Business Franchise June

88
o
s
e
-
u
p
f
r
a
n
c
h
i
s
e
e

c
l
Franchisee diary
Job done!
Recruiting can be a time-consuming task when setting up
in business, but it’s one that needs careful consideration
and a focused approach. Martin Davis at Signs Express
(Huddersﬁ eld) talks us through his own search for staff
I
N MY opinion, staff are my biggest asset. They not only produce the I was advised by head ofﬁ ce to take both Ben and Chris to Signs Express
signage that we sell but they are also in constant communication with (Shefﬁ eld) so that both lads could see a typical Signs Express centre and have
our current and potential customers. If they create the right impression the opportunity to try out some hands-on vinyl work.
by being professional and producing high-quality signage, we’ll retain our Even though Ben had all the experience I needed, I also sent them both
customer-base and increase our earnings. to head ofﬁ ce for two days of intensive training, which covered centre
When I started my search for staff, the marketing team at head ofﬁ ce management, application, and how to use Gerber Omega Composer
were a huge help. They produced recruitment adverts for the local press, software. It was invaluable, particularly for Chris who gained some experience
organised online advertising on a recruitment website and uploaded material before going live on genuine orders.
onto the Signs Express website. Operations director Peter Sayles was even As soon as my production team was in place it was important to really get
involved. He helped me devise the right questions to ask candidates during to grips with the applications I had received for the part-time telemarketer.
interviews and the support team were also on hand Some of the candidates just didn’t seem capable of
when it came to discussing the particular merits and
‘I also sent them
holding a conversation let alone gaining the interest of
suitability of interviewed candidates.
both to head ofﬁ ce
prospective customers.
Local advertising generated a good response for I even had interviewees who never showed up. I then
trainee sign-makers but the skill-base for experienced
for two days of
had two applicants that I actually took on one after the
sign-makers was very thin and an initial concern.
intensive training...
other, who seemed to be conﬁ dent and chatty, but once
The ﬁ rst applicant wasn’t really suitable but the they were making live phonecalls they froze.
second appeared to ﬁ t the criteria. However, she had
it was invaluable’
Eventually I found Sam, who without any previous
already accepted a job elsewhere and felt that she telemarketing experience has slipped perfectly into
couldn’t go back on her word. I have to admit I was beginning to get a little the role. I initially briefed her to win appointments aimed at introducing
nervous about where I would ﬁ nd the right candidate, but then I received Signs Express to potential customers in my area, whether they had current
an application from a man who had just returned from Spain where he requirements or not, but Sam was getting me so many appointments that
had worked for his father’s signage business. Ben had seen my advert in the we had to reﬁ ne our objectives and only make appointments if there was a
Huddersﬁ eld Job Centre and promptly applied. The timing was perfect and I current signage requirement.
didn’t hesitate in taking him on. She is still proving a very successful member of the team and helping to
The position for trainee sign-maker wasn’t such a concern. I had several get valuable routes into businesses.
candidates who appeared suitable for the role, but Chris stood out, not only It wasn’t easy to get the right staff and I don’t exactly relish the thought of
because he was well presented and knowledgeable, but also because he had the recruiting process in the future, but I do value the results that I am now
a background in design. reaping from carrying it out thoroughly. ■
Next issue: The ﬁ rst few weeks of trading, including marketing initiatives
June 2008 www.businessfranchise.com
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | Page 17 | Page 18 | Page 19 | Page 20 | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24 | Page 25 | Page 26 | Page 27 | Page 28 | Page 29 | Page 30 | Page 31 | Page 32 | Page 33 | Page 34 | Page 35 | Page 36 | Page 37 | Page 38 | Page 39 | Page 40 | Page 41 | Page 42 | Page 43 | Page 44 | Page 45 | Page 46 | Page 47 | Page 48 | Page 49 | Page 50 | Page 51 | Page 52 | Page 53 | Page 54 | Page 55 | Page 56 | Page 57 | Page 58 | Page 59 | Page 60 | Page 61 | Page 62 | Page 63 | Page 64 | Page 65 | Page 66 | Page 67 | Page 68 | Page 69 | Page 70 | Page 71 | Page 72 | Page 73 | Page 74 | Page 75 | Page 76 | Page 77 | Page 78 | Page 79 | Page 80 | Page 81 | Page 82 | Page 83 | Page 84 | Page 85 | Page 86 | Page 87 | Page 88 | Page 89 | Page 90 | Page 91 | Page 92 | Page 93 | Page 94 | Page 95 | Page 96 | Page 97 | Page 98 | Page 99 | Page 100 | Page 101 | Page 102 | Page 103 | Page 104 | Page 105 | Page 106 | Page 107 | Page 108 | Page 109 | Page 110 | Page 111 | Page 112 | Page 113 | Page 114 | Page 115 | Page 116 | Page 117 | Page 118 | Page 119 | Page 120 | Page 121