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A common question posed by everyone investigating a franchise is "What
do I get for my money?" There are many factors that may impact your
decision to join us but here we would like to address the specific issues
related to starting and operating a new business and how we help you.
Start up
The first two weeks are usually the hardest when going into business on your
own. You may feel alone with no support and no guidance, and you are now the one
that makes the big decisions. This early stage in your own business is where we
concentrate on giving you that guidance and support you need to feel that you
are not alone. We want to get you off in the right direction, build your
confidence, your comfort level, and make you feel that the startup process was
easy. In fact, it is easy if you know what to do. This is where Computer
Troubleshooters and the management team come in to play.
- As part of the initial franchise agreement we will define a territory in
which to base your business operation. This territory is yours and no other
Troubleshooters will do any direct sales or marketing effort focused on your
area. We will discuss and analyze together the make up of the territory so
you know your market.
- We will start with a two-day training session either at your home or some
other agreeable location. We will train you in how to run the administrative
side of your business and what you have to do to get set up.
- We will train you in marketing and sales for your business, providing
computerized templates for advertisements, flyers and brochures that you can
use. We will discuss the alternatives for making effective use of an
advertising budget.
- We will train you in the operational and service aspects of the business,
covering such things as pricing, estimates, service, problem handling and
getting repeat business.
- Together we will set up your first advertisements, and your first flyers.
We will even pay for them.
- We will provide you with a technical training session based on the areas
that you have defined in the questionnaire you completed and subsequent
discussions. But remember, you cannot know everything about computers,
nobody does. That is where the Computer Troubleshooters network come into
place.
- We will provide you with reference manuals for operations, sales and
marketing, and business management.
- We will provide you with Computer Troubleshooters CD-ROMS containing
software for troubleshooting.
- We will allocate you an email address and provide you with access to our
corporate website. You will be included on the company email lists and we
will announce your arrival to the worldwide network.
Technical
All Computer Troubleshooters are expected to have the technical knowledge and
skills to do most PC troubleshooting. Even though certified as MCSE or A+, none
of them know everything. The rapid advancement of computers and technology means
that it is virtually impossible to cover everything by yourself. Experience has
shown that most calls for help, around 90%, are not complex but every now and
then a problem occurs that may be outside your skills and experience. Here is
where the group skills and experience show their value.
- You have others to call on for help. There are two normal ways to contact
other Troubleshooters. Either by phone or by email depending on the urgency.
This gives you the confidence to talk to any client, because no matter what
the technical problem is, there will be another troubleshooter, or someone
from our support team, who can help you out. Being an international
organization we can email a problem to everyone in the network at the end of
the day, and when we get up in the morning there is an array of answers from
around the world.
- Technical training is a continuous process that is achieved by having
regular monthly meetings where subjects of interest are addressed. One of
the franchisees will conduct a training session or briefing on the area
concerned. On a regular basis we have regional, national and international
meetings where we discuss technical issues as well as business issues. You
can specify particular topics for training and discussion.
- Further technical training is achieved by doing courses over the Internet
and by reading suggested technical materials and newsletters. The technical
discussions over the Internet email are a great way for technical
advancement.
- You will have access to a skills inventory of all the Troubleshooters,
which will be developed on the website. This is where you can seek out the
right person to answer a particular question. If you have special skills
yourself this is how you can advertise them to other members in the network.
Sales and marketing
One of the fears that many people have when considering venturing into a new
business is sales and marketing. They fear that they may not get the sales to
get the business going and growing. Cold calling or telephoning businesses
offering services is not one of the current experiences you have on your resume.
Here we can help you too.
- As part of the start up sessions we will go out with you and help you get
that first sale, and we will make those first few phone calls that get you
an appointment with a client so that you can offer your services.
- There is a central toll-free phone number to use in group marketing
and advertising. This allows you to start part time and be assured that all
calls are taken professionally, and to handle calls when you are busy or
away. All calls for your territory will be passed on to you.
- You have the use of our proven sales and marketing systems, ranging from
individuals and organizations that provide telemarketing services to set up
appointments for you to a range of promotional brochures and marketing
material. We will put you in touch with a telemarketer covering your area if
you do not want to make calls yourself.
- You save costs by sharing advertising with other Troubleshooters in
regional papers and the Yellow Pages, and with bulk buying for promotional
and marketing materials and supplies. Hardware and software discounts may
also be obtained based on our national presence as we grow.
- You are supported with regular newsletters – for both you and your
customers. The newsletter for customers can be used to keep your name in
front of your old customers as well as being used to advertise to new
customers. Regular contact is important. The internal newsletter provides
ideas and news of technical and business issues as well as articles
submitted by Troubleshooters and others.
- You can use the Computer Troubleshooters name and logo in your
locality. Your business under a common brand name develops more worth and
becomes more valuable when and if you sell your business. Name recognition
will increase as the number of franchisees and the network grows and as the
group advertising expands. Check our website to see just how quickly this
network is growing.
- Support from and access to the Computer Troubleshooters corporate,
national and regional websites to promote the business and also where you
can link you own business website. Your name address and phone number will
be listed under the territory you cover. In the members’ area you will
have access to a bulletin board, your own email address and email capability
to all other Troubleshooters and many other pages.
- You will be advised of group maintenance or support contracts that have
been arranged by the master franchise or other franchisees so that you can
gain additional income. Group contracts can be arranged with international,
national, provincial or regional organizations and the management team will
actively pursue them.
Business Management
Going into business for yourself for the first time can be a daunting
experience, especially if you haven’t done it before. Look around and see
other trades people in business for themselves. If they can do it so can you, and
we will be there to help you. Business management is one of the subjects that we
cover at the two day training session when you join us.
- You have a head-office and management team to back you up. It is
reassuring and far more fun being in business with people to call for
guidance and help. Your master franchise will have access to legal and
accounting advice if needed and will be familiar with how you set up your
business in you area.
- Being a member of a group gives your business more depth, and you
more credibility in the eyes of your customers. You are part of an
international organization that has resources available to address any
challenges.
- Other members can help your clients when you are away, or unavailable.
Perhaps one of the most difficult things to arrange when you are on your own
is a vacation. This is considerable easier with other franchisees able to
help you out.
- You are given full documentation on how to run your business, plus
supplies of promotional tools to get you started.
Growth and opportunity
A regular question asked by prospective Computer Troubleshooters is "how
big can I grow my business?" The answer is of course that it depends on
you. If you follow our guidelines and the successful ideas of others and work
with the team everyone will naturally grow. If you put in that extra effort then
you may go even further.
- As the network grows you may participate in larger IT projects and
contracts that are bid by a consortium of franchisees and other IT
professionals. You may initiate the project or someone else may identify the
opportunity. If you see an opportunity that is too big or you are unsure
that you can do it on your own you can call on other Troubleshooters to help
you out.
- You are free to grow the business as much as you want, to open a shop
front unit, to hire additional staff. You may focus on your
strengths, a particular industry segment or service area. Any increase in
business brings you personal rewards. The monthly fees are fixed and not
tied to your revenues or profits like other franchises.
- You will become part of a growing international network of computer
professionals united under one name and able to compete with the larger
companies that may sometimes overwhelm business opportunities due to their
size.
- You can offer services you are experienced in (handling particular
equipment, computer operations, a software application, website design,
networking, training, etc) to others within the group. This can be done as a
sub-contractor or with a direct service agreement. You may in turn
sub-contract other Troubleshooters with the skills that you need for a job.
Summary
Computer Troubleshooters is a franchise opportunity that can offer you your
own business but you will not be alone. A solid group of franchisees and a
management team will be behind you every step of the way. There is a common goal
to help all succeed, a group of computer specialists in a common business but
not competing with each other, backing each other up and providing a multitude
of ideas and support that benefit all. A wealth of technical experience and
skills that can be further enhanced by your own contribution. This could be the
first step in becoming the master of your own destiny. Join us.
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