Software firm VTUK hosted a seminar in Oxford on how letting agents can grow their businesses through franchising.
Peter Grant, managing director of VTUK, led the seminar which covered such topics as what franchising is, how it works and differs from other growth methods; whether a business is suitable for franchising; the eight stages of development required prior to launching a franchise business; and recognising, recruiting, training and motivating the right franchisees.
The Key Business Drivers Seminar Programme is designed to assist lettings agents in four core areas – business continuity, business growth, increasing profit and retaining and acquiring new landlords.
Grant said: “We are very pleased to have launched our new seminar programme with a successful first seminar on how franchising can help business growth.”
“VTUK’s core focus will always be on delivering market-leading software solutions to lettings agents nationwide. However, we have long held the view that just creating and supplying software, irrespective of how well we do it, is not enough.
“Through this and other seminars we can offer our clients a host of tips and new ideas that they can implement into their daily business practice in order to give them a cutting edge in challenging market conditions.
“Our seminars will focus on four vital areas that we believe all letting agents should be addressing in order to survive today’s market.
“While our first seminar was hosted locally, we are already making plans to roll further seminars out on a national basis.”
.png)
Comments
that all of a sudden Industry Observer's advice to those considering a Franchise is less valid than VTUK's
My impartial reading of the story and the comments, his advice is well worth listening to.
If Mr Grant was smart as say Richard Martin or Mike Goddard, instead of advising his clients to franchise he would set up a franchise of his own and cop 10% for doing very little more than he does at the moment.
As for the editing of the press release, what on earth did you expect? If you want a word for word advertorial instead of a free shout out, pay for it.
"Industry Observer"
Surely you have more improtant things to comment on?
VTUK are supporting their clients and doing the right thing by showing support for businesses who want to expand through franchising, they are not saying that they hear and know all!
I don't see Martin & Co offering this to my business and wouldn't it be great if small businesses had this type of support all the time..?
Remember, Martin & Co and Northwood haven't always been large sucessful companies, they started small but with the right direction and advice they became what they are today.
Comment on something worth commenting on and try not to downplay a business that is helping to support others.
Cheers!
Re: Industry Observer
This press release has been heavily edited and this seminar was only hosted by VTUK, who did not talk about franchising.
The seminar was in fact taken by Jo Goodall, a leading expert on franchising and David Engwell, a lawyer who specialises in franchising at the legal firm BrookStreet des Roches. VTUK held the day free of charge for our clients who were interested in the franchising model, and the event received excellent feedback with clients requesting for more seminars such as this in the future.
This is all part of the value added service we provide, but of course our solutions are our key focus.
For further information please feel free to contact me directly on 01993 893399.
"Stick to the knitiing" the business guru Tom Peters said In Search of Excellence and if only we had all done that. Look at the mess we are in with everyone selling everything or purporting to be experts at everything.
VTUK is not the first software firm to attempt to tell - sorry advise - lettings agents on how to run their business and sadly they will not be the last. What all software suppliers need to do of course is concentrate ALL their efforts on refining and develoing their products - preferably before they launch a new version at cost to the user which then doen't work properly.
With all due respect what on earth can VTUK know about franchising - have they franchised their own business?
Lettings franchising now falls into three categories - the very major independent players such as Belvoir, Martin & Co and Northwood.
Then the corporates
Then a few very small franchisors who just rub along and if they are lucky may get as far as a regional presence.
My advice to anyone thinking of buying a franchise is to stick with the first or second category above.
My advice to any small business thinking of franchising beyond its own city walls - forgtet about it the investment needed to break through to join the big boys is too great.
Plus they have most areas covered