Developing the difference through training...

A new franchise has opened in training and business consultancy offering opportunities across the UK. The training market is estimated to be worth in the region of £21.7 bn. KJ Associates offers a range of courses and programmes covering business, management and personal development. The courses are run either at the client’s own premises, or at a venue of their choice. The management courses and pro- grammes train managers and supervisors within companies to help them transform the effectiveness of their business or organisation. The result is productivity improvement, better team performance, motivated staff, and better communication. The business courses help directors and senior management enhance their own performance, and the personal courses help individuals in a business to work better within teams, become more assertive, develop the personal skills required for their job, and operate better time manage- ment. In addition, KJ Associates also provides personality profiling and consultancy on improving customer care. Katie Jones, the franchisor, said: “We have continued to grow since our formation in 1994 and now aim to expand nationwide through franchising. Our franchisees will own their own business, trading under the name KJ Associates, and be responsible for marketing their business to new clients, account managing existing clients, and delivering training courses. “Each franchisee will operate within an exclusive protected territory to ensure they have the best opportunity to maximise the return for their hard work.

Client feedback

“The courses come highly commended by clients, which vary in size from SMEs to blue-chip companies. Typical feedback from delegates and their companies clearly indicates that businesses and organisations benefit enormously from the insight and “Here is what some of them have said: ‘Job responsibilities were enhanced, the team is more motivated and each individual is more effective’, ‘Decisions are now made more quickly and effectively. I can take action before a situation becomes a problem - saving time and money’, ‘Improved listening skills led to more effective problem-solving, so solutions are arrived’, and ‘Now I use individual strengths as part of people’s ongoing development - this has led to increased morale.’” Jones continued: “The benefits to organisations are tangible and measurable so franchisees can work confidently with their clients in the knowledge that they are providing a vital and effective service. “Management development has never been more in demand with all sizes of companies realising the benefits of improved leadership and people skills,” said Jones.

Requirements

Franchisees should have previous experience in training, or presenting, and the most suitable applicants will also have experience within a corporate business and in sales and marketing. The total cost of the franchise is £13,495 plus VAT which is made up of (around £2,500) and working capital of £3,000. The licence fee provides a five-year renewable licence, exclusive territory, operations manual, start-up pack of promotional marketing material, person- alised web page on the company’s website, three-week franchisee training course, and advice and guidance on developing an initial marketing campaign. The quoted setting-up costs include a laptop with Microsoft XP and Microsoft Professional, broadband access, colour laser printer, fax machine, photocopier, dedicated phone line with answerphone, mobile phone, comb-binding machine and storage space. Commenting on the franchise, Clive Sawyer, the consultant who advised Jones on franchising, said: “Katie has displayed the same high level of professionalism in the development of the franchise as she has done in training corporate clients. The franchise is ideal for those with previous training, or presenting experience, who want the benefits of being their own boss, but with the added benefit of KJ Associates’ expertise of over 20 years supporting them. “This is a fine example of how franchising should be done - a true partnership between franchisee and franchisor,” added Sawyer.