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Franchisors being Revolutionized by the Internet

Guest post by: James Greig

Article Overview: There’s no doubt about it, the franchise market has been revolutionised by the Internet. Not only has it changed the way businesses promote themselves, attract new customers and keep existing ones, it has also increased expectations. Franchisees now expect business processes to be online and clients are seeking out IT companies that can offer them more than just a basic website.

Franchisors being Revolutionized by the Internet

The most forward-thinking franchisors are using the Internet to streamline their systems and make it simple for franchisees to run their businesses. Blackberries and wireless Internet are now commonplace and have definitely been helpful in giving business people access to the Internet anywhere. But it’s things like online business systems that are really helping franchisees make more money by allowing them to concentrate on doing their core business rather than being bogged down in paperwork and long-winded internal processes.

One franchisor that has really embraced this new technology is Bloomtools, a website development and Internet marketing franchise. Bloomtools have developed a complete business administration system for their franchisees that can be accessed remotely, allowing their franchisees to run their business from an office, their home, or even from the side of a road. “We wanted our franchisees to have freedom and mobility rather than being chained to a desk, so we built this system that can be used anywhere, anytime, from any computer,” says Bloomtools’ Managing Director James Greig. “The major benefits of this system are that it saves franchisees a lot of time and money, ensures their clients get consistent quality service and simplifies job tracking and employee training by having everyone running off the same streamlined system.”

People are choosing to buy franchises instead of starting up their own new businesses because they want complete tried and tested business systems and processes. The Internet has provided franchisors with a simple and cost-effective way to meet this increased demand for franchises by offering their business in different locations and formats. “Potential franchisees are becoming really web-savvy and are learning that the Internet can give them more options and flexibility, so they are seeking out franchisors that can offer them an online business system,” says James. The Bloomtools system is a huge drawcard for franchisees because it significantly reduces start-up costs. “Our franchisees don’t need to worry about shop fronts and leases, because they can launch their business from home and start making money straight away. Plus it also means the administration side of the business is so quick and simple that they have more time to focus on looking after customers, which is where they make their money.” Bloomtools franchisees just have to log in to their online control centre and they have access to everything they need to operate their business – their clients, quotes, orders, tasks, jobs, invoices, client queries, knowledgebase, KPIs and even their marketing.

James goes on to say that, “...it’s not just franchisees that are demanding more - clients are too, and this is one area that has made our business thrive.” IT consumers are learning more about what works on the Internet and its potential functionality, so they are now starting to demand much higher standards from their Internet partners. “Business owners know that they need more than a basic online brochure, so rather than getting their cousin’s neighbour’s son or a small local developer to make them a website they are going to bigger website companies with specialist teams of designers, developers and marketers, a variety of solid products and a good reputation,” he said. “They’ve been mucked around and ripped off by small developers in the past so they really want the tested products, realistic prices and simple advice that a bigger company can offer”.

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Article Tags: administration system, blackberries, business systems, consistent quality service, core business, director james, franchisees, franchises, franchisor, franchisors, greig, internal processes, managing director, new businesses, new technology, paperwork, streamlined system, time and money, web savvy, wireless internet



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Re: 4 Home Based Opportunities For 2011 - Hi, Thanks, for sharing these value information with us. Internet make easy us to earn money even at home. Internet offers a lot of opportunities to earn money. Internet Marketing is the biggest example of money making.
Re: Who inspired you to start? - Hi Evan, I was inspired by Mr. Bill Gates ever since I was a student learning Computers. But I was motivated for Internet as my Business, when I read his book "The Road Ahead" in 1995. It was in this book that Gates laid out his vision of an interconnected world built around the Internet. Based on the premise that life will be transformed by the convergence of inexpensive computing and inexpensive communications, Gates drew from his experience at the center of the personal computer revolution to give insights on the growth, evolution and impact of technology. I had always looked up to Bill Gates as my idol. When I read this book, it made me more focussed on Microsoft and Internet, The Internet was one of the upcoming things in this time. So I took over to the Internet as my primary business. Regards,
Re: Poll: Which would you live without? TV or Internet? - Hi Evan, I have to admit that I do enjoy TV but mostly for sport or educational programs. However, I can honestly say that since I went on the Internet, it has changed my life forever like it has for everyone around the world. When I say it has changed my life, I don't mean it in a soppy way but just in everyday things like research, booking a holiday, shopping, renewing tax or driving license etc, all of which you can do online and that is before my Internet activities. Therefore I have to say in answer to the question, I would miss the TV but I would miss the Internet much more. regards, Mal.
Re: Has The Recession Hit Your Business? - Hi, Yes I think it is only natural that the recession affects all businesses and the Internet is not immune to this. Hopefully enough people will see that the Internet is a way to make money and to offset the problems they are having so we all have to remain positive, regards, Mal.
Think like an Association - Hey Sebastian, Maybe you could try thinking like an Association... I would study the structure or formats used by other Associations. What are they doing to add value for their members? The BBB plays a monitoring role for consumers by gathering data about business' that are behaving badly. And they're pretty successful at it too. Maybe you can offer a 'Platinum Program' that franchisors buy into. Accredited members only. Criteria could be strict: 1. Age (stability): 10+ years 2. Satisfied franchisees: 85% + satisfaction 3. Size (stability again): 250 units 4. Strong profits 5. Great management -Maybe a 'Gold Program' for those Franchisors that aren't quite at that level, but can strive to reach it... -Top 100, 500, 1000 Listing for qualified members... maybe a slap at Entrepreneur.com and their biased top 10 lists... -Maybe act as a monitor like BBB? -Maybe team up with FranSurvey OR do something similar for each member (not sure about Fransurvey's rep, but I like the concept) There's so much discontent within the franchising arena that I think if you were part of the solution, then you could create a win/win with your Association. The only downside is that this power can get abused if there aren't good checks and balances within the association.


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