NOT A FRANCHISE, A BUSINESS OWNER’S ALLIANCE

How Can I Start My Own Sign Franchise in 2017?

How Can I Start My Own Sign Franchise in 2017

In today’s post, we give prospective franchisees information about starting their own sign franchise in 2017. Read on to learn whether you fit the profile of an ideal candidate, and see what’s involved in our 4-step validation process.

Do I have what it takes to get started as a sign franchise owner?

Being a sign franchise owner requires knowledge in a number of different areas. Beyond the nuts-and-bolts business management side of things, you’ll also likely be involved in the hands-on aspects of the job. You’ll also need to be comfortable dealing with people, both in terms of managing staff and building or maintaining customer relations. Lastly, since Signworld franchisees are often called upon to act as design consultants, a bit of creative ability goes a long way.

But don’t be discouraged if you felt that description didn’t quite fit you. The most important thing is that you are a coachable, hardworking individual who is open to learning new things. Our training program is top-notch, so you can shore up any gaps in your business background, or add new wrinkles to an experienced skillset.

While the business skills can be taught, the personality type cannot. Here are some characteristics we find in our most successful Signworld owners:

  • Entrepreneurial. Signworld’s franchise system is more autonomous than most. While our “no rules” model is great for visionaries, mavericks, and micromanagers, it’s not a great fit for those who like to follow orders and run their business straight out of the playbook.
  • Ability to make tough decisions. Being a Signworld owner requires translating large amounts of information and making tough decisions.
  • Operation management skills. Signworld businesses come along with a lot of moving parts. You will be responsible for managing employees, customers, and projects simultaneously. We can help you develop these skills, but some people just aren’t cut out for operation management.
  • Collegiality and customer service skills. Signworld franchise ownership involves networking and building new relationships with big clients, suppliers, outsourced workers, and peers. If you’re not much of a people-person, this work might not be for you.
  • Time management and organizational skills. As we mentioned, Signworld franchising involves a lot of moving parts. If your time management skills aren’t up to par, you will struggle.
  • Leadership skills and the ability to delegate. Signworld franchisees must coordinate teams to complete large-scale projects on time, which requires leadership skills and the ability to delegate responsibilities.

I’m ready to start my own sign franchise – how do I get started?

If you’ve finished reading our previous section and feel that you have what it takes, then it’s time to introduce yourself.

We think very highly of our model and don’t offer it to just anybody. Our franchise system is not about bringing in as many people as possible and collecting royalties from them. Rather than a sales process, our new franchisees must complete a 4-step validation process:

  • First, a series of discovery calls are carried out with a member of our corporate staff. These calls aren’t sales pitches; we tell you flat-out what it takes to run a sign company, and share pertinent information about the industry to help you make your final decision. You will have the opportunity to speak with as many individual owners as you like. At this stage, our goal is to introduce you to the supportive family dynamic that our system is built around, and for both sides of the process to decide whether this relationship will work.
  • Next, you will be invited to attend a public webinar. These occur every few weeks, and feature a panel of owners who answer any questions that prospective franchisees have.
  • The third stage involves a series of location visits. You can visit as many Signworld locations as you like, and are encouraged to do so until you’ve got a feel for what this business model requires of its operators.
  • Finally, you will receive an open invitation to attend a Discovery Day. These occur once per month, and involve taking the prospect through tours, demos, and Q&A sessions until all questions are answered. Once you’ve completed the validation process, it’s time to decide whether or not you’re interested in signing on with our team.

Where can I find additional info on start-up costs and requirements?

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, visit http://www.signworld.org to request additional information.

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NOT A FRANCHISE, A BUSINESS OWNER’S ALLIANCE