With a broad client base covering most of the UK, Coconut Creatives experience is vast in achieving results within the filming sector, franchising, fine foods, fair trade and the leisure industry. Being active members of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and assisting the development of marketing throughout the south west region, their team has worked on projects with brand names such as Harry Potter, Sunseeker, Revlon, Raleigh & FitKid.
Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Cook was approached by Business Franchise Magazine Editor, Alison Ledger to write a piece on best practice. The featured article focused on how franchisors can assist their franchisees in marketing, with a range of Coconut client examples used.
With the Glasgow Franchise show fast approaching, franchising is high on the public agenda. There is no wonder why, when it is said that 1 in 2 business start ups fail while the risk of getting into business by buying a franchise is significantly lower.
Coconut Creatives has teamed together with the Fleet Street freelancer, Linda Whitney, to offer press and media training to its clients. Linda, whose franchise columns have appeared in the Daily Mail for over a decade is now offering this unique training opportunity in a response to help combat media nerves, commonly suffered by business owners and managers. Linda will be offering ‘one 2 one’ training to help individuals understand what journalists are looking for.
“We are really excited to be offering these services to our clients and we can not think of a better person to deliver them, other than Linda,” explains Sarah Cook, founder of Coconut Creatives.
Packaged in a compact one-hour telephone conference with Linda Whitney:
· A ten minute briefing session explaining how to prepare, what journalists want to know and how to relax before starting.
· Then after a break for preparation, Linda will call again and conduct a ten minute mock interview, focussing on the kind of information journalists want from you.
· Ten minutes of feedback, highlighting what comes across well and explaining how you can improve any area that needs polishing up.
· Another ten minute interview allowing you to put into practice what has been learnt, followed by a final ten minute feedback session.
All interviewees receive a summary of the points made in the session by email within an hour of the session ending, which provides useful notes to refer back to in the future. The system has been on trial for a while and the response has been fantastic. The insight it has provided business owners and franchisors into the mysterious world of journalism is valuable.
“Anyone who undertakes this training will gain media communication skills that they can use for the rest of their professional career,” adds Sarah. “For just an hour on invested time, it provides a great result!”
Linda explains further “All business owners, franchisors and key staff will deal with the press at sometime. Getting it right can boost your business. Getting it wrong can have incalculable consequences.”
To find out more about media training with Linda Whitney, visit http://ishouldcoco.wpengine.com/services/press__media_training/ for full details.
Coconut Creatives directors Sarah and Chris Cook were delighted to discover that the colour that represents the Coconut Creatives brand, has been named ‘Colour of the Year 2009’!
Pantone Inc declared that Mimosa: the bright optimistic yellow, that Coconut Creatives use, will be the colour of this year! Yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance.
The Coconut Creatives team certainly believe in its qualities to cheer up any exhibition hall or event they attend!
Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Cook undertook the first franchisee training seminar for client, Envos, earlier this month. Sarah has assisted the Envos team to recruit and train the first 5 new franchisees within just weeks of launching the franchise package.
With record breaking enquiries and contracts being won across the UK, this franchise has received an outstanding amount of interest from individuals wanting a new career in this market estimated to be worth in excess of £500 million. “Envos is a fantastic business and it is a pleasure to be working with such a talented team to help achieve their franchise recruitment objectives,” says Sarah.
The Envos business model responds to recent legislation changes. From January 1st 2009 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are required by law for all commercial buildings, with very few exceptions. Much like the ‘A, B, C’ energy efficiency ratings on household white goods, Envos franchisees respond to the new government legislation to provide similar ratings on commercial buildings.
Envos was initially looking for 20 individuals to fill regional franchise positions. With 5 franchisees now trained and operational this leaves just 15 places left. Regional franchisees purchase a large geographical area with opportunities to subdivide their region in the future and manage a team of energy assessors. Franchise Marketing will continue throughout the year until the remaining 15 places are filled.
The first Envos franchisees to be trained, learned how they could reach projected net profits amounting to £450K by the end of Year 2. The two day training course included a specialist marketing and PR seminar and franchisees left with a selection of marketing tools and knowledge to get their business started.
“This franchise offers all the added benefits of a national brand: national clients, technical help background, training, support and being the first to deliver new services,” explains Mark Doe who was the first to sign up.
The franchise zones now taken include Kent, Devon, Somerset and the whole of Scotland. With over 216,000 audits estimated to be required in the next few months alone, Envos already has demand in place for the additional 15 regional franchisees that come onboard.
Yet Envos founder Wade Barker warns franchise seekers to do their research whatever franchise they are considering: “Be confident that the market is there for whatever franchise you are looking at. Don’t just take the word of the franchisor.”
For further information about Envos and to reserve your franchise zone call 0845 6434954 email franchise@envos.co.uk
To request information about franchise recruitment, franchise marketing or franchisee marketing, contact Sarah Cook at Coconut Creatives on 01963 31030 or email sarah@coconutcreatives.co.uk.
Sarah Cook from Coconut Creatives undertaking the Envos training session
Coconut Creatives have been working with Whizz Bang Pop, the national children’s entertainment business to assist them to launch its franchise operation.
This franchise is ideal for people who do not want a 9 – 5 job behind a desk. It is for individuals that enjoy working with children where every day is different and brings new challenges and rewards.
Whizz Bang Pop is a children’s entertainment business with an established network of entertainers throughout the UK operated from its head office in Brighton. With over 4 years of trading history, Whizz Bang Pop has proved its business model is sustainable and reliable in a range of economic conditions, in providing entertainment for children aged 3 – 12 years old.
This is a BRAND NEW franchise looking for just TWO individuals to operate a pilot franchise within their area. A pilot franchise is the same as a normal franchise, just with an exceptionally low fee! Whizz Bang Pop will offer significant opportunities for the right individuals to completely change their lifestyle and have fun every day through entertaining children. Individuals can also consider operating a Whizz Bang Pop franchise as a management business with a network of their own entertainers.
Established in 2005 as a premier children’s entertainment business, Whizz Bang Pop is looking for enthusiastic, friendly and outgoing individuals to develop the Whizz Bang Pop children’s entertainment brand in their own area.
“The two pilot franchisees will be fully trained using our proven systems and entertainment techniques. We will only be looking for a small number of franchisees initially so that we can provide them with an excellent level of care,” explains Sally Davis, Managing Director.
The franchise package includes comprehensive training, support and an operations manual. Franchisees will launch with an integrated marketing campaign including a promotional launch! Leads are partly generated through the Whizz Bang Pop HQ and passed on to the franchisee within the area.
“What other job could encompass my three favourite things: fancy dress, singing and being silly? It is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had,” Elena Kyriacou, Whizz Bang Pop Entertainer, Sussex.
The Whizz Bang Pop package also includes an exclusive set of costumes, designed for Whizz Bang Pop by Renaissance Designs and custom made for each franchisee. “It is vital that Whizz Bang Pop costumes are unique and endearing. A Whizz Bang Pop children’s party is an experience like no other and the children really believe that they have met a fairy, princess or pirate!” adds Sally.
Exclusively for the first 2 pilot franchisees, the franchise fee is heavily reduced to just £7,595!
This includes FULL training, launch, operations manual and exceptional support from the experienced management team. Training includes shadowing a current Whizz Bang Pop entertainer, so you will feel completely comfortable and confident when the time comes to do it alone! For those looking for a challenging and fulfilling new career working with children, with flexible hours to suit your lifestyle and commitments, this is the franchise for you!
For a prospectus contact Whizz Bang Pop on 08450 17 10 77 or email franchise@whizzbangpop.co.uk
For further information about how Coconut Creatives can assist you to launch or grow your franchise or business, please contact Sarah Cook at Coconut Creatives on 01963 31030
