For the past three years I have been working on a book, chronicling my experiences as a franchisee and sharing the experiences of other franchisees in a broad variety of industries. As you would expect as a business coach I am often sought out by new business start-ups, many of whom are exploring a franchised business. One of the most frequently asked questions is:
What happens if the Franchisor goes bankrupt?
In the up-and-down economy we have been dealing with it has been proven that no business is 100 percent safe from failure. In the case of a franchisor declaring bankruptcy, the franchisees face a unique set of challenges. The relationship between franchisor and franchisees is one in which the parent ...
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Want to define your company's culture? Herb Kelleher, the CEO who made Southwest Airlines famous, once said the following:“Southwest’s communication, its message, is its people.” That comment tells volumes about the culture at that company. It means that the employees are so engaged, and have been provided with the necessary coaching and training to be an extension of the marketing arm of their company. If you have flown on Southwest you probably know what I mean.
And they have over 25,000 employees! Imagine the impact of 25,000 people spreading the word on a product or service. They are more than ambassador’s- they are actually missionaries because they have drunk the Kool-Aid and are out there converting as many customers as possible ...
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How to get the word out about products and services.? Small to medium sized companies all struggle with how to get the word out about their products and services. The best have found that there is no magic marketing formula or technology that produces instant results, and that every entrepreneur has to create their own unique vision and then a strategic plan (aka the roadmap) if they wish to achieve success.
Many solo entrepreneurs are hopeful that they will find the kind of instant fame that will help propel them beyond their sales expectations. While I suppose this could happen, it is extremely rare. In my line of work I see new business start-ups, trades people, and private contractors who are ...
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Buy Local: An Interesting Idea Whose Time May Have Come?
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that at gift giving time nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Consider these suggestions:
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair ...
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Don't make these branding mistakes; there can be legal implications. Branding is not only a marketing concern.
Here are a few do’s and dont's when it comes to designing your brand.
DO make sure your brand graphically promises what you deliver. Meeting expectations is one of the best ways to avoid legal problems.
DO be different. If your brand looks like everyone else (or worse, like someone else in particular) then your chances for protection are slim.
DO make sure your brand includes multiple product names, slogans, color schemes, etc. so you have options in case something goes bad.
DON’T spend a lot of money implementing a brand without researching whether you are stepping on someone else’s. Just think about having to cancel your ads, ...
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