Pleased to be on show (London franchise exhibition special feature)

Pleased to be on show

 

By: Linda Whitney

ATTENDING an exhibition can save you time when choosing a franchise. But if you haven't been to one before, it helps to know what to expect.

The British and International Franchise Exhibition, at Olympia, London, this Friday and Saturday, features more than 100 UK and overseas franchises from a variety of sectors, including hygiene products delivery franchise Chemex, recruiter Select Appointments, and Papa John's pizza.

Other franchises will include vending company Vendsetters, property services business Aspray, relocation service Medics on the Move, driving and industrial staffing franchise PL Workforce, and Myhome International group, which is seeking franchisees for its plumbing, electrical, cleaning and lawn care franchises.

For business pioneers, exhibitors will include Rock Masters, founded by record producer Mike Hurst, who has worked with Cilla Black and Belle and Sebastian, and Indian restaurant chain Tiffinbites, which wants to open 50 outlets where food is served in metal tiffinboxes, the Indian version of the lunchbox..

Other new franchises on show include portrait photography franchise Venture UK and roof restoration business Moss Rid.

Not sure what will suit you? At the Find Your Franchise Zone, staff will provide a route around the most suitable franchises for you.

And for more advice the British Franchise Association's free 'Introduction to Franchising' seminars, will be held twice daily, while their stand will offer free information.

At the Women in Franchising Zone, Linda Westall and Angela Ward from business events company Women on Top will speak on how to be a successful business owner and how to turn challenges to your advantage..

WHEN Paul Whittaker went to his first franchise exhibition, he was surprised. 'We were amazed at the number of franchise possibilities,' says Paul, 33, who went to the British and International Franchise Exhibition in Manchester last year, with wife Clare, 34.

'There were big brand names we never knew were franchises, especially in estate agency, a sector we were considering.' The couple (pictured) researched franchising and took a list of questions. 'The show was a good chance to talk to franchisers face-to-face and compare their offerings, all on the same day,' says Paul.

By the end of the day, the couple had decided on estate agency and were attracted to the Reeds Rains franchise.

The Whittakers opened their Reeds Rains estate agency franchise in Bolton in January this year, offerings sales and lettings services. Paul advises others visiting franchise exhibitions: 'Don't be afraid to ask questions, however trivial they may seem.' Reeds Rains is looking for more franchisees with £85,000-100,000 to invest.

Reeds Rains, 0800 977 8700

A little help and advice can go an extremely long way

THE FREE Growing Your Own Business exhibition and conference, which runs alongside the show, offers more advice and help.

CBI Entrepreneur of the Year Steve Leach, of digital marketing company bigmouthmedia, will talk about: 'What makes an entrepreneur unique?' Other speakers include Calypso Rose, of promotional handbag company Clippykit, and Annabel Gatward, founder of online lingerie boutique Glamorousamorous.com..

There will be seminars on entrepreneurship, led by Nick Jenkins, founder of personalised greetings card website Moonpig.com, on marketing by Michelle Tennens, of redPepper Marketing, and PR, by Courtney Blackman of Forward PR.

Accountants, lawyers and small business support services will also be on hand to give free advice.

¦ Tickets for both exhibitions are £8 (advance), £13 at the door. Call 0870 7771082; www.franinfo.co.uk

Planning is the key to success at this exhibition

HOW CAN you make the most of a franchise exhibition? If you are going to the exhibition at London’s Olympia this Friday and Saturday, start preparing now. If you are unsure what kind of franchise you want, consider your lifestyle. Get the list of exhibitors
from www.franinfo.co.uk. ‘If you don’t want to work unsocial hours, a business-to business franchise working nine to five might be better than a fast food outlet which stays open late,’ says Sean Derrig, of hygiene products delivery franchise Chemex. Most franchisors require no experience of their sector, so don’t be limited by your previous experience. Instead, list your transferable ‘soft’ skills. ‘Look back on your career and identify the skills that would be valuable in setting up and running a business, such as financial expertise or management,’ says Ben Smith of cartridge recycling franchise Cartridge World. ‘Try to fit them to a franchise. For instance, we particularly value people skills, as our franchisees have to be good at dealing with people at all levels.’ Other skills to list include sales, communication or marketing. Look for a franchise that values those. Work out what you can afford. Bear in mind that many franchisees need only have 30 per cent of the initial investment, as banks will consider lending the rest
to suitable people. Research which franchises are affordable to save wasting time at the exhibition. ‘Quite a few inquiries at franchise shows come to a halt when potential franchisees find they cannot afford to invest,’ says Mr Smith of Cartridge World. It will be at the show seeking more franchisees with £35,000 available funds. Make a list of questions for franchisors. ‘Ask each the same questions and you can compare answers,’ suggests Mr Derrig of Chemex, which is at the show looking for franchisees for new
business areas (costing £24,000) and variably priced resales. Ask about training and set up help, ongoing costs, the price of equipment, what sort of premises and location you need, and any staff required. Prepare questions for independent experts who are not franchisors. David Tuck of Venture Marketing Group, organiser of the British and International Franchise exhibitions, says: ‘For impartial advice on finance, contracts or building a business, the British Franchise Association (BFA) is always present at the shows. ‘It also organises free seminars including advice from franchising specialists, banks, accountants and legal experts.’ Be prepared to tell franchisers about yourself.
‘You don’t need to bring your CV, but be prepared to give a quick verbal snapshot of your background, says Liz Kilford of executive recruitment franchise Antal International.
Antal will be at Olympia looking for more franchisees with £40,000 to £50,000 to invest. ‘For instance, we look for people with a professional background, who are serious about wanting a white-collar franchise. ‘Background is important because often they can use their previous career experience and contacts to recruit into that sector. ‘Discussing your background with a franchiser means they can offer you help and advice about whether the franchise will suit you.’
■ Chemex, 0121 525 4040; Cartridge
World, 01423 878 520.




THESE exhibitions allow you to talk to existing franchisees, but what do you ask them? Liz Dillon, from Hadleigh, Essex, a franchisee with executive recruitment business Antal International Network, will be on the Antal stand at this year’s exhibition. Liz says: ‘Work out what worries you about taking on a franchise. It may be the finance or getting help with sales. Ask the franchisee how the franchiser dealt with that.’ Ask how much support the franchisee got in setting up the business, and the quality of the ongoing help. Note down what each person tells you, and add it to the literature you got from the stand. ‘That saves confusion when you want to talk to a franchise again,’ says Liz.
Antal: 0870 774 5464