'The Pest profession in the world!'

Andy Chowdhury in Manchester, one of the growing group helping Prokill spread its wings across the country.

Prokill is a franchise opportunity within the pest control industry, with a goal to become a household name throughout the country in the next five years.

Prokill aims to lift the image of the industry, way beyond the 'life of grime' reputation prevalent with smaller businesses, into a professional highly accredited and recognized name that is setting standards wherever it operates. With ISO9001 accreditation, BPCA, Exor, SAFEcontractor and Link-Up status, as well as being one of the only recognized examiners for the Royal Society for Promotion of Health, Prokill hopes to rise head and shoulders over any local competition.

Geoff Whittle, Head of Development at Prokill emphasizes that, 'We're looking for management-style individuals with the potential to develop and manage a significant portfolio of business that covers virtually every type of property in the land. We want people with an aim beyond 'man and van' mindset, more with a 'man that can' - one who will control and guide a team within their chosen area. We're only appointing one hundred franchisees countrywide, so they have to be people with a real desire to build a significant business asset with high rewards.'

'There's no such thing as a typical day!'

Outstanding variety and diversity are the watchwords of the Prokill business franchise

Ashley who started the very first pilot franchise says'

'I'm astounded at the profitability and variety of this business. There's never a dull moment and no day is ever the same as the one before. I've solved problems for everyone from the owner of a luxury motor cruiser through to the trustees of a private school and a nationwide chain of estate agents – not to mention the fact that potentially I can help the owners of every industrial, residential, agricultural or leisure site throughout my territory. I don't know where else I could get the financial returns I'm getting in a marketplace that to all intents and purposes is totally recession-proof.'

'When I was first introduced to the 'Local Hero' marketing approach that Prokill has adopted I was a little skeptical,' continues Ashley, 'but we really are welcomed by our customers as most are quite anxious to remove their pest problems as it can impact on both their health and business performance. The fact that we really are local is also a big bonus to our customers. What with climate change and 21st century lifestyles this market is sure to grow and grow in the future – to be part of it is the best decision I ever made.'

Justin Holloway – off to a flying start in Swindon

'Spreading wings nationwide'

Franchises have been awarded from Cornwall to Liverpool to date, currently in nine locations that represent approximately ten percent of the total franchises available – so serious individuals need to secure the areas they favour without too much delay. Each franchisee has a story to tell.

'I'm loving my new life!' says Justin Holloway, based in Swindon. Justin, with a background in IT and Broadcasting has gone on to break records since then. His approach is simply one of diligence and hard work, coupled with a fascination for the business he's joined – with absolutely no previous experience in pest control.

Other franchisee quotes include:

'Prokill has given me the tools to create a substantial business.'

'Every day I'm surprised at the size of the opportunity that presents itself.'

'I've always had confidence but starting a new venture and channelling my energies into what seems to be an outstanding opportunity is rewarding both my character and my pocket.'

'I just want to spread my arms across my area and scoop up all the business before anyone else realises what a good thing I'm on to.'

'You don't get rich by selling your own labour'

Every franchisee sets out to establish their own territory with a view to building a highly profitable business in the first instance and an accruing asset thereafter. Their backgrounds are diverse but are usually from management with some experience in recruiting and controlling personnel, sales or marketing. Without exception they recognise that 'you don't get rich by selling your own labour' as you can only ever work to your own capacity, either physically or mentally.

Andy Chowdhury, Prokill franchisee in Manchester, would have exceeded his first year targets if he hadn't lost a member of staff and had one of his vehicles written off in a car crash – so it's not always plain sailing – but the rewards are there for those with the determination and commitment to succeed.

'Trained to succeed'

Previous experience within the industry isn't necessary as all franchisees go through thorough residential and field training courses that cover every aspect of technical, administrative and sales activity that they're likely to encounter. From day one of trading a franchisee will inherit the same national industry accreditations that enable Prokill to open doors that remain firmly closed to lesser competitors, and can be confident that he's been taught to a level that is also nationally recognized and continually monitored for compliance by independent bodies.

'Prokill told me that their franchise would tick all my boxes, in terms of bullet-proof market, profitability, variety, professionalism and fun! I have to say it was a tall order…but they were right on all counts. I can't really ask for more, but I can certainly do more as the opportunities are here to expand my business significantly in the coming years.'

'Constant support'

Roy Hawkes the Prokill Avon franchisee writes. 'You have some great people in your business and I think that it would be extremely rude of me, not to comment on their professionalism, attitude and effort at all times in helping me undertake this new venture.'

Justin from Swindon adds, 'Thanks for all your help…without your knowledge and support my task would have been a lot harder and certainly not as productive.'

Geoff Whittle has the last word. 'Prokill surely has to be the most robust business proposition in the country, borne out of a cast iron marketplace coupled to comprehensive training and nationally recognised accreditations and recognitions – the only ingredient missing is you! If becoming your 'Local Hero' appeals and earning good profits is even more attractive, then talk to us now.'

2 Years On

Justin's expansion takes shape with the appointment of his first employee

Back in late 2007, almost two months after launching my Prokill franchise in Swindon, I was asked by a franchising journal how I felt about the experience so far and proclaimed 'Six weeks on and I'm loving my new life!' Well, as I write this it's some 24 months later and perhaps a good time to revisit my thoughts.

Was a franchise right for me?

Absolutely yes! To launch a new business in an unknown sector on the cusp of a recession is naturally daunting and what you don't want to do is to make too many mistakes. After all, the two most precious commodities you have are time and money. The franchising model helps avoid costly mistakes and minimizes the learning curve.

Another benefit of belonging to a franchised business network is the inter-franchise support. The "community" aspect of franchising is reassuring and, unlike totally self contained businesses, we are able to share our thoughts, concerns and successes together and, in so doing, collectively learn from each other. This can be very reassuring during the formative months.

Why Pest Control?

Many of the franchised business opportunities that I came across were very specific and the scope of opportunity limited. Further, the services they delivered were very prescribed and formulaic and I liked the breadth of opportunity that Pest Control delivered. For example a recent domestic job comprised of an initial site survey to determine the exact nature of the reported pest problem, a series of control measures to rid the homeowner of the pest, the remedial work to ensure the problem did not reoccur and finally to remove and replace all the loft insulation that had been spoiled by the occupying pests! In the past 2 years there have been many similar instances where a "turnkey" solution to the pest problem has been warmly received by our customers.

Another key aspect of the business, assuming that you build it with the appropriate mix of contract versus job work, is the ongoing and incremental quarterly incomes. Annual contract work can deliver a quarterly income that, when delivered to the client satisfaction, can be a long term contributor to your cash flow. Adding lots of medium value contracts results in a healthy bottom line and no single loss will greatly impact the sustainability of the business.

Finally, the two key drivers for our business are Health and Safety and Distress and these attributes have proven to be just as important in bad economic times as the good. This has resulted in very strong customer retention.

What have been the challenges?

The challenges continue to change and evolve alongside the growth of the business. Initially, your time is all spent on business development and, assuming you are successful, the time will come when the resulting workloads will thwart any serious growth going forward. This is the point where you make a decision to either remain a "Man in a Van" or lay the foundations for a management style business. The Prokill franchise had always been sold as the latter and the business model geared with this in mind. Before the end of year two I had wanted to put in place a technician so that the business development aspect of the franchise didn't fall by the way side under the volume of servicing work. Owing to the success of the business I began recruiting much earlier than planned and appointed employee 1 in June 2009. Now the challenge is dividing my time between business development, service delivery and managing staff and the general task of business management consumes more time than I might have guessed!

As with any business, a healthy cash flow is key. This is especially true in today's harsh economic environment and debt management is a very important element to keep in check. Underestimate this at your peril. Many franchised operations provide a "Back Office" that takes care of the routine task of invoicing and debt chasing and Prokill are no exception. Again, this is a significant difference when compared to a non franchised start up business. If I was to add this onerous task to the myriad of other responsibilities I shoulder, I am sure that I would not have made the progress that I have.

What have been the rewards?

One of the most satisfying things has been to see the business grow; to plant the seed, to watch the green shoots and to finally see it standing tall without support. I think that the franchisor takes a similar pride in this too. It has also meant that for the very first time in my career I am truly able to say that I alone control my destiny. I wonder how many people are reading this and wondering if tomorrow will be the day their services are no longer required?

Oh yes, and the financial rewards are naturally a component too!

What qualities does a franchisee need?

Whilst franchisees come from all walks of life, another very important aspect that I must stress about the franchising model, especially in relation to pest control, is that anyone considering an investment should be endowed with some basic commercial skills and the self confidence to sell their services. After all, Prokill train you to be a very competent and qualified pest controller and will also provide you with the tools and systems to help you sell, but without the requisite self confidence, social and networking skills you might struggle to advance the business. After all, this is first and foremost a business and the business skills must accompany the technical skills. Further, it is often forgotten that a franchise is a "business model" and to make the model work you have to be pro-active because it is not the role of the franchisor to do the work for you.

Would you recommend a Prokill franchise?

'Two years on and I'm loving my new life!'

On all member companies you can gain information about the business easily and quickly by using the Information Request button on the listing.

Prokill Professional Pest Prevention - Associate Member Pest Control Services Sector: Commercial, Business Services Prokill Professional Pest Prevention Information Request 1358 Prokill Professional Pest Prevention 16 Wharfdale Service Road, Bournemouth, BH4 9BT England Tel: 01202 752233 Fax: 01202 752234 www.prokill.co.uk Mr Geoff Whittle Tel: 01202 752233 Fax: 01202 752234 geoff@prokill.co.uk