Background
I am a skilled communicator and writer. Specializing in business plans and models, research projects, operations manuals and franchise related documentation.
I am a business and franchise strategist and strategic analyst. Specializing in advising on business concepts and alternative ways of building and expanding the idea and resultant business model.
I now want to turn my skills, experience and insights into a full time writing and blogging career. I am passionate about many subjects and enjoy engaging audiences on important (and controversial issues).
Skills: Exceptional communication skills Strategic thinker
§ Planning and business model analyst
§ Great communication skills
§ Confident, Enthusiastic & Energetic
§ Ability to work in team environment
§ Computer capability and competency
§ Legal office background and grounding in law related areas
§ Writer of Business Plans, Procedures and Operations Manuals
Key strengths:
§ Intelligent and innovative
§ Experience across many industry segments
§ Keen understanding of multi layered and complicated business structures
§ Background in branding and corporate reputation
§ Excellent problem solving and negotiation skills
§ Ability to meet tight deadlines
§ A positive attitude to work
§ Great work ethic
For a book on Franchising I am working on
The Franchise Magicians
The known risk of going into business is also the known risk of going into franchising – no secret here. Risk warnings are contained in all franchise marketing material. The key question is whether there are hidden risks in franchising and the true nature of the hidden or non-revealed side. It’s not only the fact that there is a hidden side – but how and why this is kept hidden – and by whom?
In short - the perfect conspiracy scenario. Franchising looks like a safe route to entrepreneurship. But looks can be deceiving.
The lure of franchising is dangled and many bite. Hundreds of budding franchisors at any given moment are contemplating the easy route to riches. The “independent” franchise consultants will tell you that any business can be franchised – yes you have a perfect business for franchising – as long as you are willing to pay my modest consultancy fee you will be rich. Imagine sitting back and let others do the hard work, and, watch your brand grow, and collect an ongoing large royalty stream. It sounds like a ‘can’t lose’ proposition – but given the fact that there is no such thing as a ‘can’t lose” situation then if you the franchisor are almost guaranteed not to lose then who does lose? Of course – now I see – the hapless victim – the franchisee investor!
Millions dream every day of going into their own business. The obvious question is how do you get to be your own boss – how do you access the great dream of owning your own business and being your own boss?
Which would you say has more risk, buying a franchised unit of an existing business, or starting your own company from scratch?
If you said starting your own business is riskier, think again. Countless thousands across the world have sunk their life savings into franchises only to discover to their complete dismay that making their investment pay off in the “safe haven” of franchising is very tough and often just not possible. Fortunes are lost every day in franchising. The fortunes of the franchisors are almost never lost.
The victims have been bombarded by the constant propaganda of franchise success but instead of getting what has been promised – the benefits of being in business for yourself but not by yourself – the single most hackneyed cliché in franchising – you are more likely to be a victim that gets the worst of both worlds.
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