Two things stand between most of us and our ideal business: First, we wouldn’t know it if we fell over it. Second, our minds are filled with barriers— beliefs that prevent us from getting what we want.

1. List what your business would be like if you could wave a magic wand and have exactly what you want.

Write down the number of hours you want to work, the type of work you want to do, the time of day or night you work most productively, where you want to work (professional high-tech office, or home based),  whether you want to work alone or with others and how many others. Write everything down — the more details the better.

2. Be willing to change your business or place of employment.

If the type of work environment you desire can’t possibly occur in your present situation, have the courage to leave.

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To be successful in any business, plan to spend a significant amount of time marketing and selling in addition to the time you will spend on operations.

If you’re buying a business-to-business (“b2b”) franchise where your typical client is a business, your ability to sell your products or services is critical.  But don’t despair if you have never sold before. This is a skill you can learn if:

1. You’re excited about the product or service you’re offering
2. You like meeting new people and interacting with customers 
3. You are comfortable networking and working with business owners or managers
4. You understand the value the product or service will offer their business (e.g. saving time and money, accurate financial information, compliance)
5. The franchisor has a sales system, and the sales process is consultative – not hard sell
6. The franchisor has a comprehensive sales training programme

If you have no marketing, sales or management experience then being operationally skilled will help you sell business services such as bookkeeping, accounting, payroll or office admin.

Sure, the franchisor will probably provide you with signage and marketing tools. But you will need to go beyond what’s provided by the franchisor to make sure you and your business are known in your local community. 

This will involve joining a local chamber of commerce or business association, and attending events to meet other business owners.  Especially at the beginning, you might need to “hit the pavement” to canvas your local area and  let surrounding businesses (and their employees) know that you’re open for business as well as identify potential clients  and figure out a way to get in front of them. What contacts do you have in the area who could help you build your business?

Franchisors are looking for franchise owners who will proactively spread the word about the brand and their business, not sit around and wait for customers to come to them.  If you are a go-getter, keen to learn new skills and enjoy meeting new people – and the franchisor will train you thoroughly – go for it!

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According to Greg Nathan of the Franchise Relationships Institute it is a well researched fact that self employed adults are significantly more satisfied with their work than corporate employees, despite facing higher levels of financial stress and longer hours.

You may think this is because they are making more money, and of course franchisees want to make money, but most are also strongly motivated by the following four factors:

1. A desire for independence and flexibility. Many want to buy a franchise to escape the politics, rigidity and frustration of working for an over controlling boss.
2. To achieve a personal challenge. They are highly motivated by benefitting from the  results directly generated by their own hard work.
3. To make a difference. Many franchisees treat their staff as extended members of their own families and talk passionately about the satisfaction they feel in helping clients and making a contribution to their local business communities.
4. To achieve the respect of friends, family and peers. Never underestimate the importance of status and pride. People buy franchises because they want to be associated with successful brands and business models. Because they want to be a white collar professional business owner. Because it’s something they feel excited and passionate about – proud to be associated with and comfortable talking to anyone and everyone about.

If you’re looking for independence and flexibility, want to make a difference to New Zealand business owners, and seek a white collar professional business opportunity  - check out Smarts franchise escalator programme

Click here for Greg’s full article

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In this climate, the question of whether to choose a job over a franchise changes because the goalposts have moved, along with the ‘usual’ pros and cons.

The greatest advantage of a job has always been that it is perceived to be a lower risk.

Usually a job guarantees an income in exchange for work, with little risk of losing the job unless the employee decides to quit. Most people are naturally attracted to this promise of financial safety.

But times have changed and these assumptions are being challenged. If the long term continuation of employment is in doubt, if the compensation and benefits of employment are lowered, or if career pathways are blocked because the people above you are staying right where they are – the safety of choosing a job over a business is considerably lessened.

In this market, many people are coming to believe that the job they once viewed as the safe option is in fact an illusion.

The advantages of a franchise, on the other hand, have always been threefold.

First, it is assumed that the business will produce a significant income, though the owner will typically have to work very hard building the business before this income becomes a reality. Second, the business will create wealth by building an asset that can be realised when the business is sold at a future date. Third, there are tax advantages available to franchise owners that are not available to employees – particularly for a home based franchise.

The advantages of franchise ownership can still hold true in today’s market, but prospective franchisees need to be far more careful in selecting the right opportunity. Verify all your assumptions and determine exactly how the business has done during these hard times.

If you use this level of care in investigating a franchise, the best course for you may in fact be a franchise business rather than a job.

The reality of threatened job losses or blocked career paths has become the game changer for many Kiwis who are evaluating their plans for the future – and encouraging more and more of them to take their own shot at the New Zealand dream of business ownership with a franchise, not a job.

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Why Smart is a top business opportunity

The sheer dread of returning to an unrewarding office job after the Christmas holidays, combined with New Year resolutions, spurs many people into action to become their own boss.

According to Adrienne Pierce, founder of Smart, “We certainly see an increase in franchise inquiries in January as people are back in the office but aren’t really enjoying being there. This is the best month to act,” she says. “Start researching business opportunities and talking it over with friends and family as you’re getting back up to speed this month. Develop your game plan and lay the groundwork to make your move this year.”

When Is the Right Time to Start a Business? Now.

Now definitely appears to be a great time to start a business. And the current economy is a big part of the reason for that. There were fewer new businesses opening last year. This is important, because it means less competition for employees, customers, attention in your marketplace, and everything else you might need to get your business off the ground.

And, while the bank finance tap is not flowing as freely as it might have in the past, finance is still available out there to the obviously great businesses and business buyers.

So if you have that urge to own a business, we can’t think of why you wouldn’t get started. Now.

Take the leap

The hardest thing you’ll do is to take the leap. If you don’t leap into business ownership, you’ll be depending on someone else for your earnings for the rest of your working life – a life’s work without ownership or upside.

You’re better than that. That’s why you’re reading this article. So go for it.

If you’re ready and willing to start a business this year, why not try a Smart franchise? Check out what our franchise owners have to say

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Hot off the press – the latest labour market statistics released by Statistics New Zealand show that in the year ended June 2009 the number of seasonally adjusted jobs decreased 2.9 percent.

This is the largest decrease since the NZ Statistics LEED series began in June 1999.

From June 2008 to June 2009:

Fewer jobs were created (down 9.4 percent from June 2008)

More jobs were destroyed (up 7.2 percent from June 2008)

So who are the biggest losers in the job market?

Under 50 year olds – the number of filled jobs held by workers in age groups up to 50 years declined

Admin, professional, manufacturing – the decrease was driven by decreases in the manufacturing (down 19,072 jobs, 8.5 percent), administrative and support services (down 12,527 jobs, 13.6 percent), and professional, scientific, and technical services industries.

Auckland and Canterbury – the Auckland and Canterbury regions had the largest annual decreases in actual filled jobs

So if you’re under 50, an Admin specialist, living in Auckland or Canterbury, and you want a change – consider becoming your own boss. Click here to check out your options 

Smart franchises are available in your industry and your region – click here to enquire.

Source: The Linked Employer-Employee Data June 2009 quarter release Click here to download the full report

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Broad Business Understanding

To excel in the banking industry, you must be able to interact professionally with a wide range of business organisations and you need a broad understanding of business.

Smart’s franchise owners have a passion for dealing with self employed people and their business, and a sound understanding of how businesses work. In the banking world that has enabled them to tailor a range of financial solutions that best meet clients’ needs. Now they’re applying the same skills in tailoring outsourced business support services to meet the needs of local business owners.

People Skills Needed 

The ability to effectively communicate to customers is essential because as a banker you are the key to their loan, their investments, their money, and their peace of mind. 

Bankers have outstanding interpersonal savvy which helps them:

• build relationships with customers
• acquire new customers
• grow a network of professionals and business contacts from whom business can be sourced and developed
• and work closely with the local branch network.

An innovative attitude to resolving problems and an ability to negotiate successfully for business is also key.

We’ve found that their friendly, can-do attitude and confident manner can quickly establish and leverage positive and long-term relationships with local business owners.

Accounting understanding and attention to detail is a must

Lending makes up a large percentage of commercial banking. These jobs require a strong understanding of accounting.

Meticulous, fearless employees with a relentless attention to detail and a desire to increase sales are what commercial banks are looking for.

Smart’s franchise owners are also energetic go-getters and have the drive, experience and skills to generate key business for themselves. Strategically minded, with impeccable financial knowledge, they’re excited at the prospect of inspiring their team to provide quality, practical, no nonsense business phone, admin, financial and payroll services.

To be effective as a Smart franchise owner bankers need to be sales-focused leaders with communication and business acumen to match.

If you’re got what it takes to think smarter, better, and have the kind of work ethic to test us as much as yourself, then here’s your chance to make a real difference to New Zealand’s SME business owners – and build your own business at the same time.

Click here to find out more

Find your right business – something that challenges, stimulates and satisfies you – something smart.

You can minimise the risk you’ll take going into business, convert your long hours and hard work into money… and have fun in the process. The way to do that is to do what is right for you.

Your business should enhance your life – not run it.

And it can. Here’s how -

1. do work which matters to you
2. which will allow you to earn the money you need
3. to live the life you want.

Do that and you’ll greatly reduce the stress and strain most business owners deal with every day. Hard work and long hours will be less of a problem, because when you’re doing what you love your business is a pleasure, not a job.

Choosing what is right for you means you need to learn about yourself

Decide what’s really important, discover your passion – and then select the right franchise to get what you want.  Now ask yourself, what is it that I really like to do, and what is it that I’m really good at? But be truthful.

While Franchisors provide training, it makes sense to make use of the skills, experience and interests you have.  What franchises will really suit you?  Do you have the skills needed to run the business or the ability to learn them? Can you do the work required? Consider the role you will be playing in the franchise – front line / hands on operational, or behind the scenes administration and management. Is that what you want to do? Does it push your buttons? Will you enjoy it?

If the franchise is something you can get really excited about, but some aspects of the day-to-day operation of the business don’t push your buttons can you outsource those aspects? If doing paperwork, answering phones, paying bills and doing the bookkeeping doesn’t light your fire, consider outsourcing business administration so you can focus on the parts of the business you love, and on doing what you do best to grow your business.

Most businesses need sales and communication skills.

Do you like dealing with the public? Are you comfortable selling to potential customers? How do you feel when you have to interact with people you don’t know?  In your ideal work environment, how often would you interact with people you don’t know? Do you prefer to deal with people face-to-face or over the phone?

Do you have the support of your family?

Ask your friends and family what kind of business they see you succeeding in, and listen to the answers!

How does the family feel about your choice?  What does your partner think?  Are they completely supportive? Can they help you when you need them?  Is your business plan based on them participating? If so, what happens to the business if they change their mind or have other commitments?  Most franchisors interview both partners.  They know that even if you work hard you’ll need the support of your family to keep up the effort in running your business and making the business work. Do they share your commitment and vision? Who will do what – in the business, and at home? If you are relying on a family member to do the bookwork at home – do they want to do it? Are they good at it? If not, what impact will that have on your business? Business service franchises can provide practical day-to-day support for you as a business owner.

Will it suit your lifestyle?

Do you love to watch the kids play rugby every Saturday morning? Does your club meet every Thursday evening?  You may well not be able to do that with a retail business.  Do you want a seven day a week business, or your weekends free?

Does it really fit? Can you really feel happy down at the golf club, telling people you are no longer the sales director of a national company, but now own an XYZ franchise? Is it something you feel really excited and absolutely passionate about – proud to be associated with and comfortable talking to anyone and everyone about?

Your network is your net worth. Do you have a network of contacts in the proposed territory?  How could these people help you build your business?

Remember why you’re going into business in the first place.

If you ask any business owner why they work for themselves the responses are pretty much the same – to make money, share it with those they love, spend more time with family and friends, have the freedom to do what they want when they want…to build something that can ultimately be managed or sold. That’s a lot easier to achieve if you love what you’re doing, and you’re good at it.

We hope this information helps you in your search for the right business. Good hunting!

Could a Smart franchise be the right business for you?

Click here to find out more about a Smart franchise

Your choices are simple. You either:

1. Stay where you are.
2. Change careers and start again at the bottom or
3. Become your own boss.

Once it was common to keep the same job from ‘cradle to grave’, but not any more. Most people now change careers several times in their working life. They change because their careers don’t provide them with enough money, control or opportunities – or simply because they want a new challenge. They may be well paid, but never have the opportunity to take ownership. They may be frustrated exceeding for someone else and want greater control over their future.

Managers and Executives remove their suits and open professional office based businesses, provide business services, become café moguls and get remade as mortgage brokers. How do they make the transition? By joining a franchise!

Let’s imagine a person who has been in a management position for some time. They may have sales or marketing experience, have managed a team of people, been responsible for delivering a budget or managing cost centres, and built up considerable business acumen. And they have a burning desire to own their own business rather than run someone else’s. But they don’t want to start from scratch. What can they to do?

Provided they have the finance, would-be business owners could have their own business in just a few months if they buy a Smart franchise and take advantage of the training and support offered.

Smart offers help in important areas like: site selection, premises layout, supplier relationships, initial training, comprehensive operations manuals and systems, customised software, a state of the art server environment, field support, opening assistance, national branding and local marketing tools, on-going support and encouragement. Smart become your business coaches and cheerleaders as you establish your new business.

If you are thinking about a career change, don’t overlook the advantages of letting someone else do much of the work for you. Smart offers you the opportunity to own your own business – or even several businesses with an area development option. Consider it a “shortcut to success.”

If you have sales and management experience you have all the skills you need. Get the rewards for your skills and expertise.

Click here to find out what makes smart a top franchise