Starting a business and growing it as a franchise is a choice that involves considering several aspects. Network management is, of course, one of them. It is not enough to recruit new franchisees and then simply be available when needed. Managing and animating a network is a real skill that you can highlight when looking for candidates. How can you make network management truly effective and showcase it during recruitment? Our Cerca experts guide you through this challenging yet exciting mission.
Why is it essential to animate your network?
The network is the strength of your business. You don’t have to look far back to see its full value: the points of sale that weathered the Covid crisis most effectively were the franchises. But the conditions for success must be in place. A successful network is an active network!
Effective network management provides points of sale with the means to achieve their objectives, both in terms of revenue and local market presence. To enable optimal management, it is important, as the network leader, to implement a clear strategy. Define the objectives you are aiming for — both for yourself and for your franchisees’ points of sale. Within this clear framework, you will stimulate and motivate franchisees and their teams in the field.
Good network coordination starts with effective coordinators
To energize the network and ensure the essential alignment between the head office and the points of sale, you cannot do without a network coordinator. Their number and organization will depend on the size of your network and its territorial coverage. In any case, the mission remains broadly the same:
- manage the onboarding of new franchisees
- ensure compliance with the processes set out in the contract
- support franchisees in their management
- monitor the proper implementation of the different strategies and brand image
The coordinators of your network represent your brand to the various franchisees and remain their key point of contact. They must therefore be deeply familiar with the brand universe, its values, and its history in order to convey them in the field through their recommendations.
Strike the right balance between autonomy and local support
Managing a network is a real balancing act! Your franchisees operate in local dynamics, on different markets with their own specificities, constraints, and opportunities. You cannot therefore apply a single global strategy to all points of sale in every aspect. Give your franchisees a measured level of autonomy to allow them to grow in a context they certainly know better than you. Clearly define the non-negotiable elements and the framework within which they can exercise this autonomy.
Similarly, a network coordinator will not support a new franchisee in the same way as a franchisee who has been in the network for several years. Adapt to the proximity needs of your franchisees and be present where their expectations lie.
Use local successes to spread them throughout the network
Effective communication and the right tools will enable you to collect all performance data from your points of sale. Within the framework you establish with your franchisees, some may develop strategies that could benefit the entire network. Collect this data and draw inspiration from these successes: create document templates, communication plans, and other resources based on local initiatives, which you can then share with all your franchisees. Share best practices!
One of the coordinator’s missions is to monitor the points of sale. During visits, but also throughout the year, collect data and measure the performance of the different outlets. Carry out comparative analyses and share them with the entire network. Beyond providing your franchisees with a benchmark, these figures also help stimulate their motivation.
Develop your franchisees' sense of belonging
When a franchisee joins a network, they embrace its values, history, and strengths. To nurture this sense of belonging and turn your franchisees into true ambassadors of your brand, create a family spirit around it.
In practice, it is the exchanges and their quality that strengthen this spirit. Schedule gatherings once or several times a year. These seminars allow network members to meet, maintain connections, and come together around new questions or challenges.
You can also create an internal online space for the network and send a newsletter to your franchisees. This way, you keep them informed about all the brand’s news and upcoming developments. In doing so, you will create a community of franchisees proud to belong to your brand.
Set up an effective network management and animation tool
As the network grows, it becomes more complicated to collect data and communicate using traditional tools. A centralization system then becomes essential. It is precisely with the aim of creating a better experience for your network members that we developed the Cerca tool.
Designed as a true internal social network, the platform allows you to communicate information to all members of your network or to a selected group. Document management, online signatures, news — everything is designed for smooth and effective communication
Similarly, Cerca centralizes all information regarding points of sale and their performance. You can easily share your know-how through documents that are permanently available to your franchisees. Provide them with a knowledge base as well as training spaces. An essential tool for managing and energizing your network!
Conclusion: pilot, manage and perform!
A significant part of your network’s success lies in its management and engagement. To achieve your goals together, you must first ensure the proper implementation of the processes outlined in the contract. Then, find the right balance in the autonomy you grant your franchisees. Share the initiatives that work. With effective coordinators and the right tool, managing your network will become much easier.
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