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In addition to running a franchise, I’ve been involved in a handful of business start-ups, purchases, and sales. Each experience was vastly different in terms of industry, working hours, and capital requirements for entry. Each of those is important in deciding which franchise to buy into, of course. But no matter the industry you choose, your personality is a distinctly large influencer on your success.
We’ve written about the personal traits of successful franchisees before. Often, these lists of attributes help assess your suitability for running your own business. You will spend a good amount of time researching franchisors and fine-tuning your financial data to be approved. But even an experienced and well-funded franchisee prospect must look in a mirror.
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An honest self-assessment will suggest your suitability for a young business. The guidelines are less rigid than financial evaluations and forecasts, but personality traits and these softer skills create greater success. If you can develop and hone these abilities (and the other top traits), you will achieve more than other franchisees, even within the same brand:
1… Deeply believes in the brand and the franchisor.
Pride in the product or service distinguishes successful franchisees from others. Those who accept and become part of the franchisor's culture and vision become better brand ambassadors. Their intrinsic belief that the program works and is valuable brings personal dignity and increased commitment to making a new franchise thrive.
2… Values customer service.
Developing a customer base is one step toward growing a franchise. Keeping them is another step, and treating those customers exceptionally well is a completely different skill. When a franchisee can create a top-notch user experience, customers become supportive, appreciative, and loyal—and that builds a strong franchise.
3… Treats others with respect.
Just as customer service must be authentic and valued, a successful franchisee will treat employees well. When we model the type of behavior we expect, our employees will do the same with customers and each other. Courteous treatment keeps employees and others more content.
4… Exudes optimism.
No one can be happy all the time, but a franchisee who sees the franchise's upside and has faith in success is more likely to succeed. Only believing something doesn’t make it real, but those who focus only on the challenges will find a pathway toward the problems. If you are a nay-sayer, success will be more elusive. We usually arrive where we are pointed. So head north and stay positive, even when the going gets tough.
5… Works smart, not just hard.
Working hard is important, of course, but it needs to show results. Working smarter means prioritizing time management to achieve the best and highest results. So instead of unloading deliveries when someone else could do it, dedicate yourself to being a business that excels by using resources to their best advantage. For many, the best use of the franchisee is actively managing and growing the business, not doing menial tasks.
Choosing a franchise with a proven track record is the easier part of your new business path. Analyzing your strengths takes self-reflection and honesty. Embark on your journey with knowledge of your work style and personality traits to make the best decision for your future success.
Anne Daniells is a co-owner of Enterprising Solutions, a professional services firm specializing in corporate communication and financial improvement for businesses where she shares decades of corporate and entrepreneurial experience—including franchise ownership—in her writings on business culture. She has authored hundreds of articles for publications including AllBusiness.com, TweakYourBiz.com, and MSN.com. Reach out via her website for more on where corporate culture, communication, and human architecture collide.