Changes in Millennial Driving Behavior Will Mean Different Discovery Days

A co-worker recently made a confession to me. “I am embarrassed,” she said. “But I would like to tell you what happened before the business trip I just got back from.”

She paused, and said, “I had to go practice driving this past weekend before the trip because I wasn’t sure I remembered how to drive.”

Why would she need to drive? She lives in Chicago where public transportation can get you anywhere. Add in airplanes and Uber and the possibilities are endless.

Futurists suggest that those born today won’t ever drive a car. No more praying for the day you turn 16 – you will now pray for the day you turn whatever magic age kids turn when they can get cell phone and start Ubering it to a friend’s house.

For now, most franchise prospects can get from the airport to your businesses for a discovery day meeting. And most franchisees can drive around their communities and market their businesses. But, it won’t be long before your sales call ends with, “Um, how much does it cost to Uber to your headquarters?”

For many franchises in major cities – you will be fine on the discovery day part (we will get to the local store marketing, catering and delivery in a second). For those of you that are off the beaten path, perhaps you start thinking about bringing the discovery day to the prospect or using a store, a WeWork space, or a coffee shop for that in-person meeting. Change now before change forces you to lose the opportunity to sell a franchise.

Now, if millennials are not fighting to get their driver’s licenses, then what will happen when they own a business and need to drop off a catering item? What will happen if the Uber drivers dry up? Will drivers be a commodity? Data points to them already being one.

If the futurists are right and if my co-workers need to practice driving before going on a trip to visit a client, our access to access may be shifting.

I am going to make the bold statement that we are not going back to horse and buggy – but, self-driving cars and the value of the chauffeur will be a discussion point for your brand’s future.