Archive for the “Franchise” Category

Give Your Employees a Voice with Anonymous Messaging

It?s not uncommon for people to wind up having an explosive response to an issue in the workplace. Do you remember the last time you had to deal with this kind of issue? It?s often the build-up of several issues over a period of time that creates the problem.

It?s not easy to create a strong communication system in the workplace but the payoff is huge ? especially when you can use an your new system to avoid any kind of explosive confrontation among employees. When people are able to voice their concerns there?s little chance of burn-out or build up that leads to escalated issues.

That?s why the suggestion box is so popular. Even with the anonymous nature of the suggestion box however, there are still some questions as to whether or not it?s really anonymous.

One of the biggest issues rests in the fact that suggestions or comments and concerns in the workplace tend to be handwritten. It?s easy to pick out the source of the content based on the handwriting, especially in a small workplace. Likewise, few people put the suggestion box where someone can slip a note in privately ? they tend to be in open view making it easy for others to note when someone made a suggestion or complaint.

Tips on How to Improve the Concept with an Anonymous Message Service

For a manager or business owner, there are a number of ways to improve communication among your employees:

* Group or company meetings with employees where they voice their concerns * Individual meetings * The traditional suggestion box * Personal contact via phone or email (the open door position)

Each of these points may give an employee a bit more safety and security, there still tends to be a little bit of potential conflict that could stem from it. If they want to accurately deliver their message they still need to deal with someone on a personal level. The more employees focus on that point the harder it will be to get them to participate in the process.

Employees often hold back what they should be discussing because of privacy issues and conflict. Even with an open door policy it can be difficult to take that step and dish the information that needs to be said.

If you truly want to guarantee safety and security for the identity of the employees then you simply need to sell them on the concept that no matter what they say, they will remain anonymous and there will be no retaliation for speaking their mind. Technology makes this simple now in the form of an anonymous messaging system. You can leverage these systems for employee use to improve communication in the workplace.

The easiest way is to give employees an email or point of contact. They can use that contact ID to submit an anonymous message online in order to make suggestions, complaints, voice concerns, etc. Because the system is electronic and it?s hosted by a separate company there is never a concern about privacy. Employees will know that they can finally have a voice without any fear of reprisal should they decide to speak their mind or address an important ? even personal ? issue.

When you provide an anonymous message system as a means for employees to give you anonymous feedback you are proving that you legitimately care about the privacy of your employees and that you?re concerned about giving them a method of being heard. There?s no better way to maintain an open door policy than through an anonymous message system.

Silent Sender lets you send an anonymous message and is designed to help empower you to blow the whistle without blowing your cover. Stay anonymous and go silent by sending a free anonymous message to any one, anywhere, anytime.

categories: work,workplace,harassment,employee rights,business,management,anonymous,messaging,feedback,franchise,business management,managing,management tips

March 11, 2011 Post Under Franchise - Read More

Coffee Franchise – What You Need To Know

Owning a coffee franchise can be a very rewarding experience, but before you sign on the dotted line and start serving hot cups of ‘joe’, there’s certain things you need to know so you can make the right decision. If you go into buying a coffee franchise blindly, you could end up making a very costly mistake.

First things first, get a reality check. You should know going in what kind of money you have to put towards a coffee franchise, you should understand your strengths and weaknesses in running a business and be very honest with yourself about how much time you’re willing to spend in your business. If you do this, you’ll be way ahead of the curve. Don’t jump into any decision. Take your time, consult with franchise experts and do your due diligence.

The really attractive part about owning a coffee franchise is the cash flow and profit margins. More and more people are drinking coffee everyday and they are happily paying $3+ for their favorite cup of ‘joe’. The actual cost of the coffee is really less than $.25. That’s a HUGE profit margin well over 1000%. Those are numbers that business owners like. However, owning a coffee franchise means you are in a volume business. Only making a few bucks profit per sale won’t mean much if you’re not cranking out thousands of cups of coffee. Coffee franchises with drive-thrus tend to do very well as some shops claim that 70% of their business comes from the drive-thru.

The real secret of a coffee franchise is the atmosphere. People come to coffee shops to hang out, relax, surf the web on their laptops, maybe do some business or meet with some clients. People do all sorts of things but the important point is that they come to a place for social gathering. That’s important and that’s why you see so many places with a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

However, owning a coffee franchise is not all fun and games, especially from the start. First, the high start-up costs can be huge. Not only will you have to pay a hefty franchise fee, but then you have to get a location, you’ll have to get equipment, you’ll have inventory to get, fixed costs, variable costs, employee wages and on and on. On top of all that, don’t forget about the royalty fees you have to pay that are calculated on gross revenues, not net profits.

Even if you have the money to buy a coffee franchise, that ultimately won’t get your doors open. You usually have to have a considerable net worth, good credit history but the final straw is actually getting approval from the company to buy the franchise. If they don’t want you, there’s nothing you can do about it.

For information on a franchise with NO royalties, NO territory restrictions, NO mandatory advertising fees, NO building or office required, NO credit check, NO minimum net worth & is 100% scalable, visit the BizziBiz Franchise page or contact Gerek Allen to get more information.

March 6, 2011 Post Under Franchise - Read More

Ensure Success With Well Mapped Business Plan

A formal document that includes the goals and targets the company wants to achieve, is referred to as the business plan for that organization. It also tries to justify the reason for choosing those particular goals. It also elaborates on why the management feels that the selected goals can be achieved and how to achieve them.

It is very crucial that these documents are prepared with the consideration made on the market dynamics, which change very rapidly, as suggested by Greg Gumble. These changes also affect the perception of the target consumers. These documents are prepared with a vision of 3 to 5 years in future.

These documents are useful for both internal and external audiences. The document is then modified as per the target audience, it is being prepared for. In case of a manuscript for the external audiences, as has been emphasized by Wayne Allyn Root in his well known books, it tries to highlight the financial targets and how it can earn profits.

For the internal members and audiences, the document also tries to focus on the sub goals, which are important to be accomplished in order to attain the final goals. They deal with the introduction of a new service, product, new strategies and policies. Separate documents may be prepared to discuss the changes in the hierarchical framework of the organization. They also take a lot of inputs from the balanced score, as endorsed by Fox News.

These plans are decision making tools, which do not have a particular fixed content. It normally changes according to the audience and goals, as Greg Gumbel strongly recommended. It tries to represent all the various aspects of the process of planning.

This document is considered to be a comprehensive summary of the various strategies and visions of the various departments within an organization. These may include finance, operations, human resources etc. It may also include inputs from legal teams, depending on the goals it targets.

A successfully prepared business plan is the one that helps in making the business more credible, reliable and create interest in people to invest money in it. It should be easily understandable with few jargons. This definitely helps an organization to reduce its odds against failure.

Get inside info on how to compile and write a simple business plan now in our guide to all you need to know about great business franchise opportunities .. Unique version for reprint here: Ensure Success With Well Mapped Business Plan.

March 4, 2011 Post Under Franchise - Read More