Editor’s Note: This article was kindly shared with us by Del Salinas, director of franchise development for Caring Senior Service. Del works with the non-medical, home care service company’s more than 50 individual franchise owners. He started with Caring Senior Service as its director of hub services, where he developed and worked with digital platforms to help the company find innovative ways to recruit, hire, and train franchise owners and support staff. He has over 20 years of experience in the franchising space.
Successful franchisors understand they need a defined product or service, a set of developed processes, and a targeted outreach program if they want to grow their franchising operation.
While franchisors often consider the initial training of their new franchisees, they may not realize the importance of implementing an ongoing training program. Potential franchisees want their franchisor to keep them updated on new technology, regulations and marketing skills to help them stay successful.
Most importantly, ongoing training ensures that franchise owners are properly executing the franchisor’s business model – and it keeps an open line of communication between the franchisee and the corporate office.
Train Early and Often
As a new franchisee, you want to ensure that you are receiving the training you need to hit the ground running. Your franchisor should begin training you the minute you inquire about their program, and formal training should start about four to six weeks before your grand opening.
If you are new to franchising or even to a particular franchise, you will need help walking down the path to ownership. A franchise that offers to assist you with writing your business plan, filling out your loan application, and confirming you are comfortable with the company culture is invaluable during the early days of your partnership.
After the paperwork is done and you are officially on board, your franchisor should educate you on processes like:
Day-to-day operations
Administrative practices, including human resources, payroll, and reporting services
Effective marketing techniques
A comprehensive tutorial on the company’s technology platforms, such as its customer resource management system, its point of sales system, and its use of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML)
If you are considering several franchises, one of the differentiators may be in a franchisor’s commitment to early and ongoing training and development.
Coaching the Coach
Many franchise owners are excellent entrepreneurs. They recognize when a franchise is poised to dominate the market and they have strong business acumen.
But sometimes they are not as confident in their leadership skills or are not certain how to effectively delegate.
In today’s world, franchisors need to be able to “coach their coaches” to ensure each franchise owner has the knowledge and skills they need to lead their individual teams.
An effective franchise development program not only helps franchisees find their niche in the community but also should also assess their skills to determine each person’s leadership style. Coaching you on how to coach your team is essential in building your branch.
Many times, entrepreneurs find it difficult to delegate responsibility. Business owners are often perfectionists who want to maintain control over the businesses they have worked so hard to develop. This desire to make sure all aspects of the business are working well is a good trait in an entrepreneur, but it can be detrimental to establishing effective leadership at your location.
If the franchise you choose provides you with additional one-on-one coaching to improve your individual leadership skills, you have a better chance of succeeding in your market.
Training Anywhere
For the average business owner, gathering up the team for a training session in the conference room is merely a matter of scheduling the session and inviting employees.
That does not always work in franchising. Depending upon the network, franchisees might be located all over town, all over the country, or all over the world. While in-person training is important and should be an option, logistically it can create challenges that take away from its intended purpose.
Smart franchisors should have options for franchisees that include utilizing modern digital technology.
For one-on-one training, or training for a small group of franchise owners, a franchisor’s use of video telephony software like Zoom or GoToMeeting can accomplish this goal. But for more intense training with a large group of people, look for franchisors who are not afraid to use virtual training programs.
Virtual training allows a franchise to develop a syllabus and a set of pre-prepared training modules that franchise owners can access asynchronously and at any time. Online learning platforms may also help the franchisor determine where their franchisees need additional training through a series of skills tests.
In addition to on-site and virtual training, franchise development teams should be open to visiting individual franchisees at their locations for more personalized instruction. A regularly occurring conference where franchisees can gather to get updates from corporate and can take part in peer-to-peer training is also a plus when considering which franchise program to join.
The goal is to find a franchisor who is just an email or a phone call away should their franchise owners have questions.
Training as a Differentiator
All things considered, if a franchise offers excellent and ongoing instructional opportunities, this can be a big draw when exploring franchise options. Training programs help franchisees remain:
Consistent: Well-trained franchises adhere to brand standards.
Efficient: Understanding brand standards means fewer early mistakes.
Compliant: Franchisees who receive ongoing training understand changes in industry rules, regulation and laws and can remain legally compliant.
Protected: Franchisees who understand the risks and how to avoid them are more likely to succeed.
When considering the right franchise for you, training should not be an afterthought. With a great deal of planning and execution, your company’s training program can help you attain the success both you and the franchisor want to achieve.
Find the Franchise That Will Support You Best
Finding the right franchise to own is an incredibly individualized and personalized process – so it is important to explore your options and conduct thorough research as you consider becoming a franchise owner. At FranCoach, we are here to help!
FranCoach is a national search firm dedicated to working with individuals who are interested in owning a franchise. We have partnered with over 600 of the top franchisors in the country, spanning nearly 70 industries.
When we work with clients, our number one goal is to help them find the absolute best franchise for them to own. If you are looking to start a business, build a lasting legacy, make an impact in your community, and be your own boss, franchise ownership might just be the ideal path for you.
Reach out to us to learn more about becoming a franchise owner. There is never any fee for our service, so why not take the first step today toward your better tomorrow?
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