Good company in franchise progrram from Florida

One of the franchise companies launching a business strategy to recruit young franchisees is Valpak, a direct mail franchise company.

Valpak – based in Florida, US – has launched Entrepreneurship Program 2 years ago, targeting younger group of entrepreneurs who is interested in franchising. The program is basically rewarding new franchisee recruits with discounts on franchise fee and a chance to pair with a mentor who will guide them.

The discount is indeed to attract new franchisees, as the mentorship is to help young franchisees speeding-up their learning process so that they can take on the business challenges on their own. The latter, too, helps dispel critics of bringing young people into the franchise company before they are ready.

The video below is The Wall Street Journal’s coverage on Valpak, revealing a short story of Nicholas Hernandez, Valpak Franchise Trainee.

Hernandez, 23 years old, explains the reason why he joined Valpak is due to the Entrepreneurship Program. To aid him in his entrepreneurial endeavour, he was guided by a very experienced mentor – A Valpak franchisee for 34 years.

Opportunity in franchise business

Some of the better business opportunities at a time when people are concerned over the economy are ones that help people save money and those that are necessary. The needs are taking precedent over the wants more than in affluent economic times. So necessities are up as business opportunities and fluff is down.

The repair business for shoes, cars, upholstery, clothes, computers are good examples. Having these items repaired can save money, which is more important to people when they are losing their jobs and new jobs are harder to find. Starting a repair business fulfills a need and can be a good business opportunity. When the economy improves shift into selling more new shoes or whatever item you’ve been repairing.

Another method for saving money is saving on energy costs. Solar and wind energy products have more recently increased in popularity. A wind turbine system can be purchased for $1000.00 and it reduces the power bill. The solar powered hot water heater saves money too. These devices have to be installed, which is a small business opportunity.

Along the energy line of small business opportunities is the energy auditor business. To start an energy auditor business a person needs about $10,000. He’ll need to buy two pieces of equipment. A background in science and math are useful. As this business increases in popularity the market grows.

A fast food franchise is a good choice even in more difficult economic times. Some people rely on fast food so much that less money doesn’t stop them from buying it. More of them may go for the cheaper menu items, but they will still eat in fast food restaurants. Others will eat there when times are low for the comfort food factor.

The number of elderly people is growing and some bad health habits are causing younger people to need more medical attention. This is a necessity and people will get the treatment somehow. Thus, medical equipment and supplies is a good small business to get into and do well.

The medical transcriptionist as a small home based business is a good opportunity. More than twenty percent of the medical transcriptionists are self employed. After training the medical transcriptionist records medical histories, diagnoses, prognoses, and the outcomes. As with any field associated with the medical industry it is going to grow as the aging population increases.

One of the top franchising business at Malaysia - McDonalds

MCDONALD's Malaysia expects its delivery service business to jump 40 per cent this year as its new call centre can handle more orders, said managing director Azmir Jaafar. The new centre can take in about 70,000 calls per day compared with about 20,000 now. In 2008, McDonald's Malaysia's delivery business was worth about RM68 million or 8.5 per cent of about RM800 million in total sales. "As our restaurants become more efficient in taking and delivering orders and with our new call centre, we expect to see this delivery business growing," said Azmir. He spoke to reporters after signing a partnership agreement with Tele Dynamics Sdn Bhd for the new call centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Tele Dynamics chief executive officer Takashi Watanabe said the company spent RM2 million on the call centre. Azmir said McDonald's Malaysia will invest RM80 million this year to open between 15 and 20 new restaurants. He is still bullish about business as he predicts sales to grow by a slower 15 per cent this year compared with 20 per cent for 2008. "We will continue to come up with innovative and appealing ways to stimulate consumer spending," said Azmir, referring to the recent success of its RM5.95 lunch value meal. He said the RM5.95 offer accounted for more than half of sales in the last few weeks and "even our competitors have tried to copy this". The second phase of the lunch deal will be extended to the weekends and public holidays. McDonald's Malaysia is also working on allowing customers to order and pay online.

Scenario franchise business

While many business owners never make more than a wage from their business, those who follow in the footsteps of many established Action International franchises can realize the opportunity for true entrepreneurial success. The vision for the Action franchise is simple - a team of inspirational leaders who are building the most sought after, life changing franchise system in the world.

The franchise opportunity is designed for people who have already experienced success in their lives and yet still seek the challenge of achievement, fulfillment and lifestyle many only dream of.

The quality of the franchise has already been recognized two years running by judges of the New Zealand Franchise Awards and the results are reflected in over 300 action coaches worldwide. The vision is not only rewarding for the franchisees but also the small to medium-sized business owners they work with.

Malaysia view

MALAYSIA’S government is considering allowing foreign hypermarket operators such as Tesco Plc to open convenience stores in the country, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

His ministry has circulated working papers among several other ministries and is waiting for their feedback, Ismail told reporters in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, today.

New regulations would need cabinet approval, he said.

Malaysia has eased restrictions on foreign retailers since a 2002 ban on superstores aimed at protecting local traders. While Carrefour SA, Tesco, Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd, and Jusco chain operator Aeon Co operate hypermarkets and mega-stores in Malaysia, none have a significant presence in the smaller convenience-store arena.

“I’m not convinced at this point that there is a dying need or demand by other retailers to come in,” said Khair Mirza, an analyst with Maybank Investment Bank Bhd, in an interview by phone. “The market is not big enough.”

Carrefour already has a small number of Malaysian convenience stores through franchise arrangements. A franchise system enables big-name international operators to tie up with smaller local companies and investors, appeasing Malaysian business groups who have objected to the expansion of foreign hypermarkets.

“The government would like to see a win-win situation so that it doesn’t affect rural retail shops,” Ismail said.

Benefit do the franchise business

Business advantages:

• Start-up assistance: Franchaisor provide a range of personalized management and assistance services to ensure you're not wasting your resources making beginner's mistakes
• Business plans: Francaisor assist you in defining marketing and investment goals, and keep on guiding you to make sure you reach your desired targets.
• Management assistance: Our dynamic network of support services from franchaisor allows you to obtain the management assistance you need whenever you need it, by chat, fax or phone
• Promotional assistance: Through our cooperative advertising fund, franchaisor offer you professional promotional assistance for all your marketing and advertising needs

Interesting about franchise business

Why choose franchising?

Although many people dream about running their own business, few actually possess the experience or the capital needed to turn that dream into a reality. Franchising however, is a comfortable alternative to running a business entirely on your own. After purchasing a franchise license, you're ready to set up a business for yourself - but not by yourself.