Member Article

Franchise expert offers top tips to help new franchisees achieve success

Knowing what success means to you and reminding yourself of it every day is one of the most important tips in running a good business, according to a leading franchise specialist.

Gary Farrer, managing director of care franchise business SureCare, has drawn up a list of invaluable advice aimed at helping new franchisees get off to the best possible start.

Among Farrer’s top tips are:

• Rid yourself of negative people and surround yourself only with “can-do” people;
• Focus on where you want to be in 5 years – e.g. bigger house, sports car, financial security – and pin it on the wall so you see it every day;
• You cannot plan your success enough – fail to plan, plan to fail;
• Work from a 5-year cash flow plan – this allows you to plan for icebergs on the horizon;
• Borrow more money than you need at the start and maintain a positive working relationship with your bank;
• Take short breaks to stay fresh – even a walk to clear your head can be a good thing;
• Keep your wife or husband updated with the new business – you need your spouse on board so they understand any stresses you may be under;
• Talk with other franchise owners regularly and make sure you get the most from your franchise support team;
• Recruit the best people you can afford and look after your team – it is easy to let the long hours and stress wind you up;
• Stick to the programme – you have bought a proven franchise business model so don’t change or mess with it;
• Celebrate your successes – especially the small ones;
• Work as hard as you can from the start – and never give up;
• Know what your exit plan is and have this in your business plan from day one;
• Always consider what if things go wrong – what colour is your parachute;
• Listen, listen and listen some more.

Farrer said: “I have met and worked with many good franchisees over the years and the ones which really succeed are the ones who have put in place the best possible plan from the start.

“Buying a proven franchise business model is only the beginning. This is when the hard work really starts. Having a clear vision, knowing your numbers, surrounding yourself with great people, sticking to the plan, taking regular breaks to recharge the batteries and, ultimately, knowing how you want to exit are all essential ingredients in becoming successful.”

Before joining SureCare, Farrer and his wife Stephanie founded and grew integrated care provider Safehands Group into a £5.5million turnover business before exiting at the end of 2011.

Farrer now oversees Chester-headquartered SureCare and its network of 27 franchises and three branches.

SureCare had traditionally concentrated on providing domiciliary care services to the elderly, but since Farrer’s arrival at the end of 2012 it has expanded into childcare, respite care and providing home services to carry out a full range of household tasks.

The plan is to more than double the number of franchises to 50 within two years and to have a presence in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mason Media .