Franchise Focus Business News…

If you haven’t got tickets, don’t worry you can still apply for free tickets.

We are quite excited, and thought we could share this excitement with a few handy tips about making the most of a franchise exhibition.

Facetime. Literature and information on franchise opportunities is much easier to come across now with the internet. So are tens of thousands of people gathering to wake around the ExCel in circles? Because there’s still no equivalent to the human experience of physically going to see, hear and talk about franchises. Make the most of all your senses.

Talk to the franchise support managers, franchise owners, and current franchisees. Everyone is on form at exhibitions, and willing to do plenty of talking about their business. Forget about the groceries and MOT for one day and immerse yourself.

Do your research. Chances are if you are going along to a franchise show, that you have some interest in the franchising industry already. Do some more homework for an even better idea of how the franchise model works. If there are any particular areas within the standard model that you do or don’t like, have a think about why that is, so you can spend your time smartly on the day. You can download our Pocket Guide to Franchising to brush up in the history of the industry, tips and advice.

Survey the ground before kick-off. View who the exhibitors are, what they do, and what you want from them. Make a list of four or five people you want to talk to. This might seem like a small number, but make sure you really want to see these. You’ll get distracted, you’ll get hungry, there’ll be plenty of distractions (yogurt and fish manicures last year) so if you don’t plan, you might not get around everyone you want to see.

Whilst doing your research is vital, try to remain impartial when you finally do get through the doors of the ExCel. If you’re too focused on one idea or industry you might remain oblivious to your perfect match and miss out on the business of a lifetime. Look, listen, absorb as much information as you can.

Sit on your bottom. As well as exhibitors, there is a wide array of industry professionals making speeches and presentations. From a former C4 The Secret Millionaire, to leading high street banks, pay attention to these experts, and take the chance to sit on your bum for a few minutes!

When you make that final trip to the toilet and hop in the car to go home, remember to make sure you spend some time going over the literature, experience and advice you took with you. If something really struck a chord with you follow it up! You’ve already taken the first step by spending your Friday or Saturday in the heart of the Docklands, so milk it!

Tips to keep going throughout the day.

• Take water, comfortable shoes and some snacks. Enjoy a long lunch break to give you time to refocus your energies again for the afternoon.
• If you have a smartphone or a phone with a camera, take pictures of business cards, URLs, and anything that might interest you. Greener than slips of paper and you’ll be less inclined to lose them!
• Franchisors will be keen to demonstrate what their business does. Keep your eyes open for freebies. Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch?

The International Reception was held at the IFA Convention in Orlando last Sunday night. The event was co-hosted by Franchise Direct, one of the best franchise opportunity websites in the world, and was a rousing success.

The IFA Convention is one of the most exciting events on the calendar for those involved in franchising as the entire industry comes together to discuss how franchised businesses can grow and succeed. With the explosion of franchising in developing economies like China, India and Brazil, an international presence has become integral for many top franchises. The International Reception was thus an essential event for anyone at the Convention trying to develop franchising outside of America.

Franchise Direct has made a major commitment to international franchising. It operates offices in Atlanta and Dublin has a major footprint in franchising beyond America’s shores. It runs franchise opportunity websites in Europe’s top economies - the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Ireland – and recently launched portals for the Mexican and South African franchise markets.

The International Reception was a fun, successful and well-intended event. Franchise Direct raffled off two bottles of premium Irish whiskey on the night. Edwards Global Services was the other sponsor of the event, and all told, the reception was a delightful event at another memorable IFA Convention.

Below you’ll find a photo of Franchise Direct CEO Sean McGarry (right) with the winner of one of the whiskey bottles. Note his very international tie.

Preparations are well underway at Franchise Direct’s European headquarters for The Franchise Show in London’s ExCel February 24th and 25th.

The UK’s leading franchise directory and information site will be exhibiting at stand 105 at the biggest franchise exhibition in the UK.

The show will coincide with the launch of FranchiseDirect.co.uk’s new Facebook page, which will bring all the news, success stories, advice and top franchises to the world’s largest social network.

FranchiseDirect.co.uk have just finished a ‘Pocket Guide to Franchising‘, which will be available to download on facebook.com/FranchiseDirectUK.

Keen to offer clients the best exposure through every available  channel, having launched a mobile site and including a Social Media add-on to the promotional packages in 2011, the portal will be providing regular social media updates via Twitter and Facebook, so if you can’t make the show visit our pages to see what’s going on in the ExCel.

If you are attending the show, you can apply for free tickets at http://www.franchisedirect.co.uk/franchiseseminars/the-franchise-show-06429/.

Many of Franchise Direct’s clients will be exhibiting at the show, including Auditel, Arc Media, Agency Express,  The ZipYard, ActionCoach, Alex Clark Lettings, BCR Associates, Business Doctors, Business Plan Services, DriverHire, Expense Reduction Analysts, Fastsigns, Intelligent Energy Solutions, Franchise Seminars, Mac Tools, Mail Boxes Etc, My Gym Children’s Fitness Centre, Platinum Property Partners and Quit Smoking Pal.

European Sales Director  Brian Rogan will be on hand to discuss the comprehensive packages available to promote franchises through the site, including the European Entry Programme, and Premier and Platinum packages for generating the best quality potential franchisees across the UK.

“Whether you’re looking for maximum exposure throughout Europe and globally, or are seeking to expand nationwide, we can provide the most effective way to promote your franchise to the right people. We can generate quality leads that will become your future franchisees,” said Mr Rogan.

UK Accounts Manager Lillie Burroughs said “I’m really looking forward to catching up with all of our clients, meeting potential new clients, promoting our service to potential franchisees and having the best Franchise Show yet!”

UK website editor Fiona Sherlock can’t wait to meet the clients for the first time after joining FranchiseDirect.co.uk last year.

Members of the UK team will also be on hand to give help and advice to anyone who is thinking about or has begun a search for their perfect franchise.

Individuals interested in starting their own franchise business, can browse the range of exclusive offers and apply for information on financing on the Franchise Direct site by logging on to http://www.franchisedirect.co.uk/.

Here are some pics from last year!

Toni from Arc Media, Franchise Direct's Brian Rogan and Cash and Cheque Express' David Wheeler

Ashley Dyer from Morgan Blake Consultants, Lillie and Arc Media's Sam

A new franchise self-regulatory body has just been launched. The Approved Franchise Association, brainchild of Craig Brittain, will be operating to improve self regulation of the franchise industry in the UK.

Craig told Franchise Direct “The BFA have rarely seen any real competition, and witnessing the rapid growth of the AFA, and the way it is being received by the Franchise Community, will no doubt be causing them to ask questions of themselves about their offer, and considering it’s true financial value and worth in a free market place.“

The AFA will be entering into direct opposition with the British Franchise Association, who have been operating since 1977.

With bfa membership fees starting at nearly £2,000 annually  the AFA is expected to provide a cheaper alternative to regulation of the industry.

He said: “I am delighted to be part of this new and exciting organisation. The franchise industry has grown significantly over recent years and the introduction of this new association can only be of benefit to this very vibrant sector of the economy.

“We aim to make a difference. Our values and principles ensure our organisation remains focused and driven by our collective objectives, surrounding the growth, development and awareness of the Franchise Industry within the United Kingdom.”

He continued “competition, although not always welcomed by all, brings along with it choice.  The choice here is for Franchisors to freely decide for themselves what each association offers, and which is for right for them.

“We pride ourselves on our organisations’ modern style.  Form filling is electronic; communications are quick and effective; and we will never overcomplicate any issue. “

Richard Cobb and Anna Baker from the Business Group at Michelmores provided legal advice to AFA. Richard Cobb said: “It is estimated that there are over 1,000 franchises in the UK and the number is set to increase as this is a tried and tested way of growing a business or setting out in business for the first time.

“Achieving the right relationship between franchisor and franchisee is critical and the AFA’s guiding principles offer the sector a viable alternative association and accreditation system to address the issues involved in a highly professional manner.”