Tag Archives: franchise sales

Sports Fan Feel Good Story

While this may be a stretch, I am going to try to connect this great story back to franchising, and more importantly, marketing your brand.

To begin, read this story: Rick Reilly’s ESPN Column. The story follows a Philly fan who made a name with his ability to sneak into the World Series celebration last year. Reilly’s column has always impressed me — with his sense of humor and amazing ability to tell a story.

The reason I direct you to this story is not only because it is a feel GREAT story — but it’s also to say OFFER THIS GUY A JOB.

Our industry (or community) needs people like this guy to market our brands. Guys, girls who smile — who truly get off on life.

And more importantly, know how to generate attention.

Franchisors can look at Lionel Rodia in two ways: As a marketer; as a salesperson.

As a marketer, this guy stirred up some great PR. If you were to offer him an enforcement deal, and pay him to sneak into top-level events, with a camera or camcorder and upload the content to Web 2.0 — imagine the possibilities. And it doesn’t stop, or begin, with Rodia. Find people who have amazing abilities who won’t cost you athlete or movie star money. Use these people for local store marketing value. Use them to generate some buzz.

Franchisors are not the only ones who should look at using people with 14 seconds of fame diminished. Franchisees should look at them too.

Outside the box will keep you afloat in this difficult economic climate.

On the sales side, this guy obviously knows how to get into places that are traditionally locked down. This is a characteristic franchise sales teams must have. Don’t rely on “silver bullets” — they don’t exist. Financing is locked. Qualified franchsiees are scarce. Salespeople — GO OUTSIDE THE BOX. Venture into nontraditional venues to network with the futures of your brand.

A Day (Two) In the Life without Internet

Well, not exactly, as I still had Internet at home. In the workplace, though, no Internet for the last few days has been brutal. I watch employees gaze into their empty computer screens thoughtless and lost. Where would the world be without such amazing advances in technology? Where would franchising be without the Internet?

There would be no Franchise Gator or Bison to help sales team pull in Internet leads. There would be no Social Networks for me to use and promote the ability for franchisors to eliminate their portal budget and shift in a 2.0 direction. There would be no Intranet sites for franchisees to interact and learn on. There would be no Internet Marketing. There would be no Web 2.0. There would be no ad words.

Franchising, the world, our lives would be completely different.

For me, a world without the Internet is a world without No Limit. My company could not, would not survive without the World Wide Web. My knowledge base would be vastly different. And for the last two days, no Internet was hell.

Again, though, I am slightly lying. I did have my Blackberry. I did have Internet at home. I could still check my email every five minutes, and I did. But it did make me wonder what the world of franchising would be like if there was no Internet.

I do still consider franchising to be in the dinosaur age in many facets of technology. I KNOW the industry has not accepted Social Media when it should be embracing it. Franchising, though, without the Internet would be such a tougher to sell business model.

For some of the legendary innovators of our industry – I respect, so much more, the way you were able to communicate, sell, and grow your concepts. It is, and will always be, an honor to be in your presence!

Back to the Net tomorrow!