#franchisefocus

[ifxonline-blog]

FranTips: 4 FAQ Steps to Proactive Franchisee Support

Generating High-Performance Franchisees:                             4 FAQ Steps to Proactive Franchisees Support 

Track Patterns of Commonly Asked Questions and Develop FAQ Directories:  1 - Centralize the tracking of all questions from your franchisees in a singular Help Desk so that you can spot patterns.  2 - Identify key category types and how often specific topics are raised by franchisees on a regular basis.  Assume that, although the same question may have been asked by several individual franchisees at different times, there may be other franchisees that did not know that “that” was a question.  Often times “franchisees don’t know what they don’t know”.   3 - Take the proactive approach of assembling the most commonly asked questions each week into an “FAQ Directory” of Frequently Asked Questions and publish it often to all your franchisees.  Give credit to the franchisees who first submitted the question and then provide your subsequent response. 4 - Continue tracking commonly asked questions and issues in order to determine if you need to make adjustments to your manuals or training and support programs.  You may even see patterns that ultimately end up as new programs designed to further maximize operations of all your franchisees.

  Note that the key to the success of this program is to centralize all questions (and responses from your support team) into one directory or location so that you can see patterns.  Take the proactive approach of updating your FAQ Directory on a weekly basis and promote, promote, promote the FAQ Directory to all your franchisees.

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  IFA Opening General Session Video: http://www.ifxonline.com/videos/2014IFA/

  Free Franchise Strategic Advice? Contact Dan Martin, CFE at [email protected] for a Complimentary Strategy Session for your franchise organization and mark your calendar for IFX's 17th Annual Strategic Franchise Conference set for December 11, 2014 in San Diego (see www.ifxConference.com).

  IFX Technology Sampling:

  IFX's Online Training Module (OTM) - IFX’s Online Training Module (OTM) provides a web-based interface for developing and conducting courses and scoring associated tests online based on user access levels. The administrative interface is designed to provide administrative personnel with the ability to build their own courses and tests online using a variety of formats. Administrators can "assign" courses and associated tests to individuals and/or groups based on levels achieved within the system. Courses and tests can be programmed to automatically flag certain test results, as well as record which users have accessed specific courses and completed certain tests. Course advancement can be programmed to allow users to move on to secondary courses and tests based on achieving pre-set test result benchmarks as outlined by the administrator. Courses and tests can be archived for future access and/or reactivation. Passed, Failed, Taken, Not Taken status reports can be accessed along with pre-set notification templates. Use for profiling prospective franchisee candidates; franchisee training; franchisee employee training and corporate employee training. Unlimited storage space.  Unlimited courses.  Unlimited user accounts.  One low monthly cost.

  Ask IFX about our NEW Online Training Module specifically designed for franchise organizations!  

    Continued Success,

Dan Martin, CFE President/CEO IFX Former Member, IFA Board of Directors Past Chairman, IFA Supplier Forum Board of Directors Former IFA Executive Committee Certified Franchise Executive www.ifxonline.com www.ifxconference.com

#franchisefocus #franchisemanagement #growthstrategies

[ifxonline-blog]

FranTips: Suppliers Can Pick Up Your Support Tab!

      Generating Additional Revenues by Leveraging Your Approved     

    Supplier Relationships:                                          Tagging Your Approved Suppliers                                            to Help Pick Up the Tab

  Do you host a convention for your franchisees? Do you invite your approved suppliers to exhibit in front of your franchisees? Do you charge your approved suppliers to exhibit in front of your franchisees? Do your approved suppliers pay you to attend (plus, cover their own travel and lodging costs)? Do they actually get the opportunity to promote their respective products/services in front of your franchisees? Do they transact business as a function of the direct exposure? Do they pay you for all of this? Do your approved suppliers complain that they didn’t get enough “face time” with your franchisees? If the answer is “yes” to any/all of the above, keep reading...         Develop a Year Round Approved Supplier Sponsorship Program to promote approved suppliers in front of all your franchisees on a regular basis and structure it so that it increases revenues for your franchise organization in return. For example, when you roll-out a new technology application (Extranet, POS System, Accounting System, Online Training Module, CRM, etc.) brand it with your brand and ALSO the brand of one of your participating approved supplier(s). For example: “Powered by Quickbooks” or “Sponsored by U.S. Foods”. Incorporate the supplier’s logo on the application and link it to the supplier’s website (or, even better to a tracking page and then to the supplier’s website and/or social media pages). This approach works for virtually any major application or informational campaign you direct to your franchisees. “Feature” selected approved suppliers using an infotorial approach in your electronic news updates. Dedicate a blog, bulletin board or online chat forum to a particular supplier and let them field questions about their particular products and services directly in front of your franchisees. IFX has clients that have incorporated this strategy into their technology applications that franchisees use everyday, as well as into notices and information exchange forums that franchisees depend on to help each other. Most clients generate between $50 and $500 per supplier per month to be affiliated with a daily exposure program in front of all of their franchisees. That’s 30 straight days of exposure to all franchisees for $50 to $500. A typical franchise convention costs suppliers $2,500 and more, plus travel and lodging for only two days of exposure. Imagine how this form of sponsorship revenue could increase a franchisor’s bottom line. Imagine if the franchisor offered to direct revenues from Supplier Sponsorships into the National Advertising Fund? A great marketing/PR tool for both existing and potential franchisees... and something you could formally disclose and promote in your FDD.

   ______________________________________________________________

IFA Opening General Session Video: http://www.ifxonline.com/videos/2014IFA/

  Free Franchise Strategic Advice? Contact Dan Martin, CFE at [email protected] for a Complimentary Strategy Session for your franchise organization and mark your calendar for IFX's 17th Annual Strategic Franchise Conference set for December 11, 2014 in San Diego (see www.ifxConference.com).

  IFX Technology Sampling:

  IFX's Online Training Module (OTM) - IFX’s Online Training Module (OTM) provides a web-based interface for developing and conducting courses and scoring associated tests online based on user access levels. The administrative interface is designed to provide administrative personnel with the ability to build their own courses and tests online using a variety of formats. Administrators can "assign" courses and associated tests to individuals and/or groups based on levels achieved within the system. Courses and tests can be programmed to automatically flag certain test results, as well as record which users have accessed specific courses and completed certain tests. Course advancement can be programmed to allow users to move on to secondary courses and tests based on achieving pre-set test result benchmarks as outlined by the administrator. Courses and tests can be archived for future access and/or reactivation. Passed, Failed, Taken, Not Taken status reports can be accessed along with pre-set notification templates. Use for profiling prospective franchisee candidates; franchisee training; franchisee employee training and corporate employee training. Unlimited storage space.  Unlimited courses.  Unlimited user accounts.  One low monthly cost.

  Ask IFX about our NEW Online Training Module specifically designed for franchise organizations!  

    Continued Success,

Dan Martin, CFE President/CEO IFX Former Member, IFA Board of Directors Past Chairman, IFA Supplier Forum Board of Directors Former IFA Executive Committee Certified Franchise Executive www.ifxonline.com www.ifxconference.com

#frantips #franchisemanagement #keyapplications #franchisefocus #ifxonline