Category: Franchise

Search Engine Optimization

Parxavenue Top Calgary Search Engine Optimization Company – SEO and SEM

James Dean

What’s the point of building a website if it’s going to rank on Google’s last page?

Building a website in 2018 is a lot different than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Back in the day; companies could create a website and use all kinds of flashy and spammy methods to rank their site in search engines, and it was quite easy to do. Search engines’ algorithms have become a lot smarter in the past decade and can now detect these old-school methods in a matter of seconds. Can you imagine a time when you can rank on Google’s first page 24 hours after building a website stuffed with 20 exact match keywords? Ranking your site used to be, that easy!

Many penalties have been given out lately as algorithms get smarter with the growth of technology. If your website has been penalized in any way whatsoever, many experts in the SEO industry will tell you that it might be easier to purchase a new domain and start fresh. Recovering from a penalty is time-consuming. Building back the trust you once had, won’t be easy – possible, yes, but not easy.

Parxavenue Ltd. an excellent SEO company based in Calgary, Alberta; has experimented with multiple domains, using all major search engines to see how hard they can “push.” The answers didn’t come right away, but after a few short months, they did find out how easy it is to receive a penalty and even have your website de-indexed!

Search Engine Optimization
Calgary SEO – Calgary SEM – Parxavenue Top Search Engine Optimization

If your SEO staff, team, or agency is using “Old-School” methods today in 2018, be aware that these techniques will catch up to you faster than you might be thinking. The best-ranking websites from any niche market have a very natural flow to them, using exact match keywords only when completely necessary. When working with the best SEO tools on the market today, it is quite clear that you have to follow Google’s best practices and again, that’s how simple it is. “Don’t be Evil” For helpful information regarding the best ways to go about working on your own website’s SEO, please click here.

Understanding Liquidation

David Jackson

Is liquidation a good thing or a bad thing? Before we answer that, it’s a good idea to talk about what the word actually means. When we drive past a store with a huge banner that says, “ENTIRE STORE LIQUIDATION,” that typically means the store is going out of business. But before it can close its doors for the last time, it has to get rid of as much merchandise as possible. It seems like companies are forced to liquidate fairly regularly in the United States. For instance, at the time of this writing, Toys ‘R’ Us was in the process of liquidating merchandise at more than 700 locations around the country. To the outsider, something like wholesale liquidation may seem like an easy way to slash prices and move merchandise quickly, but the reality on the ground is rarely that simple.

Wholesale Versus Retail

If an average person walks in off the street to a liquidation sale and buys a single appliance at 50 percent off, they’re probably planning to take it home and use it themselves. If a person who represents a reseller comes in and buys an entire pallet of appliances at 50 percent off, though, then they’re a wholesaler. They may take those items to a warehouse to await the day another seller picks them up, or they may take them directly to a reseller. Wholesale liquidation can be great for dealers, which is why you sometimes hear store closing sale ads include a “No dealers, please” statement at the end of the ad. Wholesalers can typically get a better deal because they’re buying in bulk.

Sometimes businesses that are closing will only sell to individuals. Sometimes they’ll only to wholesalers. It’s common, though, for businesses to use a hybrid approach. They keep the store open and welcome customers for a few more weeks in an attempt to get as much money as possible for whatever is left in the store. Companies will often bring in an outside company or companies to oversee the liquidation process. When Hastings Entertainment liquidated in 2016, two companies ended up running the show together.

Customers and Employees

Customers tend to react in one of two ways when they hear a store is closing and liquidating its merchandise. Some customers will be sad and mourn the loss of a valued business. Other customers will be excited to go hunting for cheap products. It’s important to remember that the sales won’t all be great, especially not at first. The first wave of sales may only provide a small discount, like 10 or 20 percent off. By the end of the sale, the deals are often better, but there’s usually less to pick from. The “everything must go” mentality often extends to office furniture, fixtures, and even the very shelving products are on. At the end of the whole ordeal, all that’s left will be the walls and maybe a few signs, unless they can find a way to unload the signs as well.

So what’s a customer who wants to check out some bargains supposed to do? Don’t be too gleeful about things, for one. Remember that the employees who are helping you are about to lose their jobs, so they may not always be smiling and cheerful. Don’t complain that something is priced too high, since the remaining staffers likely have very little control over that. You can try to haggle over a price if you really want to, but be polite about it, and if an employee says that they can’t change the price, you should believe them rather than badger them incessantly. It might also be easier to just wait for some of the merchandise to appear at a local wholesale shop. Stores are going to close sometimes. Entire chains will also go under occasionally. It’s a fact of life, but don’t go in expecting to drive too hard a bargain. Getting back to the original question: are liquidation sales a good or a bad thing? It really depends on who you ask. A customer shopping at a going-out-of-business sale is likely going to have a very different answer than a longtime manager wondering what their next job will be.

Franchise vs Starting Your Own Business A Costly Investment Decision

David Jackson

Investors want to have a large portfolio of investments to secure their future. There are a lot of options to choose from, and this means making difficult decisions with your money. One decision that investors might come across, if they’re entrepreneurial-inspired, is whether or not to buy a franchise or start their own business.

It’s a major decision to make.

An entrepreneur may find glory, passion and dedication in starting their own business from the ground up. There’s a personal battle taking place with a business, and when the business is entirely yours, its fate is in your complete control.

But what about a franchise? You’ll own the business, but you still have to worry about:

  • Royalty fees
  • Start-up costs
  • Lack of financing
  • Hefty material costs

The idea of a franchise, from an investment standpoint, may be the better option.

Franchises Follow a Proven Business Model

Franchises are given everything they need to succeed. You’ll be able to grow your business with:

  • A brand people trust
  • Marketing that may be on a national scale
  • Support from the franchisor
  • Oversight from the franchisor

Your hand is held the entire time to make sure that you make money.

Let’s use pizza parlors as an example. Did you know that the majority of pizza shops are owned by large chains? But local pizza parlors often make just enough money to keep the lights on. A lot of the owners make $60,000 or less per year.

But what if you decided to open a Papa John’s? Well, there are $25,000 startup costs as well as a lot of financial requirements.

The good news is that the average store brings in $837,000 per year. Franchises have a large name, a standard of quality and a business model that customers trust.

While the initial investment is hefty, franchises have a much higher chance of success and profitability.

Training for Success

Mr. Rooter is a prime example of a smaller franchise that is still well-known and can be very profitable. Take Mr. Rooter Detroit as an example. As a franchise, there are the following fees:

  • $35,000 initial franchise fee
  • 5% – 7% royalty fee
  • 2% ad royalty fee

If your application is accepted, the company has relationships with lenders who offering financing. You’ll also be able to enjoy support for:

  • Grand openings
  • Email marketing
  • SEO
  • Regional advertising
  • Field options
  • Proprietary software
  • On-the-job training
  • Classroom training

These are just a few of the many benefits of owning a Mr. Rooter. Yes, you’ll spend extra money on the startup costs. You’ll also be able to use a nationwide brand name, use vendor discounts and learn a system that is proven to be successful.

Risks are lower with a franchise, but you so lose some control in the process.

Small businesses are always at risk of failure, but when the small business is a franchise that has a solid foundation, it has a higher chance of success. The potential for some franchises are higher than going into a new business that doesn’t have a name or brand recognition to build off of just yet.

A Science Based Approach to Marriage Counseling

David Jackson

Although starting counseling early helps produce the best outcomes, research suggests that integrative couples therapy can help even seriously distressed marriages. Austin Professional Counseling uses science based approaches to marriage counseling in Austin. John Howard is a psychotherapist, educator, and spiritual teacher practicing leading edge couples therapy techniques and incorporating the latest, evidence based techniques to help couples improve communication and deepen intimacy.

The science of psychology has experienced an explosion in hard science with advances in research in the areas of neuroscience, attachment theory, change research, trauma, and other disciplines, which have provided new knowledge and insight into how the brain, mind, and body work together. This information is used to create a more integrated approach to marriage with methods such as the Gottman Method, PACT, and EFT for Couples.

The new research has replaced the old paradigm of assigning blame with a more collaborative and integrated approach. An effective marriage therapist remains neutral, while empathizing with multiple perspectives and works with you to help you reach a common goal and improve the harmony and happiness in your marriage.

Couples Therapy Approaches Based on Science  

The Gottman Method for Healthy Relationships is a therapeutic approach to couple’s therapy that is based on more than 40 years of research by John Gottman. This method begins with an assessment of the current status of the relationship and utilizes research based interventions based on Gottman’s Sound Relationship House theory to help couples resolve conflicts and develop a deeper understanding of each other.   

Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) is a research based integrative approach to couple’s therapy that uses mind and body functioning to create a secure relationship. The scientific basis of PACT draws on research in neuroscience, attachment theory, and the biology of human arousal. The approach helps couples understand what happens in the brain and emotions during a fight to get to the root of conflict and tension in the relationship and work through their issues in a session with a marriage therapist. Prior to practicing as a relationship counselor in Austin, John Howard spent 6 years training with Dr. Stan Tatkin, founder of the PACT Institute.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples is based on a structured approach to couple’s therapy developed by Dr. Johnson in the 1980s. EFT is a collaborative and respectful approach that is based on empirical research on the nature of marital distress, adult attachment, and the change process. During therapy sessions, couples experience new cycles of interactions that replace the existing negative cycles. The positive interactions work to create lasting change in the relationship.

Research has led to a renewed growth in interest in ancient healing and spiritual growth traditions, such as mindfulness and meditation in a holistic mind, body, spirit approach to handling the problems of life. When choosing a marriage therapist, look for someone who uses research to make therapeutic decisions that best suit the unique needs of each couple.

 

Gazumping rates in Britain reveal London at the top

David Jackson

As demand for property across Britain rises and stock levels fall, the number of people getting stung by gazumping is also increasing, research finds. The last two years have shown an increase in gazumping nationwide, jumping from 13 percent in 2015 to 36 percent in 2017.

Gazumping happens when a potential buyer has their bid accepted on a property, yet during the process of buying, another buyer comes along with a better offer, and the original buyer is ‘gazumped’ from the purchase as the seller chooses the highest bidder.

The frustrating, but legal process of gazumping typically arises on properties in high demand, whether it be because of the desirable location, the quality of the home itself, or the price range. Peter Wetherell, CEO of Wetherell, notes that this is usually either ideally priced starter homes or top of the range luxurious designer properties – both of which buyers will do anything to get their hands on.

Gazumping is increasing in line with market values and demand

Due to Brexit and other political matters at play in the UK currently, the real estate market has almost come to a halt with potential sellers wary of entering their property onto the market until they have some certainty of the future. This decrease in stock is a major factor to the increased demand and subsequent gazumping trend.

A recent investigation revealed that London has the highest frequency of gazumping during the property sales process, with a notable 35 percent of potential buyers having been gazumped over the past two years. Second place was given to the South East region, which although high at 16 percent, is less than half the frequency experienced in the capital.

Although there is quite a difference between the two, third place drops even further to nine percent, and it is not unexpected that London and the South East have the highest numbers of people being outbid past the offer acceptance stage due to being home to the most expensive and in demand properties in the UK. The average house price in London is currently £481,345 and in the South East is £315,807. These are significantly higher values than the £220,084 average found across the rest of the UK.

The North West experienced the third highest rate of gazumping at nine percent, followed closely by the West Midlands and Yorkshire at seven and six percent, respectively. Typically, property values are substantially lower in these areas compared with the south.

At the bottom of the list is Scotland with one percent, where gazumping is commonly thought to be illegal. However, that is not quite the case. Scottish law and practice prevent a solicitor bound by this to represent a seller who wishes to accept a higher offer on their property, following accepting an offer from another buyer as this would be misconduct. However, solicitors not bound by this law – located in England or Wales – could represent the seller in this case and this is why gazumping, although very rare, can still happen in Scotland.

How can a potential buyer avoid being gazumped?

Avoiding being gazumped is simple, but not necessarily easy. Here are some points to consider when buying a property to ensure all that can be done is:

– A cash purchase will always stand a better chance as there is no waiting around for mortgage applications and money to come through to complete the sale. However, if a mortgage is necessary, ensure a mortgage in principle has been agreed, so you are in a position to make an offer immediately and then complete the application as soon as possible after your offer has been accepted as this entire time is a risky period for being gazumped.

– Make a realistic offer. This may seem basic, but a seller who has accepted an offer, but thinks they may be being slightly ripped off, is much more likely to accept another offer should it come along quickly enough.

– Sell your own property as fast as possible. Long chains can begin to develop if a buyer has a property of their own to sell and some sellers will not wait around. If a better offer comes along while they’re waiting, be prepared to be gazumped.

– Be friendly and open. It doesn’t hurt to build a good rapport with your potential seller, they may be selling you their home, and they are likely to want it to go to someone who will look after it and who will benefit from it. If the seller knows your situation and how much you and your family will love living in this new home and how well looked after it’s going to be, they’re much less likely to accept a higher offer when it comes along if they’re happy.

Work in Retirement

Joe White

Myths and Motivations Career Reinventions and the New Retirement Workscape

A Merrill Lynch Retirement Study conducted in partnership with Age Wave

I wanted share this with you.  It is about hope and the future for older workers and retirement bound individuals.  In my role I see more and more evidence of these events.  I share this because of my many friends and contacts and family members that need to read this.

Retirement used to mean the end of work. But now we’re at a tipping point: a majority of people will be continuing to work after they retire — often in new and different ways. Nearly half (47%) of today’s retirees say they either have worked or plan to work during their retirement. But an even greater percentage (72%) of pre-retirees age 50+ say they want to keep working after they retire, and in the near future it will become increasingly unusual for retirees not to work. This new phenomenon is driven by four forces:

  • Increasing life expectancy, which has produced a retirement that can last 20 years or more.
  • Elimination of pensions for most workers, shifting the burden for funding retirement from employers to retirees.
  • Recent economic uncertainty, which has been a wake-up call for many people that it is not financially sustainable to retire without some employment income.
  • Re-visioning of later life, as new generations seek greater purpose, stimulation, social engagement, and fulfillment in retirement. While some are delaying retirement, a growing number of people are continuing to work after they retire. Because this is largely uncharted territory, pre-retirees who anticipate working in retirement are confronted with many questions and uncertainties: Will I be able to find work in my later years? If so, for how long? How can I balance work with other things I want to do? What kind of work might I be able to do? Will I enjoy it? Will it help me be more financially secure? What can I do now to best prepare for working during my retirement years? These pre-retirees can learn essential lessons from people who are now working in retirement. This landmark study— based on a nationally representative survey of 1,856 working retirees and nearly 5,000 pre-retirees and non-working retirees—is the most comprehensive investigation of the successes, pitfalls and innovative career paths in today’s retirement

Retirement Myths (2)

Busting the Four Biggest Myths

By examining the experiences of working and non-working retirees, the Work in Retirement: Myths and Motivations study dispels important misconceptions.

Myth 1: Retirement means the end of work. Reality: Over seven in 10 pre-retirees say they want to work in retirement. In the near future, it will be increasingly unusual for retirees not to work.

Myth 2: Retirement is a time of decline. Reality: A new generation of working retirees is pioneering a more engaged and active retirement—the New Retirement Workscape—which is comprised of four different phases:

(1) Pre-Retirement,

(2) Career Intermission,

(3) Reengagement

(4) Leisure.

Myth 3: People primarily work in retirement because they need the money. Reality: This research reveals four types of working retirees: Driven Achievers, Caring Contributors, Life Balancers and Earnest Earners. While some work primarily for the money, many others are motivated by important nonfinancial reasons.

Myth 4: New career ambitions are for young people. Reality: Nearly three out of five retirees launch into a new line of work, and working retirees are three times more likely than pre-retirees to be entrepreneurs.

Here is the link to the full Report. 

https://mlaem.fs.ml.com/content/dam/ML/Articles/pdf/MLWM_Work-in-Retirement_2014.pdf

 

Joe G. White is Owner of MFR Inc. “The Franchise Rainmaker”. He provides professional advice to people looking to engage in franchise ownership He can be reached at 647-724-0742 or [email protected].

“Success through knowledge”

 

The Top Ten Excuses To Use to Avoid Making a Decision to Start a Business

Joe White

The Top Ten Excuses

To Use to Avoid Making a Decision to Start a Business

This is a little tongue in cheek approach to the reasons people use to avoid making decisions around business ownership.

Over the many years I have helped people navigate towards their aspirations of owning a business, it is amazing how many can find a reason not to take  action.  We all know it is fear of the unknown. Why climb  the mountain to only turn your back on the land of milk and honey.  Let me be clear there are many good reasons to not take action that are totally acceptable. So let’s have some fun with this.

  1. It is not the right time now.  Well if it is not now when is it?  It is good to hold yourself accountable to a date and time.
  2. Nobody will buy that service.  Despite the fact that over 500+ people are running and growing that business.
  3. It will not work here we are different in (fill in the city or country you like).  Well I got out of bed today and did pretty much all the same things people did in your city today how is that different?
  4. I know nothing about the industry.  Just checking but did you forget how smart you are and how fast you learned how to do your job.
  5. My Spouse thinks it is a bad idea.  What is the challenge here? It can be very legitimate but often an easy escape hatch rooted in fear.
  6. I am not sure I can handle the success you know what success did to that person.   Say what!  You know you will be a success but you cannot handle it.
  7. I am not ready to take the risk.  That is fine and in many cases perfectly okay.  But you will never know the real value of a risk until you take one.
  8. I will wait something even better will come along.  The constant quest for perfection.  You know you have to start somewhere.
  9. I need to go and learn more, then I can do it.   Let me see, you have a higher education and you need to learn more.  Okay, but was not the education the seeds to help you grow.  It might just be time to harvest the benefits of your education.
  10. Your are too young or you are too old.   The ship is coming in again I will wait, or the ship has been and is not coming back.  There is only one now and the best one is right now.

You see we all have our reasons but be clear on one thing, when you say “no” to something because it may cost you money or your fear is just to much to cope with you have made a decision. Our excuses are ways to fool ourselves. That decision  you make has a cost. When you accept the status quo that can be an expensive decision, in terms of missed opportunity that all hides behind the guise of an excuse.

Please feel free to add your favourites to the list.

Joe G. White is Owner of MFR Inc. “The Franchise Rainmaker”. He provides professional advice to people looking to engage in franchise ownership he can be reached at 888-296-9250 or [email protected].

How Not to Buy a Franchise!

Joe White

 People Really Do Make These Mistakes

It never ceases to amaze me what people think are good reasons to buy a franchise business.  I thought I would share a few I have come across over my 18 years in franchising.  Excuse my tongue in cheek humour.

What not to do

  1. I want to buy  this one food franchise because I eat there every day.  That sounds inexpensive!
  2. I love to cook.  Oh boy!  Do you really believe a food franchise is going to let you cook what you want?
  3. It is a hot idea, and look, they are everywhere.  I watched a category heat up and burn in less than two years. Trendy business is generally doomed business.
  4. I can get the perfect location for that brand and just make money like crazy. Are you a real estate expert?  Just asking.
  5. I will make lots of money right away. Oh yeah that means you are not going to work at it and are likely underfunded.  That is not good.
  6. I will not have to face my boss anymore so that is why I want a business.  May be you need to think that one through more.
  7. I have children now and I want a business about children. Yes, so what are you going to do when they are older buy another business for teenage children when your children are teenagers?
  8. I know a lot about franchising my uncle had one and he told me all about it.  Right that makes him a resource but not an expert.  What worked for him probably will not work for you.

 

There are many more I could share with  you but the point is this.  Do your homework think it through and  park  your  emotions at first.  Share your plan with people that support your journey.  Get a skilled adviser.

But do follow the dream but do it right.   Make the smart investment in yourself.

Joe G. White is Owner of MFR Inc. “The Franchise Rainmaker”. He provides professional advice to people looking to engage in franchise ownership  He can be reached at 888-296-9250 or [email protected].

Why a la Carte Franchising Selection Does Not Work

Joe White

 How to Select the Right Franchise

You know the situation if you have ever tried looking for a franchise.  You are looking at an a la carte style menu and it says tick the franchises that interest you.   But how do you know if those Brands are right for you and if you’ll be successful with them?  Is this the only list to use?    You read the glowing one-page summary on each franchise and you pick your top 20 favourites.  Then you wait.

You have just lit the fuse to twenty pieces of Dynamite

Within hours the phone starts to ring and you are lost, confused, exhausted and annoyed.  How did this happen? It also seems you got more than twenty calls and you had people call you that you did not even request.  All you wanted was a little information.

Is a little information enough?

For starters, wanting a ‘little information’ is your first mistake.  This is a major business decision.  All the information you need is not online. OH MY!  You need at least 7 to ten hours to thoroughly investigate any franchise.  So go to your room (or office) and do your homework!    Now for the scary stuff.  You may not be looking at any of the right brands for you.  In fact, many great brands do not list on these menus.  Oh, and by the way, and as reference point there are over 3500+ franchises in North America.

The problem is you started in the wrong place

How much do you know about franchising?  Did you assess your current reality? You are exposed to making the biggest mistake you can make in Franchising and that is not selecting the right franchise for yourself and Family.  The implications are far reaching.

Where do you turn?

So now that you are overwhelmed and confused, you decide to seek help. Where do you turn and whom can you trust?  Family?  Business colleagues?  Maybe.   But quite frankly, you need more than that.

Beware of the buffet approach to franchise selection. You’ll notice that that on the Franchise Rainmaker website there is no reference to brands. (This is your first clue).   You are unique and you have special requirements.  But you probably don’t have the time or the ability to gather the right information on 20 different franchises.  Then, do you have the expertise to narrow down your choices and find the right fit?

You deserve a better way.   The good news is there are some great advisers out there in the franchise business.  But how do you find the right one for you?

Joe G. White is Owner of MFR Inc. “The Franchise Rainmaker”. He provides professional advice to people looking to engage in franchise ownership  He can be reached at 647-724-0742 or [email protected].

“success through knowledge”

The “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of Effective Business Communication

Joe White

These two little words can change the way you communicate to your clients and prospects.  Effective communication in business always leads to more success.    It is using the right words to  to help and to facilitate learning while building relationships with your clients.  It is all about trust and rapport.

What is don’t?  It is do not  disguised under the apostrophe banner.  It sneaks into our conversations under this mask.

Here are some Don’t phrases to ponder.

Don’t care!

Don’t think so!

Don’t want to!

Don’t have an interest!

That should be enough, but I am sure you can think of hundreds, but what are these phrases?  You are right! They are negative statements and that lead to dead end streets with no way out. 

Here is the most intriguing concept. We as business  communicators will use the word Don’t  and it leads us nowhere.  I really believe that to be true.    A good example is “I don’t think you should go down that path.”  Now search how you felt or what you thought about when you read this phrase. What ever it was, it had a negative feel to it along with what ever action you would need to take to respond to it. Right!

Now think of the word DO

It is an action word to be taken very seriously. For example we seldom ask people what they don’t do but what they Do?

Do you care!

Do you think so!

Do you want to !

Do you have and interest!

Now look at the difference.  The  word Do is positive by its nature and it requires action or demands open response.   It begs the question “why” and a “because” response. 

Do you think you would learn more about your clients, staff, associates etc.  if you incorporated this word?  Why do you think so? What will it Do for you in your business communications.  Do you think it might help you make more money.

I trust you get the point. It is so easy to change this habit just say the word Do instead of don’t and let the flow of the conversation happen.  Just some fun thoughts for everyday business.  

Joe G. White is Owner of MFR Inc. “The Franchise Rainmaker”. He provides professional advice to people looking to engage in franchise ownership  He can be reached at 647-724-0742 or [email protected].

“success through knowledge”