The skills you develop as a franchisee can be incredibly dependent on the specific industry that you’re in—it is what makes this vast industry so wonderfully diverse! However, because franchising follows a similar foundational structure in many ways, some skills can be shared among franchisees that can assist in daily operations and growth. Below are some of those skills franchisees should work on to support their franchise journey.

1. A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN

Whether you are new to the franchising world or have multiple locations, investing in a franchise system will bring its own unique set of operations and protocols that require a willingness to learn. If you are new to a certain industry or market, the franchisor’s training and support will be critical to your success, but remaining open and receptive to this training is key.

As you may already know, franchising involves following an established business model set by the franchisor. This requires a willingness to learn, as franchisees must know how to follow the model and follow it effectively. A franchisee closed off to this learning can struggle to run their location(s) or completely stray from the business model, which goes against the franchise system.

Ensure you make the most of the training days and material provided by a franchisor, take the time to fully understand the business operations and responsibilities required of you, and take up any training offers that can further you along. An eagerness to learn all you can about the franchise system and what you can do to be successful is a great place to start developing a willingness to learn.

2. STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communicating, whether to the public, your customers, internally within your franchise (i.e., your franchisor, staff, etc.), or both, is a universal element in a franchising role. You will be interacting with people, albeit in varying degrees depending on the franchise business, so ensuring you have strong skills in this area is vital to the success of your location(s).

Communicating with customers: If you invest in a public-facing franchise system, how you communicate with customers can greatly impact the relationships you make and whether you develop long-term loyalty. Remaining receptive as a franchisee can help you develop a positive rapport with customers, which is key, as 92% of consumers are more likely to make additional purchases when they have a positive customer service experience.

Communicating with the franchisor: How you communicate with your franchisor can impact whether you effectively portray exactly what you need to keep operations running smoothly and your support needs met. Creating an open line of communication can also ensure you’re on top of new developments and updates in the franchise and aware of any changes that may impact your operations.

Communicating with your team: Communicating effectively with your team is important to ensure day-to-day responsibilities run smoothly. If you lead a team of employees, expressing what you need from them and what they can expect from you and creating a comfortable space for open dialogue is an excellent way to build a strong, motivated team.

Communicating with vendors or community partners: Depending on the franchise, you may be in direct contact with vendors or involved with community partners, so strong communication skills can help ensure you are on top of important elements related to your business, such as inventory.

Developing strong communication skills can look like asking specific questions to ensure your conversations progress where you need them to go (i.e., developing an effective plan with your team for the day), maintaining consistent dialogue, and following active listening practices.

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3. PROBLEM-SOLVING

One of the great aspects of franchising is that much of the initial hard part is done for you. From developing the concept to attracting a customer base and building brand recognition, and much more in between, franchisees can jump into their role with a proven system supporting them. However, this does not mean franchising is always smooth sailing and problem-free. There will likely be instances where you need to navigate a problem and find a solution.

For example, if you engage with your customers daily and someone comes in with a complaint, having the skills to understand how you can navigate a customer service complaint so that it won’t grow into something greater or happen again is important. Keep in mind that this skill does not mean you should aim for perfection so that problems don’t arise; that’s unrealistic and impossible. Rather, effectively finding solutions and learning from obstacles that may come your way is key.

4. DELEGATE EFFECTIVELY

In most cases, franchisees cannot run their business independently; they have a team of employees who they rely on to help with daily operations. Delegating tasks effectively is crucial.

If you enter franchising from a traditional corporate role, you may be familiar with group work to complete projects. However, taking on a leadership role as a franchisee and effectively delegating tasks can take some getting used to. Efficiently running your franchise can start with a team who knows its responsibilities. As a leader, it is your role to communicate this effectively and ensure you have a plan in place so everyone can work in unison.

Approaching your franchising role with the understanding that you will need to provide clear instructions and opportunities for check-ins with your team can help your business run smoothly and business goals are met.

5. A DRIVE FOR SUCCESS AND WILLINGNESS TO IMPROVE

Franchising is akin to running your own business in several ways. What differs is the amount of support, business model, and launching pad to jump from that franchisors provide. However, franchisees share many of the skills and traits entrepreneurs have, as franchising still involves the process of running a business and implementing ways to achieve success.

Maintaining a strong drive can depend on various factors, but it is crucial for franchisees to be open to opportunities that can help them achieve greater success. If customer service is a major aspect of your franchise business, for example, finding ways to continuously improve your customer service skills can improve the success of your business. Drive and determination to grow are essential in becoming a strong franchisee.

FRANCHISING WITH DOGTOPIA

If you are ready to showcase your skills in a franchising role and want to invest in a Dogtopia, check out our support page for details on how we can help set you up for success in the booming pet industry. Already meet our franchising requirements? Please fill out our online inquiry form to take the next step in your franchising journey and find out more about franchising with Dogtopia.