SERVICE INDUSTRY CHANGING THE FACE OF FRANCHISING

TO a large extent, the franchise manager is responsible for the success of the company and its franchise operations. To recognise his contributions, this column presents a trendsetting franchise manager from the industry

The Franchising World (TFW): Please elab-orate on your professional background?

Anil Jinsi (AJ): I was a highly successful entrepreneur before joining the corporate sector. I had my academic and professional training from Srinagar and New Delhi.

TFW: Which all companies have you worked for?

AJ: I have worked with leading educational companies of Punjab till date. When I was group general manager with the GCS group of companies, the director of AHM visited me for some official work. A few months later I was offered the job of Project Manager, AHM.

TFW: Share your experience of working with AHM?

AJ: I share a set of values with AHM like integrity, empathy, excellence, unity and responsibility. I attribute the success of AHM to my able staff and to the trust that my directors have put in me.

TFW: Do you think franchising is a successful model for expansion?

AJ: Franchising is a successful model for expansion today. Franchising is now a well established and proven business model. It contributes significantly to the profits of the franchisor, the franchisee and to the economy of the nation. It is a comprehensive business relationship whose four essential elements, the agreement, operations manual, training programme and ongoing support, ensure a better success rate than starting a non-franchised business. It minimises the risk of going into business by providing a tried and tested concept.

TFW: What challenges have you faced as a franchise manager ?

AJ: A franchise manager is responsible for providing internal and external customer support and satisfaction. He focuses on increasing customer retention and up-selling additional products or services. He designs and manages all business processes associated with pre- and post-sales support. The franchise manager also provides support to the franchisee in meeting the franchise criteria.

It is easy to sell a branded franchise but quite difficult to sell a franchise first and then do the branding, which I have done at AHM.

TFW: What challenges have you faced as a franchise manager ?

AJ: A franchise manager is responsible for providing internal and external customer support satisfaction. He focuses on increasing customer retention and up-selling additional products or services. He designs, develops and manages all business processes associated with pre- and post-sales support. The franchise manager also provides support to the franchisee in meeting the franchising criteria.

Selling a branded franchise is easier than selling a franchise first and then doing the branding, which I have done here at AHM.

TFW: Tell us how franchising has contributed in the growth of AHM?

AJ: Franchising has tremendously helped in the growth of AHM. Presently we have 12 franchisees across the country opened in a span of three months and we are targeting 200 franchises within five years. After that AHM will look forward to starting franchising operations abroad. AHM provides a business model to operate a successful franchise.

The service industry is changing the face of franchising. The company aims to increase its returns from this sector.

TFW: Where do you see yourself five years down the line?

AJ: I would like to see myself as one of the most successful CEOs.

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