Franchise News: Letting agents WANT ‘The Hook’
Steve Roulstone - Director, Castle Estates
It may seem that I am paranoid about the BBC. My wife would probably agree, far from it, I always start with the BBC before any other channel whenever I turn the TV on. But there are times when I do despair about the way in which they report matters and it is not just the Housing market or in particular the Letting Industry that grabs my attention, just listen to the bad news angle taken within the weather forecasts and you will know what I mean!
Popular news reports.
One of the automatic results of being the BBC is whatever they write, especially within the news, they always get ‘Star billing’ within Google. Well done to them, after all we are all looking for better placement, but over the last couple of weeks, a report by the BBC from back in June 2010 has kept appearing within the criteria of my Google search. It is entitled ‘Letting Agents let off the hook by Government’ so this morning, when it appeared again, I read it.
Principals .
One of the important principals about writing anything for publication on the web, if you wish for people to find your scribbling, is to make sure that your article explains the title, so it falls in the ‘what it says on the tin’ principal, or at least that is what I have always been taught. However, having read the article I would have to describe this as a tenuous link at the very least. The comment within the article that the title refers to is about agents who I assume are not part of any professional body, as either the ARLA spokesman did not confirm this in what he said, or only part of his comment was printed.
Actual intent.
What is confirmed by ARLA and indeed the CA is that the legislation was both welcome and good in its intent. That some will take advantage of the decision is a matter of conjecture, as professionals, we believe the legislation would have stopped that happening. So the actual meaning of professional agents (and in my opinion letting agents are qualified individuals, letting agencies are offices!) is not differentiated in the article headline.
Now for the rub!
And the reason I list this as franchise news, because the result of the visibility such articles get through Google, is that hundreds of people will read the title and without even reading the article, my Industry will be tarred with a brush, that when you read and understand the article, we do not deserve! It is difficult enough to prove that my industry is not suffering in the same way that House selling has suffered over the last few years and indeed that we have benefited in so many ways. I do not ask that we have good news just to suit my Industry and I would not state or write anything that I cannot support, but it is time that the BBC went back to the agency that reports the news in a factual manner and stopped looking for elements of bad news so often in its reporting.
The reality is different.
Because they are who they are, the BBC have far more influence that such practises deserve, in the meantime how many people have written off a Property Management Franchise on the back of articles and reports like this that give what in my opinion is a negative approach, when in actual fact, as an Industry we would welcome such legislation and the article says just that. Pity the title the BBC chose disagrees!
Steve Roulstone is the Managing Director of Castle Estates Franchising Ltd
Franchise News: Franchising appealing to younger entrepreneurs
Steve Roulstone - Director, Castle Estates
I have been attending the National Franchise Exhibition for several years now and there is no doubt in my mind that the age of those attending is dropping year by year, with for me, a definable difference this time around. I have already commented in these posts that the quality of attendee was very high this year and therefore having spoken to many people between twenty and thirty years of age, it confirms that the younger entrepreneur is no different in researching the potential offered by Franchising than anybody else.
Recognition for the Industry
I have searched the internet for proof of my beliefs through the written word or quoted statistics, but can find nothing to back up my feeling, but for me, being convinced through what I experienced myself, it looks as if the facts behind the ability for Franchising to offer such a higher success rate for new Business is beginning to be seen and hopefully appreciated by a younger market.
New Initiatives?
And with new initiatives supporting the Industry due to be announced in November as well, although as yet the context and content is not known, good support schemes can only legitimise the Franchising route to being the owner of your own Company for a wider market of would be entrepreneurs.
Age should be no barrier
It is of course just as important for us to treat everybody in the same way when as Franchisors we look at the attributes of every applicant we see, regardless of age or any other definable characteristic. But experience has to be taken in too account and without being ageist, I will continue to consider the individual qualities of every potential Franchisee I meet. It would be a tough call if like the X Factor, I had to recommend to somebody that they ‘Came back next year’ or something similar but because Franchising is very much a two way street, I would continue to take this approach with everybody who approaches us.
Franchising will be the benefactor
But normal evaluation aside, I firmly believe that a younger more dynamic age group seriously considering our market place has got to be good for the whole franchise industry. Whatever sector is considered, a drop in the average age of Franchisees has got to be welcomed.
Steve Roulstone is the Managing Director of Castle Estates Franchising Ltd
Training for Franchise Business Success
Steve Roulstone - Director, Castle Estates
Business develops so fast today, that no matter what industry you are in, training and ensuring Staff and Company systems are at the front end of both Business and people trends has never been so important. When I first started in business in the mid 70’s nothing really changed for many years and whilst you had to be much smarter to be ahead of the field, today we need to be aware of the possibilities that the electronic age has afforded every business in the world.
How to achieve the best return
This is where I believe Franchising really delivers results. There are of course many scenarios where Companies get together to train their staff. But the only situation where it matters so much to every outlet or office, that I am aware of is Franchising.
Because it matters!
Training for Franchise Success
Franchising delivers because the people who are being trained need and appreciate the importance of delivering whatever they are being trained for, to ensure their business continues to perform and stay ahead of the competition. Of course some multi outlet National Companies are managed by people who also care, but I seriously doubt they care as much as those who have put their own future on the line by starting their own business!
The links that make the difference
Of course there are as many who do so, on their own, but that is where they differ and would struggle to be so well informed. Franchise organisations have the not insignificant backing of the Franchisor, who can arrange training at reduced and more cost effective rates, and because it is not only in the interest of the Franchisor that the business succeeds, but also that they stay ahead, the Franchisee can rest assured that the training will be offered when needed and by professionals.
Hence the difference
I do of course recognise that Franchising does not suit everybody, but what it does do is offer more than just a system and knowhow and by through the training offered, it can ensure that a business that is Franchised is kept at the top of the pile, and of course run by people who really care about the success it achieves.
