Franchise Operations Manual

[Homshaw]

Does anyone know where I could get a template for a UK Franchise Operations Manual?

I have seen how comprehensive these documents are and without a template I think it would be easy to do a poor job

http://www.franman.net/manualcontent.html

On the other hand the reputation of some of the people who advertise services is suspect

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jun/07/3

I have made my mind up I want to do this myself but I need a good starting point

Any ideas would be appreciated

 

[Psl]

Does anyone know where I could get a template for a UK Franchise Operations Manual?

I have seen how comprehensive these documents are and without a template I think it would be easy to do a poor job

http://www.franman.net/manualcontent.html

On the other hand the reputation of some of the people who advertise services is suspect

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jun/07/3

I have made my mind up I want to do this myself but I need a good starting point

Any ideas would be appreciated

It all depends on the business type you need the manual for?
I am more than happy to help you, just PM me.

 

[Carsie]

With no offence intended to you, it always suprises me that the level of commitment in terms of energy, emotional and financial input that is required establish a business yet alone run one, people shy of investing in the critical elements of their business.

If you're in manufacturing surely it would be prudent to know the actual cost of production per unit? - is'nt this one reason why the mighty British Leyland fell?

If you're franchising, why not get buy some expertese within that domain? penny pinching pound losing- focus your skill set and effort at building where you know best and not trying to flounder a half a**d attempt at something critical- n'est pas?

 

[Naughty Vend]

If you are prepared to write that manual from a template then do so, it will cost thousands otherwise and bear in mind that like a business plan it becomes less applicable on an hourly basis once written although the fundaments may remain.

"The Manual" is often refered to in legal discussion but rarely read once issued.

 

[Homshaw]

With no offence intended to you, it always suprises me that the level of commitment in terms of energy, emotional and financial input that is required establish a business yet alone run one, people shy of investing in the critical elements of their business.

If you're in manufacturing surely it would be prudent to know the actual cost of production per unit? - is'nt this one reason why the mighty British Leyland fell?

If you're franchising, why not get buy some expertese within that domain? penny pinching pound losing- focus your skill set and effort at building where you know best and not trying to flounder a half a**d attempt at something critical- n'est pas?

We're not shy of investing as long as it's value for money. We had made up our minds to look at an outside party writing the manual as it would have speeded up the process. The two people in the link on my original post paid their money and got nothing. Rather than take up references and check out people I'd rather just crack on and get started. We have a secretary at our disposal who is keen to get involved and make it work.

The template would provide useful ideas and saves us reinventing the wheel.

Naughty Vend is right about them not being used but I would like it well written and ammended in the light of experience so people have the option to use it.

Not sure what British Leyland has to do with this unless it used How2franchise for its dealership network.

Peter

 

[Strontium Dog]

The company mentioned in the Guardian article does just sell proforma manuals for £500 if you fancy a punt, and I think they are still about, try google. At least it is not as bad as losing £6000 !

 

[Carsie]

Hi Pete,

Didn't realise that 's where you were coming from, so glad I tempered my opening remarks.

The point that I was making, was not that you should buy a template and expect it to be rolled out straight away but that in buying a template you've already cut out a huge traunche of time, both in terms of structure and composition but also in thought processes, in as much that potentially, there are angles covered that you might not have thought about.

With regard to BL, the analogy I was trying to draw was that the business plowed on and on and spectacularly failed to invest in addressing the fundamental business driver namely that it was producing product and that it had no idea how much the unit cost of production was (Mini/ 1100).

I was suggesting that I regularly see huge time and effort invested in avenues of business development where frankly the skill set no where matches the outcome requirements e.g "I'll develop my own website because I can save myself £x 000's" or "I'll build my own database to run the whatever".

By investing in someone/business that has the capability/experience the outcome is often superior both as a measure of ROI but also in terms of fit for purpose.

We slightly mis understood one another- my fault

 

[Homshaw]

The company mentioned in the Guardian article does just sell proforma manuals for £500 if you fancy a punt, and I think they are still about, try google. At least it is not as bad as losing £6000 !

Not dealing with anyone who has a criminal record

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

no Idea, in a different region

Can't wait to read your 11th Post

 

[Homshaw]

Hi Pete,

Didn't realise that 's where you were coming from, so glad I tempered my opening remarks.

The point that I was making, was not that you should buy a template and expect it to be rolled out straight away but that in buying a template you've already cut out a huge traunche of time, both in terms of structure and composition but also in thought processes, in as much that potentially, there are angles covered that you might not have thought about.

With regard to BL, the analogy I was trying to draw was that the business plowed on and on and spectacularly failed to invest in addressing the fundamental business driver namely that it was producing product and that it had no idea how much the unit cost of production was (Mini/ 1100).

I was suggesting that I regularly see huge time and effort invested in avenues of business development where frankly the skill set no where matches the outcome requirements e.g "I'll develop my own website because I can save myself £x 000's" or "I'll build my own database to run the whatever".

By investing in someone/business that has the capability/experience the outcome is often superior both as a measure of ROI but also in terms of fit for purpose.

We slightly mis understood one another- my fault

Having a template would provide ideas. It wouldn't stunt the thought process it would give it extra ideas.

You might have a point with me being a bit reluctant to pay out money just the number of people I meet who want cash based on dubious promises seems unending. However as I said we had agreed to do it but after the how2franchise experience it started me thinking and I have been put off the idea

No big deal I will start writing it tonight.

 

[ajithjp]

This is probably an old thread now. But I would like an update from Homeshaw as to whether they found a manual, did they use it, was it difficult to complete the process etc. I am in the same boat thinking about franchising my business.

 

[Psl]

This is probably an old thread now. But I would like an update from Homeshaw as to whether they found a manual, did they use it, was it difficult to complete the process etc. I am in the same boat thinking about franchising my business.

If they did write the manual then the standard practice is to get it ratified by a solicitor so there is tie-in with the franchise contract.

When I was a franchisor it cost me £10k to have a franchise contract drawn up and a few grand to get the Ops manual put together and tied in with the franchise contract.

Both were tested in a court of law and stood up to the test. Well worth the money in the long run.