Without doubt, the biggest advantage to a franchisee is that it reduces the risk of business failure. Because an ethical franchisor will have tried, tested and proven the business model, most of the challenges will have more...
The importance of a good business plan can not be overstated. The initial objective of the document is to help you raise finance for the business however it will also help you understand what you wish to achieve from th more...
The decision is made and you have done the important background research on the Franchise that you have selected and the System involved. You have spoken to several other Franchisees, arranged the funding and booke more...
Lasertech
John Alder, Lasertech – Cumbria
"What I really like about Lasertech is the facts it’s an international company but provides a very local service, there is no other competitor in the office products and printer cartridge market that can match what I now do as a franchisee. The ability for the entire business to be flexible and meet my local customers’ needs is what keeps customer retention so high. I’ve grown my business quicker than I thought and have now expanded by taking on more vans and staff."
UPDATE. Lasertech Cumbria has managed to increase his turnover by a massive 30% in 2008. John Alder (Managing Director of Lasertech Cumbria, a management franchise) recruited a delivery driver in 2008 to help him expand the cover of his territory. Geographically his territory may be large, but with carefully planning and Green Delivery days to his regular customers it seems John manages to overcome any obstacles. He has also converted his customers to ordering on the web, this reduces the time he spends on the telephone each day, freeing up time to win new customers.
Mark Lynch, Lasertech - Tallaght & Naas
I was first made aware of Lasertech through a franchise show where I was impressed with what they had managed to set up and achieve in England. It seemed to be a good business opportunity in a consumable market where people had to buy what we offered. Lasertech offered a different approach to this market that is not matched by any other company in Ireland.
You receive great support from head office who help with all queries, which is especially useful at the startup stage. I have managed to build up a good client base of small, medium and large sized businesses in a short period of time. This is growing all the time and it is great getting customers switching from the larger company’s such as Viking and Datapac to ourselves.’
Lucky Okpako, Lasertech – South East London
Lucky Okpako launched Lasertech South East London in 2009. Lucky “had always wanted to start his own business. Thus becoming a franchisee at Lasertech has fulfilled that dream.” Lucky saw there were two main benefits of becoming a Lasertech Franchisee:
1. Have the experience and support of a well established Head Office.
David has won Franchisee of the Year for the past two years and is well on the way to winning for a third year in a row if March 2009 is anything to go by, achieving his highest ever turnover for a single calendar month at just over £36k! David talks about what factors contributed to his success: 'I received a couple of big orders from two schools, one had just ordered paper in the past, but after speaking to Pam, who is based at Head Office, and does telesales for me, she quoted them for cartridges and managed to close the deal."
"The other school received an email broadcast which Head Office sent out on my behalf, but personalised with my details; they contacted me directly from this email and became a brand new customer. I have also gained another 10 new customers in March. I believe this is down to time management and giving Pam more responsibility. She has contacted my customers on a regular basis for some time now, but in March she was targeting schools, negotiating, quoting and closing, this freed up more of my time to win new customers."
