Women in Franchising
Sam Stallwood, the Lasertech Franchisee for Dorchester was recently asked by Lasertech UK franchise department to give an insight into being a women working in an industry dominated by men. Although many Lasertech franchisees are a husband and wife team, Sam is currently the only female in the entire Lasertech European franchise network. Sam provides a candid insight into her unique position and demonstrates her determination to be the number one supplier of printer consumables and office products in her area.
Until four years ago Sam’s 18 year career was based around I.T. as a Systems Manager, then Service Manager and ultimately managing Barclays Banks internet banking support team. She made her move into self employment following redundancy and established a successful online business selling, toys, books and collectables, however Sam had greater ambitions.
Sam explained her reasons for buying a franchise, “I really enjoyed running my own business, but was looking for bigger challenges. I decided that the purchase of a franchise would enable me to build a larger business, together with the support of an experienced organisation”
After visiting a number of franchise exhibitions and a few visits to Lasertech Head Quarters in Warrington, Cheshire, Sam decided that Lasertech most closely matched her ambitions and support requirements.
Lasertech UK Ltd. have for the past 17 years built an effective and very successful business manufacturing Printer Cartridges and supplying Office Products. Lasertech are launching Franchises throughout the UK, Ireland and Spain to continue this success story and provide an even more efficient customer service.
At the time of her launch last year Sam explained “I am really excited about taking on this franchise, I believe in the products, and the range available means my customers can use me as a one stop shop for all their office requirements”.
When asked what is the most important skills needed in running a successful Lasertech franchise Sam comments “probably the most important thing is a strong customer service focus and a commitment to build good working relationships with customers and, as with all new business ventures, you need to be determined, flexible and prepared to put in the extra hours in the early stages”
Sam also explained that being a women also presented a number of unique challenges and opportunities
“At the first stage when talking to potential customers, I actually find being a women is initially a disadvantage when dealing with female decision makers, on the other hand, when the decision maker is male, I tend to win much more business”!
Sam follows this up by saying “Once they become a customer, then I feel it is definitely an advantage being female and the softer skills that often brings with it. I try to be more understanding of a customer’s issues and go further in trying to resolve any problems. I like to think my customers see me as working alongside them, rather than a pushy salesman.”
When Lasertech asked Sam about why she thinks that women are under represented in the franchise industry as a whole she candidly comments “In my experience, many female business owners tend to be home based and their business evolves from a hobby or interest. I believe in most franchise systems, the majority of franchisees are ex-corporate employees who have had a successful professional career and then took redundancy. At this stage, they are young enough for a new challenge and have their redundancy lump sum to invest. There are very few women lucky enough to be in this position, mainly due to family commitments, hence why only a small number are within the franchising community”.
Sam knows what values her new company needs to exhibit. It needs to be one which is ethically sound, be environmentally friendly and provide a quality service to it’s customers that is second to none. It would also need to appeal to a wide audience and if possible, try to support the local community and help benefit worthy causes. A difficult task indeed, yet Sam’s new company – Lasertech Dorchester – aims to achieve all of the above, and more.
Sam also knows that the team at the Lasertech head office are behind her 100% and are on hand to give her help and advice when required. Sam explains that the reason she chose a Lasertech Franchise above anything else is because “I feel that myself and Lasertech will be a good team, I have the management experience and Lasertech have a first class product. Together we can provide a customer satisfaction that exceeds expectation.”
Contact:
Martin HawthorneFranchise ManagerLasertech UK
0870 787 2323martinhawthorne@lasertech.co.uk
Until four years ago Sam’s 18 year career was based around I.T. as a Systems Manager, then Service Manager and ultimately managing Barclays Banks internet banking support team. She made her move into self employment following redundancy and established a successful online business selling, toys, books and collectables, however Sam had greater ambitions.
Sam explained her reasons for buying a franchise, “I really enjoyed running my own business, but was looking for bigger challenges. I decided that the purchase of a franchise would enable me to build a larger business, together with the support of an experienced organisation”
After visiting a number of franchise exhibitions and a few visits to Lasertech Head Quarters in Warrington, Cheshire, Sam decided that Lasertech most closely matched her ambitions and support requirements.
Lasertech UK Ltd. have for the past 17 years built an effective and very successful business manufacturing Printer Cartridges and supplying Office Products. Lasertech are launching Franchises throughout the UK, Ireland and Spain to continue this success story and provide an even more efficient customer service.
At the time of her launch last year Sam explained “I am really excited about taking on this franchise, I believe in the products, and the range available means my customers can use me as a one stop shop for all their office requirements”.
When asked what is the most important skills needed in running a successful Lasertech franchise Sam comments “probably the most important thing is a strong customer service focus and a commitment to build good working relationships with customers and, as with all new business ventures, you need to be determined, flexible and prepared to put in the extra hours in the early stages”
Sam also explained that being a women also presented a number of unique challenges and opportunities
“At the first stage when talking to potential customers, I actually find being a women is initially a disadvantage when dealing with female decision makers, on the other hand, when the decision maker is male, I tend to win much more business”!
Sam follows this up by saying “Once they become a customer, then I feel it is definitely an advantage being female and the softer skills that often brings with it. I try to be more understanding of a customer’s issues and go further in trying to resolve any problems. I like to think my customers see me as working alongside them, rather than a pushy salesman.”
When Lasertech asked Sam about why she thinks that women are under represented in the franchise industry as a whole she candidly comments “In my experience, many female business owners tend to be home based and their business evolves from a hobby or interest. I believe in most franchise systems, the majority of franchisees are ex-corporate employees who have had a successful professional career and then took redundancy. At this stage, they are young enough for a new challenge and have their redundancy lump sum to invest. There are very few women lucky enough to be in this position, mainly due to family commitments, hence why only a small number are within the franchising community”.
Sam knows what values her new company needs to exhibit. It needs to be one which is ethically sound, be environmentally friendly and provide a quality service to it’s customers that is second to none. It would also need to appeal to a wide audience and if possible, try to support the local community and help benefit worthy causes. A difficult task indeed, yet Sam’s new company – Lasertech Dorchester – aims to achieve all of the above, and more.
Sam also knows that the team at the Lasertech head office are behind her 100% and are on hand to give her help and advice when required. Sam explains that the reason she chose a Lasertech Franchise above anything else is because “I feel that myself and Lasertech will be a good team, I have the management experience and Lasertech have a first class product. Together we can provide a customer satisfaction that exceeds expectation.”
Contact:
Martin HawthorneFranchise ManagerLasertech UK
0870 787 2323martinhawthorne@lasertech.co.uk
Company History Lasertech are one of the largest manufacturers of printer cartridges in the UK. Established in 1989 using a £1500 Princes Youth Business Trust Loan, Lasertech today offers more than 30,000 printer consumables and offices products via 80+ franchisees and a mail order business. Lasertech operate a unique printer cartridge recycling scheme that allows customers to earn credit for empty cartridges and also provide the option to donate to charity. Lasertech have recently expanded into Ireland and Spain and are now looking for additional franchisees and master franchisees across Europe.
http://www.lasertechgroup.com/uk/franchise/
Lasertech and the Lasertech logo are trademarks of Lasertech.
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