Franchise Focus
Express to success
Recognition Express is a long-established name in branded products and is on the lookout for hard-working franchisees wishing to succeed with a tried-and-tested business model
InvestMent level: £35,000
runs Recognition Express Mid Surrey, says: “The support has been first-class with excellent material and an ever- improving range of centralised marketing programmes. I can see significant growth and now have the need to take on extra resource to grow the business further.” Centrally designed, managed
and implemented direct-marketing programmes are further augmented by high-quality collateral, marketing tools and ongoing training designed to drive business growth, client contact and brand awareness.
Graham Marshall
branded clothing – and is one of the most successful franchises in this sector in the UK and part of a market worth in excess of £3billion. A full member of the bfa since 1980, Recognition Express is a former winner of the bfa Franchisor of the Year award. Individuals that are hard working, ambitious and driven, with good people skills, are ideal franchisees. The company is renowned for its high
R
level of ongoing support and advice but also its marketing, sales, product- sourcing, technology and business- planning programmes. Sally Findlay, who
ecognition Express, operating since 1979, provides corporate branding and promotional products – gifts, banners, posters, signs and
“Support has been first- class with excellent material and an ever improving range of centralised marketing programmes”
Graham Marshall, previously sales
director at an engineering company, joined Recognition Express in October 2008. He says: “I wanted to be my own boss but also have the backing of an established brand, so franchising was the obvious choice. I chose Recognition Express over other franchises as you have more freedom. With some of the other franchises you had to follow very, very strict business processes, regularly send in spreadsheet reports and buy all your products from the franchise – not like running your own business at all.” His advice to would-be franchisees
is straightforward. “Remember this is a business – your business”, he says. “Ask lots of questions and make sure you understand the answers. Recognition
Express as a franchise is supportive, but you get out what you put in. Also, follow the system – the Recognition Express franchise model works, so don’t stray too far from the path.” Jan Chidley runs Recognition Express
Hull and East Riding. She says: “Having been away from the workplace for some 18 years I was apprehensive about starting my own business. The support I have received from Recognition Express has been exceptional – at the end of my first year I achieved all my financial targets and made the transition to business owner. The business is going extremely well.” Managing director, Nigel Toplis says:
“It’s you who makes the key decisions in your franchise business – but you are not on your own because we are always on hand with help and advice, training and much more.” Nigel adds: “Our franchise owners also
benefit from our considerable purchasing power. We get the very best products from the very best suppliers, keeping our network one step ahead of the competition.” Recognition Express has extensive
marketing experience in the business- to-business field and centrally managed marketing programmes maximising the efforts of franchise owners and an appointment-generating system placing franchisees in front of their customers. Constantly on the lookout for new
and exciting products and innovations, Recognition Express invests both time and money in continual product-development programmes. A Recognition Express franchisee from
the early days, Paul Mitchell of Slough has seen the business go from strength to strength. He says: “I’ve been a Recognition Express franchisee since 1981, which means I’ve seen how the business has developed and improved every year. “The business today is very different
from when I launched. There’s a huge emphasis on branding and marketing – a focus on making Recognition Express the first choice for our customers. The market has also changed too due to the growing importance of branding to any business.
This means that there’s a lot more potential, any business can be considered a potential client.” n
recognItIon express
Website:
www.recognition-express.com email:
stoplis@recognition-express.com Phone: 01530 513 300 classification: Business-to-business
March 2012 |
Businessfranchise.com | 61
Investment: £20k-£50k
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