We all know how busy the winter season can be for businesses in any industry. As business owners, a natural side effect of successfully navigating this period may be that keeping track of your well-oiled machine slips through your fingers somewhat. So, as the weather gets nicer and the days get longer, what better time to take stock and reflect on your business with the same refreshed outlook as you would for your home and give your franchise a good spring clean?
Spring cleaning, in any context, can often present itself as a daunting task. Looking at the bigger picture can seem like a time-consuming, complex process. But, as with all spring cleaning, decluttering and revitalising your business environment with a systematic and logical approach can ultimately have a hugely positive impact on the wellbeing of those within your network.
Here, Chris Wootton, Managing Director of domestic cleaning franchise Poppies, has identified his top tips to successfully spring clean and streamline your franchise so it can continue to thrive for the rest of the year and beyond.
Consider your priorities
Busy periods can naturally cause us to lose sight of our priorities. The pandemic has taught us that balance is an imperative aspect of success in any context, but it is almost too easy to get caught up and forget to give yourself and your employees the much-needed time to recoup and rejuvenate. Prioritising the wellbeing of those in your franchise, in tandem with your business goals, is a great way of keeping yourself and your business in check. Equally, prioritising the wellbeing of those in your network as a franchise owner is a nice way to demonstrate that money is not everything to your success.
Do not be afraid to spend money
In the same respect, not shying away from investing money to create greater efficiency can in fact be a big step forward when spring cleaning your franchise. It is no secret that we live in a very different world to the one we all knew before the pandemic hit, and time has become significantly more valuable. Technology has enabled businesses to streamline many aspects of day-to-day operations, but of course, this has come at a price. By investing the money necessary to reduce the time you spend on routine tasks as a franchise, those in your network become free to nurture your brand’s reputation and the role it plays for consumers. In the post-pandemic 21st century, positive human relationships in a consumer facing brand have never been more important.
Set expectations
From operations in head office to the services you deliver to your customers, everyone involved in the success of your business should know what to expect. Maintaining high, consistent standards is vital to continued success and growth, but more importantly it keeps your franchise and franchisees from drifting away from the brand’s core mission and goals. Simply stepping back and taking time to ensure everyone is on the same page is an important practice for all businesses.
Learn from current developments in your industry
As painful as it may be for business and franchise owners, one of the best ways to spring clean in business is often by swallowing your pride. Learning from the success stories of others in your industry and applying them to your own business operations is a brilliant way of staying current when meeting the demands of consumers. It may not be broken, but that’s not to say marginal changes to your own business operations won’t create more efficiency and have a long-term positive effect.
Revisit your culture and core values
None of what has been discussed can be achieved without ensuring your brand’s culture and values are still relevant. As your franchise grows, it should become common practice to regularly revisit your values but equally ensure you still believe in what you are promising and delivering. As new experiences and ideas are brought into your network, it is important that the foundations of your brand, no matter how big or small, stay current and maintain inclusivity.
Chris summarises, “As business owners, it can often be easy to lose sight of our priorities and ultimately our organisation, so why shouldn’t spring cleaning be a regular practice in business as well as our homes? We all know how satisfying a spring clean can be, and it can ultimately play a huge role in improving our wellbeing. Taking the time to regroup, declutter and balance your franchise is as important as any business operation. So, by being methodical and using this period as a way to truly dust off the effects of the pandemic, treat your franchise as you would your home and get ready for summer with the well-needed spring clean!”
