. Then write down what you need to get done in three months to get closer to your goals.

Look at each of those goals and figure out who can help you achieve them. Do you need a better accountant to help you get the resources you need? Do you need a mentor to teach you a couple of key skills that will allow you to succeed? If you’re having trouble deciding whom you need, simply figure out what you lack and who can fill that hole.

3.      Learn How to Connect with People

Knowing how to connect with people is an important skill to have as an entrepreneur. It’s not just for networking, it’s for what happens afterwards. You don’t just make a new friend and then never interact with them. Relationships are ongoing and require maintenance. You need to learn to connect and keep on connecting with the people who will help you succeed.

Ask the right questions. Asking better questions leads to better answers, which results in memorable conversations. Ask difficult questions, such as how they expect to achieve their goals considering the kind of opposition they face.

How will you know which questions to ask? Pay attention, not just to what they’re saying, but how they’re saying it. Learn more about the convention you’re attending and the industries that will be represented, so you’ll have something to contribute to the discussion.

4.      Connect People to Each Other

One of the best ways to accelerate the growth of your network as an entrepreneur is to serve as a bridge. Someday you’re going to meet someone who needs something you cannot provide — but you’ll know someone who can help. Take the time to introduce them to each other. At best, they’ll appreciate the effort and then be more inclined to help you find people who can help you solve your problems. At worst, you’ve helped out a couple of your friends. After a few months, follow-up on your connection and find out if you actually helped them.

It is important to note here that you shouldn’t keep score. Do it because you want to help out.

Networking can help you accelerate the success of your start-up and your career as an entrepreneur. It can help spread word about your business and about your skills as an entrepreneur. Talk to people. Connect people with each other. Learn how you can create and nurture relationships with others. You’ll find yourself surrounded with interesting people and your start-up going places you never thought it would.

Should I Open a Franchise? Advice from the Experts

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Each day people across the United States and the world patronize franchised businesses. Whether they walk into a McDonald’s, A 7-11 or a Howard Johnson’s, they are walking into a franchise. The first franchise effort in the United States is credited to Isaac Singer, the man who revolutionized sewing machines. Not long after the owners of the first fast food restaurants jumped into the game. Today, there are thousands upon thousands of franchised companies. For would-be business owners, franchises are among the safest investments possible. A business owner who purchases a franchise is offered a great deal of support, and an established brand to work with, but before one gets involved in the world of franchises and franchising, they should ask themselves “should I open a franchise?”

Type of Franchises

There are several types of franchise formats and structures that can be purchased. A would-be business owner should explore each option prior to committing to buying a franchise. There are three basic franchise structures to consider. Within those structures exist sub-structures.

 A product franchise, a franchise agreement in which an owner of an existing business makes a deal to sell a specific product within their location, such as a specific type of tire in an automotive shop.

 A single-unit franchise, an agreement in which a business owner buys the rights to operate a single, brand-driven shop.

 A multi-unit franchise, an agreement in which a business owner buys the rights to operate multiple shops within a specified geographical location.

The Price of Franchising

Franchising comes at a cost, and there are several ways the cost of a franchise is figured out. For example, more recognizable brands, in a more urban area will be more expensive than a smaller, or lesser known brand. For example, a franchise that has been operating in the eastern US for several decades will be more expensive than a franchise that has just begun to enter the market. Additionally, the location chosen for the franchise will affect the cost. For example, a more rural location, where sales are expected to be more modest will be cheaper than a location in a budding metropolis.

Should I Open a Franchise?

Once completely educated on the world of franchises and franchising, one might ask themselves; “should I open a franchise?” There are plenty of pros to opening a franchise. In fact, there are more pros to opening a franchise than there are cons, but don’t forget that the cons do exist.
First and foremost a person who decides to open a franchise is offered support by the company they are dealing with. Additionally, the individuals who owns a franchise does not have to deal with the task of marketing a brand new business, rather the brand’s persona are already established. Everyone knows the name of the big franchises, and thus, it is easier for a brand new business to get off the ground. Additionally, a new business owner if offered access to a preexisting, proven business plan that simply works.

While the pros are many, there are also cons to operating a franchise, namely the restrictions that are placed on the franchise owner by the company itself. Additionally, there is a cost associated with franchises, in which a royalty must be paid to the parent company on all sales. While the cons to owning a franchise exist, it can safely be said, that for many people opening a franchised business is a solid and beneficial road to business ownership, for the right business owner

4 Transitional Careers for Air Force Veterans

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4 Transitional Careers for Air Force Veterans

 

If you are entering the Air Force, think about the type of career you would like to pursue when you finish your commitment. Some fields offer higher-paying jobs than others, so choose your specialty carefully. The Air Force is an excellent way to get free training and work experience that you can take with you into civilian life.

Healthcare

There is always a demand for qualified medical professionals, especially as the population continues to age. Medical careers require extensive training if you are going the civilian route. The Air Force can provide this training at no cost and give you hands-on experience with the latest medical technology. You will also have the opportunity to choose a specialized position within the field of medicine, such as allergist, nurse, lab specialist or physical therapist.

Aviation Engineering

The aviation engineering industry offers various careers for ex-Air Force personnel, such as aircraft engineer, civil engineer, service technician or safety inspector. Aircraft engineers and service technicians design and maintain aircraft to ensure passenger safety. Civil engineers work on the systems in and around the airport, such as runway lighting, parking areas and baggage carousels. After your commitment ends, you may already have the necessary work experience to qualify for FAA certification in your desired field.

Commercial Pilot

Commercial airlines often recruit from the Air Force because they know their pilots will be well-trained when they exit the service. Flying 747s and other commercial aircraft will seem much easier after you have mastered fighter jets. You should already have the required amount of flight hours for a trainee pilot job by the time you exit the Air Force. You can also choose to work as a flight school instructor if you do not want to fly full-time.

Information Technology

You will have an opportunity to work with state-of-the-art computer and electronic equipment in the Air Force. When you exit the service, you will have specialized experience that is in high demand in the civilian world, including work with audio-visual systems and radar systems at airports. However, a potential employer may still ask you to become certified as a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate, VMware Certified Professional or Certified Information Systems Security Professional as a prerequisite for the job. Your past security clearance may also open up additional opportunities to work on classified projects. The salary you will receive depends on the type of job you choose. IT support for a small office will pay far less than a programming job on a new government project.

The Healthy Psychology of Franchise Relationships

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Franchising World Magazine recently wrote a piece on the healthy psychology of franchise relationships. The author Greg Nathan focused specifically on the how franchisees and franchisors feel about being legally and commercially connected, “It incorporates trust, commitment and the informal expectations people have of each other. We would call this the “psychological contract.” Nathan expresses that this psychological aspect of the franchise relationship can be a potent source of competitive advantage by those who recognize its power, as well as a source of misery for those who deliberately or inadvertently ignore it.

Nathan says that in order to achieve a healthy franchise relationship, there must be high levels of franchisee advocacy, commitment and engagement.

The team of psychologists at the Franchise Relationships Institute has been studying the factors that drive advocacy, commitment and engagement for more than 20 years. Nathan’s article includes the entire seven principles (which we encourage you to check out here), but we have chosen three of our favorites:

  1. Leadership messages should be focused on promoting optimism. The franchisor has an important role to provide franchisees with a sense of confidence in the future. Optimism drives positive attitudes, and in return, positive behaviors. Despite businesses facing significant marketplace or commercial challenges, many have managed to maintain healthy franchise relations because franchisees have confidence that their franchisor is taking them to a better place.
  2. The way in which changes are introduced is extremely important. A poorly managed introduction of new initiatives is said to be a common source of franchisee dissatisfaction. The loss that comes with change, financially, or with identity, status, certainty, convenience or relationships. Communication is key during these times of change, and will impact franchisee commitment to change.
  3. It is important to encourage connection and pride. A sense of belonging is a string that extends through seven of the principles that the Franchise Relationships Institute offers – not surprising given that the simple need to belong is a powerful human instinct. Having a sense of connection to the brand and culture, networking with other franchisees, and interacting with customers and staff is powerful for the business. The way group meetings and conferences are structured is important as they should maximize small group interaction, allowing people to get to know one another.

FranServe: Get To Know The Fast-Growing Firm

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FranServe is currently one of the largest and fastest growing franchise marketing, consulting and development firms in the franchising industry. With over 250 active affiliated consultants located throughout the US, Canada and Internationally, FranServe’s consultants are discussing franchise opportunities with thousands of potential franchise buyers each month. FranServe boasts a corporate team of industry experts with over 100 years of combined experience in the franchise industry.

FranServe’s Mission
FranServe seeks to “help others achieve their dreams of business ownership through franchising. [Their] professional consultants work with prospects every day that are in the market for a career change and who desire business ownership opportunities. They assist clients in identifying and exploring ideal franchise opportunities that meet each candidate’s professional and personal goals as well as helping them access the capital to own and operate that franchise.”

FranServe consultants are among the best in the industry. All FranServe consultants receive extensive training and support. With a wide range of marketing strategies, FranServe provides consultants with prospective franchise buyers to determine financial qualifications, strengths, goals, market demographics, desired lifestyle and more to help identify and explore potential franchise opportunities.

Interested in learning more? Check out http://franserve.com/

Franchise Profile: OxyMagic Carpet Cleaning

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OxyMagic carpet cleaners provide excellent carpet cleaning services.  Each carpet cleaning franchise is individually owned and operated by people that are passionate about clean carpets.  Throughout the lifetime of your carpet, the fibers are subjected to the day to day under-foot grind of typical household spills, dirt, children, pets and after a while it can all take its toll. OxyMagic uses the power of oxygen to clean a wider spectrum of soils that other cleaners may not get out. With the OxyMagic system, average dry time is reduced to 30 to 90 minutes, which eliminates the chance for old stains to return and for mold and mildew to form.

OxyMagic’s NaturesWay® cleaning solution and process provides a healthier home environment from common household contaminates. OxyMagic feels that its responsibility is to the environment, and to its customers. The company’s first  thought is to safe guard the environment while maintaining the highest quality of cleaning for our customer’s carpets, rugs, and upholstery. The company only uses safe solutions and strives to maintain a reasonable price for a superior service to its customers.

OxyMagic is also dedicated to its Franchise owners and are looking to expand within the franchising industry.

Franchise Opportunity
You now have the opportunity to own your own business in an affordable franchise featuring this EXCLUSIVE carpet cleaning system. If you’ve ever thought about owning an affordable franchise with the backing of a long-standing nationwide company there will never be a better time than RIGHT NOW!   Because of our exclusive Oxygenated Carpet Cleaning System…

You can own…
Your own Oxymagic Franchise and have a protected market to grow a database of good profitable repeat customers. By using OxyMagic’s “working on your business model” you will find out how easy it is to have one, two or even three carpet techs working for you everyday while you enjoy the financial freedom to live your dreams.

Which Means…
You own a rewarding business and not a job. This also means that you can get in on the Oxymagic ground floor opportunity.
• See for yourself the power behind our marketing niche and unique selling proposition to your potential clients.
• See for yourself the income building potential of repeatable residential cash business.
• Get fully trained on our unique Oxygenated Extraction Carpet Cleaning System.
• Leave with a vast wealth of knowledge and proven model to build your own Oxymagic business in your city.

Interested in learning more? Check them out over on our site here!

How to Embrace Change

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Whether you are a current franchisee, a future franchisee, or even just a fan of our blog, chances are that you have experienced major changes in your workplace. Changes can cause great anxiety, especially if you are forced to adjust the way you have always approached a situation. Changes in process are often the best way to enhance productivity in business, yet the transition can prove to be troublesome.

We wanted to take this week’s post to discuss dealing with change and the growth contained in the process of change. Most of us operate under the illusion that life remains constant, but in reality, it is always changing. Your business, if it’s growing, is always changing, too.

Based on a study by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), the number one issue facing senior leadership today is “dealing with complex challenges.” Furthermore, studies say that the number one most important competency in shortest supply today is dealing with change. The CCL defines challenges as problems that:

  1. Lack a clearly defined solution
  2. Remain beyond an individual’s or single group’s ability to overcome
  3. Have significant strategic, cultural, environmental, and marketplace impact
  4. Create a paradox of reflection and action
  5. Render traditional solutions ineffective
  6. Demand flexibility and agility as challenges shift seemingly overnight

Being open to change and the lessons within change is no small task. Positive change requires letting go of old patterns and taking a fresh approach. In business, and in life, we must go beyond our preconceived ideas. We have to embrace, rather than resist, the change.

Change in an organization calls for a great deal of communication, specifically from the leaders in the group. What are some important lessons that you have learned about change from your business? Leave comments below!

Perks of Being a Gymboree Franchisee!

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For over 30 years, Gymboree Play & Music’s carefully crafted programs have been helping both parents and children to grow young minds. The company has continually developed classes and program content to incorporate cutting edge learning and fitness activities. They strive to bring fun, creativity and friendship to both customers and franchisees alike.

There are more than 700 Gymboree franchises in over 40 countries. As the creator and leader in interactive children’s play, music, art and development programs, Gymboree Play & Music built a business system with an unequalled reputation. The company’s unique approach has created a loyal customer base that continues to grow worldwide. Gymboree franchisees also have the advantage of being part of a rapidly growing Gymboree brand. Gymboree is quickly expanding in U.S. markets and opening new franchises all over the world.  Some existing locations are also for sale.

Want the details?

Key markets are available in the US and internationally.

Gymboree Play & Music Center
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Royalty: 6% of gross receipts
Estimated total investment: $126,000-$270,950

Gymboree Metro Play Center
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty: 6% of gross receipts
Estimated total investment: $77,000- $178,350
If you are interested in learning more, contact us here.

Franchise Profile: Taste Buds Kitchen

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Have you been to your local Taste Buds Kitchen yet? Taste Buds Kitchen specializes in fresh and unique cooking events. The franchise has a mission to be the top culinary entertainment experience for kids and families by engaging and delighting budding chefs.

What began as a few holiday baking classes and cupcake making birthday parties, quickly evolved into much more. TBK’s culinary adventures includes an ever-growing variety of classes, parties, camps and special events that combine a well-balanced mix of engaging recipes, both savory and sweet, as we take to the kitchen to sprout taste buds and a good time for all ages.

Taste Buds Kitchen is proclaimed the “Best Kids Cooking Class” by New York Magazine and featured as the must try activity by CBS, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, Fox, The New York Times, Hampton Magazine and more.

Franchise Opportunity

Taste Buds Kitchen provides a great opportunity to own a business that is exciting AND delicious. By joining the Taste Buds Kitchen family, you can capitalize on the popularity of their concept by opening a Kids Kitchen in your community.

The Kitchen
Taste Buds Kitchen is an amazing Kitchen Studio designed and built just for kids.  Tables and chairs adjust for kids and adults of all ages and kitchen utensils are located on lower shelves so that the kids can reach and take part in the whole kitchen experience alongside chef instructors.

With your franchise you will receive a design and construction specification that will give you all the details on how to build your own Taste Buds Kitchen!

You’re in Good Hands

TBK has designed a system to assist their franchisees from the day they sign the franchise agreement through their pre-opening, grand opening, and through the life of the business. Training is held at the corporate kitchen in New York City. The program includes both time in the kitchen and hands on training in important areas such as marketing and sales, administration, operations, customer service, human resources and, most importantly, cupcake decorating.  To assist in creating an environment of success, TBK will provide assistance and sometimes have final approval on the following items Site Selection, Accounting Software and Systems, Content development, Advertising and promotion, Marketing strategies, and Ongoing Branding.

Interested in learning more? Check out http://franchiseclique.com/franchise/Taste-Buds-Kitchen

 

Diversifying the Businesses You Own

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Many feel that if managed properly, owning a diverse set of businesses can help insulate against business peaks and troughs in the market. Many wealth planners will generally present diversification models to allow the purchase of multiple asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Diversification in the franchise industry is different. Franchisees can diversify within a particular industry by acquiring different brands.  Diversifying within the same industry, such as the buying several different restaurant brands, still allows the franchisee to apply the same basic infrastructure to their business.

This strategy of franchising helps spread the risk from a franchisee’s perspective. If the demography of existing brands and new brands are vastly different, there becomes an opportunity to cross-market both products and knowledge. Aziz Hashim, the president and CEO of NRD Holdings, LLC, highlights a smart way to diversify in his recent piece in Franchising World about this topic, stating that “The most effective way to execute a diversification strategy is to identify opportunities in new sectors where the operational complexity is generally lower than the existing operations so as to not dilute the franchisee’s time and focus, where at least some existing infrastructure can be leveraged and ideally where there are natural synergies through complementary service offerings and similar demographic.” Complementary service offerings can play a key role in expanding your opportunities and create growth.

Do you own a diverse set of businesses? We would love to hear feedback from you!

Marketing to the “20-Somethings” of the World

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I have been reading recently about a hot topic in marketing and advertising – targeting the Millennial generation. Who is the Millennial generation, you may ask? While there has been some debate over when the generation starts and stops, generally, it is considered those born between 1977 and 1995. Larger than the baby boomers’ 76 million, there are an estimated 80 million Millennials in this group of 18 to 34 year olds.

So from a marketing perspective, how do we target this generation of people ranging from college students to young parents? First off, we must recognize that most Millennials are technology dependent. There are several tips that Susan Glosby from FIT4MOM offered in this past month’s issue of Franchising World magazine offers some advice.

1. Offer ease of access to your information

Most Millennials use their smartphones and other similar electronic devices to access webpages. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and is easy to read for those accessing info via a smartphone. Additionally, make sure you have all the information people are seeking on your site – contact information, sales information, costs of goods – if they can’t find it quickly, they may take their business elsewhere.

2. A sense of involvement and purpose

Millennials are said to care about the purpose and identity of the brands they support more than generations of the past. What does your brand do to make the world a better place? This generation wants to know. Do you promote local volunteering with your franchisees and employees? Do you help educate your community? Do you donate to certain causes as a company? They want to know those things, and are more likely to be a repeat customer if your ideals are in line with their own.

3. Peer value

Use social media to provide peer endorsements! Millennials have the sense that when using technology, they are never truly alone – their peers are always with them. Having Instagram tags, a Facebook page, a twitter account, allows this generation to easily do some of the advertising for you among their friends.

 

What other ways can we appeal to our 20-somethings? Leave your marketing tips in the comments below!

Franchise Profile: Baskin Robbins

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Are you looking for a cool franchising opportunity?

Named “#1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine, Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream shops. Baskin Robbins has developed over the years to  offer ice cream and frozen desserts with creative cones, unique cakes, specialty desserts, frozen beverages and take-home treats. They also offer BRight Choices®, a line of better-for-you options including fat-free, dairy-free, no sugar added and light ice creams.

Reasons to Invest

  • Simplistic operations with convenient operating hours
  • Multiple revenue streams – in-store, take home, cakes and beverages
  • 95% brand awareness with a multi-million dollar national advertising program
  • Flexible real estate options
  • First-rate product innovation and new product pipeline
  • World-class training and support

Baskin Robbins can be opened in a traditional storefront with a floor plan usually between 800-1,500 square feet, or in non-traditional venues such as gas and convenient stores, universities, airports, mall food courts, and stadiums. To learn more about Baskin Robbins and available franchising opportunities, check out Baskin Robbins over on Franchise Clique.