Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

What technology should you expect from a franchisor?

What technology should you expect from a franchisor?

An important thing to consider when looking into a franchise opportunity is how technologically savvy the franchisor is. Of course this will depend in the industry and the type of business, but there are some standard things that all franchisors should be able to provide their franchisees:

A professional website

Research indicates that 51% of consumers find out about products and services online before they buy, so your brand needs to have a website that can capture this market. It needs to look professional and match your branding and be regularly updated with the latest information. It also needs to be technologically up-to-date, user-friendly and functional so customers can do more than just read sales spiels about your products (educational articles, case studies, free whitepapers, competitions etc.). If the franchise doesn’t have a good website, it could cost you customers.

An online knowledge base

Some franchisors may call it something different, but an online knowledge base is just a place where information and resources for franchisees are stored. For example, a secure location on the franchisor’s website where things like product manuals, sales guides and marketing templates are available for franchisees to download any time they need them. This type of system is probably only being used by the most technologically advanced franchisors, but every franchisor should at least have important information and documents in electronic form that franchisees can access easily.

Streamlined online systems

The Internet has advanced to a level where it is so much more than plain brochure websites. Franchisors can now have their entire business system operating using online software so franchisees can log in and access everything they need, such as quoting, inventory management, customer management, invoicing, point of sale, support, communication with head office and marketing. Systems like this will vary greatly from franchise to franchise, but the common features should be that they are online, user-friendly and streamlined – so instead of getting bogged down in paperwork and long-winded internal processes, you can focus on doing what makes you money.

Email marketing software

Staying in touch with your clients is essential, but it can be time-consuming and costly, so it sometimes drops to the bottom of a franchisee’s to-do list. However, if your franchisor provides you with an email marketing system, you can quickly and easily communicate with your database of contacts – send them everything from monthly newsletters and special offers through to feedback surveys and birthday ecards, all with the click of a button. In the most functional systems, you can even automate emails, like welcome letters and payment reminders so you can set and forget. Email marketing builds relationships, increases loyalty and gets customers to buy more from you, and the return on investment is far higher than other forms of marketing. Your franchisor should be able to offer you software like this and also provide templates and content.

All the hardware you need

In today’s business world you will almost definitely need a laptop computer, mobile phone and a PDA to run your business. In most cases, these things and all the other hardware you need for your business will be included in your franchise fee. If it’s not, the franchisor should at least be able to help you source and set up the right computers, networks, phones and other equipment. In order to provide great service to your clients and run your business effectively, you will need the latest technology and this is definitely something you should expect from your franchisor.

The way that a franchisor utilises technology can be a good indicator of their adaptability, acceptance of change and even their potential for future growth - if they have a website from the dark ages and are still doing everything on paper, they are way behind the times and their franchisees will miss out on all the benefits of new technology.

So make sure you factor technology into your research when you are looking at a franchise system. The topics above are just general guideline and definitely won’t apply to all franchise systems, but they are a good starting point for your research.





What technology should you expect from a franchisor - To learn more about this author, visit James Greig's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
John Brennan
John Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


James Greig
(Visit James's Website) James Greig is Managing Director of Australia's best online franchise directory, www.AustralianFranchises.com.au. This site brings together franchisors and potential franchisees - franchisors can advertise their business opportunities and share news about their company, and potential franchisees can browse franchises for sale and read advice articles from franchising experts. If you're selling or buying a franchise in Australia, you need to check out www.AustralianFranchises.com.au. James is also the Managing Director of Bloomtools, a website development and Internet marketing franchise that is seeking passionate people who want to own their own web empire. Find out more about Bloomtools at www.bloomtools.com.au.

James Greig is a Silver author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


James Greig's

Complete
List Of
Franchises
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get James Greig's Complete List of Franchises Articles For FREE!

More James Greig
11 steps to finding your perfect franchise
The 7 Essentials For Franchise Success
What technology should you expect from a franchisor
What makes a good franchise opportunity
Internet franchises the way of the future
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
David Barr  
Jeff Foster  
John Alexander  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Making Life Work Icon Making Life Work
SEO Made Easy Icon SEO Made Easy
What’s Wrong With Your Site? Icon What’s Wrong With Your Site?
Vertical Market Ad Network Icon Vertical Market Ad Network
Accessing Capital Icon Accessing Capital
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Blogs For Startups To Watch In 2008
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008
 
Choose A PR Topic
Choose A PR Topic
Press Release Builder
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
MIEZAN ELISABETH ALLOUMOUA Treichville, Cote D'Ivoire,
MIEZAN ELISABETH ALLOUMOUA
Treichville, Cote D'Ivoire
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Travis Hartley, 426% Growth in 2 Years
Travis Hartley
426% Growth in 2 Years
Jeff Roick, $1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick
$1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Paul Newman, Newman's Own
Paul Newman
Newman's Own
Debbi Fields, Mrs. Fields Cookies
Debbi Fields
Mrs. Fields Cookies
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Donald J. Trump, Trump University
Donald J. Trump
Trump University
Jeffrey Gitomer, The Sales Bible
Jeffrey Gitomer
The Sales Bible
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Getting The Media Attention You Deserve
By Maggie Holben
     How Public Relations Helps To Keep Your Numbers Trending Upward
By Maggie Holben
     Effectively Using PR Tactics: Seven Tips To Boost Brand Awareness
By Maggie Holben

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information