What is a franchise

What is a franchise by Michael Cheary According to our latest research, two out of three people have considered owing their own business*.If you have the passion to start your own business but don’t want to start from scratch, one option available to you is franchising.Here are some things you need to know about starting your own franchise:What is a franchise?Franchising is when an established business allows a third party the right to operate using their trade-name, either through their manufacturing, distribution or sales channels.  This is usually in return for a one time franchise fee, plus a percentage of sales revenue.There are three main types of franchise: Business format franchiseAn agreement whereby a business (franchisor), licenses another business (the franchisee) to trade using their branding, business model and a number of other assets, whilst also supplying additional support and guidance as part of the package. This is the most common type of franchise.Product distribution fra nchise In a product distribution franchise, the franchisor allows the franchisee to sell their products, and licenses their logo for use, but does not provide any ongoing support to the business. Essentially, it works as more of a supplier/seller relationship, but with additional branding. Branded petrol stations would be an example of this, allowing their name to be used and supplying gasoline, but leaving business operations up to the franchisee.Manufacturing franchiseA manufacturing franchise is licensed to produce goods and services using the franchisor’s brand name. Food and beverage companies often operate in this way (selling syrup concentrate to a bottling company, who then sells it on after mixing, for example), as do some wholesalers.Who offers franchising opportunities?A number of the world’s biggest businesses offer franchise opportunities, and see them as an important part of building their brand. They come in a range of different sectors, from retail and banking th rough to catering and hospitality companies.Examples of companies which offer franchising opportunities include:LloydsCoca-ColaSubwayMcDonaldsMarston’sWhere can I start a franchise?Franchise opportunities are available in a variety of locations. In fact, if you can represent to a business that there is an opportunity in your area, you can start a franchise almost anywhere.Why start a franchise?There are a number of reasons you may consider starting a franchise. The most obvious benefit is the opportunity to trade under a well-established name, giving you a head start at building your business. The brand will usually have a dedicated customer base, not to mention the fact that you will benefit from any advertising or marketing efforts the franchisor may currently be operating.Other benefits include a proven business model, dedicated support, training and ongoing advice from the franchisor, not to mention reduced buying costs or increased funding options due to the power of the bran d.In short, successful franchises can be highly lucrative.What are the risks of starting a franchise?Although there are many good reasons to start a franchise, there are a number of things to consider before you make your decision.Aside from the long-term financial commitment involved, you may be working long or unsociable hours, as well as having to make difficult or stressful decisions. To be successful starting a franchise, you need to make sure it’s the right decision for both you and your family, and that it fits within your long-term career goals.It’s worth bearing in mind that you may also be somewhat restricted in terms of creative initiatives, as you will need to remain loyal to the brand and their ideals, leaving little room to add individuality.What next?If you feel like franchising is the right option for you, the next step is to start researching which options are available to you.Find out about the latest franchise opportunities »* reed.co.uk Franchises survey, Oc tober 2014Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. What job suits me?

Holiday Travel Essentials

Holiday Travel Essentials Are you one of the 38 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles for the Holidays?    Dont leave home without these important travel essentials!! And remember, you never know  when you will have an opportunity to network!    Sitting next to someone for 3 hours on a plane or train  can be a great place to  meet very interesting people.   That is why you should not leave home without your business cards! What can you not live without when you travel? (Photo from here, here, here, here)

19 Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers

19 Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers If you are thinking about using LinkedIn to search for a job, make sure that your profile represents you in the best way possible.By learning these 19 essential LinkedIn profile tips, you are guaranteed to get noticed and increase profile views.1. Start With a Catchy HeadlineYour headline is the most visible piece of information to recruiters and hiring managers, which is why this is LinkedIn Profile tip #1.Instead of writing your current job title and company, make sure that you mention the type of job you are looking for.Also, mention what you bring to the table.Here are a few examples:“Sales professional who has literally sold ice to an Eskimo.”“Organized executive assistant specializing in making your life easier.”“Author/Writer specializing in LinkedIn tips for job seekers.”(Need more ideas?Check outLinkedIn Headline Ideas That Don’t Suck.)2. Broaden Your LocationDo you live in a smaller town next to a large city that you are willing to work in?If so, make sure tha t you put the closest large city in your location.Thiswill make it easier for job recruiters and hiring managers to find you.3. Add a Relevant IndustryHaving a relevant industry will help recruiters find your LinkedIn profile.4. Customize Your URLThis LinkedIn profile tip is oftentimes overlooked for years.Who wants a URL with a bunch of random numbers next to your name?Customizing your URL will give your profile a cleaner look.It will also help you stand out from the pack.If you haven’t already, select “Profile” and click the little gear/cog next to your profile URL under your picture (do this on a desktop).This will take you to a page where you can customize your URL on the upper right-hand side.Edit your URL so that it is (linkedin.com/yourname).5. Select a Professional PhotoMake sure that your profile photo represents you in a professional manner.Smile, face the camera, and try to dress nicely.Take a look at profile photos of others in your industry.Note exactly how they a re presenting themselves.(See 5 Tips For a Perfect LinkedIn Profile Photo.)6. Add the Background PhotoA background photo is always a nice touch for your profile.It adds personality and character to your professional LinkedIn profile.Recruiters and hiring managers will appreciate you making an effort in your online presence.7. Spice Up Your SummaryThis is your opportunity to show who you really are.It also happens to be one of the most important LinkedIn profile tips of all.The summary is a great section to show off your achievements.Add any relevant, industry-specificwork experiences you have.This is also a great section for you to add some personality.Do not be afraid to speak in the first person and speak directly to the hiring manager/recruiter reading your summary.Your summary should be tailored towards your target audience while telling a story about yourself, your experiences, skills, and achievements.An ideal summary is 3-5 short paragraphs.The summary is agood placeto includ e your contact info.8. Use Relevant ExperienceA common mistake that job seekers make is adding too much information.If you are applying for an engineering position, remove your babysitting experience from your LinkedIn profile.If you have no relevant work experience, some things you can consider including are:Relevantprojects Volunteerwork Experiences that relate to whatever field you are trying to get intoA recruiter should be able to skim your LinkedIn and know what you are looking for.They should not get confused by unrelated work experience.9. Add a Current Job Even When UnemployedIf you’re unemployed and your LinkedIn is showing that you have no “current” job, it will be a lot harder for a recruiter to find you.LinkedIn offers a filter when searching for people with the option to look for “current,”“past,”or “current and past” professionals in a given industry.In order to save a ton of time, recruiters typically look for “current” employees.A LinkedIn prof ile tip to help you get noticed is to add your desired job title such as “Executive Assistant” or “Sales Professional.” Follow thisby “Seeking Opportunities” or “In Transition” in the Company Name box so it doesn't remain blank.10. School, Work, or ProjectsSome of you mighthave little to no work experience.In this case, it is extremely important to make up for it with any school or personal projects that relate to your desired job.No work experience doesn’t mean you have no experience to show.11. Utilize Volunteer ExperienceSome studies show that people who have volunteer experience on their LinkedIn profile are 20% more likely to get hired than those who don’t.I can’t speak to the validity of that statistic, but it definitely can’t hurt to add volunteer work if you have it.Volunteer work adds experience and shows a willingness to work with others in order to contribute to the community.12. Add MultimediaThis LinkedIn profile tip is sure to add some color and style to your profile, making it more enjoyable to look at.Many people fail to utilize the multimedia feature on the LinkedInprofile.Take a look at the profile of someone with multimedia under his or her summary and work experiences and compare it to someone who doesn’t.Multimedia can spice up your profile by showcasingyour work.Add photos, videos, links, and slideshows to your profile.If you don’t have any work to show off, just try adding the URL to your company website.13. Strategic Skills OnlyA common mistake job seekers make on LinkedIn is adding too many skills.Do you really expect a recruiter to believe you have all of those skills?And are ALL of them relevant to the job you are looking for?Make sure to be strategic with the skills you add.The more skills you add, the fewer endorsements you will get on each skill.Start with 10-20 relevant skills and work your way up.14. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)The skills you add to your profile also play a factor in SEO.But they are not the only things playing a factor.Make sure to review your LinkedIn profile at the end of this article.Add any relevant keywords that you think an employer will be usingto find someone for the job.This particular Linkedin profile tip is also very usefulforyour resume.(For information on how to use SEO in your resume, read How To Use Resume Keywords When Applying ForJobs.)15. Add Contact InfoThis seems obvious but surprisingly is overlooked a lot.Add your contact info to your profile so that the recruiter can get ahold of you!16. Join Relevant GroupsBy joining groups you will increase your chances of finding someone, or someone finding you, for a job.Of course, you will want to be strategic about the groups you join.Join industry-specificgroups and begin networking with other professionals in your desired role.You might even run into someone thatcan offer you some additional LinkedIn profile tips that we haven't mentioned.17. Add InterestsAdding interests to your LinkedIn prof ile allows your viewer to learn a little bit more about you.Who knows, maybe a common interest that you have with the hiring manager will be the little extra push they needto give you a call.18. Network Within Your Desired IndustryGroups aren’t the only way to meet industry-specific people.Once your profile is completed, don’t be afraid to search LinkedIn for people in your desired industry.Use the search bar at the top to type in your desired job title or industry and then add a filter to view only your second-degree connections.These people have the best chance of accepting your invite.After all, you already have a mutual friend in common.(Read how one LinkedIn member went from 100 to 15,000 connections without paying a penny inLinkedIn Networking Tips for Job Seekers.)19. LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers SummaryAt the end of the day, creating a high-value LinkedIn profile is not easy.There are professionals out there who do this for a living.If you are interested in find ing a company to do the work for you, check out our list of the Best LinkedIn Profile Writing Services in America.

How to Use LinkedIn When to Accept or Decline an Invitation - VocationVillage

How to Use LinkedIn When to Accept or Decline an Invitation - VocationVillage Like many people, right now I have a huge number of pending LinkedIn invitations. LinkedIn advises us to accept connection requests only if we know a person well, but since so many people have thousands of connections, clearly, a lot of LinkedIn users are ignoring LinkedIns instructions and are using other criteria to decide whether to accept. I asked a variety of LinkedIn power users how they decide when to accept or decline a LinkedIn invitation to connect.Based on their responses, I created this checklist to decide when to accept or decline an invitation to connect:Reasons to accept a LinkedIn invitation If you are in an industry such as recruiting or sales where it benefits you to grow your network as large as possible, err on the side of accepting. The same is true if you create content and your goal is for it to be viewed and shared as widely as possible. LinkedIns search algorithm favors people with large networks, so if you want to be found (because you are in a job search or seeking new clients or any other reason), it can be beneficial to you to be generous rather than stingy with accepting connection requests. Accept invitations from colleagues at your place of work and in the same industry as you. Some people worry about accepting requests from competitors, but most career experts say that you gain more than you lose by networking within your industry. Accept connections from people if you have met them face-to-face, or if you have interacted with them sufficiently that their contact information is in your address book. Accept invitations from people with whom you have a lot of shared connections. Accept invitations from people who introduce themselves with a personalized and persuasive rationale about why they want to connect. Decline invitations from people who dont include a personalized request. If you accept invitations from people you dont know well, decide in advance how you will handle their requests to introduce you to someone else you know . If you cant honestly vouch for the quality of their work, be prepared to say, I know this person only via LinkedInReasons to decline a LinkedIn invitation If you only do business in the U.S., you may choose to decline connection requests from people located in other countries. If you see a lot of misspellings or weird formatting on a profile, you may not want to be associated with this person. Decline invitations from people who look like they spent only a few moments creating their profile so that it lacks much information or detail. Similarly, if the profile focuses exclusively on describing an industry rather than the accomplishments of the person in the profile, that is often the sign of a scammer profile. Decline invitations from people who dont respond when you send them a private message. Or, alternatively, accept invitations from people who look interesting but if you send them a private message and they dont respond in a week or two, remove the connection. The private mes sage might say something like, Hello, nice to meet you. What motivated you to connect with me here? Disconnect from anyone whose profile seems fake, sketchy, or contains material that offends you. Many people automatically decline any request that comes from a profile lacking a photo or containing a stock photo. Disconnect from people who send you unwanted spam.Did you find this article to be helpful? If so, please share it!Thank you to the LinkedIn experts who contributed to this checklist: Andrea Berkman Donlon, Founder, The Constant Professional Becky Robinson, Founder CEO, Weaving Influence Bill Corbett, Jr., President, Corbett Public Relations Bill Fish, Founder and President, ReputationManagement.com Bruce Hurwitz, Executive Recruiter, CEO, Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, Ltd. Carol J. Kaemmerer, Executive LinkedIn Coach, Kaemmerer Group, LLC Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst Coach Dorie Clark, Author, Professor, Consultant Dylan Kissane, Content Manager, DOZ Jason Parks, Owner, The Media Captain Kelly Donovan, Principal, Kelly Donovan Associates Kelly Keating, Co-Owner, Red Letter Resumes LLC Monique R. Mansour, Professor, Writer Will Blesch, CEO, Breakthrough Business Branding

5 Creative Ways to Be Noticed by Your Boss and Land the Promotion You Want - CareerMetis.com

5 Creative Ways to Be Noticed by Your Boss and Land the Promotion You Want Being creative and finding opportunities to shine on the job is an important skill you need to have if you want to move up the career ladder.It’s easy to just show up and do the work and forget that there are other ways to signal to your boss that you are ready to take on a bigger role in the company. Often times just being “good” at your job is not enough. Those who stand out are employees that advance quicker than their peers.evalIf you don’t want to seem like a tool to your workmates you will need to show your value and abilities without appearing to be out to make others look bad, you need to work smarter not necessarily harder.1) Take More Risks in Your WorkevalIt might seem like the safe thing to do, not to take risks to try new things at work, but toeing the line might be what’s keeping you from being noticed. If you are willing to risk failure, you might also risk being noticed.Elon Musk said, “There’s a tremendous bias against taking risks. Everyone is trying t o optimize their ass-covering.”Stop trying to cover yourself and start looking for opportunities to move the company forward. Your reward for standing out and trying to innovate will outweigh the risk of failing.2) Organize Informal Think TanksYou can continue to inspire this innovative thinking by organizing informal lunches or coffee times where you bring together people who want to work on a problem outside of the scope of the day-to-day work.Maybe you see an internal problem to solve or have a solution for some area of the work that if you had time you might just find a solution.Tell a few of your coworkers that you want to hold a “power lunch”.evalHave them come gather with you over lunch in a room conducive to focused conversation and pose some problem you have been curious about solving. Or invite a guest speaker in person or via video to discuss what’s new in the industry and have a discussion about what you learned.This type of conversation will help you to be seen as a leader and build value in your company as well.3) Create Mentorships with New EmployeesWhen you see younger or newer team members join a company, don’t wait for an official opportunity to support them. Take the initiative to show them how things work.Don’t try to indoctrinate them with office politics, just be a resource for them to help them to adjust to your company’s culture. Helping newer members in a company to do their best is a great way to get noticed because you are adding value to someone your boss perhaps spent time recruiting.evalHaving an honest interest in their success will make your boss and the new employee shine.When they succeed they help the company do better and thus create more opportunities for everyone.4) Avoid Watercooler BanterIt’s easy to fall prey to the chatter of disgruntled co-workers that are looking for allies when they talk about what’s going wrong in their opinion. You might have similar feelings, but sitting around talking about it is a good way to be seen as the person to avoid in the office.It might be difficult to not be around these scenarios but when you notice them, try changing the subject or find somewhere else to be.Not creating a negative environment will help you see the opportunities at work rather than the problems. Just by helping a new coworker, it will help you appreciate them rather than resent their talents, or advancement if it happens quickly. They will see you as a positive force in the company and not the person that brings the room down.eval5) Practice Saying NoNot only do you want to practice saying no to the water cooler conversations and negativity, but you might have to also practice saying no to taking on too much. When you start to be more visible on the job because you seem to be coming up in conversations with your supervisor or boss more often, resist the urge to say yes to everything.Once you are standing out, you will want to avoid the habit of always agreeing to take on more work. Be reasonable with your capacity and let them know your limitations.If you feel you need to focus on your work so that you can deliver with a high degree of success and have room to fail without losing productivity, it won’t help to be stressed out and “overworked”. evalI know it might be counter-intuitive to say no, but if you are a person that likes to please people you can easily get in over your head and not be able to contribute in the other areas that bring value while doing your job well.Don’t avoid taking on extra tasks or work, but be clear about your boundaries so that you can continue to be a true asset and not burn out before you get a chance to ascend to a role you are ready to take on.Getting noticed is about delivering consistent value. Hard work and consistency are important but so is contributing to the overall health of the company.Don’t think that you will get ahead in a company by being a person that puts down others or stomps on their success. In stead, be the person recognized by lifting up others. You will ultimately advance to higher positions because you are a real leader and the natural choice.Conversely, if you happen to be in the wrong company, you’ll be more likely to figure it out sooner so you can move on and avoid disappointment down the road.eval

Keeping Remote Sales Reps Connected

Keeping Remote Sales Reps Connected The advent of new technology and changing philosophies on work life balance has created an increasingly mobile work force. Last year, the Global Leadership Summit predicted that more than half of all employees will work remotely by 2020. This will have a profound impact across all industries but perhaps even more so for those in sales. Salespeople thrive on energy and engaging with others, and they need to be motivated on a daily basis. Companies that are used to having a centralized sales force face a whole new set of opportunities and challenges when managing a remote team. Eliot Burdett, the CEO of Peak Sales Recruiting, a leading B2B sales recruiting company, and author of Sales Recruiting 2.0, says he has seen a dramatic increase in the number of world-class companies investing in remote sales teams. “The ability of sales leaders to effectively engage reps working across the country or around the globe will make the difference between a cohesive team that consistently makes their numbers, and one that is isolated, disjointed, and hurting the company’s profit margins,” says Burdett. “In an economy that is increasingly global, mobile, and social, it is critical for business and sales leaders to be forward-thinking to set reps up for success.” Burdett shared 5 tips to keep a remote sales rep connected and successful. 1 Communicate Often and on a Personal Level Research from the Journal of Personal Selling Sales Management explains that workplace isolation can negatively affect trust in supervisors and coworkers. Making your reps deal with rejection on an island is a recipe for disaster. This can be overcome with frequent and informal check-ins. Rely on teleconferences or even text messaging to communicate with your team. The constant communication will help lessen feelings of isolation. “It is essential to connect with reps on an individual level. By asking about their favorite sports team or their child’s graduation, you can develop stronger and deeper ties. This not only acts as a natural performance motivator, but also increases team and corporate loyalty,” says Burdett. “It is just as critical to set up peer-to-peer teleconferences. Sometimes, a ‘players-only’ meeting is just what the doctor ordered.” 2 Budget for Social Engagements Harvard Business Review reports that successful managers of remote teams organize face-to-face forums, conferences, workshops, and get-togethers. “These are planned well in advance and, in addition to building cohesion at work, this gives employees a chance to interact not only on a business level, but socially as well, which is critical to building rapport. A good option could be to choose a sales conference that everyone can attend together,” says Burdett. “Plan this into your budget and the investment will pay off in both the short and long term.” 3 Make Your Availability Crystal Clear Make it clear to your team via a shared calendar or team project management board when you are available. This sets clear guidelines for how and when you will respond to phone calls, e-mails, or texts. “Having reps who feel like they can reach out to you in any given circumstance is crucial for leading a top producing team. This is especially necessary when managing across different times zones,” says Burdett. “If you are home with your family but it is still office hours on the west coast or overseas, let your reps know how to reach you when you’re needed to help close a deal or penetrate a key account.” 4 Use Your Reps’ Autonomy to Develop Trust The lack of face-to-face communication can hinder employee engagement. A study conducted by the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management found that employee engagement is shown to be positively correlated to salesperson job performance. To that point, Forum’s recent Global Leadership Pulse survey revealed that trust has a direct impact on the engagement levels of remote teams. “Great sales managers, if handled properly, can use the autonomy of their reps to build trust. By giving reps the chance to take on additional responsibilities in certain situations they will feel empowered, engaged, and connected â€" despite the distance,” says Burdett. 5 Don’t Just Hire Any Sales Superstar A common mistake in sales hiring is not hiring based on a certain situation. The assumption is that if someone was good in another selling environment, they will thrive in yours. That is a mistake. Find someone with the right sales DNA who has proven success working remotely. The top producer at a multinational organization who goes to an office every day may not succeed in a remote, non-social, and entrepreneurial environment. The bottom line is that the evolution of technology has created an opportunity for businesses to profit from cultivating a remote workforce. However, it is incumbent on managers to recognize that old managerial rules don’t apply. Tactics such as developing trust, tweaking your communication approach, and scheduling social events, can ensure long lasting relationships that will be profitable for your organization. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

Taking Multiple Choice Test Resumes

Taking Multiple Choice Test ResumesMultiple choice test resumes are one of the most common kinds of career resumes that are used by employers. In recent years, it has become an important part of the application process, and it is used by both students and professionals. However, it is still used in a different way than what most people think.There are many different tests that you can use to measure your intelligence and skills. Even if you choose not to take these tests, a lot of them can still be found online for people to take and share with others. Some tests can be taken on a web site or through a number of internet websites. For example, there are multiple choice test questions on the GRE (Graduate Record Exams) website, which you can use to show your ability to think and write.If you do decide to take a multiple choice test, make sure that you use a test that you are comfortable with. It should also be able to gauge your intelligence. A large number of these tests are done wit h multiple choice formats because they are the easiest ones to take.These include such questions as 'In English, the sentence with the subject and verb are always the same'In English, verbs must be used in all tenses and persons.' You can also use general knowledge tests, such as 'What is the maximum number of teeth a cat has?' or 'What is the weight of a skyscraper?'Many of these tests can be used to show various ways of thinking and writing, and some you can use to prove that you have certain skills. A lot of these tests are a combination of these two methods. Therefore, you should really know what type of tests you are going to be taking before you start.There are many different tests that you can choose from, so make sure that you are comfortable with them before you begin. For example, if you have taken a writing test, you can try a writing test. You should also make sure that you know how to complete the questions properly so that you do not waste time on the test and get a lo w score.You should be able to answer all the questions honestly and without too much problem. This means that you will need to give a good answer to a question, because you can't lie on the test. Furthermore, it is important that you know what kind of test that you are going to be taking, because this will help you prepare for the skills that you want to show off on your resume.Make sure that you take enough practice tests to be able to show your skills and knowledge in your resume. By doing this, you will become more comfortable with the test so that you will be able to answer questions quickly and accurately. You should also be able to answer the question with confidence. This will show the hiring manager that you are the person that they are looking for to help out in their business.