Investing in a franchise comes with a certain set of expectations by the potential franchise owner. These expectations of course differ depending on the person and the franchise on offer.

One thing that is without doubt commonly accepted across the board, is that the franchise brand is going to work to ensure you are suitably ready to operate the business. It is a fact though, that some certainly do it better than others.

“Our Initial Induction Training is absolutely critical in the process of taking someone who knows nothing about what we do, to running a successful business in a relatively short space of time” explains PACK & SEND Learning and Development Manager, Kate Fellowes.

Any franchise network is only as successful as its franchise owners, so it makes sense to allocate substantial resources to initial training. 

The impact broadly can be two-fold, as it not only increases the chances of success, but it also reduces the resourcing and lost opportunity costs for owners once they are in and operating their business - if they are well trained.

How PACK & SEND Structures their Franchise Owner Training

Kate gives some detail into what that training looks like for a new person entering the business.

"We're well aware that getting into business for yourself, especially for the first time, can be daunting for so many. We deliver 4 weeks of training to cover the vital skills and knowledge needed to give you the confidence to operate your business."

These training periods are conducted several times a year giving some options in timing of entry for new franchise owners.

“The training is structured into virtual and face to face theory with on-site Service Centre training, to give the broadest exposure.”

• The classroom theory training includes, for following topics;
• A Multi-Channel Sales and revenue Brand
• Franchise Communications Proprietary Technology
• Basics of the Freight Industry
• Domestic & International Freight
• Freight Supplier Inductions Packaging Techniques Accounting and Finance
• Customer Relationship ManagementBusiness Development & Sales
• Local Area Marketing (LAM)

This is followed by a week of practical training in a Service Centre where new franchise owners are learning to apply the skills learned in the classroom while being guided by an experienced franchise partner.

On taking over their own Service Centre, the franchise partners training is continued with their Network Sales and Operations Manager working with them for their first week of trade to ensure a smooth transition of these new skills to their new business.

How much ongoing training does PACK & SEND provide?

“Training doesn’t stop when you take over your Service Centre. We’re equally focused on ensuring franchise owners are up-skilling as we are on induction training, as this undoubtedly makes for a better performing business and network overall.” says Kate.

Ongoing training for owners consists of;

• Webinars and video tutorials
• On-site operations
• THQ Support
• B2B sales growth program
• Annual National Conference
• Networking events
• Regular newsletter
• Intranet site
• iLearn Portal

“We have all of these resources and contact points established for any franchise owner to connect via to ask a question or engage for support. There is so much experience and capability within the entire business, that ongoing training and support is as much about facilitating easy connection as it is direct instruction.”