Franchising Corporations need to maintain an iron fist when it comes to certain things in order to maintain absolute integrity of the system; Consistency, Quality, Cleanliness and Customer Courtesy or Service. Ray Kroc in his book; "Grinding it Out" made that point perfectly clear, some called him a hard ass on the details and indeed it served him well and turned 11,000 franchisees into millionaires along with some 1500 executives early on. That of course is one side of the game and it is difficult to maintain control of such important quintessential items in an age of over regulations and constant lawsuits. The best strategy we have found after surveying many franchising companies at; Franchising.org is to have a strong franchise relationship policy, which enhances communications and prevents lawsuits, as litigation is the lowest form of communication.

In my franchising company; CarWashGuys.com we had a specific chapter in our Confidential Operations Manual, which addressed the importance of communication and relationships. All franchisors in my opinion would be well served with such policies and additions to their manuals of operation. Below is an outline you may use to help you develop your own franchising relationship strategies. You of course will need to slightly modify the outline before you start so it best fits your unique business model as our company is engaged in the onsite cleaning business or vehicles. Once you have modified the outline, think on each item and then carefully write two-paragraphs on each subject for later review from your board of directors, then once completed distribute it to the franchisees with full graphics and inserted figures and pictures. This is the first step in reducing lawsuits and opening communication lines so you can take full advantage of opportunities in the market place, which present themselves. Now get busy and get this done so you can out perform you next quarter's expectations.

FRANCHISOR RELATIONS

I. BE NICE

A. Founder

B. Area Representatives

C. Office Staff - Names

D. Computer Programmers

II. EXPANSION

A. Keep Them Abreast

B. Ask For Help

C. Schedules Of Additional Units - Call In Advance

D. Territory Increase

E. Modifications To Truck

F. Plot Out Spread Sheets

G. Hiring In Advance

H. Training With Managers

III. AREA REPRESENTATIVES

A. There To Help

B. Big Brother

C. Buy Them Lunch

D. Wash Their Truck

E. Ask Them For Help

F. Assign Them Tasks

1. Employee Labor

2. Community Stuff

3. Meetings You Can Not Attend

4. Etc.

IV. VOLUNTEER

A. Training

B. Sales - Franchises

C. Ideas

V. REQUIREMENTS

A. On Time

B. Complete

C. Accuracy

D. Advertising

E. Insurance

F. Modem - Info

VI. MAINTAIN

A. Customer Base

B. Good Standing In Business Community

C. Chamber Of Commerce Membership

VII. COMPLIANCE

A. Competition Clause

B. Sales Of Unspecified Items

C. Selling Of Business

D. Specified Insurance

VIII. REASONS WHY

A. Referral

B. Bidder's List

C. Promotions

D. Test Markets, Advertising

E. Awards

F. Blitz Training

G. Training Crews, Free Labor

H. Sales Teams

I. Sample Tests, Products

J. Blitz And Bonzai Teams

K. Etc.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs