Values have to be Verbs - Simon Sinek

For those of you who follow me or this blog, you know how much I love Simon Sinek and his insights. In this quick clip he talks about Verbs being used in measurable goals. Keep it simple!

That is how I approach franchising and therefore how we approach franchising at JFG. Values have to be verbs because values are things you do. I like to think that JFG provides value in many ways, not just with our great concepts but with the work we ‘DO’ to support and encourage our franchise partners in their businesses. Notice how I say ‘their businesses’, that’s because even though we call them partners it is only in the ideological sense. Our partners run their own businesses with JFG at their side at every step, adding value to their businesses. We’re just that great!

Enjoy the video!


Franchise Advice - What to look for in a franchise

Trust-Word-Cloud-300x300I have written on this topic many times with varying degrees of specific content. This time it is about trust in the franchise system. Not necessarily trust in the business model or trust in the brand although those are also of the utmost importance. Rather, today it is about trust in the Franchisor itself, trust in the franchisor’s people.

How can you tell if the franchisor can be trusted? Of course, there is disclosure documents and the letter of the law within the actual franchise agreement but what does your gut tell you.

I suggest two ways to determine ‘trust’ in a franchisor;

  1. Use that disclosure document to your advantage by calling as many of their franchise partners (franchisee’s in normal speak) as possible. Ask those franchisee’s point blank. Does the franchisor do what they so they are going to do, can you trust them in what they are saying?
  2. How does the franchisor act? Act with you when you are dealing with them, act with their franchisee’s?  This is where your instincts come into play. A franchisor that nurtures relationships with its partners or franchisee’s, builds trust.

So what does trust even mean in franchising? Trust enables you to execute on objectives that are beneficial to your business. Trust lets you open the door to the help and experience that a franchisor can provide.


ALL IN!

I have a friend who uses this motto, literally religiously. So when I saw a posting about being ALL IN on Linkedin I thought it would be appropriate to use my friend Michael Chiasson as my inspiration for today’s blog. Check out his amazing story here All Access Ministries.

Franchising to franchisors is about consistency in the brand and product but its also about finding that franchisee that is ALL IN.  It is hard to see success as a franchisee if you believe the franchise is the only reason people come in. Franchises drive the brand and the product, the franchisee drives the service and the atmosphere and if you are ALL In, your guest see it, hear it and support it!

www.grantcardonetv.com

At JFG were are ALL IN in supporting our partners and their success. How about you? Are you ALL IN?


Sustainability

At Joey's Franchise Group we are doing what we can to mitigate our impact on fisheries and ultimately our environment. Our brands Joey's Restaurants and Joey's Urban have teamed up with Ocean Wise, a Vancouver Aquarium Conservation Program, to ensure that we're on the right path to sustainability. Check it out here; Ocean Wise and Joey's


MVP Modern Barbers in Canadian Business Franchise Magazine

Take a read of this article about our Franchise Partner Jodi Tucker at our South Surrey location. Jodi worked with MVP Modern Barbers for many years in our Kelowna Franchise before shearing off to the Lower Mainland to open her own Franchise. (see what i did there! haha Shear).

MVP Modern Barbers Article in Canadian Business Franchise


Joey's Urban - International Avenue - Calgary

Grand Opening this weekend at our newest Joey’s Urban, located in Calgary on International Avenue (4501 17th Ave SE, Calgary). Come check out our 2-fer’ Promotion starting this Thursday!Joey's Urban 17th Ave SE Calgary, Joey's Seafood, Fish & chips, poutines, fish tacos


7 Reasons I’ll Turn Down a Job After Interviewing With You

This article is great and it also translates to a potential Franchisee interviewing Franchisors or vice versa……. Enjoy.

RACHEL DOTSON | March 5, 2013 |

Interviewing is an art-form for both the job seeker and the hiring manager. A simple mistake by either party can raise enough doubt to leave the other looking elsewhere. After much reflection on what’s turned me off to a job in the past, I’ve come up with seven interview red flags that will leave me saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” to your job offer.

1. You’re Negative

If you’re bad-mouthing the company, other employees, your workload, or even yourself, then chances are slim that I’ll come on board as your newest employee. Why? Because negativity is toxic. It tells me that morale is low and that you don’t enjoy your job. I recognize it’s possible that you’re just having a bad day, but it’s just too big of a risk to take.

2. You Asked Me Obscure Questions Just for the Sake of Doing It

Yes, I know why manholes are round; what I don’t know is why you are asking me this question. Is it because Google asks it? Is it because you want to see if I can think on my feet? Or is it some other reason that neither you nor I am aware of? Rather than waste our time with such a silly and off-putting question, ask me a situational question that’s relevant to my prospective job.

3. You Talk Too Much

I’m delighted that you’re enjoying our time together, really, I am. But I’m a bit worried that I haven’t been able to get a word in edgewise. You see, if I haven’t done any of the talking, then you can’t possibly know if I’ll be a good fit for this position. That makes me nervous. How can I believe in my own ability to excel at this position if you haven’t properly assessed my abilities and fit?

4. You Talk Too Little

Let’s look at the opposite side of the point above. If you don’t tell me enough about the job, the company, and so on, then I cannot, in good faith, agree to devote years of my life to you. When I ask you questions about why the position is vacant, what a typical day is like, and what the goals of the company are, I expect solid, well-thought-out answers. It’s these answers that will help me determine whether our values and goals align.

5. You Don’t Tell Me About Your Company Culture

If I’m going to be spending more time with you than with my friends and family, I want to know I’m going to be in a fun and positive working environment. You don’t have to provide organic lunches or have a company bar to show me you’re a great company to be at. While these perks would be nice, I’d much rather know about the people and the culture. How do employees interact with each other? How are employees recognized for a job well done? Do colleagues go to lunch together or see each other outside of the office? If so, do they do this because it’s mandated or because they genuinely enjoy spending time together?

6. You’re Unprepared

I’m busy, you’re busy, we’re all busy. I get it. People are spread too thin. But when I spend hours preparing for my interview and take time out of my day to attend said interview, I expect you to show me the same level of professionalism and respect that I show you. So please, don’t make me wait in the lobby for half an hour, don’t take five minutes to review my job application in front of me, and don’t make up the interview questions as you go along.

7. Your Interview Practices Are Illegal

So you want to know if and when I’m planning on getting married and you feel it necessary to let me know that you typically hire from a certain age group. The fact that you’re bringing these items up tells me one of two things: 1) you haven’t taken the time as a hiring manager to educate yourself on employment law, or 2) you’re discriminatory. The best case scenario here is that you don’t know how to do your job (and your company hasn’t bothered to train you how), and the worst is that the organization is sexist, ageist, or some other “ist” that I don’t care to be around.


Are you cut out to be a franchisee?

Before buying a franchise, ten important questions need to be carefully and thoughtfully answered:Franchises for Sale

1. Are you ready to take on the responsibilities of starting and running your own business?
2. Does your family accept your choice and are they ready to support you?
3. Do you like the activity you are considering enough to make a commitment for 5, 10 or 15 years?
4. Do you like dealing with people and are you good at it? – You will have to interact with your customers, your employees, the franchisor and other franchisees.
5. Do you like the franchisor’s staff / those people with whom you will be working?
6. Are you willing to follow the franchisor’s rules and system?
7. Can you afford the franchise?
8. Have you carefully studied the legal documents?
9. Does the franchise you are considering have a track record of success?
10. Are the other franchisees generally happy and successful?

Ensure that you review the Franchisor’s Disclosure Document thoroughly. They should give you one regardless of whether they are required to you in your province or not. That’s just good business on their part. It will include a list of locations and the contact information for those locations. Call a few, and. Or just in the market your looking in. Call Franchise Partners in others parts of the country as well.

Joey’s Franchise Group encourages all of its prospects to reach out to existing Franchise Partners, it’s why call them Partners!

Joey’s Seafood Restaurants | Joey’s Urban | MVP Modern Barbers | Homes & Land Magazine Canada


Look for Integrity in your Franchisor

 

Look for high integrity propositions and franchisors

High integrity is essential for two crucial reasons:

You will keep your peace of mind, and sleep at night. The world is full of miserable millionaires - people who have exploited others to make their money - don't be seduced by this false dream. Always behaving and deciding with high integrity will keep you safe, well, and probably make you wealthier too.
You will delight your customers and good word will spread, which is vital for local service businesses, which nearly all franchise businesses are. Local businesses live or die by their reputations. Behaving with high integrity will automatically ensure that your reputation shines and grows. Many well established successful franchisees never need to advertise or look for their next customers - their customers find them.
If you buy a franchise that lacks integrity, then with all the best will in the world, you will be pushing water uphill.

Look for and buy a franchise which has high integrity at the centre of its products, services and business ethos, and you are half way to running a high integrity franchise business - all that remains is for you to ensure that your own input and activity are high integrity too.


The Four Way Test

Everyone has heard of it, everyone has thought of it, but does everyone use it or at least the principals it is derived from?

The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Joey’s Franchise Group has used the test in one form or another for many years. It allows us to bring great products and quality to all of our franchise systems. It helps ensure we bring quality Franchise Partners to market and most importantly it has built a level of trust within our community. Over 5o% of our ReFranchise stores are sold to existing staff members. That says a lot about the brand development, not necessarily the growth, but the brand trust that our Partners and their Employes have with us.

When you’re choosing your next franchise, ask them how they implement the Four Way Test.

Rob Hilditch – VP of Business Development
Joey’s Restaurant | Joey’s Urban | MVP Modern Barbers | Homes & Land Magazine Canada