The Tech Franchisors Are Using to Stay Connected in the Franchise Development Process

The disruption to the franchise system due to COVID-19 has been detrimental to many brands and is leaving franchisors in a state of financial panic. Most brands are in cash preserve mode and looking for ways to cut expenses while stores and units are closed. Franchisors are turning to technology to stay on the forefront of communication and marketing while allowing them to save money in the short term. 

We spoke with Jamshaid (Jam) Hashmi, CEO and Co-Founder of FranchiseSoft and ClickTecs, about how the use of technology can keep franchisors connected and centralized specifically in regards to franchise development initiatives. He shared the below recommendations.

Video Meetings

While you can’t meet in person during this time, make that initial personal connection with candidates via video calls. There are many free or inexpensive options depending on your needs, including Google Hangouts, Skype, Zoom or Join.Me. Some people are even turning to Facebook Messenger or Faceboook’s WhatsApp to utilize the free video, messaging and calls for international candidates.

CRMs 

Use your CRM to its fullest potential and if you don’t have one yet, now is the time. Collecting and documenting information in a centralized platform allows dispersed teams to integrate sales funnels and other software, like file sharing systems, financial systems, POS systems and documents like franchise agreements, renewals and more.

Webinars

Use that PowerPoint or sales deck that you already have created to host live webinars for prospects. Whether you host them individually for one candidate at a time, or bring in multiple candidates for that initial presentation, you can virtually share the business opportunity to potential prospects at the top of the sales funnel. Record the meeting to send to candidates as a follow up.

Virtual Discovery Days

It may be quite a while until prospects are able to or even comfortable flying to your corporate office for a Discovery Day. Prospects are still researching opportunities, so don’t let that momentum slow down the process. Use Zoom or Join.Me meetings to bring the team together for candidates lower in the sales funnel. 

Virtual Expos

All businesses are having to pivot and be nimble during this shift. The industry’s largest expo, International Franchise Expo by MFV Expositions, has postponed its event to October. In the interim, organizers are developing a virtual expo and hosting it on the original dates of May 28-30, 2020. According to event organizers, this is “the only online expo sponsored by the International Franchise Association; exhibitors will have an online presence where they can host live meetings, distribute collateral and interact with interested candidates from around the world. The expo will offer similar comprehensive educational programs as the live event, with recorded presentations by franchise industry leaders, downloadable white papers, articles and other materials.”

Sheila Fischer, Vice President of MFV Expositions, says “Realizing our clients are going to find it extremely challenging to keep their pipelines full during this unprecedented time, we devised a solution to help in generation of quality leads.”

Website Updates 

Internet usage is at an all-time high, and time spent on websites is proving to be longer than ever. With this extra time, candidates are researching and performing their due diligence on your brand, so your website should feature the most up-to-date information. If building a new website has been on the backburner, now is the time to move that project to the forefront. Your website should be built to be a conversion engine and if it doesn’t have the information your candidates are looking for, or has a clunky user experience, you may lose a quality candidate. 

What other ways are franchisors using technology to save money? Share your ideas in the comments below.