Professional Documents
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IT has become an integral part of our lives, both for business and leisure, reflected by
the government's plan for a national broadband program. So what does a franchise
proposition offer? Domini Stuart reports.
t's not so long since phones had dials and computers were for big able to negotiate change, pinpoint opportunities and act quickly
Gee Whizz
• Operating since 1993, started franchising in 2005
anywhere. We want our equipment and our data to be protected and • Now operating five stores in the Hunter area and three
secure. And, as we grow increasingly dependent on technology, we in Sydney.
don't just expect our phones and computers to work, we need them • Plans to open another nine stores in Australia over the next
to work. Most of us can't imagine functioning without them. one to two years and to start expanding internationally.
The speed at which both technology
and customer expectations move We're finding that Alan Gee, CEO
and change has been the business customers are Our aim is to provide everything our customers
downfall of businesses large increasingly seeing the value in could want in a comfortable and friendly
Mentoring franchisees also possessed lhe ability to fix hardware on-site. and has seen an increase in his bottom line after
Managing director Mick Davey and general manager Last year the company enlisted the combined learning how to manage his staff more efficiently;
Elizabeth Tinoai, the founders of Supergeek.com.au professional expertise of Corporate Solutions (Aust) Bruce increased his income by almost 100 per cent;
mobile computer repair services based in Brisbane, and Business Result Accountants to help with fran and Andrews has concen1rated on service rather
recognised that as successful business owners and chisee development, providing the desired guidance, 1han back office systems, creating time for his family.
franchisors they needed 10 n01 only create strong business coaching, accounting and financial expertise. Now, in addilion to the technical and operational
foundations for the franchise offering, but that they Supergeek franchisee owners David Pellowe, training provided by Supergeek, every new franchisee
had to be prepared to refine their business model in Wayne Bruce and Ian Andrews have all experi is allocated a business coach and receives one-on
order to ensure both short-term franchisee survival enced SUbstantial benefits from working closely one support for the first months of their business life.
and longer term business value. with the accountants and business coaches The end result is franchisees better equipped to
The aim of Supergeek was to provide computer provided by Corporate Solutions and Business succeed, more effectively managing the pressures of
experts in targeted geographica/locations who Result Accountants. lhe modern day business climate and more likely to
could perform the required software repairs but who Pellowe now owns two franchises in QueenSland be still with the franchise group for the long haul.
) Stury continuer! from A,E DO Our business is different from most franchises in that it's more
through inquires and selecting the right prospects - the people like a vending model - a passive investment. It can be a full
that best meet our business ethos and ethics. While predicting time job for someone who invests in four or five but one kiosk
the future is not our business, we are aiming to have three or four involves just three or four hours' work a week. Even that's
franchisees join our franchise network each year. optional because you can opt to have us do all of the service
and maintenance for you. Franchisees don't need any technical
Hi Speed Internet Kiosks skills - we have students, retirees and people who were burned
• Operating since 2004, franchising since late 2007 by the stock market and looking for a different type of
• 90 kiosks in 70 locations, 35 franchised investment. 60 per cent of our current franchisees don't go
• Aiming for at least 130 installed locations across Australia anywhere near the business; at the end of every month we
by the end of the next financial year and to open in New simply bank the takings, take out the costs and direct deposit
Zealand early next year. their return. All they have to do is organise their insurance and
accounting at the end of the year.
Stephen Burns, general manager of marketing and commercial
We were one of the first multi-seat kiosks to operate in Australia The Computer Market
and we believe we're now the largest. We're generally located in • Started franchising 2004.
major shopping centres, with two kiosks in some of the bigger • Currently 13 stores in Oueensland
ones. • Goal is to have 60 stores around Australia
Our kiosks provide exceptionally high internet speeds and we
will soon be adding wireless services, colour printing, faxing and John Ferrett, co-founder with Kurt Kratzmann
scanning services. The kiosks range in size Our business is selling ex-government computers
from a three-seat model, which costs Our business is for half or a third the price of a new one
around $20,000 fully installed; most different from most franchises in we've been doing that successfully for 12
franchisees choose between three that it's more like a vending model - years',Our biggest markets are people
and 12 seats, a passive investment. It can be a full needing a second or third computer In
The business grew out of " "b f
t
arne h" t I the home and businesses that just
tourism - the need for transient )0 or someone W 0 !nves s n want to run everyday software.
people to use the internet. Now four or five but one kiosk People come to us because they
we also attract many of the eight to involves just three or four don't need the latest and greatest in
10 million Australians who don't have hours' work a week computers but they do want security. They
high speed broadband at home. In the like buying from a proper computer store with
shopping centres, most of the people who work there use a technicians they can talk to, getting reliable advice and, of
kiosk, including some of the business owners. At least 150,000 course, a good warranty,
people use us on average every month and that number is We physically re-image every computer so it's brand new as
growing fast. ) Story continues on CE 66
A profitable franchise
uter opportunity that's just IT.
Ihecomputermarket.com
~ The only franchised marketer of ex-Government and ex-lease computers to sell
exclusively from a shopfront (as opposed to selling stock on-line, sight unseen!)
~ Computers professionally cleaned and refurbished
~ Now the largest computer specialist in Australia with 13 stores Queensland wide
~ Direct access to suppliers so you retain independence
Prqiler
go but one with a difference. Instead of a
common brand and specific territories we
offer a proven business system that is
Inc., an American investment
company which owns or controls six
franchise companies with more than
not limited by geographical bounds so 1700 franchised locations, over 25
income is also not limited. We also offer per cent of which are outside the US.
sensational training and support and
regularly add new products and services. Nick Roche, national director
We are definitely not looking for people We grew to be Australia's largest IT
who want to buy a job but those who are service franchise by focusing on small
more entrepreneurial. As we don't really business. Small business customers
look like a typical franchise we tend to realise that, without good IT support,
attract this type of franchisee by default their business would often be dead in the
We also require that they are ready to water. They see us as their trusted IT
build a business, have the support of advisor, there not just to fix problems but
their friends and family, have sales to help them protect their business and
experience and are hungry for success. get the most out of their IT.
Having a more one-on-one relationship We have found that the potential
with their customers is a core offering of market for a credible franchise network
our franchisees and one which offering on-site computer services is
differentiates them from the competition. huge. Almost all small businesses and
It's all about the full service that business home offices use computers and depend
customers especially require - our on them to be working properly. They do
franchisees will go out and find the not have the skills, the time or the
best solution for their desire to do their own computer
customers even if they Instead of a service, repair and upgrades
don't supply it to them. common brand and and that puts us right in
As a result, most of specific territories we the middle of one of the
our franchisees grow fastest growing
entirely from referrals
offer a proven business industries in the world.
- as we know, that's
system that is not A typical franchisee is
the best business to limited by geographical an experienced IT-savvy
get as it is loyal and bounds so income is professional with 10 to 20
cheap to acquire. also not limited years' experience in the
Consumers are looking more corporate world who is looking
than ever to save money - they want a for a challenging small business as an
better service at a value price and it is the alternative for lifestyle, financial and
sweet spot of our franchisees. They are personal development reasons. The other
able to save businesses and consumers key part of the equation is commitment
between 20 and 30 per cent on their to make the business work; 100 per cent
Franchisors share telephone costs at the same time as investment in terms of time and energy.
offering a far superior service. Technology is Some franchisees operate from home,
their passion the key but this is less important than the handling most of the technical work
Pri~e and service framework. themselves, while some start with a
service centre, managing technical staff
Computer Troubleshooters who handle the day-to-day work. In
• Started franchising 1997 reality most start out with a home-based
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• Over 80 franchisees in Australia and operation then expand into a service
almost 500 across 27 countries centre with a more managerial role as the
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