Merry Christmas from Select Your Franchise
Well Christmas is almost upon us and many of us will be turning our thoughts to family, Christmas turkey and gifts. Christmas and New Year signify a time of new beginnings and new opportunities. So whatever it is you want to achieve this new year whether it be a change in career, a new exercise regime, taking up a new hobby or leisure activity, we wish you all the best in your ventures.
Finally, all of us at Select Your Franchise would like to wish all our customers and visitors to our site a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Merry Christmas from the Select Your Franchise Team. . . and extra temporary staff member 
Is a Franchise Business a Safe Investment?
Joel Caws - Technical Director, Select Your Franchise
Investing can be a great way of putting spare finance to work in order to make more. There are plenty of ways to invest money from simply placing it in a high interest bank account or investing into a business venture.
Generally, the higher the risk, the greater the reward or loss. When you place an investment into a savings account you know you money will be safe, however the return you will get on the investment is typically low. It’s also linked closely to the interest rates at that point in time, so when rates go down, your return on your investment will also be reduced.
Some people choose to invest in stocks and shares which is a higher risk activity. The returns can be high for those who have taken the time to understand the way company stocks and shares move, but for those who are uninformed it can be a fast way to lose your money.
Property is another popular investment option with a fairly solid track record. Although markets can dip up and down in the short term, they tend to rise steadily in the long term so investing money in property might realise a return if you are prepared to wait for it.
Investing in a business is also a popular option. There are several ways to do this by either starting up a new business or buying an existing one that is already trading.
Choosing a franchise business may help to improve the success rate further as a franchise is based upon a proven system. Many franchises can be run as management franchises which are perfect for those who want to invest but not get caught up in the actual day-to-day operation of the franchise business. By recruiting staff to run the business, you can effectively sit back and manage the business without getting your hands dirty.
There are also franchise resales which are franchise businesses that are already setup and have been trading for some time. Choosing a franchise resale can further reduce risk as there will be a trading history to look over before making a decision to invest.
No investment is without risk of some kind, however a franchise business has the added backing of a proven business formula and training and support. Generally the success rate is good with around 9 out of 10 franchisees in any given year turning a profit*. If you do choose to invest in a business or franchise option, one thing is for sure: the success of the venture (and the return on your invested finance) will be measured by your commitment, hard work and dedication. Without a determined and committed approach, any business will likely fail.
(* figures from by BFA/Natwest annual franchise surveys)
Tags: business, franchise, franchise investment, investment, joel caws
Could Franchising help alleviate Unemployment?
Nick Strong, MD - Select Your Franchise
Recent news reports that unemployment rose in the third quarter of 2010 to 2.5 million. This is the first rise in the employment figure for six months and is reportedly due mainly to losses in the public sector.
Although the UK pulled out of the recession early in 2010, its clear that the effects will be felt for some time to come, representing a challenge of how to find jobs for those willing, but currently out of work.
It was positive to note earlier in the year the supportive policies for small business put forward by the coalition government. Its clear that small business plays a significant role in driving the economy and it might be considered how small business start-ups, such as those setup via the franchising route, could play a role in helping to alleviate the continued rise in unemployment.
Self-employment through franchising could represent a great opportunity for those caught in the current wave of job loss. If you have come away from an employed position with some capital or finance to invest then what better way to use it than to invest into your future.
A franchise offers a way to start up in business without feeling you are completely on your own. Some advantages in choosing a franchise business include a proven business formula and relevant business training for your chosen franchise business. There are literally hundreds of types of franchise opportunities currently available in the UK so you are unlikely to find a business that doesn’t fit you.
To begin your search for the right franchise for you, you can visit our popular 2 minute franchise matching service.
Tags: economy, franchise, franchise business, franchise opportunities, nick strong, recession, Self employment, unemployment
