Franchise seeks tradesmen for exclusive contracts
AN EXPANDING trade franchise company is looking for electricians, plumbers, builders, glazers and locksmiths to extend its network to the Wellington region.
Blue Cross Trade Services is seeking qualified tradespeople to operate exclusive territories in Wellington City, Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Porirua, and MastertonCarterton-south Wairarapa.
‘‘Blue Cross is a network of trade service providers who work independently under a united brand,’’ Dave Morgan, of Link Business Broking, says.
‘‘The franchise group has been in Auckland, Waikato and Hawke’s Bay since December 2010, and wants to be nationwide so customers have to call only one number to access providers of five trades anywhere in the country.’’
Mr Morgan says the aim of the Blue Cross model is to provide tradespeople with the back-up support they need, but often struggle to attain.
This includes quoting and job sheet management, terms of trade, invoicing and credit control, marketing and promotions, cash- flow management through factoring and bulk purchasing discounts, as well as a website and 0800 call centre to manage customer communications.
‘‘The 0800 call centre ensures tradespeople won’t be interrupted while on the job,’’ Mr Morgan says.
‘‘Calls are answered by trained professionals and the message or request for a quote will be sent directly to the tradesperson’s phone or ipad, which can be accessed any time.
‘‘Blue Cross also provides its licensees with hundreds of radio adverts per month across the six top-rating stations in their region.
‘‘At least 50 of these primarily promote their trade and another 300 ads that promote the franchise brand and mention specific trades.
‘‘They also get Google paid advertising and are promoted predominantly in the No 1 paid advertising position on Google for their region and trade,’’ Mr Morgan says.
‘‘Eighty per cent of Blue Cross business in Auckland currently comes through this channel.’’
Licensees also have their own specific page on the Blue Cross website, where customers can search for a trade provider in their region and contact them directly, Mr Morgan says.
‘‘Blue Cross also uses social media through Twitter and Facebook to drive referral business back into the group.’’
Each new licensed operation receives an advertorial promoting their business’s launch in their local newspaper.
‘‘Blue Cross has also negotiated purchasing discounts with selected providers, to ensure their tradespeople get the best prices and the best margins to help deliver higher profits,’’ Mr Morgan says.
‘‘Blue Cross will even manage the invoicing and payment collections, so licensees can receive weekly payments without having to wait until the 20th of the month.’’
Blue Cross is filming a renovation TV series that will air as part of the Wellington region’s Blue Cross Trade Services launch.
‘‘For an investment of $29,995, this is a hassle-free way for tradespeople to run their business.
‘‘Licensees receive an exclusive licence territory, signwriting for their vehicles, a rugged ipad with integrated 3G for mobile data, branded polo tops, business cards, fridge magnets for customers, promotional flyers for initial mailbox drops and the Blue Cross systems training programme.’’ For more information, phone Dave Morgan, 021 471 992, or email davem@linkbusiness.co.nz.