Handling postal service disruptions at Christmas
For franchises that sell products online and ship them...
As you search for a Canadian franchise, you've likely looked long and hard at the business type, the investment requirement, the brand's financial health and reputation, and other key areas of a franchise system. However, there is one area that prospective franchisees may overlook, and that is the all-important franchisee training.
The business training--or lack thereof--you receive from your franchisor will have a direct impact on how well your location operates and profits. After all, one of the biggest benefits of joining a franchise is having access to a proven system, but you cannot fully enjoy that benefit without completely understanding how that system works.
.
How will I be trained?
There are two main types of training in a franchise, namely on-the-job and franchisor-provided training, before you open your doors. Ideally, you will receive both types from the franchise you decide to invest in. Having all your training done outside of the business isn't going to 100 percent prepare you for the experience of actual operations, and having no training before you open your business can be a disaster.
.
Where will I get trained?
On-the-job training will likely take place at your location or another fully running location in the same system. For off-the-job training, you will likely have to go to the franchisor's headquarters or another designated location. The length of the training will vary by brand. You may also do online training before and/or after you go for training at headquarters.
.
What will I learn?
What your training will cover will depend on your franchisor's program, but franchisee training often covers the areas listed below:
- The brand overall
- Service and/or product details
- Operations, including equipment, software and IT -Advertising and marketing -Employee, payroll, financial and inventory management -Customer acquisition and retention -The point-of-sale system -Vendor relationships
This can seem like an overwhelming list of things to know. It is not uncommon for franchisees to feel a little buried under everything they need to learn before they open their doors. However, the more you understand these areas, the better positioned you will be to run your franchise successfully.
It's important to note that you should work with a franchisor who also offers training going forward. Even the most comprehensive initial training won't compensate for a lack of updated training later when the brand launches a new product or service or changes operational software. This type of training usually doesn't require a weekend at headquarters and is often done online or in a group at a location near your business.
Before you invest in a Canadian franchise, confirm there is a robust training system in place. The training you receive will be the start of your journey as a franchisee, so you'll want the most support possible during this critical time.
