Show Guide
and follow-up with the companies he met. In the first-class surroundings, the visitors and franchise owners had time to discuss opportunities in detail, at their own pace, relaxed or businesslike. The interests of the prospective franchisees had been carefully matched up with appropriate franchises and hundreds of one-to-one meetings booked, which worked well for both groups. Anthony Round, business development manager of Papa John’s, liked the appointment systems and the organisation of the event. “The organisers have filtered the visitors well, so we are meeting genuinely interested people who have researched us and who have the right resources required for our franchise. We’re very pleased with the quality of those we’ve met.”
The event format won the acclaim of many of those who attended. Abdul Ansari, a hospital director from Central London said: “I booked meetings in advance. This helped me to plan my time well. They were very informative and it’s great to interact as one-
to-one meetings give you a real idea of the concept. I would definitely come again.” The exhibitors were also enthused by the advance bookings of meetings and the people they met. “Franchise Opportunities Live has been very, very good – all of our appointments have turned up, plus extras and they have all been very good quality. Every single one of our meetings has developed into a ‘Discovery Day’ where they come to head office,” said Mandy Sutch, recruitment manager at Revive! David Paulson, senior manager franchise recruitment at Tax Assist agreed: “The pre-booking system has worked well – they have all turned up and the meetings have been excellent. Candidates have been well prepared and were suitably qualified for our franchise.” There was also a programme of informative seminars on all the key aspects of franchising, which attracted large audiences. According to Omar Sharif from Slough, they are “superb – worth their weight in gold!”
Together with one-to-one advice by leading industry specialists, from the British Franchise Association advisers and finance experts to consultants and lawyers, there was all the information and advice that anyone interested in becoming a franchisee would require. Alexa Titus, a luxury goods retailer from North East London, already in the process of buying a franchise, thought that “the advisers were very good, helpful and reassuring”. The views of many exhibitors were summed up by Paul Dickinson, managing director (UK) of The Alternative Board when he said: “We’ve had a really good time. The quality of visitors has exceeded our expectations and we’ve seen so many that we haven’t had time for a cup of tea all day!”
Adrian Goodsell, head of franchise sales at organisers Venture Marketing Group, commented: “Franchise Opportunities Live is a different way to do business. It is ideal for serious prospective franchisees wanting to progress their research into franchise opportunities. It proved a tremendous success for so many people again this year." n
October 2013 |
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