Jenny, Jenny, The Franchise Slouch

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How could this happen?

Sean Kelly, a 20+ year franchise marketing veteran-this is a guy who has helped launched several franchise brands…just wrote an interesting article about the new owner of a printing franchise, of the store-front variety.

This one is for those of you who may be tempted to take those famous franchise industry buzzwords, "A Turn-Key Operation" way too seriously.

From FranBest;

Jenny is the poster child for franchise failure. Despite the fact
that she owns a small business in one of the most fiercely competitive
segments of the service industry (printing), she seems content to just
wait for fate to decide whether her business will succeed or fail.

Instead of posting a photo that shows that she’s an energetic
professional eager for your business, Jenny displays herself slumped
lazily on her couch.

Instead of making sales calls, attending Chamber of Commerce
networking events, or putting on seminars, Jenny prefers to wait in her
shop “for a sudden onslaught of customers.”

Read the rest. What do you think? Who's fault is this?

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Filed Under: Franchise Marketing
About The Franchise King®

My name is Joel Libava, and I'm the author of Become a Franchise Owner! In addition, I'm a franchise ownership advisor. I teach people how to properly choose, research, and buy franchises.
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  • http://www.b2bguidebookprogram.com Jim Mandeville

    without more information from both sides, we have to say the fault lies both with Jenny and the Franchisor.
    Common sense would tell Jenny that she needs to get off her ass and aggressively promote herself and her business. Perhaps Jenny lacks common sense?
    This is where the blame lies on the Franchisor. Did they cover these basics in Jenny’s training? Do they have a follow-up/checking in process for new franchisees?
    This is pretty basic stuff on both sides. I can’t imagine a Franchisor not covering these issues, but maybe it happens. So in my humble opinion, the fault lies with Jenny the Slouch. Maybe she needs a “franchise intervention” – a new line of work for the Franchise King?

  • http://profile.typepad.com/franpro The Franchise King

    Jim,
    Thank you for chiming in. I think it all starts at the top. The franchisor awarded a franchise to the wrong person.
    Interventionist. Large word. Not for this King.
    I had enough problems pronouncing “incentivise” during yesterday’s Franchise today radio show.
    The Franchise King®
    Joel Libava

  • http://smallbiztrends.com Anita Campbell

    Joel,
    Good kick-in-the-pants kind of sentiment.
    Sadly, this problem is not limited to franchisees.
    I’ve seen business owners similarly “slouching” (physically or mentally) in their places of business. Or saying completely inappropriate things on social sites like Twitter and Facebook.
    Too bad — they are their own worst enemies when it comes to business success.
    - Anita

  • http://profile.typepad.com/franpro The Franchise King

    Anita,
    Thank you for commenting. I love when you stop by:)
    As usual, you’re right. I have seen it happen in non-franchise businesses also.
    As for the inappropriate things that are sometime said on on the social media sites….I guess we are adults, and are responsible for our own actions.
    The Franchise King
    Joel Libava