Franchise Focus Business News…

Does anyone in your workplace baffle and frustrate you?

Do you often wonder how to deal with some of your employees?

Becoming your own boss, and starting your own business is exciting. However, taking on employees and becoming their boss may be a bit daunting. This week, small business owners were warned that if they do not address the stress issues of their staff then their productivity will be harmed. Recent research by the firm Investors in People and YouGov has found that 38% of employees in the UK say that stress levels are higher than a year ago, but only 29% think their business is doing anything to address this. So how do you keep everyone happy in your business?

How People Tick is a fun but helpful book which could well be the business advisor you need!! The author Mike Leibling has used his experience as a mentor and coach to profile all the varying types of personalities which can cause problems within a team and how, as the boss or team leader, it is best to deal with each person so as to turn harmful attitudes around in an encouraging and proactive manner.

In this second edition, Leibling outlines over 50 different types of characters present in the office and business environment and how you, as the boss, should interact with them in order to achieve the best results from their capabilities. The characters include Gossipy people who can cause mistrust in a team environment; Patronizing people who can belittle everyone around them; and Difficult people who are just plain difficult.

Each profile lasts just a few pages and provides the reader with a scenario where the individual’s personality could harm the performance of a team, and how the team leader should deal with the individual. The recommended method of interacting with each character surprised me, because instead of addressing the individual head on and saying “you’re being difficult”, he suggests going through exactly what the person “needs” and what you and the team “need” and what possible way you can both achieve these needs without feeling compromised.

How People Tick is a really good read. You can easily dip in and out this book and pick up helpful tips which will not only help you interact with fellow work colleagues and employees but also help you interact with people in general. It’s also a fun read too - already one of my work colleagues wants to borrow it!

Click this link if you want to buy How People Tick

Publisher: Kogan Page Ltd

We have recently launched a new website aimed at the Canadian franchise market. As a leading international franchise portal, Franchise Direct has been helping people around the world realise their franchising dreams for over a decade. It looks forward to bringing its international expertise to the growing Canadian franchise market.

We are pleased to announce the launch of its new Canadian website. Canada has one of the most vibrant franchise markets in the world and Franchise Direct is looking forward to helping Canadians achieve their dream of franchise success.

Franchise Direct is one of the most trusted names in franchising. For more than a decade, Franchise Direct has been connecting franchisees with franchisors in the United States and Europe. Its growing international network now encompasses seven multilingual sites, targeting the franchise markets in the UK, the US, France, Spain, Germany and now Canada. And Franchise Direct continues to grow, with a website geared towards the Irish franchise market set to come online shortly.

Canadians who are keen to make a start in franchising can rest assured that Franchise Direct possesses an in-depth understanding of their national franchise scene. Franchise Direct brings together an informed and savvy international team highly-knowledgeable in local franchise markets. Franchise Direct Canada will have a distinct Quebec flavour, as it will be headed up by chief business developer Marie-Andree Maurice, a former Montreal native.

It couldn’t be a better time to launch Franchise Direct’s Canada site. Franchising continues to grow and grow in Canada, with some of the most established brands and innovative franchise concepts thriving there. At the same time, economists have predicted that Canada’s economy will recover faster than others from the global recession. Franchising has proven to be a vehicle for economic recovery during past recessions and Franchise Direct will help Canadian entrepreneurs connect with some of the most exciting business opportunities available today.

Not only does Franchise Direct help entrepreneurs find the perfect business, it’s also an invaluable resource for people trying to stay informed with the latest developments in the franchise industry. Learn everything you need to know about franchising as you read Franchise Direct’s exclusive franchising studies. Franchising is one of the most proven and profitable methods to start a successful business. With Franchise Direct, Canadians will now be able to access the best the industry has to offer.

In this week’s Franchise Update, we are reporting on the enormous success which TaxAssist Accountant’s have enjoyed recently, as well as a fun story from one of Apollo Blinds’ franchisees.

Click here to download this week’s Franchise Update, or watch in the player below:

We bring you news of a new store opening by Tax Assist Accountants as well as news of their recent award nominations.

This week, our Franchise Update also features a fun news story about a bride in Wolverhampton who was driven to the church in her soon to be husband’s Apollo Blinds’ van.

Watch the video to find out more.

This week, ACCA certified accountant Anita Brook of Accounts Assist, published an interesting article on choosing the right medium for your business. It is important for entrepreneurs to consider this option carefully when starting their own business. The following options may be available to you:

Sole trader: This means that you will be the sole individual registered with HMRC in order to pay income tax etc. This option can avoid a lot of paperwork registering Companies Houses, but can be more costly and difficult to sell on.

Partnership: This is made up of between “two and twenty” people and all liability is shared between the partners. Even though it is not required by law, Anita advises partners to draw up a Partnership deed to avoid complications.

Limited Liability Partnership: LLP’s can offer great flexibility to partnerships, as it creates a company and thereby removes responsibility from the individual. However, the creation of an LLP can involve a lot of paperwork and higher accountancy fees.  

Limited: A Limited Company requires directors, who have defined roles with the company. Therefore, the danger of disputes is lessened. Limited companies exist as entities separate from their shareholders, which removes them from any liability. However, there is a considerably higher amount of paperwork and accountancy fees involved.

There are obvious benefits and downsides to each of the business structures above, to find out more visit Anita’s article, and also visit Franchise Direct’s directory of the latest business opportunities.

In this week’s episode of Franchise Update, we are reporting on the exciting Master Franchise opportunity available from digital technology retail franchise – CeX, as well as the Scottish Franchise Show which is taking place on the 5th June. Find out how to get a free ticket!

Click here to download this week’s Franchise Update, or watch in the player below:

One of the UK’s most successful retail franchises – CeX are now expanding their franchise into the Irish market. CeX operate online and high street stores which sell second hand digital technology and entertainment products such as cameras, mobile phones, computer games and CDs and DVDs. CeX are set to make record takings in excess of £85 million this year. Based on this success, they are looking to expand into the Republic of Ireland. They are now offering a Master franchise opportunity to a hard working and dedicated individual in Ireland. If you are interested in finding out more visit CeX’s profile on Franchise Direct.

The Scottish Franchise Show will take place on 5th June. The show aims to provide visitors with an array of franchise opportunities available from a variety of different industries. In addition to various franchisors in attendance, the British Franchise Association will also provide seminars addressing a number of issues facing the franchise community especially during the current economic downturn. Kate Moggeridge, Marketing Manager for Safeclean, one of the franchises which will be in attendance said that the show will provide you with the opportunity to discuss your questions and queries with an experienced Safeclean representative. Visit SafeClean’s profile on Franchise Direct and fill out the form at the bottom of the page to find out how to get free admission to the event or visit the Scottish Franchise Show’s website to register.

Keep Watching!