Franchise Training – Why It is Necessary
One of the major reasons people purchase a franchise is to acquire a business with a proven system. This proven franchise system should include an effective and comprehensive training program. Learn about the components of a successful franchise training program and find out why it’s so important for both the franchisee and franchisors. The main reason that franchisors provide training programs to franchisees as part of the deal is to ensure that all franchises are operated in an identical fashion according to the already proven system that the franchisor has created. The initial training also allows the franchisee to learn the operations of the business quickly and easily. Franchisors usually provide additional training throughout the franchisee’s tenure as well.
You should expect to join a system that will provide you with everything that you need to know as you seek out a new franchise company. You want to be a part of a franchise system that respectfully treats you as if you know nothing about the new business. From the ground up, they will teach you all aspects of the business. Conversely, you should be humble and open to all of the teachings from the franchisor.
Initial and ongoing training in all aspects of the business operation is clearly a benefit of becoming a franchisee – as opposed to starting an independent business. Most franchisors are very good at training the technical and operational aspects of the business because it is what they know – running a restaurant, cleaning cars, whatever. But many of their franchisees may not have run businesses before, so they need training in more than just how to operate the restaurant or clean cars.
Initial technical training, either in the classroom or on-location at a company-owned outlet, or with another franchisee, generally follows the structure of the Operations Manual and gives a good grounding in the knowledge and skills required. How long this takes varies from days to months depending on the complexity of the business involved, but it is only a start. Refresher sessions should be available, as should programmes to introduce new products or methods. Where these sessions are held, and who pays for what, will again vary from franchise to franchise.
Item 11 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”) requires a franchisor to disclose its contractual support obligations to its franchisees. This section outlines pre-opening assistance as well as ongoing assistance. It details the franchisor’s training programs and any required franchise systems, such as computers and software. There is a great deal of information in this section of the FDD, but franchisees need to know clearly what training they will receive. Franchisees need to be given the proper pre-opening training so they can start successfully and the right post-opening training so this can continue into a smooth operation.
Franchisors need to construct and present quality training to their franchisees. Quite often, quantity takes the place of quality when it comes to franchisee training Since franchisees can only retain a certain amount of information from a training session, franchisor training should focus on the most important and critical components of franchise operations.
How Good Training Benefits the Franchisee:
• They understand the important components needed to operate the business
• Ensures a smoother and more successful franchise start-up
• Knows the skills his/her employees should have
• Can overcome problems and challenges that may arise
• Provides strong sales building and marketing skills
• Teaches ‘What works and what doesn’t”
• Efficient operation preserves franchisee working capital
• Increased franchisee profitability
There are several reasons as to why a franchisor needs to provide you with franchise training. First, as part of your franchise fees you paid for the training and will continue to pay for it as you pay your ongoing royalties. However, beyond that the franchisor wants you to be successful, because if you will be successful they will also be successful. A franchisor earns its revenue by collecting royalties from its franchisees. Thus, they want you to get through the franchise training as quickly as possible so that you can to start earning revenue and they can start collecting royalties.
How Good Training Benefits the Franchisor:
• Franchisees start-up their franchise correctly
• Minimizes franchisee mistakes and the need for franchisor staff to intervene
• More productive use of franchisor staff
• Higher probability of more successful franchisees
• Improve franchisee satisfaction and promote positive relations
• Improved franchisee validation
• A better franchise network
• Increased profitability
The Components of a Successful Franchise Training program:
• Teaches the critical elements and components of how to operate the franchise
• Includes ample time for Q&A and discussion
• The franchise operations manual and the training curriculum complement each other.
• Franchisor trainers are experienced, knowledgeable and credible.
• Includes simulated and/or on-site location training to impart ‘real world’ experience
• The training is long enough to provide sufficient time to learn the necessary business methods and requirements, while avoiding information overload
• Measures trainee comprehension to insure that franchisees understand and learn what is being taught. This could consist of follow up discussions at end of each training session.
• Utilizes role playing when appropriate
Franchisee training must be carefully designed, constructed and presented in order to maximize the learning experience of new franchisees. Training results should be measured so that enhancements can be made when needed. Franchisors should utilize an individual with proven training skills to administer the training program. Using an existing staff member who doesn’t possess the required training tools may prove costly in the long term.
Hence, you should expect to take part in the franchisor’s initial or new franchisee training as soon as you join a franchise system. The training may be done telephonically, with a personal trainer, or at the franchisor’s headquarters, depending on the system. Also depending on the complexity of the business system, the length of the training may vary from one day to one month. In order to determine how long the training is, where it will be held, how often it takes place, and whether you are responsible for the cost of travel, accommodations, and any materials, read the franchisor’s franchise disclosure document (FDD) carefully.
You should expect to receive ongoing franchise training beyond the initial training. To reach out to their franchisees across the country, franchisors frequently use group conference calls and webinars. Most franchisors have an intranet system to connect with their franchisees with the power of the internet. The intranet provides the franchisees with access to the corporate office where they can send emails, read a franchise wiki or FAQ, access a document library where you should have access to an operations manual.
As many of the best ideas that are part of a franchise system come from the franchisees, seek a franchisor that understands that the training is not just a one way street. So, the best franchise training systems are mutual and not only have you in mind, but the good and betterment of the entire franchise system.
Author info :
Sparkleminds consists of individuals with unmatched expertise in preparing franchise training manuals. Evaluating a franchise training program is essential before you commit to any franchise. Any franchise is only as good as its training program. This particular article illustrates these aspects further.
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