When you decide to buy a franchise the back-up and training on offer can help set you up for success.

So what can the franchisor train you in? We asked Natalie Brennan is head of corporate brand support at Foodco Group (Jamaica Blue and Muffin Break) to highlight 10 aspects of franchisor training.

10 skills you can learn from your franchisor

1. To be a butcher, a baker or a candlestick maker

Whatever your passion is or if you are just looking for a change in career, then a franchisor will teach you the base skills to make the change. 

For example, if you are an accountant who dreams of being a barista then your franchisor will give you those skills so you can ultimately become an expert in that field.

Coffee is not just about a cappuccino; it’s about the bean to cup journey. Learning about the coffee you’re serving, where it originated and how it’s grown will make all the difference.

2. To love your customers

Nobody can make a profit until someone buys a product or a service, so building loyalty and rapport with the people you sell to is critical. This will ensure people always return and helps build your sales.

Selling and dealing with customers is not a natural skill for everyone, so a franchisor will give you practical tools so you can become a customer magnet but also the support when things aren’t going as they should.

3. To work as a team

Regardless if you are working alongside a financial partner or employees, you need to collaborate, communicate and co-operate with one another. Working effectively as part of a team is incredibly important for output quality, morale and growth.

The franchisor can provide the tools for you to learn best practice – whether that’s through the company intranet, workshops on team building skills or tips from a business development manager.

4. To be a local marketing hero

Promote not only your business but yourself and your team through the local community. After all, they are your target market.

Your franchisor will assist you to become actively involved by creating local competitions, sponsorships, local marketing, supporting fundraisers. 

5. To be part of something bigger than yourself

You will be given the opportunities through meetings, conferences and workshops to be involved with your greater franchise group. Your franchisor will facilitate your learning from others through these events.

Additionally, an involvement with the Franchise Council of Australia community will constantly keep you updated with relevant information about the industry. 

6. To be profitable

A franchisor will have a tried and true system to help maximise profitability from the business.

If you have never worked with profit and loss statements and don’t yet understand the mechanics of how to make money, then your franchisor will be there to teach you. It is critical that you recognise the key cost controls for the system you have bought into.

Profit is not a given in any business, if you don’t understand how to unlock profitability you risk the business not reaching its full potential.

7. To be a great manager and leader

Owning your own business and being your own boss is the great Australian dream, however most people entering into a small business have never been taught the necessary skills.

Most new franchisees have been an employee and not a supervisor or business owner, so a franchisor will be have real information and tips to smooth that transition.

People are your greatest asset and frequently your greatest cost, so you need to harness the power of your people. Staff can make or break your success, so a franchisor will teach you how to attract great people, manage the systems and create a business where you inspire and lead your team.

8. How 1 + 1 = 3

Many minds can create more than the sum of the parts. Having the franchisor support plus the franchisee network will help build a support system for any franchisee.

The greatest assets of any franchise systems are your fellow franchisees who work with and understand the system. A good franchisor will have former franchisees working in its head office because they are a great source of knowledge and expertise. These people will ensure that the system continues to build and grow.

9. How to find the answers

There are no new problems in the business world. Somewhere, someone will have the answers to a problem you are facing in your business.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice from someone that has already been through a similar situation. This will save you time and money. Your franchisor and the network of franchisees around you are an endless source of help.

10. Mind reader

When you operate a business you are in a situation where you are dealing with all sorts of staff and customers, so you need the appropriate skills to identify the wants and needs before they know they want it.

Being pro-active in both your customer wants and your staffs needs will place you in a position where you are able to deal with the business priorities and planning rather than day to day firefighting. 

A good franchisor will be researching and investigating consumer and industry trends, and tweaking business practices and the brand offer to suit. From them you can learn how to meet customer demands, and ways to stay ahead of your business. Let the franchisor be the mind reader.

Buying a franchise means buying into training, knowledge, experience and support. How much learning you absorb in your franchise is dependent on you.