Franchise Mama

BY ZGURUS WWW.ZGURUS.COM

Greetings from Z Gurus and Welcome to Franchisemama.com

The answers to selecting the right franchise may be somewhere on this website. You are here because of your interest in franchising, and we know that you can use valuable advice from experts.

This blog feature is written by Z Gurus and designed to help you, the franchise buyer, promote critical thinking and help apply a rational, non-emotional approach when considering a franchise.

Don't be downsized! Join an industry that strives to upsize!

When you buy a franchise, you are most likely making a career change. Moreover, you are making a life change. Currently, you may or may not be employed, you may or may not have a home, and you may or may not have assets. Today's national financial condition may make purchasing a business prohibitive for some. You need to examine your eligibility early in the process. Z Gurus, for example helps our clients evaluate their financial potential for franchise ownership and then make proper recommendations.

At Z Gurus, we completely understand franchising; both from a Franchisor's perspective as well as a Franchisee's perspective.

* We have been franchisees, and also have been franchisors.
* We know the process from both sides of the table.
* We know the emotional and mental stresses you will encounter as a buyer.
* We know the motivation of the franchisors.

Franchise Mantras to remember:
* Franchising is not right for everyone.
* Every brand and business model is not right for everyone.
* The Right Person + The Right Concept = Success and Happiness

Keep in mind that as you evaluate the franchisor, the franchisor is evaluating you! You are joining them. You are going to display their brand and their logo. You will, in fact, be their representative. You will be interacting with other franchise owners, business suppliers and vendors, and the public as a representative of that brand and an owner of your own business. They are giving you a right to join them and their network by accepting your application to do so. This opportunity is an AWARD.

Think of it as a job interview. Having a spirited conversation is acceptable for a franchisor. Throwing insults jabs, and demands to the franchisor may, however, remove you from the interest list. So maintain professionalism when interfacing with the franchisor. This will set you apart from the other candidates and put you on the top of their agenda.

The franchisor is going to give serious consideration to the approach of a franchise buyer. As a franchisor, we experienced many people that had the financial capability and drive to succeed, yet we did not offer them our franchise ownership opportunity.

Why?

Simple the buyer was aggressive and offended the franchisor. Remember, the franchise usually has developed a culture and are trying to select franchise owners that align with their ideas, ethics, and/or philosophies.

When you buy a franchise, you are most likely making a career change. Moreover, you are making a life change. Currently, you may or may not be employed, you may or may not have a home, and you may or may not have assets. Today's national financial condition may make purchasing a business prohibitive for some. You need to examine your eligibility early in the process. Z Gurus, for example, helps our clients evaluate their financial potential for franchise ownership and then make proper recommendations.

Don't be downsized! Join an industry that strives to upsize!

Franchising gives you the chance to be your own boss and go out on your own, but not alone

Here are some great questions to ask yourself before you proceed:

* Ask yourself if you can work without a boss. Having a superior directing, managing, and guiding you everyday is necessary for many.
* Ask yourself if you have the mental, physical, and financial capacity to be your own boss.
* Ask yourself if you can be wholly committed to 4+ weeks of research on the franchise brand that you are evaluating. Investing your time is much cheaper than investing tens of thousands of dollars!
* Ask yourself if your family can and WILL support this life change.
* Ask yourself if you can do this!
* Above all, ask yourself: IS THIS A BUSINESS I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT?

Next: So you are ready to investigate a franchise. Now What?

Z Gurus is a Franchise outsource and consulting firm headed up by Mike Watorski and Manish Adhiya. They have a combined 17+ years experience in franchising as franchisees and franchisors and are located in Carlsbad, California. Their telephone number is 760-438-0202. Visit WWW.ZGURUS.COM

BY ANNE BARR, www.franchiseopportunityspecialist.com


Naturally, most Entrepreneurs seek an opportunity that allows them to build a wonderful enterprise appealing to the masses with the most fabulous can't live without it product or service.

Obviously, this enterprise could be a start-up, existing business or a franchise. Start-ups are of interest because you can do it your way and have that control we all desire. However, the Entrepreneur typically doesn't have the patience to put all the applications of the idea into action. As the idea materializes, the details and application steps sometimes get lost in the grandiose plan and future pacing of the Entrepreneur.

Existing business acquisitions can often provide the Entrepreneur with a platform upon which to build his/her empire. Purchasing a stream of income can jumpstart the process and sometimes accelerate the growth curve. Finding the right one can be tedious, time consuming and difficult to negotiate. The occasional, by the way surprises can be jolting and cause severe headaches!

Entrepreneurs wish to control their own destiny. Captain their own ship. Is this Utopia?
Perhaps, but more accurately the drive to create something that is useful and/or desired by the consumer. To produce a reasonable and expected ROI and to exceed predicted growth (multiple locations, linear growth, new market channels, diversification of product or service)

The Franchise Model.
Some Entrepreneurs prefer to form their own business model. Others gravitate to a proven concept like the business format franchise model. Particularly for the entrepreneur who has never owned a business before.the franchise model provides a stepping stone to achieving the golden ring. Master Franchises are a good example.
Now here's a REAL entrepreneur's dream. Master Franchises have been touted as the “Best Kept Secret in Franchising Today.

The Master franchise concept allows the Entrepreneur to:
* Have the largest territory offered by franchisors
* Create expanded income generation
* Build equity in the business at a faster pace
* Act as a consultant to the franchisees in your territory, helping them to succeed

So, why aren't more franchisors using this concept as a way to expand more expediently?
* Because the concept is relatively new
* Because some franchise attorneys do not favor this model
* Franchisor is not willing to share the fees and royalties

The Business Format Franchise model is more popular than ever. Considering there are 5,000 franchises spanning approximately 80 industries, it is safe to say the franchise industry is exploding with growth. Franchise fever is definitely prevalent and catching.

Many of my clients are casualties of corporate mergers. Some find they are overqualified or too old for rehire, especially when corporate America prefers the recent college grad. Forget about experience and knowledge gained from years of product knowledge, management and leadership..it's all about money $.

Yes, there are many Entrepreneurs lurking in the carnage of today's Mergers and Acquisitions battlefields. So what are these guys and gals doing in their next career path?
You'd be surprised how many are considering business ownership. It beats the rejection and demoralization of the job hunt for those 45 and older.

Perhaps your next career path is a business format franchise. Area Development or Master Franchise anyone?

BY ANNE BARR www.franchiseopportunityspecialist.com

What is it that attracts more and more people to become business owners? What happens to bring that Entrepreneurial spirit to the forefront?

Not only do Entrepreneurs embody the American Dream, they drive our economy and our future.

Todays corporate mergers create additional opportunities for many to take the “big step into business ownership. More and more talented individuals in the 40-60 age group are finding great difficulty in their search to replace the position and income they enjoyed in their previous employment. What are these “breadwinners to do when they are too young to retire and many have one or more children in college? A high percentage will seriously look into business ownership.

As increasing numbers seriously explore business ownership, assuming they are qualified financially, we find the largest roadblock to be.RISK.

R Research = Reward
I - Insecurity with volatile job market
S - Success is Not Guaranteed
K - Knowledge and Self Confidence to build an asset

Obviously, there are no guarantees. Of course, running a business takes talent and skill.
Reducing the risk is accomplished by research and due diligence. As with any major decision in life, an individual will at first emotionally buy the business, then justify with the facts. The fear factor is rationalized by the confidence a person has in his/her transferable skills and the vision to build somethingan asset to pass on to the next generation, put a manager in place and back away when the time is right, or even sell when they choose.

Its all about timing. I met many of my clients over a year ago. Sometimes people will interview for jobs and look into business ownership at the same time. You can't give 100% effort by going down two paths at once. Occasionally, a client will take a position that is less than preferred, because the frustration of the search has taken its toll. However, when they are downsized AGAIN, they decide the timing is right to end the job insecurity by moving forward into business ownership. No glass ceilings, no corporate agendas, no corporate politics simply more independence and a chance to control their destiny a chance to build something by working for “self rather than someone else.

The American Dream is it in your future?