Redundancy is increasingly becoming a fact of life these days. After years of growing employment there has been a sharp upturn in the number of people losing their jobs in Ireland. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development predict that redundancies will soar to about 2,270 a week in the period between New Year and [...]
Just back from spending the festive season in Dubai. A remarkable city, known as the Hong Kong of the Middle East, and one of the fastest growing and dynamic markets in the world.
If you’ve never been there I recommend a visit to see what man can build with endless money and a seemingly endless supply [...]
Irish Franchise Skillnet, which is supported and endorsed by the Irish Franchise Association, is proposing to create a Certificate course in Franchising through a Dublin university next year.
The course will be scheduled for a minimum of five days over several months. Depending on its success, this may be followed by a Diploma course run over [...]
Franchising your business is like setting up a new business. You’ll need a proper plan, proper management, and proper funding.
We’re assuming here that you have a business that’s suitable for franchising. Ask yourself these questions:
Have you run a successful business for at least one year? Have you proven your concept? Will it survive in the [...]
The Operations Manual is the ‘bible’ of the franchised business and forms a significant part of the franchise contract. It is the Franchisee’s primary source of information and guidance and should contain a detailed description of the Franchisor’s system and how to operate it on a daily basis.
Essentially, it will specific to the needs and requirements [...]
Franchising is not for everybody and it is important that you know what the drawbacks are before making any sort of commitment.
It can be an inflexible method of doing business as each Franchisee is bound by the franchise contract to operate in the business in a certain way. The Franchisor has created a brand and [...]
The franchise contract (or agreement) is perhaps the most important document in the franchise process. Once signed, both parties are bound by it, so it’s worth studying in detail.
The agreement outlines the responsibilities of both Franchisor and Franchisee and should be well balanced in terms of rights and obligations. It should also be exactly the [...]
The winners of the Irish Franchise Awards 2008 were announced at a black-tie ceremony presented in Dublin by the inimitable Marty Whelan. The awards, sponsored by Ulster Bank, recognise excellence in franchising and top honours went to The Streat, Home Instead Senior Care, Abrakebabra Investments, Pristine.ie, O’Brien’s Sandwich bars, and David [...]
Interested prospects can kill you in the franchise sales business. That’s why the salesman always needs to maintain an active pipeline. It is normal for people thinking about buying a franchise go through several layers of interest. This chart shows the levels of progression:
4. Commitment
3. Active interest
2. Passive interest
1. Curiosity
This chart is inverted because it [...]
OK, we’re in a recession and prospects are not good. But are we downhearted? I don’t think so—not if attendance at last month’s Irish Franchise Exhibition in Dublin is anything to go by.
While the exhibitors were fewer than the previous year, the number of visitors was well up—a sign of the times. I was a [...]
