Mmmmmm - just the name alone inspires images in ones mind of multi locations coast to coast; jet-setting back and forth; and the dollars, the dollars, and more dollars just rolling in from every direction.

Although franchising isn't as popular today as it once was due to the globalization capabilities offered through the internet, if you have a product or service you think you can franchise, do not hesitate in looking into it. It is still far more lucrative than confining your talents and expertise to one location.

Franchising requires a number of steps to complete such as Trade Marking and in some cases even Patienting. But before you even start spending money on the legal aspects, you have to have your business clearly defined so that another person can pick it up and perform it just as good as if you were doing it yourself.

While A.U. can eventually guide and direct you to the professionals that handle the legal aspects, we begin with the defining process for you.

It requires that one of our staff representatives must observe your operations on a day to day basis; first from an overall point of view, then from each department. A model can be drawn at the end of the process that clearly demonstrates the communication flow and the departmental overlaps. You can't clearly see where you are going unless you know clearly where you stand.

Also too, doing this yourself could be like shifting gears without the use of a clutch! Just as it is stated that "you can't see the forest for the trees" - you can't do the job and describe it at the same time; because, each function requires a different position in the process.

Besides; if you are the human being we expect you are, you will naturally take a great deal for granted. For example, have you ever watched a very talented magician? Don't they make it look so easy? The surface simplicity of it often makes the observer feel as if they could do it too.... right? Yet, nobody appreciates the hours of practice and rehersal it took to perfect that performance.

The same holds true here. The simplicity on the surface of what your company offers can be especially decieving to you, if you are the one who started it. There are "behind the scenes efforts" that have to be clearly defined to ensure your franchises will be successful.

Another point here is that after a company "finds its legs"; "gets into orbit; but realizes consistency in producing revenue, the situation in the market has changed. Time has passed; and if you are considering other locations, the culture in those other local markets will be different. So, all that research has to be done, again, to ensure the franchises will be successful.

A.U. will walk you through the step by step process in developing your first "Tool of the Franchise Trade": the Process and Procedure Manual.