We spoke to David Shimwell, franchise development director at Pitman Training, about their franchise opportunity.
Q: What makes Pitman Training an attractive franchise?
A: Any successful franchise usually has a strong brand attached to it – that’s what you get with us. Also, any franchise with the number of locations that we do – 100 – has also had the experience to adjust the business model. So in summary, it’s a strong brand and a proven business model.
Q: What would you look for in a franchisee?
A: Someone who is fairly driven to be successful and competitive. And someone, because we have a premium product that comes with a relevant price tag, with sales ability.
Staff are an integral part of the business so you also need to be able to manage and motivate staff.
Q: Is any industry-specific experience required?
A: No. I would almost say that to some extent you’d be better off not having that experience, because people that come from a training background are usually not very sales-orientated.
Q: What sets it apart from similar franchises?
A: There are a number of what I would call good franchises out there, and it’s a bit like saying what sets you apart from various restaurants – it depends what food you like and what you want.
But I think it’s down to that proven business system, which has been adapted over the years, and its support.
Q: What do franchisees get for their investment?
A: Access to our brand, marketing, sales technique – effectively our business system. We will train them on that system and support them on it, so they can go off and run a flexible learning, IT business and commerce training centre.
Q: How many hours will a franchisee typically work?
A: You’re going to be looking at 50 hours plus a week for the first year to 18 months.
Q: Do franchisees tend to work evenings or weekends?
A: Most of our locations are open a couple of nights a week and Saturday mornings.
Once they’ve got the business up to a certain level and they’re employing staff, then they might be able to work fewer hours.
Q: How much freedom to franchisees enjoy?
A: We have brand guidelines including how the product is delivered. I always say you can have as much freedom as you want as long as you’re successful, but we have a business system that works so we try and keep people focused on that.
Q: What would you look for in a franchisee?
Someone who is fairly driven to be successful and competitive. And someone, because we have a premium product that comes with a relevant price tag, with sales ability.
Staff are an integral part of the business so you also need to be able to manage and motivate staff.
Q: Is any industry-specific experience required?
No. I would almost say that to some extent you’d be better off not having that experience, because people that come from a training background are usually not very sales-orientated.
Investment required: Varies depending on the method of joining. Contact Pitman to find out more.
What you get: “Access to our brand, marketing, sales technique – effectively our business system. We will train them on that system and support them on it, so they can go off and run a flexible learning, IT business and commerce training centre.”
Potential earnings: “That is all dependent on their determination.”
