Walfinch home care franchisees have increased sales leads by 20% with support tailored to their stage of business development.

“Walfinch is growing, with new franchisees joining, and growing numbers achieving £1m+ turnover, so we have dumped a one-size-fits-all approach in favour of more targeted support,” says Amrit Dhaliwal, Founder and CEO of Walfinch. “It has shown its value already, as franchisees' sales leads have leapt by 20%.”

Walfinch has introduced three new levels of support that deliver closely-tailored training and coaching to maximise business growth according to the life-stage of each franchise.

Thrive Academy is for franchisees already achieving £1m+ annual turnover. Amrit says: “Too many franchisors tend to tail off support for these star performers, leaving them to get on with it, but we think they deserve more than that.”

The package includes five days of masterclasses about strategic leadership, focussed on growth, including opening extra offices and expanding into new territories. Amrit adds: “It includes face-to-face input from external expert Trevor Brocklebank, former CEO of Home Instead senior care UK, and franchise coach Simon Mills. That's followed by 12 fortnightly catch-up sessions where they mentor each other, and compare progress.”

Tracy Lezar, who with Kathleen Plough, owns Walfinch Kingston and Weybridge, says: “Before  Thrive Academy, we felt very comfortable in our franchise and were achieving a £2m turnover, but now we are working towards building an even higher-level business. It's quite demanding but it's given us a greater overview of the business, it's bringing the whole team together, and we are enjoying it.”

The Rise To Thrive group includes franchisees with a turnover of £30,000-£80,000 a month. Amrit says: “The aim is to help these franchisees to join the £1m+ annual turnover group.” They receive three days of workshops and coaching from external leadership and  franchise coach Alexis Neighbour, and Simon Mills, focussed on growth, goal setting and achievement, followed by regular contact sessions where participants discuss their progress and further develop their business strategy.

The Growth Accelerator group includes new and growing franchisees turning over below £30,000 a month. Support includes a day workshop with other franchisees, aimed at maximising business leads, networking, and perfecting their pitching, as well as support to start Walfinch Thrive Clubs in their communities.

Sham Ramjuttun, co-owner of  Walfinch Manchester South, says: “The Growth Accelerator workshop encouraged me to get out of the office and start shaking hands, to build bigger networks. I've employed an extra office administrator so I can do this. It also spurred me to start my local Thrive Club, offering free movement classes and socialising. It all helps to expand our  business.”

Amrit says: “The workshops at all levels have been very successful. We are seeing more business leads and care packages come in and franchisees moving up the growth ladder.

“More franchisees are opening their Thrive Clubs, offering free mobility, activities and socialising, so we are becoming well-known among care and health professionals, and local people, for our focus on wellness alongside care. Plus, we are all enjoying it!”