Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

A Look At Automotive Franchise Opportunities

Sunday, August 10th, 2008
Automotive Services
Roger Morad asked:


If you’re interested in getting into automotive franchise opportunities, then you’ll want to read this article. Specifically in this article we’ll discuss franchise opportunities as they relate to the automotive industry, how to evaluate which one is right for you, and give you some points to consider. Follow the information in this article, and you’ll make sound business decisions.

There are several different automotive franchise opportunities — auto parts stores, oil changing services, specialized automotive insurance, and even repair businesses such as windshields or brakes. How do you know which one you should invest in?

First, there are several things you need to consider. Is your passion for automobiles higher than your passion for profit? You have to analyze how important money is compared to enjoying running your business. Also, if you’re very passionate about the franchise, that means you can work with a long-term strategy, instead of a short-term profit model. Things to consider — most automotive franchise opportunities involve a busy atmosphere, a lot of interaction with other people, and specialized knowledge.

Second, the range of initial investments for different automotive franchise opportunities is all over the board. Naturally, how much money you are willing to invest has great impact on what kind of franchise opportunities you can get into. For example, if you purchase a franchise as a GPS distributor, you can get into a franchise agreement for under $10,000.

While the franchise fee for being a GPS distributor may seem low, you should look at the overall picture. Will investing in a low cost franchise help you reach your financial goals, or will you be forced to buy more units, possibly even get back into the corporate world? If you cannot afford to buy a franchise that will allow you to enjoy life outside of working at your location, then you should consider waiting until you have the cash liquidity to do so. I’d rather see a franchisee wait an extra 5 years and open a full service automotive repair shop that profits the franchisee over 100k a year rather then him being out of business by buying into a low cost franchise that promised him the dreams.

Finally, if you’re going to get into any franchise in the automotive industry, you must analyze the franchise agreement before accepting it. The best thing to do here is to get a franchise lawyer, to make sure your rights are protected and the agreement is reasonable. In the agreement, you’ll learn what franchising fee you’re required to pay, what products you are allowed to sell, where you can locate your store, sometimes even down to the hours required to be open and operated.

In conclusion, picking the right automotive franchise opportunity comes down to what you want out of the business, where your expertise lies in, and how much money you have to invest and what kind of agreements you can strike. A little research goes a long ways — do the needful to enjoy a good franchise investment.



Rachel

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Franchising - An Opportunity For Ex-Service People

Friday, August 1st, 2008
Automotive Services
Matthew Franchise Anderson asked:


Having worked in the armed forces for years it can be difficult to know what to do regarding work once you have left. It is easy for some who have the necessary skills and contacts to go immediately into employment but for others there is a large gap between leaving and finding the right job.

A lot of people in the ex services are looking towards franchising as a good option, they have the money to invest (retirement gratuity funds or savings), the self motivation and dedication to work which has been instilled in them from years of discipline and hard graft.

The advantages of choosing the franchising option are immediately obvious in that you are buying into an already successful business where the returns are noticeable, you are your own boss but at the same time have an upper management to keep you in the right direction and the return on investment is one which can set you and your family up for life.

It may be that you want to use your existing skills as a base for the type of franchise you are buying into and as there are a multitude of options out there, whether it is retail, automotive or trades & industry, there will always be an option tailored just for you.

Even if you want to branch out into a completely different area than you are used to, there are many franchise opportunities out there that offer extensive training and ongoing support. It is in the franchisors best interest to have you make a success of your new business.

Before diving in head first, it is always best to research the opportunities available to you, there are many franchised businesses out there and not all succeed. If possible always ask the franchisor for a list of franchisees whom you may contact. Try to get some negative feedback from the franchisee, whilst of course the franchisor is very likely to have given you a list of the most successfully run franchises you should still be able to learn a few of the pitfalls which they encountered when they first started.

Write a list of pros and cons - starting with an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. We all have different positive and negative skills and personality traits and it’s helpful to recognise exactly what they are.Are you at your most motivated in the mornings or do you function more effectively later in the day? Similarly, are you happy by yourself with little contact with others or do prefer to feel you’re part of team?

When talking with the franchisor, remember they are not your employer and this is not an interview, do not be bullied by them because they need you as much as you need them. If you feel at all pressured by them into buying their franchise then maybe it is a sign that you should look elsewhere. For every coffee franchise there are several other similar options available. It is your savings you are investing so take the time to find the best opportunity available for you.



Jack

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Guide to Buying an Automotive Auto Body Franchise

Thursday, July 31st, 2008
Automotive Services
Samantha McCartney asked:


If you have already decided that you want to buy a franchise you are heading in a great direction. Becoming a franchisee is a great way to become a business owner with a great chance to be successful! To add to that, if you have decided that you want to open an auto body franchise, you have made another great decision. It takes time and thought to choose the right franchise for you, so make sure it is something you can do, and are interested in. With that said, if you still want to open an auto body franchise you are on a great path to becoming a successful franchisee!

Just by looking at these facts you can see why choosing an automotive auto body franchise is a great choice. There were 220 million vehicles on U.S. roads alone in 2003, a figure that had been growing steadily about 5% per year. We can use this figure to project that there will be more than 275 million vehicles on the road in 2008. More cars on the road means more work that will need to be completed on cars. Thus you can count on a steady flow of business. Altogether 12% of Americans had minor damage repaired on their vehicle in the last year alone! Or to restate that one out of every 8 americans had minor damage repaired. So you can see that you have a great market to grow in with an auto body franchise!

Even though an auto body franchise can be very successful it is important that you find a great franchise to invest your time, money and efforts into!

You need to find an auto body franchise that provides a variety of services. This is important in gaining and getting repeat customers. If you don’t offer enough services it will not be a top choice for your customers.

Find an auto body franchise that provides quality services and products. If you are not provided with quality products how can you deliver a quality product to the customer? Customers are looking for a great deal, but also that they get a quality job done for their money. If it’s not done right you will feel the effects on your franchise as they choose to go elsewhere.

Look for a franchise that has a quality system in place for everything. Make sure that you agree with the all components of the operating systems. This is important that you know how different situations and problems will be handled.

Try to find an auto body shop that has built a name for themselves, a GOOD name! One reason franchises are successful is because you buy a name that is already established. Especially when it comes to cars people really pay attention to the company name. If you buy a company that has a bad track record you could be setting yourself up for failure.

When looking for an auto body franchise keep these things in the back of your mind since there are many to choose from!



Jared

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Encompix Chosen By Eto Automotive Suppliers

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
Automotive Services
Thomas Cutler asked:


After an 18-month evaluation that began with a list of about sixty different software vendors, Reko selected Encompix, a business unit of MADE2MANAGE for its engineer-to-order focus. “Every other vendor told us that they could incorporate the results from Microsoft Project into the manufacturing system, but Encompix was the only vendor to show us how it would work. Microsoft Project is great for what it does, but it couldn’t give the visibility over hundreds of projects,” said Lido Zuccato, Manager of Process Planning.

Encompix (www.encompix.com) a business unit of Made2Manage Systems, has filled the manufacturing software requirements of engineer-to-order companies since 1992. The company name reflects a commitment to developing business application solutions that encompass the complex areas of project-based and job-based manufacturing. Encompix provides ETO manufacturers with a competitive advantage by improving bottom line results.

Manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler profiled how engineer-to-order companies selected ETO ERP leader Encompix. According to Cutler, “It is essential to have an accurate picture of project costs. Assuming capacity and delivery performance are equal, what makes the difference is the ability to set a competitive price. Reko International Group, a supplier to tier 1 automotive industry, needed to improve its visibility over costs, capacity, and work-in-process. The company has over 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space in ten production facilities located in the greater Windsor, Ontario area. Reko currently employs nearly five hundred people and is a respected presence in many areas of the metal cutting industry worldwide; Reko’s customers are leaders in the consumer and industrial products and aerospace industries. “

Several years ago Reko’s management team recognized that its existing business systems could not handle the company’s requirements in a demanding environment. • Existing business systems were not integrated, which forced maintenance of duplicate data sets and manually re-keying information from one system into another. • There was no visibility of available capacity. This lead the company to use of costly outsourcing when it could have been avoided. • There was no way to measure actual vs. planned performance on projects

About Made2Manage Systems Inc.

With more than 2,150 customers worldwide, Made2Manage Systems Inc. has a 20-year track record of delivering enterprise resource planning software and a broad range of services that meet the unique market specifications of more than 30 manufacturing sectors, including industrial and commercial machinery, fabricated metals, rubber and plastics, electronics, analytical and measuring equipment, furniture and fixtures, durable goods, and metals, wire and cable. Made2Manage Systems’ sustained leadership position in the ERP marketplace is built on a commitment to fostering productive, long-lasting customer relationships, developing a quality product line based on unique industry specifications, and providing excellence in customer support and professional services.



Ramon

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Make Your Automotive Auto Body Repair Franchise Dreams a Reality!

Monday, July 7th, 2008
Automotive Services
Samantha McCartney asked:


So many people today want to own and operate their own business today. One great way to achieve this goal is to invest into a franchise. Most times franchises are more successful than independently started businesses. There are also so many different franchise companies to decide to own that the possibilities are endless. One of the best franchises to invest in is an automotive auto body repair franchise. Find out how to make your dreams a reality.

The first step is to find out which automotive auto body repair franchise you would like to invest in, own and operate. There are many different automotive auto body franchises available. You will want to choose one that has a great franchisor with lots of support for you as a franchisee. You will also want to choose a franchise company that has a good franchise contract that will benefit you in many ways. Also it is very important that they franchise company offers great quality products or services; otherwise you will have a limited chance at success. You may also want to contact other franchisee from each particular auto body franchise you are considering to see what they have to say. They will be able to provide you a great look into the franchise.

Usually franchises are more successful than independently started business. This is because the franchise has already been opened before and they have already worked out many of the bumps along the way. Also they have already established working systems and procedures which you will not have to figure out as a new franchisee. There is also a high level of support in franchising from the franchisor and other franchisee when you need it. They can offer advice and tips as you develop your automotive auto body franchise.

Auto body franchises are a great choice when it comes to franchising. So many people get auto body repairs because there are so many vehicles on the road which leads to more accidents, which in turn leads to more auto body repairs. That is great for auto body repair shops. The best part is that the number of vehicles on the road is steadily growing each year, which means you will continue to grow in an automotive auto body franchise.

Once you have found the automotive auto body franchise that you would like to join you would begin the process. You would meet with the franchisor and go over the franchise contract they have available. This contract is extremely important as it will tell you what the franchisor expects from you, what you can expect from the franchisor and the costs associated with franchising with them. You may want to have a franchise attorney there to represent you and look over the document before signing it. Once you have signed the franchise contract you are on your way to owning and operating your own automotive auto body franchise!

Start looking today for an automotive auto body franchise to make your franchise dreams a reality!



Douglas

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Reliance Retail Limited Launches Its First Automotive Speciality Store “reliance Autozone” in Jamnagar

Friday, June 6th, 2008
Automotive Services
asked:


New Delhi, Reliance Retail launched its first automotive speciality store Reliance

Autozone, at Jamnagar. Spread over an area of 15000 sq ft this unique facility is located

adjacent to Reliance Mart, the hypermarket. Reliance Autozone offers 4 wheeler and 2

wheeler services under one roof along with retailing of tyres, batteries and a wide range of automotive accessories. Commenting on the launch Mr. Arun Dey, Chief Executive of Reliance Retail (Automotive Business) said “Reliance Autozone will give the customers unmatched Value Proposition. Our vision is to create customer delight by delivering world class automotive products & services with wide choice at best prices”

Reliance Autozone shall focus on service of multi make passenger cars & 2 Wheelers under one roof, Retail of 2 wheelers & Pre owned Cars, Retail & installation of Accessories, Tyres & Batteries. In other words it is a comprehensive solution to all vehicle owners. Being a part of Reliance Retail, Reliance Autozone would leverage on its Prime location, Pan India Presence, Supply Chain Strength, CRM & Strong Brand equity. Reliance Autozone shall offer Innovative Service Packages at convenient locations for all makes of 4 wheelers & 2 wheelers. Apart from regular maintenance & running repairs it also provides unique value added services like car care, car detailing and many other services not catered by usual automotive workshops. At Reliance Autozone, customers can get the vehicles serviced quickly at reasonable prices.

Mr. Dey also talks about world class systems installed at Reliance Autozone. It includes state of the art facility including high performance equipments, smokeless exhaust system, water treatment with recycle facility and well trained manpower. Reliance Autozone is also one of the few auto retailers investing in SAP R/3 for tracking of customer’s vehicle ownership life cycle and Integrated CRM system for scheduling of customer service activities. Apart from vehicle service, in future Reliance Autozone shall also enter into vehicle retailing arena. It plans to enter the 2-wheeler retail space by offering multi brand choice under one roof.

In the pre-owned car space Reliance Autozone shall endeavor to provide wide choice of multi make & multi model pre owned cars at various price points. Mr. Arun Dey, Chief Executive explained that under the program, consumers planning to buy or sell pre owned cars of any make can expect wide choice, right advice & transparent deals

With the above initiatives Reliance Autozone is all set to create new industry benchmarks in the automotive retail space and the biggest beneficiary shall be the end customer after all he remains “The King”. Reliance Corporate Park, Gansoli-Thane Belapur Road, Navi Mumbai - 400701

Reliance Retail Limited

Reliance Retail Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited started rolling its stores in November last year and today operates over 472 stores in over 19 cities spanning 3 million Sq ft. The formats that RRL operates in are Reliance Fresh, Reliance Digital for consumer durables and information technology, Reliance Mart, a Hyper Market, Reliance Trendz - the apparel store, Reliance Wellness – offering wellness products, Reliance I storethe apple store, Reliance Footprint -a footwear store, Reliance Jewels – a jewelry store,Reliance Time-Out- books, music and gifts store and Reliance Super- a Minimart Format.

Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company on all major

financial parameters with turnover of Rs1,18,354 crore (US$ 27.23 billion), cash profit of

Rs17, 678 crore (US$ 4.07 billion), net profit of Rs11,943 crore (US$ 2.75 billion) and net worth of Rs63, 967 crore (US$ 14.72 billion) as of March 31, 2007.

RILis the first and only private sector company from India to feature in the Fortune Global 500 list of ‘World’s Largest Corporations’ and ranks amongst the world’s Top 200 companies in terms of profits. RIL is amongst the 25 fastest climbers ranked by Fortune. RIL also features in the Forbes Global list of world’s 400 best big companies and in FT Global 500 list of world’s largest companies.



John

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