As a franchisor, you want your franchisees to succeed and grow with your brand. But how can you ensure that they are aware of the latest industry trends and best practices that can help them improve their performance and customer satisfaction? In this article, we will share some tips on how you can keep your franchise network up-to-date and engaged.
One of the most important ways to keep your franchisees up-to-date is to communicate with them regularly and effectively. This means not only sending them newsletters, emails, or memos, but also having frequent and interactive conversations with them. You can use various channels, such as phone calls, video conferences, webinars, podcasts, or social media groups, to share information, feedback, and insights. You can also create a dedicated portal or platform where your franchisees can access relevant resources, such as manuals, guides, reports, or training materials. The key is to make your communication clear, consistent, and relevant to your franchisees' needs and challenges.
Being proactive in finding out changes to practices in the industry and disseminate this through open and frequent communication. Keeping training up to date is crucial as well. When you are training material and someone in your class points out that a process has changed it can take the wind out of your sails! Stay on top of your business. Knowing your business and being prepared is a great place to be!
Another way to keep your franchisees up-to-date is to provide them with ongoing training and support. This can help them learn new skills, adopt best practices, and adapt to changing customer expectations and market conditions. You can offer various types of training, such as online courses, workshops, seminars, or coaching sessions, depending on your franchisees' preferences and availability. You can also invite experts, industry leaders, or successful franchisees to share their knowledge and experience. Moreover, you can provide your franchisees with support tools, such as software, systems, or processes, that can help them optimize their operations and enhance their efficiency and quality.
A third way to keep your franchisees up-to-date is to encourage collaboration and innovation among them. This can help them exchange ideas, learn from each other, and discover new opportunities and solutions. You can foster a culture of collaboration and innovation by creating a network or community of franchisees, where they can share best practices, challenges, feedback, and success stories. You can also organize events, such as meetings, forums, or conferences, where your franchisees can network, brainstorm, and showcase their achievements. Furthermore, you can reward and recognize your franchisees for their innovation and improvement efforts, and solicit their input and feedback on your brand strategy and direction.
Franchisor could train and apply LEAN methodology to all Franchisee. With this methodology, Franchisee would able to continuesly improve their operations and eliminate waste and inefficiency. This approach will encourage Franchisee to find solutions; it could be new product, new process or even new technology. The key success of this approach is how the Franchisee is able and given opportunity to share their success as best practices to all other Franchisee. Franchisor could facilitate this via Franchisee Network, and create a positive environment by rewarding the most valuable and successful best practices annually during Annual Franchisee Convention.
A fourth way to keep your franchisees up-to-date is to monitor and benchmark their performance. This can help you identify their strengths and weaknesses, track their progress and results, and compare their performance with other franchisees or industry standards. You can use various metrics, such as sales, revenue, profit, customer satisfaction, retention, loyalty, or referrals, to measure and evaluate your franchisees' performance. You can also use tools, such as dashboards, reports, or surveys, to collect and analyze data and provide feedback and recommendations. Additionally, you can set goals and targets for your franchisees, and help them develop action plans and strategies to achieve them.
Challenging but attainable benchmarks and goals are imperative to being successful in any capacity. They don't work, however, if you aren't transparent about where you are and where you want to be or should be. Open communication about this also fosters engagement and inclusion. It is equally important to use these benchmarks to celebrate even the small wins. A win is a win and should be celebrated to keep morale high and everyone ok the track to success.
A fifth way to keep your franchisees up-to-date is to promote continuous learning and development among them. This means not only providing them with the necessary training and support, but also inspiring them to seek new knowledge and skills, and to embrace change and innovation. You can promote continuous learning and development by creating a learning culture, where your franchisees are motivated and empowered to learn and grow. You can also provide them with opportunities and resources, such as books, articles, podcasts, or webinars, that can help them stay updated on industry trends and best practices. Moreover, you can challenge and support your franchisees to pursue their personal and professional goals, and to overcome their obstacles and difficulties.
Don't be so quick to give your franchisees the answers. Give them the tools and support to find the answers on their own. Teach them where to look and what to look for. Share some of your struggles and how you got past them. That vulnerability is an excellent way to remind them that we're all learning. It's also key to encouraging them to seek solutions and endure the self gratification that comes with it. Understand your franchisees' professional goals so that you can incorporate those into the learning process and can show how they intertwine with the goals and benchmarks set for the franchise.