A secure future with an Auditel franchise

Argyll-based Ewan Hardy joined Auditel in June 2009 after being in the electronic security industry for over 23 years. He had held the positions of General Manager for ADT, Regional Director for Chubb and Regional Director for G4S. He wanted to invest in something where the risk was reduced because there was already a proven working model. Ewan says: "I researched a number of franchise companies via the internet and sent away for information packs. The Auditel cost management package interested me the most. I felt it would allow me to use the business experience I had gained in my previous employment. It also presented the opportunity to earn good money with very little start up costs over a three to five year period.

"After carrying out due diligence on two companies within the same market place I opted for Auditel. I was impressed by the quality of people and the support they were going to provide. Fortunately I had some personal savings and used the small amount of redundancy money to cover my outgoings for the first 18 months."

On the training, Ewan reports: "In the initial start up period, the courses provided were invaluable to making sure you hit the road running. The customer acquisition course provided the skill and confidence to start approaching prospects and the technical training, the basic expertise to provide accurate data to our clients. The support continues with regular reviews to help development in any areas that you may be finding difficult."

Like many new home-based franchisees, Ewan found that coming from a large organisation, with the company of other members of staff, compared to working from home with less people contact, has been challenging. He says: "Not having a regular income and building a business can be stressful, but after seven months I have already signed seven clients and started to produce the first invoices for the work done. I have picked up my first referral business and attend a number of networking events that are developing long term relationships."

Ewan advises potential franchisees that they should take time with their due diligence to identify a business that is right for them. "Do make sure you are comfortable with the people you are dealing with and don't be frightened to ask searching questions!"

Asked about future plans, Ewan replies: "I shall continue to build relationships with my existing clients to become their trusted adviser. I shall also look to add to my client base by proactively targeting clients with the correct profile."

Engineering a partnership with Auditel

Salisbury-based Steve Ray was formerly Production Director of the UK-arm of an Italian-based engineering company and joined Auditel in September 2007. He says: "To make a transition into running my own business as smooth as possible, I chose franchising. This provided immediate access to a proven business model and an industry knowledge base. When I was looking, some franchisors impressed me more than others. Auditel impressed me most of all. The enthusiasm to build and support their network was hugely influential in my choice. "

Steve commented on the initial start-up programme. "In my opinion the training and support from Auditel is superb and has just the right balance. There is as much as you need or want, without it being forced upon you. It is evident that great effort is given to keeping everything updated and fresh."

There has been good progress since 2007. Clients have been obtained in various industry sectors including Leisure, Education, Charity, and Manufacturing. He reveals: "The challenges encountered so far are many and varied. However, they have all been made easier to overcome by tapping into the support offered by head office and my fellow franchisees. I plan to grow the business in various industries to prevent reliance on any one sector or client profile, and develop strong, professional and friendly relationships."

Last year, Steve invited Claire Power-Browne to join him as a partner, as part of his planned growth of the business. She had just spent four years as the Overseas Programme Manager for a UK-based charity with wide-ranging responsibilities where "every day was different and during that time I gained a diverse skill set." Claire adds: "So if you need a goat milking, I'm your woman!'"

Claire continues:" I particularly liked the values of Auditel and the choices it offered me." She also thought the initial start-up programmes were excellent. "They were great. I left feeling confident that I could actually deliver what I had been taught. There are inevitably times when you think 'I can't do this', but the support system in place is excellent. There is always someone who is willing, and able, to help. Obviously, I have been incredibly fortunate to enter into partnership with Steve who was already running a successful franchise. His help and advice has been invaluable to me in progressing some of the projects undertaken and in how to manage clients. I have also benefited from many other affiliates, who have generously shared their experience."

Claire explains: "Steve and I work separately. Geographically there are 150 miles between us, so we have had to ensure that our CRM systems were able to synchronise remotely, and that we make time to discuss clients. Initially progress was slow, but things are now really starting to take shape. It's really motivating to see that the Auditel model does work and to realise that I can do this! The professional development training I have received has been fantastic and has really allowed me to 'skill up' with a view to growing and developing the business.

"I aim to sign a further 12-15 clients in the next twelve months and use my previous experiences to bring greater benefit to clients, particularly Charity or Third Sector organisations. I also intend to carry on enjoying what I do and who I work with!"

Chris Baker Story

Chris Baker joined Auditel in 1998 and works from his home-based office in South East Wales. Chris has reached his personal goal of achieving a billing figure of fifteen thousand pounds per month.

"Hard work, persistence and determination" are just a few of the qualities that Chris highlights as essential for someone considering an Auditel franchise as a method to successful self-employment. He attributes his continued success to his belief, faith and confidence that he would reach his personal goals.

An important client to Chris is Aardman Animations who are famous for creating the Wallace and Grommit characters. Chris has been working with them to reduce their business overheads for just over two years. Tony Prescott, Facilities Manager for Aardman, recalls their initial meetings, "My colleagues and I were very aware that we wanted to maintain high levels of service, while simultaneously cutting costs. The portfolio of clients Auditel worked with really impressed us".

Chris continues: "Aardman had already carried out an in-house review of their expenditure which had proved successful in reducing their overheads. Most companies believe they have their costs under control, but Aardman was one of the few I have worked with who really did run a tight ship. I was impressed with the level of savings they had achieved, but I was still able to recommend significant cost reductions in a number of areas."

Auditel franchisees have always had the benefit of an incredibly detailed personal development programme and Chris attributes much of his success to this. He concludes that good selling is not about telling but more about building relationships and rapport with others and says you have to believe that you can achieve.

Chris has committed himself to reaching his goals and is using the tools and support that the Auditel franchise network has empowered him with. He enthuses: "The ability to run your own business with minimal interference and prescriptive guidelines is especially appealing, but also having the back-up support if I need it. I love the freedom of being able to be close to my wife and two young children and avoiding the commute!"

David Lowe Story

My clients have already paid me £1 Million!

Sussex-based David Lowe has recently reached a milestone on his Auditel career, having invoiced his one-millionth pound earlier this year.

He reflects, "I'm still amazed that I had the guts to take the plunge into self-employment. It was completely out of character for a thoroughly 'corporate man', but Auditel has given me an earnings capacity far greater than my expectations."

David continues: "It isn't always easy but it certainly is rewarding. My business has developed further than I imagined possible and many of my clients now use me on a retainer basis to manage all their utilities and communications issues." One such client is national restaurant chain Pizza Express, for whom David has saved almost £3million!

David is quick to recognise the formidable power of running his business as part of the Auditel network and says: " Each franchisee is far more capable than their individual abilities because knowledge and ideas are always shared collectively. The extent of the Auditel network's combined knowledge bank is a huge attraction to clients and prospects because we have such a broad range of backgrounds, experience and expertise. They know by engaging a single consultant they are in fact gaining access to the collective wisdom of more than 100 experts."

Taking into account the incredibly low overhead costs in running an Auditel business and it becomes immediately clear of the immense potential and reality of the earning capacity of this extraordinary franchise model.

The opportunity within Auditel is greater than it ever has been. David confirms this, 'The ability of suppliers to 'get it wrong' never ceases to amaze me, and they're getting worse, so our opportunity to 'put it right' is, if anything, increasing'.

When asked if he would do it again, he is keen to point out, "I could not have got a daughter qualified as a vet, flown on one of the last Concorde flights, nor done many other things without my Auditel life"!

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

Auditel - Full Member Auditel is one of the UK`s leading home-based executive franchises. Our franchisees oversee the acquisition of hundreds of business services. While some have expertise in our service areas and others have experience at senior management level this is not essential. A fully comprehensive training and professional development programme is provided to build a substantial practice based on a robust and proven business system. Sector: Commercial, Business Services Auditel Information Request 301 Auditel St Pauls Gate, Cross Street, Winchester, Hants, SO23 8SZ Tel: 01962 863 915 www.auditelfranchise.co.uk Ms Tara Martin Tel: 0800 583 3355. Fax: 01962 854 420 recruitment@auditel.co.uk