How to run a business with military precision
MANY franchises welcome former services personnel as franchisees.
Tim Hughes, the Belvoir Lettings franchisee in Newbury, Berkshire, served in the Army as an Ammunition Technical Officer (bomb disposal) and then worked for MAG (the Mines Advisory Group) in Libya, carrying out similar tasks.
Tim, 36, says: ‘My military training has provided me with many transferable skills that I use in my franchise. I am able to work methodically, deal with pressure, run teams of people, and get things done correctly first time.
‘Many ex-servicemen and women go into franchising and I can see why; you can impose your ethos and the core military values on your business, as opposed to trying to fit into an organisation with its own way of doing things.’
Tim says he would recommend franchising to other former service personnel: ‘Forces types tend to have a sense of purpose, determination and the drive to get things done.
‘They can operate systems, constantly search for improvements and are used to high degrees of responsibility, so franchising could suit them.’
Dorian Gonsalves, Belvoir managing director, says: ‘Ex-services personnel understand the military system, and how to use it successfully. Belvoir also has a proven system and if our franchise owners stick to it they can see excellent results.’ Investment in the franchise costs around £150,000.
Craig Tiley, 32, now the Stokeon-Trent franchisee with signs business Signs Express, says: ‘I was in the British Army for 15 years as a Logistics Specialist Royal Engineer.
‘My duties included making signs as I previously worked in sign making, but the Army experience gave me leadership skills that have been more valuable than my previous signs experience in running my own business.’
Sara Jeffery, franchise recruitment marketer at Signs Express, says: ‘We welcome ex-services personnel. Their background means they have the skills necessary to be a successful business owner.’
The investment is £45,000 plus working capital.