Comments on: If Franchising Is Your Backup Plan, Please Go With Your Other Plan! Get A Job! http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/ Free ideas, tips, tools and tutorials to help you evaluate and buy a franchise successfully. From Dr. John P. Hayes Wed, 19 May 2010 16:19:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-3768 Bruce Wed, 19 May 2010 16:19:19 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-3768 Great point. I would add to bring someone else with you if you get as far as Discovery day. When the backup plan becomes "the plan" you esily may be seeing the franchise through rose-colored glasses. If they tell you it may be a year before you're profitable- hear them instead of thinking, I'll do it quicker. Great point. I would add to bring someone else with you if you get as far as Discovery day. When the backup plan becomes “the plan” you esily may be seeing the franchise through rose-colored glasses. If they tell you it may be a year before you’re profitable- hear them instead of thinking, I’ll do it quicker.

]]> By: Joel Layman http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-1526 Joel Layman Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:05:11 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-1526 Franchising was certainly not a "backup" plan for me. After working my way through college and then on toward my MBA, I often locked horns with those above me in whatever business I was working for at the time. If I felt something wasn't being done efficiently and/or effectively, I voiced my opinion. I was also often held back by those above me who didn't want me to be on their level or worse, above them. Hence, I looked into several franchises. To be a success at being a business/franchise owner, one must certainly possess the "ownership" mentality. This is not a 9 to 5 job folks and you won't be punching a clock. You often have to work long hours to ensure all objectives are being met and most importantly, that your customers are completely satisified. Although I don't have to work exceptionally long hours often, sometimes I do, but I knew that before I got into the business that I'm in (Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems), and I don't mind it one bit because my customers love me and I treat them as my friends-not JUST a customer. Also, when looking for a franchise, one might consider buying into something they have experience in. While I had general management experience, I also had practical cleaning experience (including strip and wax, and carpet cleaning) that I acquired from years of Army service-I guess I had an edge when it came to cleanliness. However, if one has the passion and drive enough to be successful at owning a business, the rest will often fall into place provided the company invests in the new franchise owner by providing quality training. Franchising was certainly not a “backup” plan for me. After working my way through college and then on toward my MBA, I often locked horns with those above me in whatever business I was working for at the time. If I felt something wasn’t being done efficiently and/or effectively, I voiced my opinion. I was also often held back by those above me who didn’t want me to be on their level or worse, above them. Hence, I looked into several franchises.

To be a success at being a business/franchise owner, one must certainly possess the “ownership” mentality. This is not a 9 to 5 job folks and you won’t be punching a clock. You often have to work long hours to ensure all objectives are being met and most importantly, that your customers are completely satisified. Although I don’t have to work exceptionally long hours often, sometimes I do, but I knew that before I got into the business that I’m in (Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems), and I don’t mind it one bit because my customers love me and I treat them as my friends-not JUST a customer.

Also, when looking for a franchise, one might consider buying into something they have experience in. While I had general management experience, I also had practical cleaning experience (including strip and wax, and carpet cleaning) that I acquired from years of Army service-I guess I had an edge when it came to cleanliness. However, if one has the passion and drive enough to be successful at owning a business, the rest will often fall into place provided the company invests in the new franchise owner by providing quality training.

]]> By: Jeri Vespoli http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-775 Jeri Vespoli Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:44:58 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-775 Hmmm... I agree that there must be passion and focus to have success. However, I humbly disagree with the assertion that anyone who thinks they might prefer the security of a job will fail in a franchise. Is it possible that some are not familiar enough with franchising options and systems available? Could the person in your scenario have gotten information from someone who has had a bad franchising or self-employment experience (lack of support, too much control, insufficient ROI, etc)? Is it possible that an executive has spent so many years in a great job they've just been downsized from that another such job seems the best choice, even though they are very passionate about their industry and have the qualifications and traits for success? Every franchise and every potential franchisee are different and should be considered on their own merits. Though there are likely more who were unsure they should start a business and subsequently failed at it, there are still those who were unsure, but with guidance ended up wildly successful. Hmmm…

I agree that there must be passion and focus to have success. However, I humbly disagree with the assertion that anyone who thinks they might prefer the security of a job will fail in a franchise.

Is it possible that some are not familiar enough with franchising options and systems available?

Could the person in your scenario have gotten information from someone who has had a bad franchising or self-employment experience (lack of support, too much control, insufficient ROI, etc)?

Is it possible that an executive has spent so many years in a great job they’ve just been downsized from that another such job seems the best choice, even though they are very passionate about their industry and have the qualifications and traits for success?

Every franchise and every potential franchisee are different and should be considered on their own merits.

Though there are likely more who were unsure they should start a business and subsequently failed at it, there are still those who were unsure, but with guidance ended up wildly successful.

]]> By: William Gonzalez http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-760 William Gonzalez Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:19:23 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-760 This is an awesome article, to describe that investing in a franchise is not a quick fix and nor is it the silver bullet to end all your troubles in a flash. Even if they go with "plan B" their mindset is off focus, if it isn’t what he truly wants. Great Job This is an awesome article, to describe that investing in a franchise is not a quick fix and nor is it the silver bullet to end all your troubles in a flash. Even if they go with “plan B” their mindset is off focus, if it isn’t what he truly wants.

Great Job

]]> By: Mary Ann O'Connell http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-757 Mary Ann O'Connell Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:10:32 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-757 Great insight and true for potential franchisors, too. Franchising is not a back-up plan for business woes. It takes commitment and focus. The best is when a dedicated franchisor meets the committed franchise candidate. Whatever you do in life - commit to it. Great insight and true for potential franchisors, too. Franchising is not a back-up plan for business woes. It takes commitment and focus. The best is when a dedicated franchisor meets the committed franchise candidate. Whatever you do in life – commit to it.

]]> By: Pierette Woodard http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-743 Pierette Woodard Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:55:39 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-743 Thank you for this article, John. Very timely. As a franchise consultant, I too find that there are a lot of people out there kicking the tires trying to find the right fit but tied to what they know...a job. What I'm finding is that getting into a franchise requires passion, confidence and belief in ones self -- perhaps even a dissatisfaction with the insecurity of jobs and going the route of the masses. I've seen greater success with individuals who have been there...done that and are looking to get off of the beaten path and pave their own destiny. Thank you for this article, John. Very timely. As a franchise consultant, I too find that there are a lot of people out there kicking the tires trying to find the right fit but tied to what they know…a job. What I’m finding is that getting into a franchise requires passion, confidence and belief in ones self — perhaps even a dissatisfaction with the insecurity of jobs and going the route of the masses. I’ve seen greater success with individuals who have been there…done that and are looking to get off of the beaten path and pave their own destiny.

]]> By: Strategic Growth Advisors http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-636 Strategic Growth Advisors Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:19:44 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-636 I agree, John. Most tenderfoot entrepreneurs -- including some veteran business players -- tend to look at franchising as the second, "this-will-get-us-of-trouble-so-let-us-franchise" option. I agree, John. Most tenderfoot entrepreneurs — including some veteran business players — tend to look at franchising as the second, “this-will-get-us-of-trouble-so-let-us-franchise” option.

]]> By: Joel Libava http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-624 Joel Libava Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:41:46 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-624 John, Fantastic job on this article. So true. You know that I am a franchise broker/consultant. I won't work with anyone who is looking at something as big as small business/franchise ownership as a Plan B. Good stuff. The Franchise king Joel Libava John,
Fantastic job on this article. So true. You know that I am a franchise broker/consultant. I won’t work with anyone who is looking at something as big as small business/franchise ownership as a Plan B.

Good stuff.

The Franchise king
Joel Libava

]]> By: Ray Foulkes http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-619 Ray Foulkes Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:44:46 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-619 A very interesting analysis, and one that makes perfect sense. As a potential franchisor, I am very wary of taking on the wrong franchisees, and having read this will be even more wary. It is hard to say no to people who want to have a go, but it is better to say no up front than allow someone to go down the wrong path, even if it means throwing out a couple of good franchisees together with the wrong ones. Ray A very interesting analysis, and one that makes perfect sense.

As a potential franchisor, I am very wary of taking on the wrong franchisees, and having read this will be even more wary. It is hard to say no to people who want to have a go, but it is better to say no up front than allow someone to go down the wrong path, even if it means throwing out a couple of good franchisees together with the wrong ones.

Ray

]]> By: Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/if-franchising-is-your-backup-plan-please-go-with-your-other-plan-get-a-job/comment-page-1/#comment-607 Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:56:03 +0000 http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com/?p=782#comment-607 Great point. I would add to bring someone else with you if you get as far as Discovery day. When the backup plan becomes "the plan" you esily may be seeing the franchise through rose-colored glasses. If they tell you it may be a year before you're profitable- hear them instead of thinking, I'll do it quicker. Great point. I would add to bring someone else with you if you get as far as Discovery day. When the backup plan becomes “the plan” you esily may be seeing the franchise through rose-colored glasses. If they tell you it may be a year before you’re profitable- hear them instead of thinking, I’ll do it quicker.

]]>