(FS9) Building Successful Relationships in Franchising Systems
In franchising, you will be a part of a team. This means you will have some kind of relationship of some kind with someone. Often times it’s a similar love-hate kind of relationship that kids have with their parents. To fully be prepared for the type of parenting your franchisor will provide, you need to fully read the FDD and any litigations that are listed inside. If you see a list of lawsuits, research them before bonding yourself with the franchisor just to be sure of who they are.
Being a Team Player in Franchising
One of the benefits of being a franchisee is that you’re given independence at the same time as being a team player for multiple teams. You’re a team player in your store, a team player among franchisees, and a team player with your franchisor and their bigger staff. So when you sign that franchisee agreement, don’t start imagining your future as a team-of-one just yet. You’ve actually just signed into a relationship.
Keeping Communication Open When Franchising
Communication is a very important part of any relationship and must be established from day one of franchising. Once you start working with your franchisor, you should notice from day one where the initial communication starts. Usually that’s through training. Then you’ll see continued communication through emails, phone calls, newsletters, meetings, the grand opening, field consultation, operation manuals updates, annual meetings and more. Your franchisor should be making some kind of effort to communicate with you, even if it’s not done personally.
Essential Functions of Franchising Relationships
Two more essentials to the foundation for every relationship are respect and trust. You can’t get anywhere in franchising if you think your franchisor is out to get you. It’s important to understand your benefit is his benefit. It’s also important to not rush the relationship, hoping it turns into friendship. It may or it may not. Just be yourself and let it happen in its own time. In fact, most franchisors believe that the personalities of their franchisees are what contribute the most to their success and in turn, create a more successful relationship. This has become so important to some franchisors to the point that they will build or model their franchisee applications after the most successful personalities in their business and if yours doesn’t meet the ideal, you will be rejected on that alone. The personality of the original location is what cause the success of the brand which is why many franchisors find it to be an important factor when looking at franchisees.
As important as franchisors find the ‘team member’ trait for major growth in franchising, it’s important to know how to work independently so you don’t overuse the support system that you’re provided with. Imagine it’s similar to when your family from far away comes for a visit and at first it’s nice until they’re making demands for help every day for three months. At the end of the day you need to carry both hats: Independence and team player and know when to wear them.
Continue Reading the Franchise Series 9 With:
- Fellowship Relationships to Expect in Franchising
- Supporting Changes in Your Franchising System
- Making Changes to Your Franchising Systems
- Maturing Your Franchising Relationships as Time Passes
- Franchising Research, Development, and Office Support
- Managing System Size or Focus Changes in Franchising
- Working Your Way Through Conflicts That Occur in Franchising
- Reaching Out to Fellow Franchises for Advice
- Joining Advisory Councils and Associations for Franchises
- Bringing the Best To Your Franchises On Your Own