We’ve said many times in the past that one of the biggest advantages of investing into a franchise instead of going at it alone is that you become part of a bigger network which constantly evolves. However, as the franchise network grows and more franchisees come on board, it’s vital to maintain the brand’s core values and identity.
We have come a long way since we launched our first franchised outlet in 2013; We currently have 23 franchised outlets across the country and as our business family continues to grow, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our ways of working and our offering to our clients. This is why we want to ensure that all of our franchisees live and breathe our brand values and culture. Many franchise operations fail to realise that every location is different so can require a flexible approach to business however it’s still vital to ensure that the company value are consistent across the across the network. As well as being business owners, franchisees are brand ambassadors so to ensure that the business continues to grow and develop it’s important to have cohesive brand values so that people know they are dealing with a company with a respected identity.
From franchisee recruitment onwards, the values of the business are always at the core of what we do. We put a lot of emphasis on what our brand stands for, how we do it and what we believe in. For us it all starts with practising what we preach, which is why our MD Karen is still involved in the running of her own Cleanhome branch in the Thames Valley, the first to be launched, in 2010. Once those values are at the heart of the business it becomes easier to roll them out throughout the network and in any external communications.
Every franchisee and employee should understand the brand values and put them at the centre of how they run their business, whatever they’re faced with. It means that even during challenging times they will be clear on how to present themselves and be firm about what the business stands for.
Once you’ve set those values across the network, it’s important to keep it up. You shouldn’t neglect setting up regular check-ins with your franchisees to ensure that they still feel engaged with what the company stands for. Find out what works for your team, whether it’s monthly online meetings, phone chats or group meetups, and decide what works for the whole team.
Building your brand won’t happen overnight but applying your values across the network will enhance every single aspect of the network and the service offering.
Cleanhome UK News 