Excellence in Franchising Awards
Andrew Robertson – Worldwide Online Printing
Since being awarded Franchisee of the Year in October I've been overwhelmed by the recognition and congratulations that I have received. News of the win is starting to spread through recent media coverage, particularly in national business magazines like Wealth Creator, My Business and Franchising, and obviously I've been trying to capitalise on the award by featuring it on stationery, signage and local area marketing material but it's too early to see a huge difference to my business in terms of revenue. The biggest benefit to date has been the morale boost for the 12 outstanding people who make up the teams in my two franchises – they are really proud and excited to be a central part of such an amazing accolade.
Personally, I feel like it's vindicated some of the scarier BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) that we've taken on as a team. Winning the award has boosted my energy levels and motivation – I'm also more confident that much bigger things are possible than many people may allow themselves to believe.
In addition to having awesome people working with me, I also don't believe I could have done as well as I have without tremendous support from the other Worldwide franchisees and the State Support Office team here in Queensland. They're a great bunch here, always willing to help with advice and encouragement ... as well as making fun of me!
Of course, Worldwide Online Printing at a national level has been really enthusiastic because the award is proof that the Worldwide franchise system works. It's helped me –someone with no printing or print franchise experience before I started (I didn't even know what a printing plate was!) – to enjoy a certain level of success. For Worldwide as a network, it's a bit of prestige, I suppose, to show that they can create franchisees who thrive, and who can reach a level of performance that gains them national recognition like this.
In the end, though, it's business as usual in 2008. I continue to educate myself and we're by no means perfect. We're looking forward to working hard so that we can continue to improve. We earned this amazing and humbling accolade by keeping our customers' needs first in our plans and our actions, and that's certainly not going to change.
This article appears courtesy of The Franchise Review magazine. 26.03.2008
FCA Member
Contact Worldwide Online Printing
183 Great Eastern Highway
BELMONT
WA 6104
Tel: 08 6266 9200
Fax: 08 6266 9277
