Franchising Growth Continues
New data about the impact of franchising on the United States economy show the industry employs more than 11 million American workers, which is eight percent of all private sector employment. Franchising works because everything operates as a system of tested procedures.
Below are IDEAS to help you run your business like a franchise...or, if you're having entrepreneurial dreams, you'll find LINKS to valuable information.
Ideas For Success
"Reunions"
I'm writing this early Sunday morning%u2026fresh off a late-night arrival home after attending a wedding at the University of Notre Dame. Having co-founded a travel company there years ago, I've experienced many times the frustrations of journeying from Texas to South Bend, Indiana - whether in the dark of winter or on a bright summer day. Post-midnight bus drop-offs following missed flight connections are pretty much the norm for me. However, there are always opportunities to learn, even amidst travel frustrations.
One time I found out why those Fighting Irish gold football helmets always look so good on television: a student crew spray paints each one the day before every game. That's attention to detail, and something essential to every organization.
On another visit, when we twice missed the runway trying to land in a snowstorm, I discovered that traveling on the same flight as a famous local resident carries blessings. After we touched down safely on the third attempt, the passenger seated in front of me stood and said in a thin voice, "I had faith." I didn't - having envisioned headlines of "Muhammad Ali and 19 others perish in crash." If the Greatest has faith, shouldn't we all?
This latest adventure unveiled two lessons. First, no matter how many years pass, within 10 minutes of reconnecting with old friends, you quickly return to those "Glory Days" and reminisce about wonderful times. Second, $4 per gallon gasoline (actually $4.29 near O'Hare) has everyone's attention - from struggling college students, to highly successful professionals - and people are adjusting their personal habits and business decisions to compensate. That's going to have an impact on your business sooner than later.
A New Day With Barack Obama or John McCain assured of inheriting the economic challenges, this country is entering a different era. In seven months someone not named Bush or Clinton will go to bed in the White House as our nation's president for the first time in 20 years. That means anyone who turned 18 after Ronald Reagan was reelected on November 6, 1984, has never voted in a presidential election where one of those names wasn't on the ballot.
Drilling down further, Millennials - those ages 18-29 - represent 44 million eligible voters. That's one-fifth of the electorate, and the largest and most ethnically diverse generation in U.S. history. In the primaries and caucuses they turned out in record numbers, and similar action is anticipated on Election Day. A recent poll conducted on behalf of Rock the Vote revealed the top issues among this group are: jobs; Iraq; healthcare; college costs and global warming.
A strong constituency is ready to play a part and speak its collective voice. On the Rock the Vote web site it says: "We're not going to take politics as usual anymore, and we won't be ignored. We're taking the country into our hands." Sounds like the summer of '68 all over again.
Walt's Wisdom This month's magical idea from my encounters with Disney cast members is about your team taking pride in the role they play in your organization:
"I'd much rather work at Walt Disney World Resort than Bob's Pretty Good Theme Park."
Are you leading the way - setting an example - to make your business world class?
Instructions Included My former travel company partner hosted a day-after-the-wedding function for those who were staying through the weekend in South Bend. My wife and I had to leave beforehand, and when we stopped by their house to say goodbye, they put us to work.
I was about 20 minutes into the highly unskilled labor of gathering sets of a plastic knife, fork and spoon, and wrapping them diagonally in paper napkins, when someone said, "Oh, we aren't including spoons." I quickly responded, "Hey, there was no training with this position." To which a loyal reader observing the exchange replied, "I guess this will be in your next newsletter." Well, Kim, you were right. Thanks for the inspiration.
Even the most mundane tasks turn out wrong if instructions aren't clearly communicated upfront. So remember the spoons - and be sure to take time to explain what you expect, if you expect to receive what you want.
Personal Note The wedding was for a longtime friend who finally said "I do" just short of his 39th birthday. Over the past two decades he: 1) served as my sideline assistant on some of the biggest college football and basketball games I produced; 2) became the first person hired when we opened the Notre Dame office in 1991; and, 3) booked me to work with their team leaders soon after we started Success Handler - even though we'd sold our half of the travel company seven years earlier. He also ranks atop the list of the happiest people I've ever met.
So here's to you Patrick Walsh...may you and Jill enjoy many decades together! I'll be back on June 6, 2033 to celebrate your 25th anniversary. Pick me up at 3:00 a.m. at the bus stop on campus.
Until next month, continued success in all things.
One time I found out why those Fighting Irish gold football helmets always look so good on television: a student crew spray paints each one the day before every game. That's attention to detail, and something essential to every organization.
On another visit, when we twice missed the runway trying to land in a snowstorm, I discovered that traveling on the same flight as a famous local resident carries blessings. After we touched down safely on the third attempt, the passenger seated in front of me stood and said in a thin voice, "I had faith." I didn't - having envisioned headlines of "Muhammad Ali and 19 others perish in crash." If the Greatest has faith, shouldn't we all?
This latest adventure unveiled two lessons. First, no matter how many years pass, within 10 minutes of reconnecting with old friends, you quickly return to those "Glory Days" and reminisce about wonderful times. Second, $4 per gallon gasoline (actually $4.29 near O'Hare) has everyone's attention - from struggling college students, to highly successful professionals - and people are adjusting their personal habits and business decisions to compensate. That's going to have an impact on your business sooner than later.
A New Day With Barack Obama or John McCain assured of inheriting the economic challenges, this country is entering a different era. In seven months someone not named Bush or Clinton will go to bed in the White House as our nation's president for the first time in 20 years. That means anyone who turned 18 after Ronald Reagan was reelected on November 6, 1984, has never voted in a presidential election where one of those names wasn't on the ballot.
Drilling down further, Millennials - those ages 18-29 - represent 44 million eligible voters. That's one-fifth of the electorate, and the largest and most ethnically diverse generation in U.S. history. In the primaries and caucuses they turned out in record numbers, and similar action is anticipated on Election Day. A recent poll conducted on behalf of Rock the Vote revealed the top issues among this group are: jobs; Iraq; healthcare; college costs and global warming.
A strong constituency is ready to play a part and speak its collective voice. On the Rock the Vote web site it says: "We're not going to take politics as usual anymore, and we won't be ignored. We're taking the country into our hands." Sounds like the summer of '68 all over again.
Walt's Wisdom This month's magical idea from my encounters with Disney cast members is about your team taking pride in the role they play in your organization:
"I'd much rather work at Walt Disney World Resort than Bob's Pretty Good Theme Park."
Are you leading the way - setting an example - to make your business world class?
Instructions Included My former travel company partner hosted a day-after-the-wedding function for those who were staying through the weekend in South Bend. My wife and I had to leave beforehand, and when we stopped by their house to say goodbye, they put us to work.
I was about 20 minutes into the highly unskilled labor of gathering sets of a plastic knife, fork and spoon, and wrapping them diagonally in paper napkins, when someone said, "Oh, we aren't including spoons." I quickly responded, "Hey, there was no training with this position." To which a loyal reader observing the exchange replied, "I guess this will be in your next newsletter." Well, Kim, you were right. Thanks for the inspiration.
Even the most mundane tasks turn out wrong if instructions aren't clearly communicated upfront. So remember the spoons - and be sure to take time to explain what you expect, if you expect to receive what you want.
Personal Note The wedding was for a longtime friend who finally said "I do" just short of his 39th birthday. Over the past two decades he: 1) served as my sideline assistant on some of the biggest college football and basketball games I produced; 2) became the first person hired when we opened the Notre Dame office in 1991; and, 3) booked me to work with their team leaders soon after we started Success Handler - even though we'd sold our half of the travel company seven years earlier. He also ranks atop the list of the happiest people I've ever met.
So here's to you Patrick Walsh...may you and Jill enjoy many decades together! I'll be back on June 6, 2033 to celebrate your 25th anniversary. Pick me up at 3:00 a.m. at the bus stop on campus.
Until next month, continued success in all things.
Links To Learn About Franchising
Great places to start your research
- Success Handler, LLC
- My professional coaching organization helps franchisees and franchisors focus on their priorities and grow their businesses.
Be sure to check out the articles written especially for franchisees in our Archives section. (There are more than 50 for your reading pleasure!) - Bison Advertising
- Bison is a leading online franchising resource. More than 250 of the fastest-growing franchises and business opportunities list their offerings. Great site for those looking to own their own business.
- ReadyTalk
- Excellent provider of audio and Web conferencing services, with major focus on assisting franchisors.
- Franchise Business Review
- Franchise Business Review conducts third-party surveys of franchisees. Get the facts about franchisors from the independent industry leader.
- Fran Choice
- Fran Choice helps individuals seeking to own their own business make confident decisions. They'll work with you to determine what type of franchise is best for you.
- International Franchise Association
- IFA is the leading association in the franchising world. This site has terrific information on franchising...from those who know it best.
- Federal Trade Commission Franchise Rule
- Overview of franchising rules applicable in the US.
Quality Franchises
Opportunities you'll want to explore
If you're looking to go into business for yourself, and having the support, guidance and experience of a franchisor appeals to you, these are some of the fun franchises that focus on the fast-growing children and pet services area.
- Dogtopia
- Do you love dogs? This rising star in franchising - 32 locations sold in the past 18 months - may be the business you've always dreamed of owning. (Check out their online commercial - it's great!)
- Romp n' Roll
- Romp n' Roll lets kids stretch their minds by exercising their bodies and imaginations. There are a variety of creative movement and gym programs, innovative art classes, and gloriously noisy music sessions. Plus, Romp n' Roll has perhaps the best slogan in franchising: "Nurture the genius. Unleash the goofball."
- COMPUTER EXPLORERS
- Twenty-five-year-old franchise that provides advantages for children by teaching them how to utilize computers and technology.
- Young Rembrandts
- Does helping children develop their creative skills appeal to you? This is a franchise with locations across the U.S. that teaches kids the power of drawing. (Look at the before and after pictures and you'll see the impact Young Rembrandts is having!)
Franchising Articles
The most popular issues of my monthly E-Newsletter
Each month, I write an E-Newsletter that goes to more than 1,000 franchisors and franchisees. To improve your franchising knowledge, spend some time reading these "best of" selections. (Note: On HTML versions, scroll down to see the featured article.)
- Complete Archives
- Read all of the articles on Franchising I've written in the past four years.
- In A Word - Magical
- Begin with the end in mind, just as J.K. Rowling did by envisioning the complete Harry Potter tale (July 2007)
- Keep Moving Forward
- Visionary ideas from the creative genius of Walt Disney (April 2007)
- Wisdom From The Rock
- Great leadership lessons from Rudy Giuliani (April 2005)
- Visions Of A Guru
- Brilliant insight from the brightest innovator on the planet...who also happens to be the guiding light behind Squidoo! (June 2006)
- One Cool Daddy
- The unique approach of founder Bob Parsons helped catapult Go Daddy to the top of its industry in just five years (August 2006)
- The JetBlue Experience
- My one-day trip to JFK on the inagural JetBlus flight from Houston (September 2006)
- A Dorm Room With A View
- Part I of a two-part series on the Dell way (August 2005)
- Great Is Great
- Part II of the Dell way (September 2005)
- The World's Greatest Thinker
- Wisdom from legendary management guru Peter Drucker (December 2005)
- Go On, Be A Tiger
- Dedication like the world's greatest golfer (July 2004)
- Never Met A Man I Didn't Like
- A look at why customers buy from you...through the eyes of America's greatest humorist (November 2005)
Great Business Links
Excellent Wisdom From The Best
These are Grade A resources for changing the way you do business.
- Capital H Group
- Captital H Group understands the importance of personal development for companies with 1,000 and more employees.
- Best Practices of Great Companies
- Excellent article from Business 2.0 magazine featuring innovative tips and techniques of 25 great companies. Definitely worth your time to read.
- The Great Game of Business
- Jack Stack wrote the book on open-book management, and GGOB will teach you how to implement it...to forever change your organization.
- What's Next Online
- B.L. Ochman is a genius when it comes to marketing. Subscribe to her blog to stay on top of emerging trends, especially in the blog universe.
- Gazelles
- Verne Harnish has one of the best E-Newsletters on business strategy, and his "Rockefeller Habits" approach to doing business is highly innovative.
- Music Genome Project
- Pandora is a free music discovery service that uses leading-edge Thought Particle Technology to play music from more than 10,000 artists customized for your unique tastes.
- The Wizard of Ads
- Roy H. Williams - The Wizard of Ads - is an advertising and marketing guru. This is a link to all of the free materials on his Web site. Be sure to subscribe to his E-Newsletter..."The MondayMorningMemo."
Tips And Tricks
"11 Things" You Can Do To Improve Your Business
These are the "best of" valuable tips lists that tie into our monthly E-Newsletters.
- Bob Parsons
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from the founder of Web site host Go Daddy (August 2006)
- Henry Ford
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Henry Ford (June 2006)
- Rudy Giuliani
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Rudy Giuliani (April 2005)
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Google (January 2006)
- Michael Dell
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Dell (August 2005)
- Great Is Great
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can do to ensure a great business (September 2005)
- Peter Drucker
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Peter Drucker (December 2005)
- Tiger Woods
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Tiger Woods (July 2004)
- Will Rogers
- "11 Things" franchise business owners can learn from Will Rogers (November 2005)
