People are interested!!

I'm amazed to find that people are interested in the franchise. It's funny - you work so hard on things and for a while you think that you are the only person in the whole world who'll be interested in it. But, I spoke to someone else I met this week and he said that he really thought his friend would like to know more details and could I send something over to him.

It doesn't however, create pressure on me to finish all the processes, particularly ones that relate to the franchisee information. These are however, the hardest ones to do - mainly because they're so time consuming.

I'm not really a visual person either, so it takes me ages to make things look pretty and easy to read. I think this will have to take priority now though.

The other thing I'm waiting for is one of the franchise packs to come through. I lent my copy to a contact of mine so that she could get some ideas on how to structure her literature. I've ordered another copy, but it hasn't arrived yet.

But, it sounds like I'm making excuses to me. Mental note for tomorrow - stop procrasinating and get on with it!!

Getting there!

I really feel like I'm getting there this week. The processes I'm doing are coming together and I feel that by the end of November, I should have the operational manual finished - hurrah - a big achievement for me (and a huge weight off my shoulders). I'm about 90% there now, so fingers crossed.

Because I've recently opened a bank account at Barclays, I got access to their computer package too, which I have to say is brilliant. It's allowed me to create employment things like contracts, rejection letters, job descriptions etc in record time. I will have to send a big thank you letter to them I think.

Also, this week I realised how much I do plan and set goals compared to other businesses. I went to a networking event on Monday called "what are the best ways to build your business?" I thought this would be great for me and expected loads of other businesses to have ideas on how they were going to build their business too.

What really surprised me though is the number who were just looking for ways to promote their business! Doesn't anyone have a vision anymore? Promoting your business is obviously one of the ways to achieve your vision, but what about the long-term goal.

I came away feeling frustrated and wishing there were more events for businesses who know exactly where they're going and want to share experiences. Maybe we should set one up? If you're interested, please post a comment.

Up and down like a yo-yo

It's amazing how when you're running a business your moods are constantly up and down - one minute you're on top of the world (like I was last week when a business contact said he would be interested in hearing more about the franchise) and the next you're down in the dumps again (like I was just now being told off for posting the wrong thing on an on-line forum). My mentor always tells me "show me an entrepreneur and I'll show you a manic depressant" and he's absolutely right as anyone running a business will testify.

On the more positive side, things seem to be finally coming together. Not only have I almost finished my process (and boy will I be breaking out the bubbly when that happens), but I also managed to get a copy of the franchisee agreement just by asking around and finding the right contacts. Plus, with the interest from a business contact wanting to know more about the franchise, I really feel that by the end of November I will be in a position to start promoting it to others.

Watch this space to see whether I manage to do that or not.