Are Your Franchise’s Processes Stuck In The Past? The 21st Century is considered to be the Digital and Information Technology age. Changes totechnology are occurring at an exponential rate, and it can be easy for franchisors who are using old and out-dated processes to be left behind. The old saying “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” can be a common attitude in business, but while there is something to be said for tried and true methods, technology can offer many benefits. Here are two key technologies that can help streamline your systems, save time and money, and help your franchisees better engage with their customers.
Cloud technologies can be used in a wide variety of businesses and contexts. These new technologies can provide data in real time to franchisors and franchisees in ways never experienced before. Moving Point of Sale transactions to the cloud can take stock-taking to the next level of accuracy for example, and allows for cross comparison across specified regions or states. Cloud accounting can make keeping the books faster and easier, allowing franchisors and franchisees to access up-to-date data instantly and ensuring that accounting processes are standardised across the franchise.
Time and money can be saved by systems that automatically update data, which allows for constant improvement and the ability to enhance systems and processes. The days of purchasing new hardware every few years have long gone, with the cloud offering flexibility and scalability of operations.
Smartphones have flooded the market in the past few years. Apps are available for anything and everything to do with running a business, and are ideal for use in franchises so everyone is using the same systems. Apps can help franchisees to save time on everyday business tasks and improve back-of-house management, and to engage with their customers. For example, staff rosters can be simplified, customers can manage their own restaurant bookings, and reward programs can give back to loyal clients quickly and easily via apps.
Most areas of business can be enhanced by the use of technology, and streamlining processes and increasing efficiencies results in franchisors being able to spend more time growing the business, and less time running the business.
But it can be daunting knowing which technologies will be right for your particular industry and franchise system. It’s not so much a case of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ when it comes to technology implementation, but rather if you don’t, you won’t even be on the same street to see what the Joneses are doing.
While you no doubt sought franchising advice when you first decided to franchise your business, have you gotten any advice about using technology to kick your business processes to the next level? Talk to one of our franchise consultants about whether your franchise system could benefit from rolling out some new technology.
