Many people are looking at a lot of different career options. This 15 minute presentation on Slideshare gives useful advice to anyone considering the self employment route. Not all options are created equal.

http://tiny.cc/h0gcw

Robert

Are you happy? I’ll explain at the end of this blog.

 High unemployment has been a fact of life for decades in some parts of the world. What happens when we here in the USA, collectively accept high unemployment? An excerpt from the NY Times below suggests we are reaching a point where we may start accepting high unemployment as ‘normal’ and millions of unemployed fall from our collective conscience.

nytimes.com

The real threat, economists say, is that America, like some of its Old World peers, may simply become accustomed to a large class of idled workers.

“After a while, a lot of European countries just got used to having 8 or 9 percent unemployment, where they just said, ‘Hey, that’s about good enough,’ ” said Gary Burtless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “If the unemployment rates here stay high but remain relatively stable, people may not worry so much that that’ll be their fate this month or next year. And all these unemployed people will fall from the front of their mind, and that’s it for them.”
__end of excerpt___

A friend of mine, Richard, has thankfully started 2011 with a new job after 2 years of unemployment. The job came to him through a common friend (It’s not what you know, it’s who you know). He had reached a point where he was existing day to day with the threat of losing his apartment and buying gas for his car and food was a daily challenge.  For a lot of people, help will come too late to keep them from foreclosure, eviction and just getting the basics for daily life. Right now, the American Dream is looking very fragile and for some the dream has turned into a nightmare. 

Yes, we can say the economy is gradually being rebuilt, but high unemployment is with us for who know how long and it will be a long time before we can collectively breathe a sigh of relief and get back to this:  United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

So, Are you happy?

It’s very unusual for franchises to offer a special low-rate franchise fee, so when WSI, the #1 internet franchise for 10yrs in a row, according to Entrepreneur Magazine offers a HALF PRICE Franchise Fee ,  you should take notice ! Now there are strings attached – “AHA – I knew it!” You say. So What is their offer exactly:

Direct from WSI:
___________________________________________

Young Entrepreneurs 28yrs old or younger & Military Veterans

WSI, the world’s #1 digital marketing franchise, is committed to investing in America. We are giving back to the community and helping re-build the US economy after the recession by offering 30 of our world class digital marketing franchise units* normally priced at $49,700 at a lower upfront cost of $24,700USD – ie HALF PRICE. These discounted units will only be available for a limited time and to US-based young entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.

Young entrepreneurs are classified as individuals who:

· Are 28 years old or younger
· Have completed their high school diploma or a higher education degree

In addition to receiving the opportunity to invest in a WSI digital marketing franchise at a significantly discounted fee, individuals awarded the franchise will also be expected to “pay it forward” by giving back to their local community through various charitable acts. Our goal is to not only invest in your entrepreneurial spirit but to also give back to local US communities as well.

*Note: The discounted price of $24,700 applies to a local franchise license.

——————————————

So WSI show their leadership again in the franchise world and provide an opportunity that is an amazing deal to potential young entrepreneurs. It also does it in a way that gives back to communities. This is a win/win for business and communities that will benefit from young, energetic entrepreneurs giving their time and energies to non-profits and other worthy causes. I applaud WSI for taking this step. I hope others will follow.

Robert

I hear many inquiries about low-cost, recession-resistant franchises. 

What makes a business recession resistant? It is the ability to offer a product or service that is a necessity, rather than a luxury, and provide superior service at a competitive price. So I set a Total Investment limit (franchise fee plus all start-up costs) of less than $50,000, and invited 3 franchises with a track record of doing well in both good and bad economies to come and discuss their businesses at this month’s Webinar – 13th July. Details below.  

Three franchisors with very different business models. They are a sampling of the many options available in the low-cost, recession-resistant segment. Here is a brief overview of the 3 franchises:  

 Children’s Supplemental Education Supplemental education is one of the last things that concerned parents will cut if their child has learning difficulties. This business is a home-based, home-tutoring system with a winning educational curriculum that helps students excel. They have a proven business system that helps franchisees run a successful tutoring business.  Included are many institutional opportunities such as “No Child Left Behind”, charity-sponsored programs, foster programs, before- and after-school programs, and more.  

 Home Staging, Decorating, and Home Management No direct selling. Real estate agents know that well-staged and well-presented homes sell quicker and for a higher price than empty homes. So, realtors are this business’ sales force – positioning the service to home owners that have already vacated homes and are highly motivated to sell.  Mortgage Lenders also use this service to help move high-end, foreclosed homes.  

Hospitality Recruiting Hotels, restaurants, and casinos experience high staff turnover, creating a constant demand for this specialty recruiting agency. This is a home-based, turn-key system that provides franchisees with both candidates and clients. The franchisee’s role is helping candidates find good jobs and in the process earn great commissions.   A very-scalable business, from simple owner/operator to a full-blown agency with many agents working for the franchisee.  

Spend an hour learning about three franchises that have thumbed their nose at the recession, and provide valuable services that are in constant demand in good times and bad. But beware; you might like what you hear, and you may find yourself thinking about new possibilites! Are you up for the entrepreneur challenge?

Reserve your Webinar seat now. Choose one of the date/times below:

Tuesday July 13th; Noon – 1PM PST
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/697698545

Or:

Tuesday July 13th; 6PM – 7PM PST
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/745797776

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer
Best Regards,

Robert Glenister
The Entrepreneur’s Source
(408) 689 2545
Web Site: http://www.theesource.com/rglenister
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertglenister

WSI – #1 for 10th consecutive year !

As a franchise coach, I inevitably admire some franchises more than others. We all have our favorites and I would put WSI firmly in the ‘Admired’ camp. For the 10th year in a row it has been voted #1 franchise in the Internet Marketing Service category and 13th in the home-based franchises.

With stong technical expertise coupled with a strong brand reputation and complete training and support, WSI offers one of the few ‘white collar’ franchises today. Learn more about WSI here:

http://www.wsicorporate.com/business.asp

Quote from - EntrepreneurMagazine:
WSI is without question a real franchising success story, they have continued to grow dramatically as a global leader in the Internet Industry. Entrepreneur Magazine (January 2009) has recognized WSI as the #1 Internet and Technology Franchise for 8 consecutive years and an independent assessment of the Franchise 500 reveals that WSI is also the #1 Canadian Franchise overall.”

The last thing someone who is unemployed needs to be told is that they shouldn’t even apply for the limited number of job openings that are available. But some companies and recruiters are doing just that. Chis Isidore, senior write on Yahoo Finance has posted a scary employment story here that unfortunately rings true:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Outofwork-job-applicants-told-cnnm-3498252371.html?x=0

How many times have you heard about someone applying for a job, getting interviewed but ultimately the company promotes someone from within? I don’t know how we change this mindset but it has to be challenged at every juncture. Perhaps it’s time to give the little guy a voice and bring back the unions?

Question: Are Franchises recession-proof?

I am asked that frequently.  There is the “accepted wisdom” that going the franchise route is safer than starting a business from scratch and in general this is true because if the franchise has stood the test of time it has a track record you can examine and measure. If you are willing to follow the franchise business model then you should be able to reproduce that success for yourself.

However….

2008/2009 tested franchise concepts like never before and it hasn’t been all good. Everything came to a screeching halt in Fall of 2008. First, the real estate bubble burst. Then, the financial markets experienced their biggest meltdown since the great depression. Banks stopped lending money. And almost overnight, many of those hot, new franchise concepts – and their franchisees – were in serious trouble. 2008 revealed many flawed concepts built on unproven business models that appeared – and then disappeared without trace. Where only the strongest business models survived.

The good news is that now the dust has settled somewhat and there is a sustainable marketplace again, it is a great time to look at the best of the best – those that not only survived the last 2 years but have shown strong growth and profits.

A place to get some good ideas is the independent web site “Franchise Business Review”

You can download their guide to “Today’s Top 50 Low Investment Franchises” here: http://franchisebusinessreview.com/content/files/2009_Low_Investment_Guide_low-res0.pdf

It’s a good start, but, If you are looking for more input than just a quick guide, OR their list  of options does not excite / work for you, then use professional help to help you decide if franchising could be a good option for you and what options are best for you to consider, based on your background, strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. I’d be happy to work with  you on that.

Robert Glenister
The Entrepreneur’s Source
http://www.theesource.com/esourcelanding/default.aspx?consultant=rglenister

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Tools ‹ Bselfsufficient’s Blog — WordPress.

Life Interrupted. It happens all the time in a million different ways. For me, right now, it is a fractured ankle. I am going to be stuck at home for the next few weeks with my “toes above my nose”. For you it might be losing your job, or discovering out of the blue that you have a life threatening medical condition. We don’t choose these things, they choose us! How we react to the situation will largely determine how quickly and how well we will come out of it.

Getting through some type of calamity in our lives means making the choices that will put us on the road back to recovery and success.

Choose your attitude! Will it be:

1)     Denial and anger.
If this is the road you choose it will be a difficult one, full of pot-holes and  joy-less vistas; a dark tunnel that has no light at the end of it.

2)     Embracing and acceptance
Those that embrace the challenges that life throws them always seem to come out of their situation smelling of roses. It’s hard to do but the alternative is harder to live out.

To be an overcomer, you need to take control of the situation! Pause, reflect; yes even grieve and then determine to display a positive attitude and take the steps you can to make a difference in your life and in others. For sure others will notice if you do !

I’ve been reading ‘Street Smart Franchising’ by Joe Mathews, Don DeBolt and Deb Percival, by Entrepreneur Media Inc. The 2nd chapter SPEAKS to ME and is great advice as well as a challenge to all those in that looking phase right now!

Here’s a little excerpt:   Street Smart Franchising – Chapter 2:

People often ask us, “Why should I invest in a franchise?” We will give you the short answer now, and more details throughout this chapter. A 1997 Gallup study showed that 94 percent of franchisees consider themselves successful. Consider that this response is based on the franchisees’ definition of success, which would include achieving more of such things as:    

 • Money
• Time
• Work-life balance
• Flexibility
• Challenge
• Control
• Security and stability
• Equity
• Making a difference in the lives of others
• Personal responsibility
• Personal impact on the bottom line

 Now we have a question for you. If most franchisees win and most of them would make the same decision again why do as many as 99 percent of people who investigate franchising decide not to invest?

The Path of the 99 Percent:Then the time will come to make a decision. Fear, doubt, and negative self-chatter (yours, your spouse’s, your kids,’ your parents,’ your friends’, and your hired professionals’) will kick into high gear. Eventually, you will probably make a fear-based “no” decision, backed by the logic of your neatly listed “cons.”

Purely statistically speaking (and nothing personal intended), it’s almost certain you won’t make an investment in a franchise either. You will probably complain about the way things are, dream about what could be, take a brief stand for yourself by declaring, “I’m tired of making money for others. Now it’s my turn!” Maybe you’ll “Google” different franchise opportunities, visit franchisor home pages, gather stacks of franchisor brochures, research companies, talk to trusted people and professionals, and have conversations with various franchise opportunities. You will feel proactive. You will tell your friends you’re considering buying a business.

The Differences Between the 1 Percent and 99 Percent

The 1% :-

o      Looks for franchises with a strong track record of success, while acknowledging their unique challenges and potential pitfalls.

o      Declares “Now is the time.” And then works to make it the right time.

o      Tries to find a solid business and will work to make it the right business for them.

o      Is committed to making a difference with their life and career and is willing to accept risk to do so.

o      Is afraid of the unknown. Doesn’t make their fears mean anything. “I am afraid of the unknown,” they think, “so what else is new?” – and push on with achieving their goals.

o      Isn’t born into the 1 percent. Becomes the 1 percent through the decisions they make.