Franchising Is a Team Sport | VetFran

The irony of a football team being referred to as a franchise is not lost on us. There are actually many more similarities between this terminology and our kind of franchising than many may realize.

Put Me in Coach

From the GM to the head coach, someone is calling the shots.

If you’re the franchisor, the influence your decisions have over the success of the team are every bit as important as the actual operational execution of the players. If you’re the franchisee, the communication, teamwork and deployment of the direction given by your “front office” is crucial to any win.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways sports franchises and business franchises can learn from one another:

Loss and Gain

Every football game consists of both teams losing and gaining yards. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your business can’t be either.

There is a give and take between success and failure, and using those setbacks to learn about the obstacles in your way and then overcome them with more skill and confidence.

Culture

In every successful business, there is a required “grit” built into the DNA of the team. From leadership to those who play more supportive roles, the idea is to have everyone on the same page.

The same could be said for any sports team or business. There is no victory without a shared vision, work ethic and passion. As Simon Sinek has famously observed, “A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other.”

Location

The idea that a franchise is outlined with a very specific vision and attempt to capitalize on financial return all starts with location.

What cities are most invested in the team? What are the operational costs associated with that DMA?

If you’ve followed sports for any amount of time, you understand that without turning a profit, teams will be moved to another city entirely.

The same thing can be said franchising: When looking for franchisee prospects or for a location to open a new unit, all conversations begin here.

Are you a coach looking for the right players? Are you a free agent looking for somewhere to take your talents? We can help you find the right fit. Contact us today to see how we can help!