Market Focus
Why did you choose Select? I must have looked at 25 franchise opportunities overall. I was looking for a business where the skills I had gained in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and corporate fi nance sectors would be relevant. Select stood out because it has huge brand recognition – it is synonymous with recruitment in the UK. I was used to recruiting people in my previous roles so there was a natural fi t. I took over an existing Select franchise in Bristol and could see there was good growth potential in the branch, enabling me to create the legacy business that I was aiming for.
How have you found your experience of the business so far?
Opening the agency at the start of the recession in 2008 was admittedly tough. We found the temp side of the business worked out very well, however, and today the business is performing well above expectations; we are looking to increase the number of consultants in the team this year. I currently have a great team of fi ve people led by a very competent executive manager. My son is also actively involved in the business, looking after credit control and business support for the offi ce. Personally, I fi nd it a very rewarding business to be in. We receive lots of thank you letters from people we have placed in jobs and testimonials from clients who are delighted with the personnel we have helped them recruit. It is very satisfying to see a graduate who has been searching for work for months fi nally land a job they enjoy doing.
What kind of support have you received from the franchisor? The dedicated Select team couldn’t be more supportive, they are there to help and support us with anything we need, whether it is strategic advice or marketing. The training provided is second to none. All trainees and new consultants take part in an initial four-day induction training module at head offi ce that covers prospecting, sales, negotiation, IT systems and fi nancials. There is also a huge variety of other professional development opportunities that consultants can take advantage of to develop their skills. Graduates joining us as trainees know there is a solid career path they can follow if they have the talent and ambition.
Describe a typical day. As I have other business interests, I probably spend two to three days full- time on the Bristol business per week. My main role is to mentor and motivate staff and oversee the direction and strategy of the business to ensure we
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are meeting targets and maintaining profi tability. For consultants, a typical day will involve a combination of sales prospecting, interviewing clients and client visits to get an in-depth understanding of their business in order to match them with the right candidates.
What advice would you give anyone considering franchising?
I would say that franchising is a much safer bet than starting a business on your own. Although it is not vital to have experience in the chosen sector, it is essential to have some prior business or commercial knowledge before embarking on a franchise. Keeping an eye on cashfl ow is key, make sure you have some surplus funds available in case of emergencies. I would have no hesitation in recommending a Select Appointments franchise, as the potential rewards can be substantial for a modest investment.
LMS
“All I had to do as a motivated businessman was ensure that I took all advice on board and used my sales experience and interpersonal skills”
Why did you choose LMS? Occasionally, opportunities arise that a proactive and ambitious businessman simply cannot turn down – the chance to join a company that already sits at the forefront of a boom industry was one of these! The products within the LMS portfolio are second to none in specifi cation and price.
How have you found your experience running the business so far? The additional product and business support given by the LMS team make it nearly impossible to fail. All I had to do as a motivated businessman was ensure that I took all advice on board and used my sales experience and interpersonal skills in what is still an untapped market. Armed with the quality and value that LMS provide, I can go as far as my ambition will take me.
What kind of ongoing support have you received?
R
uss Bradley is an LMS franchisee based in Derby. Originally from Birmingham, Russ has lived all over the country and has a varied skill
set. Working together with LMS has proved to be an excellent and exciting opportunity to grow a business in the energy conservation industry.
Once I’d signed up and received the initial in-depth training, the relationship with staff became one of friendship. From operations director Jamie to Richard the warehouse manager to Charlotte in reception, the staff are willing to match your ambition in creating the strongest brand in the market.
Would you recommend an LMS franchise to others? Defi nitely. With LMS, the potential for rapid and immediate growth from minimum investment is considerable . n
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