Cash in on your skills

By LINDA WHITNEY FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:

 

WITH the present healthy economic climate, the business to business (B2B) sector is doing well - and there are plenty of franchises that offer you the chance to cash in.

There are 152 business and commercial services franchises, making it the second largest sector in the franchising world, ranging from white- collar businesses, such as office supplies, to industrial supply services.

Iain Martin, of Kyros, a B2B franchise which specialises in matching franchisors to potential franchisees, says: 'Many people with corporate backgrounds feel comfortable coming into B2B franchises. Generally, those who do best have business sales skills, and for management franchises, previous management experience is almost essential.'

As well as seeking new franchises, people with these skills could consider buying a resale, which means taking over an existing franchise to build it up further. 'Most B2B franchisors are looking for people with the potential to build up the business to £1m in turnover, which could suit someone with good corporate experience,' he says.

Alistair Wiggins of Pirtek, the hydraulic hose specialist, says: 'We prefer people with a business management background, B2B sales or marketing skills, and some engineering knowledge.' Pirtek is looking for five franchisees with £50,000 ready cash to invest, mainly for resales.

Pinnacle Chauffeur Transport is a totally different sector, but it still means working with businesses, offering them transport in specially customised Chrysler Grand Voyagers to business meetings or events such as race and golf days.

Their franchise manager, Chris Brown, says: 'Understanding the needs of business is crucial for our franchisees. We also like personable, mature people with good life-skills, who know how to deal calmly with VIPs and celebrities.' The franchise is seeking more people to start as owner/drivers and move on to managing a fleet, with £36,000 to invest.

Lasertech franchisees sell stationery and printer consumables to businesses, schools, colleges and universities, so they need to be comfortable communicating with professionals, says the firm's Ruth Brown. It is a van-based management franchise seeking 60 franchisees with £35,000 to invest.

Meanwhile, more Netstationers franchisees are needed to sell computer-based stationery supply systems to businesses. This suits mature people with business experience and an existing network of contacts, and with £20,000 to invest.

A new franchise has just joined the B2B sector. NXO Marketing claims to be the first franchised marketing company in the UK, targeting businesses and the public sector. It is looking for 12 people with a marketing consultancy, agency background or corporate senior marketing experience and £25,000 ready cash to invest.

Eve promotes success

EVE Williams, 50, supplies office products, workwear, safety goods, promotional items and printing services to businesses through an Office Express Group (OEG) franchise bought last June. 'In the business to business market, it helps if you understand how business works and what the buyer wants,' says Mrs Williams, from Powick, Worcestershire. 'My previous job as purchasing manager for a company fleet means I know what it is like to be a customer. Honesty and realism is vital.'

Six months after starting the franchise, Eve bought the adjacent territory so she now serves most of Worcestershire, and will soon open a shop in Droitwich.

Annette Gadd, founder of OEG, is looking for a further ten franchisees with £15,000 to invest. 'We like franchisees with drive and organisation, but with commercial or managerial experience that proves they can survive in a business environment,' she says.

• OEG: 01675 475 556.

More choice than ever

ASPIRING franchisees have 718 franchises to choose from, says the latest NatWest/British Franchise Association (BFA) annual sector survey. Better still, nearly nine out of ten of the UK's 31,300 franchisees claim to be profitable, with the average turnover of a franchise business being £291,000.

But there is still a shortage - nearly four out of ten franchisors say their expansion plans are thwarted because they cannot find the right people. The most sought after qualities and skills are self-motivation, and sales and marketing experience.

Do not let your age put you off. Franchisors like mature people, proved by the fact that the average age of franchisees is 45. But still only a third are women, even though the BFA has made attempts to attract more female franchisees.

• FOR more details, visit www.british-franchise.org

• Pirtek 020 8749 8444; Pinnacle Chauffeur Transport 0870 752 3377; Lasertech 0870 428 3994; Netstationers 01737 852 310; NXO Marketing 0870 757 7885.

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