When applying for a traditional job, you focus largely on the hard skills and experience that translate directly. When you open the door to becoming a franchisee, your options are suddenly limitless, and you have tons of business models and industries to choose from. What are the skills that translate well to any franchise and will set you up for success as the head of your own branch? Here are the top five skills you need to become a franchisee.
Team Management
If you’re opening a business model franchise, you will probably need to hire a team of employees. Yes, these employees will oversee quite a bit of the day-to-day operations of your business, but that doesn’t mean you can take a hands-off approach. In fact, you need to exhibit strong team management skills, which means leading with confidence, delegating appropriately, and training effectively. Any past leadership experience will come in handy here, whether you were the captain of a school sports team, the shift lead at a restaurant, or the manager in an office.
Self-Motivation
The idea of becoming your own boss is appealing to just about everyone, but that doesn’t mean it’s actually ideal for everyone. Some people tend to thrive only when given daily direction. As a franchisee, you’ll be given plenty of materials to shape your business. However, it’s up to you to implement them and keep yourself on track to start building a customer base and making a profit.
Customer Care
Speaking of building a customer base, what is your relationship with customer service? Some career tracks don’t give employees much opportunity to work with customers at all, but just about every type of franchise is customer-facing. It’s important that you become oriented towards customer care and satisfaction and polish your people skills before opening a franchise. The goal isn’t just to sell products or services but to build real, lasting relationships in your community.
An Eye for Data
As a franchisee, you may need to take on the role of bookkeeper in addition to team manager and customer service professional. You’ll need to keep track of your gross and net profits, your business taxes, and your franchising royalties. Depending on the size and structure of your franchise, you’ll also need to keep track of marketing costs and employee payroll. In the modern age, there is certainly software that can take care of some of the serious number crunching, but it’s up to you to stay on top of those numbers and make smart decisions based on your data.
Follow-Through
Even when you open a franchise with an airtight business model, you’re still going to experience ups and downs. One of the most important skills a franchisee can have is follow-through in the face of adversity. On good days and bad days, you’re the one your team and customers will look to for guidance, reassurance, and progress.
At All Dogs Unleashed, we provide our franchisees with the tools they need to succeed. Find out more about our franchising opportunities today.