The power of social web networking for franchise networks
Social web networking is the latest phenomena sweeping through the web. Central to this movement is the idea of giving power to the user. Over the past three years the likes of Face Book, Twitter and LinkedIn have emerged. These web social networking tools now take up over 10% of all on line activity.
Social networking is therefore very powerful. It can be used to hold business systems to account in both positive and negative ways. People can create followings from their living room via the likes of Face Book. This puts the consumer right in the centre of power today. This is especially the case in business to consumer franchise operations.
Customers talk to their friends about services they receive, They do this when they are very happy and very unhappy. The franchisor should monitor comments in the social web. In Face Book and Twitter for example you can register to be notified about subjects of your choosing.
This will provide the franchisors with real time information about customer and franchisee attitudes where their brand is being discussed. You can also interact in conversations that are relevant to your brand and service. Thank the positive contributions and identify negatives. Agree action points in the conversations where needed.
Interacting with the social web can give a franchisor real customer information and can help with problem identification and fixes quickly.
Tags: Face Book, franchise networks, networking, nick strong, Social web, Twitter
