Member News

Vicki Mitman and Ed Savory of Leathes Prior’s Franchising team provide their thoughts on franchising your business

When you think “franchise” you probably think of a fast food restaurant like McDonalds or a coffee shop like Costa. There is in fact a huge variety of businesses which have successfully franchised which together contribute a staggering £13.4 billion to the UK economy (source: Natwest bfa Franchise Survey 2012).

These businesses range from having franchisees running high street outlets in the fast food, retail, fashion and beauty sectors, to office-based, “man-and-van” and part-time or home-based franchises. The range of sectors in which franchises operate is vast including healthcare, retail, domestic and commercial cleaning, educational & sports coaching, theatrical performance & arts, fashion & beauty, computer services, signage, business cost reduction, accountancy and bookkeeping, automobile services, lawn care, landscaping and gardening, home improvement, exercise & weight loss, estate & letting agency, pet care and pest prevention.

The type of business you own may have already been franchised but you should not be put off by that as it may be the ideal way for you to expand. If you own a business, there is a good chance that it could be franchised.

But the question is whether you should franchise. In order to successfully franchise your business you should ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is your business financially viable and would it still be viable for your franchisees if they had additional costs of 5-15% (which would typically be payable by the franchisees to you, as the franchisor)?

2. Is there long-term demand for your products and/or services as most franchises are granted for at least a 5 year term?

3. Are your business processes easily replicable? To ensure that all franchisees operate in exactly the same way, your systems and processes need to be easily communicated and repeated by your franchisees.

4. Can you easily train a person who is unfamiliar with the industry or concept to run the business?

If the answer to each of these is “yes” then you are on the right track. The first step may be to review your business in order to prepare it to franchise. From there you will need to create a franchise business model which is clearly defined in a manual (a “How To Guide”) and put in place an effective legal structure through which to operate it. Of course, not all businesses are suited to franchising and there are a range of expansion options which will be available to your business including organic growth, acquisition, agency and/or distribution.

Our team has extensive experience in advising businesses on expansion through franchising and other means. If you would like to discuss the potential expansion of your business with a member of our Franchising team, please call us on 01603 610911 and we will be happy to help.

Leathes Prior’s Franchising team provides a full range of services to franchisors both nationally and internationally across a broad range of business sectors, from brand protection to drafting franchise agreements, together with advice on property, employment, data protection, commercial arrangements, corporate matters, international expansion and dispute resolution. The firm is an Affiliate member of the British Franchise Association.

The Business Shaper Group have announced the appointment of Victoria Myhill as Group Sales and Marketing Director to support the our growing team of consultants and the national rollout of the franchise network.

Since the launch of the Business Shaper Group in 2011, the company has seen turnover double year on year and service offerings increase, with the introduction of a further 6 consultants to the group. Victoria will become an important member of the management team having previously worked as an International Account Director for IT publishing company, VNU Business Publications. Her experience of working with international brands such as Dell and Hewlett Packard will be invaluable to the Business Shaper Group as they go through 2013 and beyond.

Reporting to Chief Executive Gary Douglas-Beet, Victoria assumes overall responsibility for the Business Shaper Group’s national rollout programme and the development of the Groups brands locally. Her immediate focus will be on developing and enhancing the presence of the Business Shaper Groups existing brands Business Shaper, HR Shaper, Marketing Shaper, Design Shaper and PR Shaper.

Victoria joins the Business Shaper Group on 18 March after spending the last few years bring up her young family. “I’m really excited to be joining Business Shaper Group at such a pivotal time for the company and the broader development of the national franchise network. With such a strong portfolio of key local businesses they have helped, the Business Shaper Group is in a unique position to develop an even stronger business proposition for SME owners” said Victoria. “I am confident that my broad experience in the corporate world will bring real value to a company that is already driving innovation in the consultancy world. I look forward to being part of the future success of the Business Shaper Group’s team”

Think Mobile Media is delighted to be working with Break and the GoGoGorillas project coming to Norwich Summer 2013.

We will be providing the trail app, custom QR codes (which will be visible on all the sculpture bases), and their mobile optimised website. Watch out for the app launch and NFC ‘tap’ technology too!

Come and see us at 2013 Opportunities and win a free QR Code.

To celebrate we are offering all Chamber Members the chance to win a free QR code Simply Scan the QR Code for details.Come and see us at Opportunites 2013

Our Matt has been listed in Building Design Magazine’s ‘Top Ten Architects to Follow on Twitter’. The ‘BD Twitter 100’ uses an automated ranking device called Peer-Index to list architectural Twitter users according to their connectedness and level of activity, but the ‘Top Ten’ also includes a hefty slice of subjectivity from the magazine’s editorial staff.

‘Twitter has opened up the possibilities for architects to share knowledge and opinions, open up independent discourse on architecture, and expand their influence and visibility, and over the last two years large numbers of architects have really embraced it’, explains BD’s Anna Winston. ‘For our top 10 we chose the architects we thought were a good combination of entertaining, influential, responsive, engaging and knowledgeable.’

Matt Tweets mostly as @ruralise, in connection with his website www.ruralise.co.uk

Week 6 of Devirsity’s short story, this is a lovely story, something to keep you optimistic for Summer!

Remember for regular updates and new products follow us on twitter and like us on facebook, or simply check out our website!!

www.devirsity.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Devirsity/211923178941065

https://twitter.com/DeVirsity2012

We recently entered the Aviva Broker Community Fund to win financial support for one of the regions leading charities, the East Anglian Air Ambulance. After many hours of filming and production, we were able to enter a short video detailing the service the charity provides to our community and how they would spend further funding.

The good news is that nearly 200 brokers entered the competition and we are one of the few that have made it into the finale.

The Finale, where all the winners will be announced, takes place on 16th April 2013. For more information, please visit https://broker.aviva.co.uk/community-fund/

Thrill-seekers will once again have the opportunity to scale new heights for charity as East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) offers fundraisers a rare opportunity to abseil down one of Norwich’s tallest buildings.

EACH has launched a charity abseil event which will see participants descend 150ft down the Norfolk Tower. It’s one of the city’s tallest buildings offering participants breath-taking views across the whole of Norwich.

The abseil is very kindly supported by MAHB landlords of the Norfolk Tower, who have again offered EACH the use of the building free of charge.

The event, once again being managed by the Norfolk Army Cadet Force, will take place at The Norfolk Tower, Surrey Street, Norwich on Sunday April 14 between 10am and 4pm. It costs £25 to register and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. Only 60 places are available and are expected to be taken quickly so wewould urge anyone interested intaking partto sign up as soon as possible.

To enter online – www.each.org.uk/norwichabseil

Entrepreneurs in the county are now able to realise their business dream, thanks to ‘Enterprise Norfolk’, an exciting new support project for business start-ups. The programmeoffers practical help and support to anyone wanting to start new businesses in the county.

Enterprise Norfolk is led by Norfolk County Council with an investment of £400K over 2 years, working with Norfolk’s district, borough and city council partners. The aim is to help local residents realise their business potential and to create 150 new sustainable businesses in each year.

Local councils will be delivering services to residents in their areas. Service and activities available will include: – enterprise awareness events, one-to-one support sessions, enterprise workshops and business surgeries and clubs.

Delivered at a local level, Enterprise Norfolk allows greater coverage and access to individuals living in rural areas. The money will address the ‘full enterprise journey’, with support for existing businesses in the county and well as new ones.

Liz Young from Dereham has previously been supported by Norfolk County Council when she was trying to start up her two businesses Sparrow’s Rest and Steaming ahead which are a respite care business and an ironing company respectively. She said: “Getting business advice and help from the county council was invaluable at the time when I was considering what to do and how I could turn my ideas into reality. It gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to start out on my own and I haven’t looked back.

“The Enterprise Norfolk scheme is a fantastic idea and I would urge anyone who’s thinking about starting up a business to get in touch with the County Council as it certainly worked for me.”

For further information on Enterprise Norfolk courses in your area, visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/enterprisenorfolk or call 0344 800 8020

NEW DUTCH ROUTE MARKS DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR LOGANAIR’S NORWICH OPERATION

– Airline introduces new weekday Den Helder service almost a year to the day after launching first Norwich International Airport route to Manchester –

Flybe franchise carrier Loganair celebrates two landmark events at Norwich International Airport today (Monday, March 4) – the airline’s first anniversary of operations at the Norfolk-based hub and the launch of its scheduled service to Den Helder.

The new weekday route, the first scheduled operation to fly to the Dutch port city from the UK, is the latest addition to the airline’s schedule of services from Norwich International Airport.

On Monday, March 5, 2012, Loganair launched its first flights from Norwich to Manchester. The new Den Helder route is an extension of the Manchester to Norwich service, which flies three times every weekday and once on a Sunday.

Loganair also operates a direct Saturday flight between Norwich and the Isle of Man, which first took to the skies on May 26, 2012

Then In December last year, Loganair announced it would commence operations this coming spring on a new seasonal Sunday service to Guernsey.

Loganair will take over the route from franchise partner Flybe and is set to increase the number of flights from 19 to 25. Services to the Channel Islands holiday destination start on Sunday, April 28, and will operate until September 29.

The Scottish airline’s Norwich services to Manchester, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Den Helder directly support the employment of 15 locally-based pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

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Roger Hage, Loganair’s director of business development, said: “We are extremely proud, and it is entirely apt, that our first anniversary of operations at Norwich should coincide with the launch of the Den Helder service.

“Despite operating in what continues to be a difficult climate for the aviation industry, everyone at Loganair has worked hard to ensure our services in East Anglia continue to thrive.

“Our success at Norwich can be directly attributed to the efforts of our staff, as well as increased frequency levels and improved schedules we offer to our passengers.”

The first passengers travelling to Den Helder today will board the route’s inaugural flight at 10.20am, arriving in the Dutch city’s airport a mere 50 minutes later.

Loganair expects the Norwich to Den Helder service to act as an important transport link for passengers employed in the offshore oil and gas, maritime and horticultural sectors located in both the East Anglia area and in the Netherlands.

Flights from Norwich will depart weekdays at 10.20am, arriving in Den Helder at 12.10pm local time. Return flights will depart Den Helder at 2.30pm, returning to Norwich International Airport at 2.20pm.

Andrew Bell, CEO at Norwich International Airport, said: “Loganair’s first year of operation at Norwich International Airport has been a great success and we will be working closely together over the coming year to ensure this success continues to build”.

The Manchester, Guernsey and Den Helder services will be operated by Loganair’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Suckling Airways, using a 31-seat Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft. A 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft is used on the Norwich to Isle of Man service.

Fares for the Norwich to Den Helder service start from £79.99 one-way include all taxes and a free checked bag up to 20kgs in weight.

Customers will also receive a generous 6kg cabin baggage allowance as well as a choice of complimentary on-board snacks and refreshments served in-flight.

To book tickets on Loganair services from Norwich visit www.flybe.com or call 0871 700 2000.

On Sunday 10 March, three intrepid members of staff from Steeles Law will embark on the Devil’s Challenge 2013, a gruelling 7 mile 4×4 course over the notorious Devil’s Pit at Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire, to raise funds for the Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Alliance.

The team, aptly named “Balls of Steeles”, includes Tom Bailey, Barrister from Steeles Law’s dispute resolution team; Marija Markovic, Trainee Solicitor; and Alison Beales, Team Assistant.

The Devil’s Challenge course – which consists of such dubiously named zones as “Punishing Obstacles”, “Climbs of Doom” and “Muds of Sorrow” – will involve a combination of running, wading through water and crawling through mud!

Commenting on the team’s forthcoming endeavours, Tom Bailey commented: “Neuroblastoma Alliance UK is this year’s nominated charity for the Devil’s Challenge and they do really vital work for very young children. We are all very excited about the event and very up for the challenge – let’s hope we make it back!”

Tom, Marija and Alison will be joined on the day by staff from Gorleston based office products supplier Pink Office, who are also participating in the Devil’s Challenge.

Anybody wishing to make a donation to “Balls of Steeles” can do so via www.justgiving.com/Alison-Beales. All funds raised will be donated to Neuroblastoma Alliance UK, a charity which funds children’s treatment costs, supports families and funds research into neuroblastoma, the most common cancer diagnosed within the first year of life.

Twenty of the region’s entrepreneurial business leaders joined Price Bailey’s business strategy team for the third meeting of PB Entrepreneurs at the Top of the City, Norwich City Football Club, last week.

The group has formed to meet each quarter, offering strategic insight and peer review to important clients and contacts of the firm who are looking to grow and improve their businesses.

“It’s a natural add-on to our chartered accountancy practice” says firm’s head of strategy and development, and lead business coach Nick Mayhew. “In getting to know our client’s businesses inside out from a financial perspective, we are also in a really good position to help them to build on their strengths and meet wider business challenges. PB Entrepreneurs offers a forum to support that”. PB Entrepreneurs Clubs are already established in London and Cambridge. “There are so many dynamic businesses, and business leaders in Norwich that we are really pleased to be able to extend the club to this area”.

The theme of the afternoon was growth – learning from the examples of high-growth companies including Zappos and SpaceX, as well as high-growth clients. Attendees worked through their own plans, before wrapping up with an hour focussed on the business growth plans of one particular member. Dr Vince Forté, the subject of the specific case study, said “It was such a privilege to be able to present our business case and receive so much valuable advice – all those top business brains working for me!”.

The group meets next in Norwich on 11th June, to discuss ‘Winning Strategies’.

Ashton KCJ Solicitors has announced that it will be supporting three local charities through a charity of the year partnership. From April 2013, the firm will be supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, Magpas and Norwich based Nelson’s Journey.

Each year, staff at the firm vote for the charities they wish to support. The firm aims to raise at least £10,000 during the year through activities such as dress down days, cake sales and by staff taking part in sporting events.

The firm has already exceeded its fundraising target for its current charities: EACH, Big C and Headway. The funds have been raised by staff taking part in a 125 mile bike ride, a sky dive, Santa Runs, Hats for Headway and much more.

Edward O’Rourke, CEO at Ashton KCJ, says: “We are delighted to be supporting three new charities this year, each of which provide vital services and support in the local communities where we live and work”.

Sue Bailey, Associate and Chair of Ashton KCJ’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, added: “We recognise that the current climate is making fundraising for charities more and more difficult. We will be mobilising our staff to get involved in as many fundraising activities as possible throughout the year.”