Breakfast Club determine franchisee training is the biggest challenge facing the industry

Franchisee FC Business Solutions .

Attended by more than 20 industry specialists, the consensus was that a shift in culture and improved training methods is needed to adequately equip franchisees with the necessary confidence and skills to grow the brand successfully.

FCBS Director, Corina Vucic stated that while cost effective, one-size-fits-all training strategies do not ensure each individual is adequately trained with the confidence to run the franchise.

Simon Heggen, FCA Education Manager said that franchisors should not look at the cost of a successful learning and development program as an expense, but as an investment in their business.

“It is important not to confuse Learning and Development with compliance. Franchisors should see continuous learning as a way of retaining staff,” he said.

Julia Camm from industry research and advisory service, Corven, suggested a shift in focus, from ‘training’ to ‘learning’ was necessary.

“They need to look at what is the broadest learning experience right the way through and get alignment throughout. We are selling the brand instead of granting the right.”

Barry Markoff, Managing Director of ICMI believes that franchisors should develop a positive learning culture within their system that centres on providing franchisees with confidence.

“Ninety per cent of business life is confidence. You’ve got to start at confidence,” he said.

Geoff Antcliff, State Development Director of Specsavers recounted an analogy that showed how training requirements change as a franchise system grows and evolves. The company introduced a new training model after realising their original induction training methods were no longer working in line with growth strategies.

Peter Fiasco, National Operations Manager for Quest Serviced Apartments said franchisors need to take a more holistic approach to the operation of their franchisee support and training divisions.

“The best thing we did was put Franchise Support and Learning/Development together. For specialised knowledge and skills, partnering is the key.”

Blended learning using a balance of internal core and external specialists with a mix of eLearning, formal training and on-site learning was the best practice approach to franchisee training and induction, as decided by the group.

The group concluded that the issues facing the franchising industry are due to leadership and the industry needs to stand up and drive changes forward.