Business Franchise articles from November 2006

Business Franchise archives from November 2006

Speak out against business rates.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... The Federation of Small Businesses has launched a petition to demonstrate against a possible return to local authority control over business rates. The government is reviewing the funding of local government finance and may include a return to...

Sole proprietors keep economy sweet.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... Latest figures from the Department of Trade and Industry show how important the contribution of small businesses is to the British economy. The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Statistics for the UK estimates that there are 4.3 million...

Firms hit by new fraud menace.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... Corporate identity theft is on the rise with High Street banks now setting up teams to combat the problem. Manta Finance say that fraudsters are contacting Companies House to register a change of company address thereby redirecting mail to a...

Suppliers get leads to SMES.
November 1, 2006... A new purchasing service has been launched to help suppliers reach small businesses. Companeo has established a website to help company owners to find suppliers. Suppliers pay 3,900 [pounds sterling] to include each proposition on the service...

Small firms lead recruitment drive.
November 1, 2006... Over a quarter of businesses in Britain are actively recruiting new staff with small firms leading the way, according to Jobcentre Plus. Managers are also reporting that they are successfully filling more vacancies than a year ago....

Firms need plan for exit.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... Owners who fail to plan when selling their companies risk missing out on large after sales profits warns Bibby Financial Services. Entrepreneurs who sell up often concentrate so much on new ventures that they fail to capitalise on existing...

New fire safety laws.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... With effect from October 1, employers, self-employed with premises, voluntary organisations, contractors with a degree of control over premises and those responsible for buildings with public access have to abide by new fire safety laws. They...

Reasons to avoid the minimum wage.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... Since ignorance of the law is no defence it is still amazing to discover the reasons given by firms as to why they are not paying minimum wage. Among the top ten excuses given to HM Revenue and Customs are: 'He's over 65'; 'They can't speak...

A tenth of revenue spent on paper output.(NEED TO KNOW)
November 1, 2006... The average British company spends over 9% of its revenue on creating, storing and distributing documents according to Canon UK. In Britain, that amounts to a total of 200 billion [pounds sterling] on paperwork and 70 billion [pounds sterling]...

Computer disasters lurk for SMES.
November 1, 2006... Small firms are ill-prepared for computer disasters with few having continuity plans in place. Research from Comtact shows many SMEs could face difficulties if they meta major systems failure or hacker. Many small businesses (87%) operate a...

Tax collecting for the government.
November 1, 2006... The government is being urged to stop shifting responsibility for tax administration and collection on to businesses. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce also urges simplification of the tax regime: firms could pay PAYE, National Insurance and...

Britain becoming a female economy.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The UK could soon become a women's economy as flexible working practices work their way through into business operations. Research conducted by British Telecom suggests that women over the age of fifty will be regarded as the best managers. It...

Online spending to double by 2010.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... By 2010, one in five purchases that would have happened on the High Street will occur online according to eBay subsidiary Paypal. The global payment company believes that online consumer spending will have reached 40 [pounds sterling] billion...

Employers pay for poor skills.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Basic literacy and numeracy skills in new recruits to business are seriously lacking says an Employment Trends Survey. A fifth of employers find non-graduates have reading and maths problems which affect their ability to work while data...

AXE SME support.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Companies have had enough of the government's amateurish support systems for small businesses say the British Chambers of Commerce. It recommends that the Small Business Service be disbanded since only four out of ten firms believe it is...

Red tape stunts growth.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Budding entrepreneurs are more reluctant to start up in business because of unsupportive government policies says the Forum of Private Business. It wants the government to review its policy towards new firms by reducing red tape and scrapping...

Get a life.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The government's top safety expert has urged health and safety managers who concentrate on small details to 'get a life'. The Chair of the Health and Safety Commission. Bill Callaghan, has warned inspectors to stop focusing on trivial risks and...

Papa John's set for game match.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
November 1, 2006... PAPA JOHN'S pizza has joined forces with computer game retailer GAME as part of its continued push for online awareness. Both companies will launch a series of joint promotions offering customer incentives to the other's regular users. Run...

Dent Wizard: amendment.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The Dent Wizard and Flying Colours advertisement that appeared on page 79 of the October publication was printed in error and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience this caused. All copies of the show guide did contain a correction...

Baguette Express' tasty roll-out.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
November 1, 2006... BAGUETTE EXPRESS, the Scottish-based sandwich shop group, is to open its eighth store this month following the successful launch of its franchise-based structure in March. Since making the announcement, the company has grown significantly...

Fingers on the pulse.(FRANCHISE NEWS)
November 1, 2006... UK BIOMETRIC Franchise assigned its first franchise in remarkable circumstances ahead of its official launch at the National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham in October. Biometrics, or 'fingerprint entry', is the latest breakthrough into the...

On a roll: franchisor Subway has overtaken many of its well-known 'fast food' rivals in terms of number of outlets. Carol Davis takes a look at the company's fresh approach, and what it takes to promote your brand onto the next level.(FRANCHISE NEWS: BRAND NEWS)
November 1, 2006... FORGET BURGERS and chips--our local takeaway is just as likely to be a freshly made sandwich outlet these days. As it overtakes burger and pizza chains, Subway has just been named 'Brand to Watch' at this year's Superbrands awards. The...

RE/MAX helps to raise the roof: Palmers Green-based estate agency, RE/MAX Premier Properties, helps to Raise The Roof for homeless children along with whathouse.co.uk and charity Shelter.(FRANCHISE NEWS: CHARITY REPORT)
November 1, 2006... Business Franchise reports PALMERS GREEN estate agent, RE/MAX Premier Properties, is supporting a special charity campaign launched by property website whathouse.co.uk, and housing and homeless charity Shelter. The Raise the Roof campaign...

Big breaks: the National Franchise Exhibition 2006, the largest franchise exhibition ever staged in Britain, proved a huge success for visitors and exhibitors alike, and brought the industry's big players together under one giant roof ...(EXHIBITION REVIEW)
November 1, 2006... More visitors than ever before attended the Birmingham event over the two days on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October. They met more than 250 established and new franchise companies from a wide range of industry sectors, as well as small business...

Slice of success: so whose name was spoken after the winning envelope was opened? Find out who came top in this year's franchisee of the year awards.(SPECIAL FEATURE)
November 1, 2006... A 27-year old who started out as a Domino's Pizza delivery boy earning 3.20 [pounds sterling] hour and now owns four stores worth 1.5 million [pounds sterling] has scooped top prize in the 2006 British Franchise Association Franchisee of the...

Membership to the British Franchise Association has grown over the past months as new and existing franchise systems have successfully applied for membership.(NEWbfamembers)
November 1, 2006... MEMBERSHIP TO the British Franchise Association has grown over the past months as new and existing franchise systems have successfully applied for membership. For those considering franchising, bfa membership provides a degree of knowledge that...

National franchise week 2006.(NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The theme for this year's National Franchise Week was 'Escape the 9 to 5', and this definitely seemed to resonate with many people across the country. Not only did attendance at the educational Discover Franchising days approach 400, but...

Tee-time with the bfa.(News)
November 1, 2006... Now in its fifth year, the Chairman's Charity Golf Day is a unique event, which has established a popular following within the membership. Since its launch, the event has raised money for: The Children's Society, Marie Curie, The Wooden Spoon...

Hire education: in March of this year, recruitment specialist Driver Hire took the bfa Franchisor of the Year crown. Six months on, Business Franchise take a look at the company's latest plans.(FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR: UPDATE: DRIVER HIRE)
November 1, 2006... EARLIER THIS year at an awards ceremony at the Savoy hotel, London, Driver Hire was named British Franchisor of the Year by the British Franchise Association (bfa), against stiff international competition. The theme for the award was...

Beauty calls: wellbeing and fashion magazines are flying off the shelves as the national obsession with health, wealth and success continues. Couple this with the Western world's recent obesity epidemic, and you have a market that's bursting at the seams. Naturally, the response from the franchise sector has been robust.(HEALTH & BEAUTY FRANCHISES)
November 1, 2006... CONTOURS EXPRESS MINIMUM TOTAL INVESTMENT: 32,000 [pound sterling] WEBSITE: www.contoursexpress.co.uk PHONE: 020 8123 2968 FRANCHISE CLASSIFICATION: Fitness/Diet/Weight Loss/Management Contours Express has hit upon a...

Cleaning up in Ireland: with a thriving economy and two-income households on the increase, the residential cleaning sector is the place to be in Ireland.(Cover story)
November 1, 2006... Pristine.ie Investment level: 40,000 [euro] Website: www.pristine.ie Phone: Franchise Support on 00 353 1 2312960 Email: info@pristine.ie Franchise classification: Residential cleaning services BUSINESS IS booming in...

Emeralds style: the Irish Franchise Exhibition returns to Dublin in November this year, and there's never been a better opportunity to see what the burgeoning franchise sector in Ireland has to offer.(EXHIBITION PREVIEW)
November 1, 2006... THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY NOVEMBER 17-18, 2006 Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday, 10am-4pm For further details about visiting the show logo onto www.franinfo.ie or contact +353 (0) 818 719 512 SHOWCASING A vast range of opportunities with...

All that glitters ... Already a successful global jewellery brand, Secrets Shhh is set to sparkle in the UK and Ireland with its new franchise offers.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: SECRETS SHHH)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: 150,000 [pounds sterling] Website: www.secrets-shhh.eu Phone: 020 7494 9202 Email: franchise@secrets-shhh.net Franchise classification: Fine jewellery SECRETS SHHH is the leading affordable luxury brand...

Where it's at: it's rated in the top 50 franchises in the world and has more than 1,500 franchises in 87 countries across the globe. With this impressive record it's easy to see why one franchisee claims they 'couldn't be happier.' Allison Ledger finds out more when she talks to WSI's president, Ron McArthur.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: WSI)
November 1, 2006... Investment level= 36,800 [pounds sterling] Website= www.wsicorporate.com Phone: Ken Dobell on 011 905 364 1337 Email: kd0bell@wsicorporate.com Franchise classification: Internet marketing consultancy 'MARKETING IS hot,...

Right Engel: if working with high-end property is something that brings your house down, an opportunity exists to join Engel & Volkers--a truly international estate agency.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: ENGEL VOLKERS)
November 1, 2006... Investment level= From 25,000 [pounds sterling] Phone: Alasdair Hedley on 01635 459 00 Website: www.engelvoelkers.co.uk Email= ml@engelvoelkers.co.uk Franchise classification: Estate agency ENGEL & VOLKERS is a dynamic and...

Calls registered: with a wealth of existing companies, the mobile phones industry is booming--which has great implications for The Phone Works franchise.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: THE PHONE WORKS)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: From 15,000 [pounds sterling] Website: www.thephoneworks.co.uk Email: info@thephoneworks.co.uk Phone: 08450 500545 Franchise classification: Business-to-business sales, mobile phones S0ME PEOPLE will tell...

Focus on fulfilment: if you're a white collar professional looking for an improved work-life balance while retaining healthy potential for making money, then PFG could be the business for you.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: PROFIT FOCUS GROUP)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: 19,950 [pounds sterling] Website: www.profitfocus.co.uk Phone: Alastair Stewart on 01905 620670 Email: alastairstewart@profitfocus.net Franchise classification: Management consultancy PROFIT-FOCUS Group...

Count on us: got a head for figures and a 'can do' attitude? If the answer's yes, then you can count on success with 80:20 Financial Management, Alison Ledger finds out how.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: 80:20 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: 24,750 [pounds sterling] +VAT Website: www.8020franchise.com Phone: 0870 460 4749 Email: info@8020franchise.com Franchise classification: Financial services OF THE 4.3 million businesses surveyed last...

Wondering about whether to go into business for yourself? Concerned about the potential financial pitfalls? Don't fret--Alan Smart, national franchise manager for RBS, has some sound advice ...(FRANCHISE ADVICE)
November 1, 2006... TAKING THE decision to go into business for yourself is one of the biggest considerations you are likely to face. Even with the added comfort of buying a proven franchise, the prospects may appear daunting as nearly 65 per cent * of people...

Safety pins success: with more than 130 franchisees and a turnover of 9 million [pounds sterling] plus, John Davidson's vision for the gas-elec group is becoming a reality.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: AQUA-LEC)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: 18,600 [pounds sterling] (aqua-lec); 22,350 [pounds sterling] (gas-elec) Website: www.gas-elec.co.uk www.aqua-lec.com Phone: 01895 422999 Email: sales@aqua-lec.com Franchise classification: Gas, electrical...

Easy does it: if you want to run a successful business while at the same time have a positive effect on people's lives, then EasyStop could be the franchise for you.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: EASYSTOP)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: 14,995 [pounds sterling] franchise fee Website: www.easystop.com Phone: 0845 257 1198 Email: franchise@easystop.com Franchise classification: Stop smoking and weight loss consultancy THE HEALTH of the nation...

Racing ahead: Mike Yeats turned a career corner when he came across the Racing Challenge concept four years ago, and since setting up his bespoke simulator, popularity has gone full throttle. Matt Pigott talks to and photographs the man behind the machine.(FRANCHISE FOCUS: RACING CHALLENGE)
November 1, 2006... Investment level: 19,950 [pounds sterling] (four-seater) 44,500 [pounds sterling] (eight-seater) Website: www.racing-challenge.com Phone: Mike on 01933 845428 Franchise classification: Motor racing simulators 'IT AMAZES me how...

Protecting the brand: Deborah Rider addresses the issue of intellectual property--essential in the protection of a successful franchised business.(FRANCHISE BRANDING)
November 1, 2006... AS WITH any new business, brand development is crucial to the start up of a franchise. From the outset, certain questions will automatically arise: Am I going to have a presence on the internet? What name am I going to give to my business? Does...

'None the wiser'.(Q & A)
November 1, 2006... My husband and I hired a solicitor recently to help us with the franchise contract. However, we were dissatisfied with the service, which left us none the wiser about what was required. Do we have a case for not paying, as we felt that the...

'Room for negotiation'.(Q & A)
November 1, 2006... JIs there any room for negotiation when it comes to the franchise asking price? Josie Mellanby, Virginia Water. Peter Williams replies Josie, there is no reason why you should not feel free to raise this issue, but I believe you...

'Looking for a catch'.(Q & A)
November 1, 2006... I have shown an interest in a franchise that is actually cheaper than a lot of the alternatives. Should I be looking for a catch, and if so, what should I be looking for? Peter Travis, Gresham Cathryn Hayes replies It is not a...

'A reasonable cost?'.(Q & A)
November 1, 2006... Do you think that the cost of becoming a bfa member is a reasonable one, and how does that cost actually break down? Roger Tarrant, Paignton Brian Smart replies The cost to a franchisor of becoming a bfa member is actually one of...

Senses of achievement: Richard Watson guides us through the five senses of franchising, and how they can make the difference between smelling of mediocrity and touching greatness.(FRANCHISE ADVICE)
November 1, 2006... We in franchising are blessed with some very well developed senses--sight, sound, touch, common... and horse! Taking your first steps into the world of franchising, your emotions are going to be heavily involved, which impacts on your...

It's good to talk: once a business grows beyond a certain size, it can be difficult for a franchisor to keep in close touch with his franchisees. Manzoor Ishani discusses the available options ...(FRANCHISE ADVICE)
November 1, 2006... Of increasing importance to franchisors as their network grows is the establishment of formal lines of communication with its franchisees. Each franchisor will come to realise as its network grows that its relationship with its franchisees...

Animals at home: wirral franchise Siam Malam, according to Mark Booty, director of animals at home, is poised to take over the world! find out how ...(FRANCHISE OF THE MONTH)
November 1, 2006... 'SIAN JOINED Animals at Home 18 months ago after working in the childcare sector,' says Mark Booty, director of Animals at Home. 'We planned to have Sian operating three pet taxis after three years, however, she already has three in operation,...

Nomination details.(FRANCHISEE OF THE MONTH)
November 1, 2006... Do you know a budding Richard Branson or a potential Rosemary Conley? Why not reward a successful franchisee for their achievements by nominating them as Franchisee of the Month? Please provide information for all sections and a print-quality...

Recognition express: the corporate recognition specialists that produce name badges, signs, plaques, corporate gifts, plus personalised promotional items.(RESALE OF THE MONTH)
November 1, 2006... FIRST IMPRESSIONS really do count. It is crucial that the image companies project is both positive and enduring. Every organisation needs to be instantly recognisable in today's highly competitive market place. Recognition Express has been...

A-Z Franchise directory.(Directory)
November 1, 2006... Key Terms * Number of outlets Current number of franchise units in network * BFA member status Franchisor's level of BFA accreditation * Initial franchise fee Initial amount paid to...

Initial impressions: Bill Ewbank dishes up some important advice on how to avoid a big faux pas on our first date (not literally of course ...) with your potential franchisor.(LAST WORD)
November 1, 2006... It is rare that as an interviewer of prospective franchisees that I have lost my 'sang froid' during the selection process. However, in a recent interview with a prospective franchisee, I actually allowed myself the luxury of walking out. Not...