Brian Keen releases articles of many kinds to the media and through other avenues such as
YouTube, Vimeo and Soundcloud. Here are some of the franchise radio recordings that you can browse and listen to.
Plenty of Room for New Franchises
It’s long been recognised that newer small businesses run as a sole proprietorship have higher failure rate than many long-established companies. Even larger businesses with long-standing track records for success are sliding into decline. By comparison, the franchise business model offers multiple advantages over other types of business. Franchisees have higher success rate than business … Read more
How to Systemise for Success
Many businesses work with ad hoc procedures that ‘just happen’, and aren’t really systems at all. This article is about how to maximise efficiency, how do you systemise your business, or improve the systems already there. Here are some tips: 1. Start by choosing an area for systemisation – such as answering incoming calls or … Read more
‘System’ is not a dirty word
Business owners are wary of ‘systems’, feeling they deprive them of flexibility. However, a system is no more than a repeatable way of doing things to achieve a particular outcome. Properly implemented, systemisation increases productivity and improves profit in businesses of any size and type. Here are just some of the benefits: One. Systems ensure … Read more
Do you have the right management in place?
The right management and the right staff are two cornerstones ! Staff members play a very important role in making any franchise business successful. So, appoint the staff carefully and manage them properly to ensure quality customer handling. This will ensure customer satisfaction which is a must for any business to be successful. Support from … Read more
So you want to grow your business by franchising – but are you fit to lead?
One of the other deciding factors when analyzing whether a business is ripe to franchise, is the personality of the business owner or owners. Is that person a natural leader? Does he or she have the characteristics to manage a franchise chain? From perhaps dealing directly with your products and customers you will suddenly become … Read more
System Is Not a Dirty Word Part 2
How to systemise your business for profit growth Or Profit from growth by systemising your business Or Systemising for Success In an earlier article – System Is Not a Dirty Word – I looked at how systems can be used by businesses of all types and size to improve productivity, reduce errors and ensure consistent … Read more
Franchise case study of a little known success story
A good example of using the franchising process of systemization and putting these principles into practice is Jack Cowin. Jack Cowin came to Australia when he was 26 years old with the franchise rights to Kentucky Fried Chicken in WA. Today he owns the Hungry Jacks chain with 350 stores – and only around 100 … Read more
Seven things I wish I knew before buying into a franchise
Choose wisely before investing in a franchise. Buying a franchise can seem like an easy way to get into business, but there are pitfalls. Phil Blain, a franchise consultant at business advisers BDC, says that along with getting advice from an accountant and a lawyer, potential franchisees should ring existing members of the franchise and … Read more
MLFA In The Media Y Mag
Microloan Foundation Australian founder Brian Keen was featured in the July 2013 issue of online magazine, YMag.
Franchise on the brink? Top tips to fight back
Congratulations: you bought a franchise. Now, in theory at least, you have the resources to compete with big business. But suppose that your commercial marriage does not run to plan. Suppose you flounder and begin regretting investing in the $130 billion industry. Suppose you start fretting that you just might go bust. The chief barrier … Read more