Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - The Challenge
Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?
Do you look forward to Friday afternoon or Monday morning? Perhaps that's the true litmus test of happiness. If you're thinking about the fact that there's only one day to go before the weekend, when you just got back from lunch on Wednesday, it may be time for a change. Maybe your day-to-day activities simply aren't all that fulfilling. Maybe you're in a rut, and it feels like you have to crawl up the side of the Chrysler building to get out.
I seem to carry a certain amount of guilt on weekends because I'm always looking forward to Monday morning. I know the next challenge resides there. Although I certainly enjoy my leisure time, it seems that I'm always looking for the next opportunity to rev up, and meet the next challenge of being in business. It is my belief that the vast majority of us, all members of the same realm of humanity, miss the opportunity of feeling that motivation in our work.
On average, each of us gets about 3 billion heartbeats. We all have to determine what to do with them. If you're suffering through 35 to 40 hours a week in a job that offers no challenge, perhaps alternatives need to be examined. Perhaps that's a lot of blood being pumped nowhere.
Now that's not to say that many jobs don't offer that challenge. Many of society's best producers are employed, and through that employment, they help their companies achieve great things. If that's you, then these humble thoughts don't address your situation.
On the other hand, if it seems like it's just past a million o'clock, and it's really just before your morning break on Tuesday, then it's probably time for a re-think. Speaking of breaks, I think the last formal break I took was in 1977. I find that breaks aren't as much fun as the business at hand, so why bother? Now that's got to have some psychoanalysts seeking me out to slather some wisdom on me like cocoa butter on a sunburn. That's the price of loving what you do.
If you are examining alternatives for yourself, and you're evaluating a Franchise opportunity, there are many objective factors to evaluate. In a previous article about 'Control of Your Destiny', I discussed the fact that every analysis should include the standard of comparing risk to return. It should include income projections, and cash flows. It should include the analysis of financing avenues, site selection alternatives, and many other objective criteria to lead to a final decision about becoming an entrepreneur. The course of due diligence should be driven by a systematic approach to each of these items.
However, emotional fulfillment must also be evaluated if you truly wish to make the right decision for yourself. If you have a need to face challenge, as well as growth in your day, you must determine if your job can, or will, provide that challenge. Then determine if a Franchise can meet your need.
In the book titled 'Trevayne' by Jonathon Ryder, who is widely held to be a pseudonym for Robert Ludlum, the main character, of the same name as the title, said; "I can't imagine being dead before I'm President". Sorry to ruin the book for you if you haven't read it, but he made it. Is there a challenge that you need to meet before there is no more opportunity?
That's really the question isn't it? Put in a much bleaker tone, in a song called 'Where Am I Going', Gino Vannelli said "Every breath I take is farther from youth and closer to death." Whoa, that makes me think I shouldn't be sleeping so much! It also makes me feel that I don't want the birch leaves falling on me before I find fulfillment.
Being a true follower of Adam Smith, I can't imagine waking up without the drive to provide some type of supply, in order to meet a market demand. That's my self-worth. That's my reason for clouding a mirror. That's why I believe in the credo we have in our business that 'Good is the Enemy of Great'.
In your analysis of a Franchise opportunity, determine if it will provide the challenge that you wish was already in your life. If not, then don't do it. Compare your current situation to the situation you can create for yourself. Some of the related questions include:
- Do you have a general feeling of self-satisfaction?
- Are you happy when you go home at night?
- Are you able to progress up the ladder?
- Are you increasing your knowledge and skills each day?
- Are you growing or static?
- Is there challenge in your life?
- Are you respected for what you do?
- Are you mapping a course to reach your goals, dreams, and desires?
Each question should be answered systematically from the perspective of the job you're in, the job you could be in, and the business opportunity you are evaluating, to determine which is most likely to get you in flight towards the place you want to be.
If you have trouble shifting your seat to the upright position for take off every morning, you should probably see if there's a better flight crew to help get you where you really want to go. Perhaps a Franchise is the answer, and perhaps it's not. However, until you ask these tough questions, and answer them with conviction, you won't know whether you have the possibility of leaping out of that rut, and over the Chrysler building in a single bound.
Dennis Schooley is the Founder of Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants, a Professional Services Franchise Company. He writes for publication, as well as for schooleymitchell.blogging,com and franchises.blogging.com, in the subject areas of Franchising, and Technology for the Layman. http://www.schooleymitchell.com, 888-311-6477, dschooley@schooleymitchell.com.
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Entrepreneurial Ongoing Education Advice
I would like to give some advice to all the up and coming entrepreneurs; if you really want to be a superstar not only do you have to work harder and smarter than the competition, but you must always keep learning. I built a company from a bucket of water and a sponge into a National Car Wash Franchise System in 23 states. To do this you need to know more than what they taught you in school and you can never turn off your brain. Every person is different and has different interests. But I would like you to read thru my recommended reading list. This is a list I hand out to MBA and Entrepreneurial Students when I give speeches. It is a list of recommended book, biography, audio tapes and movies.
Competing With The Big Dogs
You run a small consultancy. You're well qualified, experienced and dedicated. Yet you can't get a meeting with the corporate decision-maker.
Message to Prospective Franchisees for Franchisors
Many franchise companies fail to send the proper message to their prospective franchisees. This is partly due to the over regulation and intensity of litigation in the industry. Smaller franchisors are generally hurt the most from these factors and consumer or buyers of their American Dream seem to feel slighted at a the impersonal approach. Many franchise company's sales departments walk a fine line between disclosure laws and the information they are allowed to depart to the prospect franchisees. This immediately causes friction. To alleviate this problem smaller franchisees need to send a more personal message in the name of their founder to re-assure prospects that they care. Below is a sample letter our company, The Car Wash Guys, www.carwashguys.com , has used to allow our prospects to see thru the legal quagmire created by the regulatory bureaucracy and the franchise lawyers in their haste to sue franchisors. I recommend you copy this article read the letter a few times and put it into your own words so that you convey how you truly feel, make it sincere and understand that your prospect needs to know they are more than just a number.
The Magic of Thinking Small
Hey!
A Secret To Extraordinary Accomplishments
I sat watching a documentary on U.S. Navy SEAL Team Training on the local exercise channel. It showed young men, mostly in their early 20's, enduring grueling ocean swims in near-freezing water. It showed these same young men forced to swim underwater (holding their breaths) until a major percentage of them passed out and had to be rescued by their instructors. It showed weeks of grueling training in which ordinary men are transformed into incredible machines with wills of steel and unshakable discipline.
Financing Your Business
Anyone who is serious about making some money is already very well aware of the fact that it takes some type of investment to make this happen. I've read a lot of copy that suggests one can build a business for free, if they are willing to spend an extra amount of time to compensate for their lack of financial backing.
Face The Fear, Ladies
Okay, I'll begin by telling you that I've been divorced for about 5 years, have an amazing family and by anyone's standards, I have a wonderful life.
Dream It, Create It, Become It! Design a Dream Board
Have you ever heard of "Dream Boards" or "Treasure Maps"? A Dream Board is a visual picture of the dreams you have for your life. Some of my clients also use this concept to visualize their businesses! It's their first business plan.
One thing that is important to remember, though, is not to "get stuck" on your dream boards. We all have plans for our future, but it's important to watch the universe for signs of "its" plans for us. Otherwise, we might miss out on some great opportunities!
Outcomes - Thats What You Need to Focus On
Successful business owners and managers need to be very
clear about what outcomes they want.
Whether you call them goals, objectives or targets, these
are the factors that you're ultimately judged on.
Outcomes determine whether your business is a success or a
failure.
Could a Book About Your Company be Worth $1.7 Billion? Building Value Through Publishing
"Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) to purchase Clayton Homes for $12.50 in cash per share. Deal worth $1.7 Billion."
A Startup Never Closes
When it comes to a startup, the luxuries shared with established companies are few and far between. Chief among them is the luxury to close at the end of the day. Big companies have the benefits of capital, customers and receivables. Startups, on the other hand, have jack squat. They need to work twice as hard to make half as much, and even then they're not working nearly enough.
Coating Service Business Case Study
There are many coating businesses in the market today, but have you ever asked yourself how one gets into this line of work? How they are formed or what prompts someone or some entrepreneur to go out and start a business to fill this niche? Well this is an interesting case study that shows how we became interested in this industry from a sub market of the coating business; Spray in Bed Liners. Our company is in the auto detailing business, www.detailguys.com and we often service auto dealerships. Our customers need service for spray in bed liners for the pick-up trucks they sell. So we looked around at all the possible Biz Op companies doing this and the franchises too.
Creativity & Entrepreneurship - Key Questions From My Students
Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!
Entrepreneurs: Benefits vs. Features-Know the Difference!
Entrepreneurs know their business. They know their product, their service. Many of them write creative Web sites. But, one thing they are not as adept at is promotional copy.
Business Startup Checklist
Use this comprehensive checklist to plan each step of your new business and transform your dream of entrepreneurship into reality. These steps may not necessarily be completed in the order listed, however, you can use them as a guideline for completing all of the necessary business startup tasks.
10 Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs
Running a one-person business is a creative, flexible and challenging way to become your own boss and chart your own future. It is about creating a life, as it is about making a living. It takes courage, determination and foresight to decide to become an entrepreneur. From the relatively safe cocoon of the corporate world, where paychecks arrive regularly, you will be venturing into the unchartered territories of business.
The Lonely Hat: A Marketing Parable
Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and wore many hats.
Success Secrets - What I, Mike Litman Learned From This Old Book
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in New York and yes, I spent it alone :}.
Entrepreneurial Hate, its out there
Today, I got an email from a lady who hates all business people and entrepreneurs, because they are Greedy, Arrogant and a Host of other atrocities. She was replying to an article I wrote about entrepreneurs and how they bring to the civilization; everything you see, everywhere you go and without us, you would have nothing. Here is the email I received:
Selecting a Venture
The basic rule is simple: "Find a market need and fill it!" The process of finding the need, and the method chosen to fill it are where the difficulties arise.
|