The relationship you have with your franchisor can greatly impact your success in running a franchise. If communication flows and your franchisor is willing to help you, you will be able to take your business farther faster. Here are a few tips to ensure that your relationship is a positive one.
Establish the Relationship From the Start
Before you even buy your franchise, get a feel for what the relationship is between franchisor and franchisee. Talk to existing franchisees to understand how often they interact with the franchisor, and how readily available their point of contact is to answer questions and provide guidance.
If you get the sense that there’s not a lot of willingness on the part of the franchisor, consider looking elsewhere for the best fit.
Set Ground Rules
Once you sign your franchise agreement, talk to your franchise point of contact to understand what she’s there for. Is she available for any questions, any time, or does she prefer to chat once every few months to address issues? Does she have training materials and resources to help you on your path? If you lay the foundation for what your relationship will be up front, with each party having a clear understanding of the other’s expectations, you’ll be off to a great start.
Check In, Even When Things Aren’t Wrong
Most franchisors only hear from franchisees when things are good, and no one likes hearing bad news only. Be different: check in occasionally (even if it’s just via email) to share a big win or happy news. You want to stay on your franchisor’s radar enough so that they think of you when there are opportunities you should know about, and you aren’t just complaining to them.
Get Involved
Is there a franchisee mentoring program you can participate in? Maybe right now you need a mentor, but down the road, you could volunteer to be a mentor. Are there other programs or opportunities you can get involved with? Franchisors often target active and involved franchisees for opportunities like training new franchisees, speaking at conferences, or being the face of their national advertising campaigns. The more you raise your hand, the more opportunities you will be able to take advantage of.
Like any relationship, the one you have with your franchisor will require effort on both your parts. Do your duty by being a good franchisee, following company guidelines, and showing willingness to get more involved.
Susan Guillory is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, a marketing firm specializing in content writing and social media management. She’s written three business books, including How to Get More Customers With Press Releases, and frequently blogs about small business and marketing on sites including Forbes, AllBusiness, The Marketing Eggspert Blog, and Tweak Your Biz. Follow her on Twitter @eggmarketing.