Dec 23, 2013 | Coconut Workshops, Events
This jam packed workshop takes you through the essential collateral required to recruit franchisees – the Coconut way. You will leave the day having created an outline for your own:
- Perfect pitch
- Online franchise package profile
- Franchise package overview flyer
- Franchise prospectus outline
- Franchisee case study essential ingredients.
Whilst suitable for new franchisors, this is a vital workshop for those that already have collateral and want a fresh look for 2014 and to understand how to communicate a more compelling message and recruit more franchisees.
AGENDA & SPEAKERS
09:30 Sharing ideas, registration and coffee
10:00 Introduction to the day, the speakers, your expectations & tools you’ll be using
PART 1: “Wow, this franchise looks amazing!”
10:30 Marketing collateral that helps prospects buy – Sarah Carlile
11:00 Creating a compelling proposition in your advertising – Sally Butters
11:45 Make your Prospectus STAND OUT from the rest – Sarah Carlile
12:00 Website content that increases direct enquiries – Chris Cooke
12:45 – 13.45 Lunch and networking
PART 2: Practical ‘take away’ Sessions for YOU!
13:45 Take away 1: Building a winning awards entry! And why you would want to do this!
14:15 Take away 2: Creating case studies that the franchise media want to print
14:45 Take away 3: Putting the ‘wow factor’ into your online listings
15:15 Collateral consultancy sessions with the Coconut Team & guest lecturers
17:00 Sharing best ideas, wrap up and close
Please note: Although this agenda should not change, we reserve the right to make last minute alterations to better suit attending franchisors and accommodate speaker availability. Either way we are sure you’ll have a brilliant day with the ‘Coconuts’.
If you like the sound of this workshop programme, you’ll be pleased to know that for 2014 you can attend multiple workshops at a really small price. While you can still attend individual workshops, we’ve made it super cheap for you to do ALL of our 2014 workshops because we are so confident of the value you will get from doing these as a series. Click here for more information on our brand new workshop packages.
Email Lucy or call 01725 511673 to check availability, for more information, an agenda or a booking form.
Dec 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
Shares in lettings agency Martin & Co (MCO) jumped 16 per cent on their debut on AIM on 18th December, underlining the market’s appetite for stocks with exposure to the housing sector.
“With 187 offices, mainly in the South East and the Midlands, Martin & Co runs one of Britain’s largest lettings networks from its Bournemouth base. It’s diminutive stock market size – currently just £25.5 million – reflects the capital-light franchise model. It owns just two of its branches in-house, and has no intention of owning more,” says chief executive Ian Wilson.
Martin & Co is one of the only UK property agency franchises that offer lettings and estate agency with UK-wide recognition. With a network of just under 200 franchise owners, they are the largest property franchise business in the UK. Martin & Co has been recognised for its award-winning service by its clients winning Gold for Best Large Letting Chain at the ESTAS (Estate & Letting Agent Awards) in 2009 & 2012, as well as Silver in 2010 & 2011 and most recently in 2013.
The flotation served two functions. First, it allowed the founders, Richard and Kathy Martin, to sell about a third of their stake to investors. Second, the company has raised £4m in new funds, which will be used to consolidate the highly fragmented lettings market. Over the year to September, the company took on 1.9 per cent of all new instructions, according to data provider Vizzi Home. Only two companies – the full-service housing service groups Countrywide and LSL – had a higher market share.
Dec 12, 2013 | Clients in the Media, News
A new survey from Accenture has revealed that many businesses will be investing significantly more money into IT training for their employees throughout 2014, putting innovative training companies like New Horizons in an even greater position.
In today’s society, it is not uncommon for workers to have to use a computer or other mobile device at least once a week, if not once a day. However, recent surveys have revealed a massive skills gap across industries which is only getting wider as technology advances at a rapid rate. These skill gaps mean potential losses for companies whose employees are simply not as up to speed with technology as their competitors’ employees are.
The latest survey follows news that the UK economy has just seen its third consecutive quarter of growth. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund upgraded its growth forecasts for the UK by more than any other advanced economy. Britain is now expected to outpace many of its European peers in terms of growth for the next five years and businesses are responding by kick-starting investment in-house in order to maximise the value and efficiency of their own workforces.
New Horizons franchisees provide essential IT training to those who are struggling to keep up with the demands of modern technology and are now offering exclusive territories in the UK. Over the last 30 years, more than 30+ million people have been made more valuable through their services.New Horizons is the world’s largest independent IT training company. With a network of over 300 training centres in 60 countries, they are Microsoft’s largest training provider, delivering more than 40% of all authorised Microsoft training worldwide.
Many training and mentoring services are often seen as a luxury and, as such, are the first to be cut when budgets are tight. However, New Horizons has witnessed a number of varying business cycles over the years and with the increased usage of virtual classroom training (New Horizons Online LIVE®) and flexible classroom training (Mentored Learning®). Franchisees enjoy a dynamic business model that allows for more consistent student demand for their services as technology continues to change and develop at a phenomenal pace. In short, New Horizons training methodologies and business strategies allow franchisees to be minimally, if at all, affected by any future downward fluctuations in the economy.
Along with an award-winning training programme and comprehensive support package, new franchisees are offered an exclusive territory in a major city along with training programmes for all employees. In addition, the package includes ongoing training events and annual conferences, a wide variety of live online events, self-paced e-learning resources and a wealth of tools that franchisees can use to train their employees.
This press release has created wide spread coverage on franchise related websites and social media. It will also be included in upcoming print publications. To find out how Coconut Creatives can help you generate great PR why not contact us!
Dec 6, 2013 | Clients in the Media, News
Chris O’Halloran with his designers
Chris O’Halloran opened his Ripples showroom in Chelmsford in September 2010. His consistent hard work and high performance have meant that his business has enjoyed year-on-year growth. As a result of this success, Chris has been able to open a second showroom in Colchester much earlier than he had originally anticipated.
Having already been shortlisted for the Startups Franchisee of the Year award, celebrating the achievements of Britain’s most exciting and fast growth businesses aged three years and under, Chris’ business continues to go from strength to strength as proven by this expansion.
Ripples is the premier bathroom franchise, designing and supplying high-end bespoke bathrooms for both residential and commercial clients. Ripples pride themselves on the quality of their products and their exceptional customer service. Franchisees operate their own beautifully-appointed showrooms in the luxury retail market. There are currently 15 franchised showrooms in the UK and the network boasts over 50 industry awards to date.
Franchisees operate in a market predicted to be worth nearly £1 billion by 2016, making now an ideal time to invest with Ripples. Chris’ new showroom is expected to turnover £500k by year two and, with ten luxury bathroom settings, his new showroom will enable him to increase his sales to £1.5 million within his territory.
“Opening a second showroom had always been in my plan but to be able to do it so soon after buying my franchise is something I’m very proud of. It just goes to show that hard work and dedication to your business really does pay off,” says Chris.
It is not only Chris who will benefit from the success of his showrooms. The junior designer at his showroom in Chelmsford has been promoted and will now be the senior designer at the new showroom in Colchester. The success of Chris, his showroom and his team is testament to the training and support that is offered when you become part of the Ripples franchise family.
Ripples hands-on training and launch programme is designed to give new franchisees the experience and confidence to run and manage their own busy showrooms. Training is carried out by Ripples own expert team, as well as approved suppliers. Once trading, a member of the support team visits new showrooms weekly for two months to ensure franchisees are laying the foundations for success and the national PR and marketing campaigns help to drive clients through the door.
“The assistance and encouragement I’ve received from the whole team at head office has been brilliant from day one and I’m confident that they will continue to support me with the same care and attention during the running of my second showroom,” says Chris.
This press release has created wide spread coverage on franchise related websites and social media. To find out how Coconut Creatives can help you generate great PR why not contact us!
Nov 30, 2013 | Clients in the Media, News
The shortlist for the Startups Awards 2013 has been announced and Ripples franchisee Chris O’Halloran is amongst the finalists.
Based in Chelmsford, Chris O’Halloran’s Ripples franchise is one of 29 companies from across the country that has been named as a finalist for the awards and is hoping to win one of the 12 trophies up for grabs at the glittering ceremony in London this December.
The Startups Awards, sponsored by Simply Business and organised by Startups.co.uk, celebrate the achievements of Britain’s most exciting and fast-growth businesses aged three years and under.
Chris has been shortlisted for the Franchisee of the Year award along with two other companies. He has only been operating his Ripples franchise since September 2010 but through his consistent hard work and high performance his business has enjoyed significant year-on-year growth. As a result, Chris is now expanding his franchise with the opening of a second showroom.
“The last few years have been a lot of hard work but the results speak for themselves really. My business continues to grow and to be able to expand so soon is obviously something we’re really proud of. To be shortlisted for this award after less than three years is a great honour and it just goes even further towards proving that starting my new business with Ripples was absolutely the right thing to do,” says Chris.
“We couldn’t be more pleased for, or proud of, Chris and his team. From the moment he first opened the doors on his showroom in Chelmsford, he has given 100% and it this just goes to show that with the right attitude and the drive to succeed, there’s no limit to where you can take your business,” adds Paul Crow, Managing Director at Ripples.
Ripples is the premier bathroom franchise, designing and supplying high-end bespoke bathrooms for both residential and commercial clients. Ripples pride themselves on the quality of their products and their exceptional customer service. Franchisees operate their own beautifully-appointed showrooms in the luxury retail market. There are currently 15 franchised showrooms in the UK and the network boasts over 50 industry awards to date.
This year’s judging panel is made up of some of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs and business experts such as Specsavers’ co-founder Dame Mary Perkins, Sarah Tremellen, founder of Bravissimo, and Julien Callède, co-founder of Young Startup of the Year 2012 Made.com.
David Lester, founder of Startups.co.uk, commented: “The final shortlist really is a fantastic example of the prosperous and highly successful start-up businesses we have here in the UK. Congratulations to all the companies who have made it this far and good luck for the Awards ceremony!”
This press release has created wide spread coverage on franchise related websites and social media. To find out how Coconut Creatives can help you generate great PR why not contact us!
