knowledge base

New Cerca Interface: Customize your knowledge base

We’re thrilled to share the latest updates on the redesign of our Cerca solution. This week, we’re highlighting our knowledge base—an essential feature for any multi-location network. A Clean, Modern Interface for Your Knowledge Base We’ve carefully redesigned the interface to be both modern and streamlined. This new look doesn’t compromise functionality, however. Every element has been designed to provide a smooth and enjoyable user experience. Visual customization options allow you to create an interface that perfectly reflects your network’s identity, while remaining elegant and professional. Enhanced customization Like the Home page, the knowledge base now features new customization options. With this new interface, you can add custom covers to your books using images, colors, and icons. This visual customization makes your resources more appealing and easily accessible, making it easier for your users to quickly identify crucial information. Simplified Editing Add and edit the content of your books and book groups directly from the knowledge base, without going through a complex administration process. This feature makes managing your resources more intuitive and efficient, ideal for quick and accurate updates. No more navigating back and forth through complex menus; everything is accessible in just a few clicks for optimized management of your documentation. Training and engagement of your network The knowledge base isn’t just a document management tool. It’s also a powerful way to optimize training and engagement within your network. By centralizing all your educational and informational resources in one place, you make it easier for your employees and/or franchisees to access information. Whether it’s procedure guides, training videos, or PDF documents, everything is now accessible in a seamless and intuitive way. Your Resources, Wherever You Are With the new knowledge base interface, accessing your resources has never been easier. Thanks to our mobile app, your employees can view and edit content from their smartphone or tablet, no matter where they are. This increased mobility allows for maximum flexibility and ensures that your teams stay connected and informed at all times, without being constrained by office access limitations. Control and security remain at the heart of our solution The security of your information is our top priority. You can always precisely control who has access to which resources. Advanced permission settings allow you to restrict access to sensitive documents and ensure that only authorized individuals can view or edit content—even though this is no longer done through the Administration menu. This feature is essential for protecting confidential information on your network. We’re confident that these improvements will help strengthen expertise and engagement within a multi-site network, while offering a more enjoyable and efficient user experience. Looking for a packaged solution that can also adapt to your needs? Join the Cerca revolution and request your free, no-obligation 1-month trial. I’m joining the Cerca revolution You might also be interested in these articles:

new cerca interface

New Cerca Interface: Customize your home page

We have some exciting news to share with you! Following the launch of our new mobile app, we’re thrilled to announce a complete redesign of the Cerca interface. We’ll be gradually rolling out this new Cerca interface over the next few weeks, starting with the home page customization. Discover these customization options ⬇ The New Cerca Interface: Customization and Flexibility Even More Visuals to Enhance the Platform It was crucial for us to strike a balance between modernity and customization for this new Cerca interface. Modern interfaces are often very minimalist, which can limit customization options. To address this challenge, we decided to offer the ability to place more visuals and arrange them as desired. This flexibility allows us to create a platform that reflects a network’s brand identity while maintaining a modern and elegant aesthetic. Our clients thus benefit from an interface that is both sophisticated and customizable, optimizing the user experience without sacrificing modernity. With this new Cerca interface, it’s possible to add and position dynamic carousels, eye-catching images, and personalized content—including rich text, videos, and more. A Tailored Welcome This customization of the interface to match a network’s brand image goes beyond mere aesthetics. It strengthens engagement and adoption of the solution within a network. With Cerca, multi-location networks can offer their members an online environment that resonates with their culture and values and is tailored to their use of the platform. Position your elements on your Home page and decide what to highlight: This could be the network’s latest news announcing the opening of a new location, or recent updates to your operations manual to keep your employees informed of the latest processes. The information and resources most important to network users are thus highlighted. Tailoring the interface to specific needs ensures a positive first impression and a more intuitive user experience for the network. A Dark or Light Menu Choose between a dark or light menu to align the interface with your visual identity and showcase your logo. This aesthetic flexibility allows you to highlight your brand colors. Whether you prefer a modern, minimalist look with a light theme or an elegant, sophisticated aesthetic with a dark theme, it’s all possible. Looking for a turnkey solution that can also adapt to your needs? Join the Cerca revolution and sign up for your free, no-obligation 1-month trial. I’m joining the Cerca revolution You might also be interested in these articles:

mobile application

A mobile application for multi-location networks

Our new mobile app for multi-site networks is designed to offer a modern, integrated user experience. Whether you’re in the field or in the office, our solution lets you manage your network efficiently and intuitively. In 2024, Cerca is revolutionizing the management of multi-site networks with a new mobile app that combines modernity and efficiency. With a new name, new services, and most importantly, a brand-new mobile app. 🚀🌟 Features synchronized between smartphone and computer This mobile app enables simplified and efficient management of multi-site networks wherever you are. Stay connected to your network at all times and perform tasks—from the simplest to the most complex—directly from your smartphone. Say goodbye to differences between the web and mobile apps with this app, now available on the Apple Store and the Play Store. Here are the first features available: Visit Reports Capture important details from each visit, add photos and comments, and submit your reports instantly, no matter where you are. This feature allows you to efficiently document your field activities without having to wait until you return to the office or bring your laptop with you. Workgroups Workgroups are dedicated spaces where you can collaborate on specific topics with certain members of your team, such as marketing, event planning, communications, or network development. Within these groups, users can chat via a dynamic discussion thread, share files and videos, and organize events related to the group’s topic. You can moderate, interact with, and manage these groups directly from the mobile app. Add or remove members, adjust group details, access related events, and share your resources—all from your smartphone. This enhancement makes managing groups faster and more intuitive, facilitating collaboration with your team no matter where everyone is located. Knowledge Base Every member of your network can check their smartphone at any time to access the knowledge you make available to them. This knowledge base is designed to centralize and organize your resources intuitively, making it easier for the entire network to access essential information. Create and edit your books directly from your smartphone, using cover images, icons, and colors for quick, visual identification. With this feature, training and knowledge sharing have never been easier or more accessible. Maintain a high level of competence and engagement within your network. Invite your locations and employees to access training materials. PDFs, videos, images, and text can be organized into different books and groups of books to group all your topics together. Share your content easily and effectively, while controlling access based on each person’s roles and responsibilities within your network. This feature ensures that every member has the information they need to excel in their tasks. Directory The app’s directory offers features designed to make it easier to get in touch with others and plan your travel. A shortcut for directions via Google Maps is available in this directory on the mobile app. It allows you to easily navigate between different locations without having to manually enter addresses, making field staff’s travel more efficient. Network News Your network’s news takes on a new dimension with an interface inspired by social media. View the latest announcements, important updates, and events in an intuitive and visually appealing format. It’s the ideal way to stay informed and connected with your network. Instant Messaging Cerca provides a WhatsApp-style instant messaging service to enable fast and efficient communication. In addition to an email-like messaging system, this chat feature lets you communicate in real time with a single person or create group chats. Quickly discuss any topic with your colleagues and network members. Communication Logs This feature allows you to log all communications within your network. With this feature, you can keep a complete record of all communications, ensuring total transparency. You can see at a glance the time allocated to each location or team member and quickly identify those with whom communication is frequent and those with whom there is little interaction. This allows you to pinpoint locations that may require additional follow-up and to reconnect at the right time. By centralizing and analyzing these interactions, you can optimize communication and engagement within your network, ensuring more effective and proactive relationship management. Join the Cerca Revolution To learn more and discover how our app can transform your network management, contact us today. Join the many users who are already benefiting from this technological innovation and improve your network management with Cerca. I’m joining the Cerca revolution You might be interested in these articles:

5 qualities needed to become a franchise developer

The expansion of a franchise relies on a strategic alliance between the franchisor and independent entrepreneurs—the franchisees. The network developer plays a central role. This symbiotic relationship is at the heart of a thriving franchise’s growth. The process of selecting the right candidates to join the franchise network is of crucial importance, as it largely determines the success and sustainability of the business. Recruiting franchisees requires a meticulous approach and a deep understanding of the business’s specific needs. The network developer is therefore key to a franchise’s growth. This involves carefully assessing entrepreneurial skills, motivation, and alignment with the franchise’s vision and values. A skilled network developer excels in the art of communication, building strong relationships while maintaining essential transparency regarding the expectations and challenges inherent in operating a franchise. In this dynamic, a franchise’s growth emerges as a natural progression, driven by the synergy between committed franchisees and a visionary franchisor. Each qualified addition to the franchise network expands the brand’s reach, bringing local expertise and contributing to organic, sustainable growth. Together, they form a thriving business ecosystem, capitalizing on the franchise’s reputation and best practices while adapting to the specific characteristics of local markets. In this context, the network developer’s role in selecting the right candidates is crucial, as they play a central role in the franchise’s development. We therefore examined the qualities needed to become a network developer. Use a CRM to make life easier for your network developers: The 5 Essential Skills for a Network Developer: In-depth understanding of the franchise industry A network developer must have a thorough understanding of the franchise model, including the benefits, expectations, and obligations for franchisees. This understanding will enable them to properly assess whether a candidate is a good fit for the franchise in question. They must also be well-versed in the specific characteristics of their brand. Communication and human resources skills A good network developer must be able to communicate effectively with candidates, ask relevant questions, and listen carefully to their responses. They must also be able to build positive relationships and earn candidates’ trust. Ability to Assess Entrepreneurial Skills Identifying the skills and traits that make a good entrepreneur is crucial. This includes the ability to make decisions, manage operations, and solve problems. The recruiter must be able to assess whether the candidate possesses these skills. They must also determine whether the candidate will fit seamlessly into the brand’s culture. Analytical and Selection Skills The network developer must be able to compare candidates based on the selection criteria defined by the franchisor. This may include factors such as prior experience, management skills, financial resources, leadership abilities, or decision-making skills. Patience and Perseverance The franchisee recruitment process can sometimes be lengthy and demanding. A good recruiter must be patient and persistent to find the candidates who are the best fit for the franchise. In addition to these qualities, a network developer should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, be well-organized, and have a long-term vision for the success of the franchise network. Working in franchise development requires a combination of analytical, interpersonal, and sales skills. Network Developers: Save Time with the Right CRM You may be interested in these articles:

visit reports

6 indicators for an overview of your visit reports

Site visit reports play a crucial role in the effective management of a franchise network. They allow you to track the performance of each location, identify trends, and take steps to ensure quality and consistency across the entire network. To get a comprehensive overview of your site visit reports, it’s essential to focus on certain key metrics. In this article, we’ll explore six of these metrics that will help you better understand the state of your franchise network. 1. Network Coverage The first metric to monitor is your network coverage. It’s essential to know how many locations were visited over a given period. Comprehensive coverage ensures that every outlet is accounted for, helping to maintain the consistency of your brand and concept. If certain locations are overlooked, disparities can arise. By monitoring this figure, you ensure consistent management of your network. 2. Visits by Area Manager For more effective management of your franchise network, it is essential to track the work of your area managers. You can create a table for each area manager that lists and summarizes the various visit dates, the locations audited, the visit reports completed, and the status of those reports (not finalized by the franchise coordinator, finalized but not reviewed by the franchisee, finalized and reviewed by the franchisee, signed by the franchisee, etc.). This tracking of visits by area manager provides you with a clear overview of the distribution of the workload among area managers and the progress of the visits. 3. Visit Frequency Visit frequency is another crucial indicator. It refers to how often each location is visited. It is common to adjust the frequency of visits based on the specific needs of each store. For example, a new location may require more regular monitoring during its first few months of operation. By monitoring visit frequency, you can ensure that each location receives the necessary attention. 4. Overdue Visits Additionally, overdue visits are an indicator that deserves special attention. You need to know if any visits were conducted outside the scheduled timeline. Overdue visits can impact the quality and consistency of your network. By monitoring this metric, you can take steps to ensure that all visits are conducted in a timely manner. 5. The Performance of Each Location Every network has its own system of ratings or performance metrics for its locations. This performance evaluation provides a detailed view of the quality of each point of sale. To get an overview of these various visit reports, it’s helpful to quickly compare the performance of each of your locations against the network’s average performance. A look at the average score per visit helps you understand your network’s strengths and weaknesses. You can then make informed decisions to improve overall quality or focus on a location that requires special attention. 6. The Rate of Signed Visit Reports Visit reports serve as legal proof of the adequate support you provide to your franchisees. It is therefore essential to ensure that these visit reports are duly signed by the audited franchisees. Identifying how many visit reports are pending signature allows you to closely monitor the location follow-up process and take action to contact those who are behind schedule. Automate this analysis with weekly visit reports. Visit reports are an essential tool for managing a franchise network. By focusing on key metrics, you can gain a comprehensive overview of your network’s performance. This allows you to maintain consistency, quickly identify issues, and take steps to improve the quality of your entire franchise network. But analyzing data from visit reports to distill key insights is time-consuming. That’s why Cerca is committed to providing its clients with tools to make their day-to-day operations easier. Every week, a “Weekly Visit Report” containing all the points we’ve discussed above is automatically generated from the data processed by our tool following the various visits conducted. These reports are sent to franchise development managers and anyone who needs a comprehensive, summarized overview of the visits conducted within a network. They provide a summary of the visits for each audited location and enable quick, informed analysis. This makes it much easier to quickly identify whether a location has a significant issue, whether visits are being conducted on time, and whether the workload is properly distributed among the various coordinators. Furthermore, these reports provide peace of mind by tracking the progress of visit reports and confirming whether they have been duly signed by the audited franchisees. This enables immediate action to be taken to correct issues and maintain quality and consistency within a franchise network. Naturally, these weekly reports on site visits are accompanied by other, more advanced statistical tools to provide a comprehensive view and a more actionable summary. Discover our solutions to double your operational performance. You may also be interested in these articles:

recruit franchisees

How do you recruit franchisees?

📋 Introduction to Franchising🔎 Market Analysis👤 Ideal Franchisee Profile📊 Developing a Recruitment Program✅ Franchisee Selection Process📞 Communication & Marketing📝 Training & Support Introduction to Franchising: A Promising Entrepreneurial Opportunity Franchising has become a widely adopted business model for many companies around the world. It offers an attractive path for entrepreneurs who want to build their own business while benefiting from an established brand and a proven operating system.  In this article, we’ll explore the various aspects of franchisee recruitment and the key strategies for attracting the right candidates. Franchising is based on a contractual relationship between the franchisor (the brand owner) and the franchisee (the independent entrepreneur). The franchisor grants the franchisee the right to use its brand, products, or services, as well as its know-how, in exchange for an initial fee and regular royalties. In return, the franchisee benefits from the franchisor’s support and expertise, as well as access to an established network of customers and suppliers. One of the main motivations for becoming a franchisee is the reduction of risks associated with starting a business. By choosing to join a successful franchise network, entrepreneurs can avoid many of the challenges associated with building a business from the ground up. Indeed, the franchise system offers a clear operational framework, established processes, proven marketing tools, as well as ongoing training and support.  Recruiting franchisees requires a strategic approach to find the candidates best suited to the franchise concept. It is essential to attract motivated entrepreneurs who share the brand’s values and possess the necessary skills to effectively manage their own business. Searching for and evaluating potential candidates is therefore a crucial step in the recruitment process.  Throughout this article, we will explore the various steps and best practices for recruiting franchisees effectively and successfully. We will also examine the importance of communication, training, and ongoing support to ensure the growth and prosperity of the entire franchise network.  Joining a franchise network can be a rewarding path to entrepreneurship. Let’s now move on to an in-depth market analysis and the ideal franchisee profile to better understand the key factors to consider when recruiting qualified franchisees. Recruiting Franchisees with Cerca Market Analysis: An Essential Prerequisite Before Recruiting Franchisees Before embarking on the process of recruiting franchisees, it is crucial to conduct a thorough market analysis. This preliminary step helps understand market demand, assess existing competition, and identify growth opportunities. A well-conducted market analysis provides a solid foundation for attracting the right candidates and ensuring the future success of the franchise network. When analyzing the market, it is important to identify the demand for the product or service offered by the franchise. How large is the market, and what is its projected growth? What are consumers’ needs, and how does the franchise concept address them? A thorough study of market trends, purchasing habits, and customer preferences will help determine whether the market is conducive to the development of new franchisees.  Knowledge of the competition is also essential. It is crucial to understand which players are already present in the market and how they are positioned. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What is their market share? This analysis will help identify the specific opportunities and challenges associated with new franchisees entering the sector.  At the same time, the market analysis must highlight growth opportunities. These may include underdeveloped geographic areas, specific market segments not yet targeted, or new emerging trends. By identifying these opportunities, the franchisor can adapt its recruitment strategy by focusing on areas with high growth potential. An in-depth market analysis is an essential step before recruiting franchisees. It helps understand market demand, assess the competition, and identify growth opportunities. This analysis provides essential information for targeting the right candidates and developing an effective recruitment strategy. Once the market analysis is complete, it’s time to focus on the ideal franchisee profile, which we’ll discuss in the next section of this article.  Ideal Franchisee Profile: Key Qualities for Success as a Franchisee When it comes to recruiting franchisees, finding the right candidates is essential to ensuring the success and growth of the franchise network. The ideal franchisee possesses a set of specific qualities and skills that will enable them to thrive within the franchise model. In this section, we’ll identify the character traits sought in a potential franchisee.  Motivation is one of the most important qualities for a franchisee. They must be driven by a genuine passion and a desire to succeed. Motivation is what drives the franchisee to overcome obstacles and persevere in their business, even when challenges arise. It also serves as a driving force that encourages them to fully commit to implementing the system established by the franchisor. A strong entrepreneurial spirit is also essential. A franchisee must be able to take initiative and demonstrate creativity in managing their business. Although they follow a system established by the franchisor, they must be able to adapt that system to the specific needs of their region or local market. A franchisee with an entrepreneurial spirit can identify new opportunities, improve existing processes, and develop effective local marketing strategies.  The ability to follow an established system is another key criterion. The success of a franchise depends on the consistent implementation of the business model and adherence to established standards and procedures. The franchisee must be[…]

multidimensional diagrams

Multidimensional diagrams: the tool for greater responsiveness

Pourquoi utiliser les diagrammes multidimensionnels pour vos rapports de visite ? Dans le monde complexe de la franchise, chaque implantation est une pièce unique du puzzle. Les franchiseurs ont compris depuis longtemps que le succès de leur réseau repose sur la performance de chaque point de vente. Mais comment s’assurer que chaque implantation fonctionne au mieux de ses capacités ? La réponse réside dans la capacité à identifier rapidement les corrections nécessaires. Mais le défi est de taille, puisqu’il faut garantir la cohérence et la performance dans un réseau qui peut s’étendre sur de vastes régions géographiques. Chaque implantation a ses propres particularités, son propre marché local, et ses défis spécifiques. C’est là que réside le défi majeur pour les franchiseurs, à savoir comment maintenir la qualité et l’efficacité dans un réseau diversifié. La réactivité est la clé de la gestion d’un réseau de franchise prospère. Les franchiseurs doivent être en mesure de rapidement identifier les problèmes, les opportunités et les ajustements nécessaires. Une franchise prospère est une franchise agile. La vision claire et rapide des performances des implantations est essentielle. Les franchiseurs ont besoin de savoir quelles implantations sont en tête, lesquelles nécessitent une attention particulière, et comment apporter des corrections rapidement pour maintenir la qualité et la cohérence de l’ensemble du réseau. La question cruciale reste : comment obtenir une vision synthétique et rapide de l’état de chaque implantation dans mon réseau ? La réponse réside dans l’utilisation d’outils pensés pour la gestion de franchise. L’idéal est un logiciel de gestion de franchise avec un module d’audits avancés permettant aux franchiseurs de visualiser les performances de chaque implantation en temps réel, d’identifier rapidement les tendances, et de prendre des mesures immédiates pour améliorer les résultats et s’assurer de la bonne mise en place du concept et des préconisations de l’enseigne.  C’est pour répondre à ce besoin d’amélioration de la performance des réseaux de franchise que Cerca alimente constamment sa solution en nouvelles fonctionnalités. La dernière nouveauté ? Les diagrammes multidimensionnels qui offrent, en un coup d’œil, un aperçu de la performance d’une implantation sur chaque pilier d’un concept. Cet indicateur clé, présenté de manière simple et claire, permet de comprendre instantanément où se trouvent les points forts et les faiblesses d’une implantation. Une telle visualisation synthétique des données est inestimable pour les franchiseurs et un gain de temps considérable pour les animateurs. Vous l’aurez compris, disposer de toutes les données sur la performance est essentiel, mais parfois, il est tout aussi crucial de pouvoir saisir l’essentiel en un clin d’œil pour réagir rapidement face aux problèmes nécessitant une intervention immédiate. Grâce à ces outils, comme les diagrammes multidimensionnels, les franchiseurs peuvent aller à l’essentiel pour prendre des décisions informées et améliorer la performance globale de leur réseau au lieu de passer des heures à analyser des rapports détaillés. Vous êtes à la recherche d’une vision complète, claire et synthétique des performances de vos implantations ? Découvrez comment Cerca peut vous aider à animer votre réseau avec brio ! Prêt à simplifier la gestion de votre réseau ? 👇 Je veux en savoir plus ! Ces articles peuvent vous intéresser :

tickets

5 new features to simplify your request management with our ticket module

Améliorez la gestion du service client de votre réseau. 🌟 Découvrez les dernières mises à jour de notre module tickets intégré :  ✨ Créez des modèles de réponse en un clin d’œil📌 Filtrez vos tickets par animateur📊 Exportez vos données avec flexibilité🗂️ Restez organisé, éliminez les retards🔍 Apportez des précisions à vos tickets en toute discrétion Créez des modèles en un clin d’œil Gagnez du temps : Créez et utilisez vos modèles de réponse Répondez-en quelques clics à des requêtes fréquentes et fournissez des réponses cohérentes et personnalisées. Cette automatisation intelligente vous libère un temps précieux. Ainsi, vous pouvez vous concentrer sur des tâches plus stratégiques et favorisez le développement de votre réseau. Filtrez vos tickets par animateur Gérez facilement les tickets attribués à chaque animateur Avec ces filtres, optimisez la répartition de vos tickets et renforcez l’efficacité de votre support client au sein de votre réseau de franchise. Restez organisé, éliminez les retards Restez organisé et évitez les retards Gardez un contrôle absolu sur les échéances critiques. Si la date limite correspond à la date du jour, celle-ci apparaît en orange pour que vous ne manquiez jamais une échéance. Les tâches dont la date limite est dépassée s’affichent en rouge vif. Ces petits changements vous permettent d’agir toujours plus rapidement et de garantir une réactivité optimale.  Exportez vos données avec flexibilité Exportez les formulaires ou les tickets selon vos besoins, avec une flexibilité totale Découvrez notre nouvelle fonctionnalité d’exportation par catégorie ! Choisissez facilement une catégorie spécifique dans les filtres, puis cliquez sur « 📥 Exporter » pour obtenir rapidement les données pertinentes. Vous préférez une vue d’ensemble complète ? Aucun problème ! Ne sélectionnez aucune catégorie pour exporter tous les tickets, indépendamment de leur catégorie. Gagnez du temps, optimisez votre organisation et facilitez l’analyse de vos données avec cette nouvelle fonctionnalité ! Apportez des précisions en toute discrétion Apporter des précisions à une demande sans en informer le demandeur Les réponses aux “questions cachées” ne sont pas visibles par le demandeur. Elles vous permettent de communiquer plus rapidement en interne. Je veux une démo ! Ces articles peuvent vous intéresser :

developed

They asked us, we developed it for them! 🎁

They asked us for it, so we built it for them! 🎁 With Cerca, it’s a little bit like Christmas all year round. Our collaborative platform keeps getting better thanks to development requests from our clients. In 2023, our solution continues to be co-created with its users to best meet their business requirements and needs. 👉 Discover the latest highly requested and eagerly awaited features among the Franchis On Cloud user community: 📢 A comprehensive overview of developers’ interactions with candidates 📋 Self-assessment for franchisees 📊 Filtered candidate reporting data ✍️ Electronic signature: Resend an invitation email to a signer 📢 A comprehensive overview of developers’ interactions with candidates The “Candidate Interactions” page makes it easy to see the breakdown of interaction types, with visibility into the status of each interaction and who initiated it. This makes it possible to assess which interactions have or have not taken place and who initiated them. In addition to providing an overview of interactions carried out by the platform’s various developers, you can also export all this data in CSV format. 😌 📋 Self-Assessment Visit Reports for Franchisees Franchisees now have the option to self-assess using visit reports. To do this, you must configure the form you wish to use for this self-assessment. Once in the form configuration, go to the “Advanced Configuration Settings” tab and select the “Self-Assessment” option under “Additional Options.” 💡 Note: The results of these self-assessment visit reports are, of course, not included in the overall statistics for visit reports generated by headquarters. They also do not generate action plans. The site manager, for their part, has a new “+ New Report” button on their interface that allows them to fill out the form independently. 📊 Filtered Candidate Reporting Data A new “Filtered Data” tab retrieves and filters data from the main candidate tracking dashboard. You can filter by candidate creation date, scenarios, or even by developer. ✍️ Electronic Signatures: Follow Up with a Signer via Invitation Email Is your document still unsigned? Want to follow up with the signer? Now you can. To do so, click on the name of the signer you want to follow up with, then confirm that you want to send the invitation email for this follow-up. See you soon for more new features 🤗! Discover our solutions to double your operational performance. You might be interested in these articles:

franchise

Can I franchise my concept?

It’s natural to want to continue growing your business once it has achieved some success. If you’re here, it’s because you’re in that situation. Turning your business into a franchise network is a great way to achieve bigger goals. Here, we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to take to take your professional life to the next level. Among other things, you’ll learn how to create a business plan and understand the legal implications of this change. The Importance of Having a Well-Defined Concept To franchise your concept, it must first be well-defined and, above all, proven to be successful. You can develop a franchise in any industry, provided you have a thorough understanding of all its aspects. The most promising sectors—which have many proven franchise concepts—are beauty, food, automotive, and real estate. A good way to learn more is to attend franchise trade shows. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with what already exists and identify gaps in the market so you can innovate and become more competitive. Developing a Business Plan Creating a business plan is essential when you want to turn your business into a franchise. It is developed after conducting market research to ensure the feasibility of your project. A business plan allows you to verify the financial viability of your concept. To gain the support of banks and your other business partners, this assessment is essential. In a business plan, you’ll need to present: Your business concept The market analysis you’ve conducted The business model you’re relying on (there are so many to choose from) Your communication strategy Your marketing strategy, etc. From a cash flow perspective, it must also include investment costs, a projected balance sheet and income statement, a financing plan, and a cash flow budget. The Importance of Having a Pilot Unit To move forward with greater confidence, a company needs to ensure the reliability of its approach. Having a pilot unit will therefore help you validate your project. The idea here is to test the conceptual model you’ve developed against the realities of the market. More specifically, this involves setting up one (or more) retail locations that closely mimic actual operating conditions. The location, staffing, pricing, and suppliers are among the key characteristics this unit must have. It is these elements that you will need to replicate for your franchisees. The success of such a venture will demonstrate your mastery of the business as a future franchisor. Gaining this confidence will prove that you can pass on your experience to your future franchisees, who, in turn, will benefit from your training programs.  Creating an Operations Manual Now that you know you can pass on your expertise, you’ll need to describe it in detail in an operations manual. This document serves an educational purpose. In fact, it enables franchisees to replicate your methods and procedures. The operations manual covers topics such as: marketing, human resources, management, production, your sales techniques, the design of your premises, accounting, and more. Additionally, feedback from your franchisees will help you refine it. In this way, you can improve your business model. You must continually monitor market trends and the competition in order to adapt. Franchising Your Concept with Cerca: The Pre-Contractual Information Document (DIP) Under the Doubin Act of December 31, 1989, every franchisor is required to provide a prospective franchisee with a DIP. This must be done before the franchise agreement is signed. Once the franchisee receives this document, they have 20 days—the legal cooling-off period—to sign the contract. The purpose of this document is to ensure transparent and comprehensive pre-contractual information for the prospective franchisee, who will then sign with full knowledge of the facts. The DIP must include, for example: Your brand’s profile Your market analysis The history of your network (date of establishment, list of members, revenue trends, etc.) Your growth prospects Your brand’s annual financial statements (for the last two fiscal years) The contract Containing several clauses, this document sets forth the rights and obligations of the franchisor and the franchisees. It includes essential clauses, among which are: The intellectual property clause This is the clause through which you grant the franchisee a license to use your brand. This clause also defines the parties’ commitments and obligations regarding the protection and maintenance of the brand. The supply clauses These may designate exclusive or recommended suppliers. These clauses precisely define the scope of products subject to an exclusivity obligation. The Non-Competition and Non-Affiliation Clause This clause is very important for you, the franchisor. It prevents the franchisee from engaging in a business similar to that of your network. It also prevents the franchisee from joining a competing network. Determining How to Manage Your Network Here, you’ll need to determine the skills and profiles required to support your network. This involves considering the composition of your corporate headquarters and deciding on the philosophy that will guide the management of your network. This could involve adopting a traditional top-down approach, where the network headquarters decides what policies the network will implement. You could also opt for a more collaborative strategy that involves participatory decision-making bodies. In such an approach, all network members are consulted during the decision-making process. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a franchise expert or use management software designed for franchises. This valuable assistance will help you assess how your network is managed and enable you to manage it more effectively. In[…]