Coronavirus and Franchising: Mike Kelley, Franchisee of Sylvan Learning Center

The coronavirus crisis continues to cause unique challenges for franchisors and franchisees alike, and brands of all sizes within the franchising industry are creating new strategies for survival.

To that end, 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills and Charles Internicola, founder and partner of the Internicola Law Firm, are covering the Coronavirus and its impact on the franchising industry through a webinar series titled “Coronavirus and Franchising: Mindset + Strategy to Recover and Grow.”

In today’s afternoon webinar, Powills and Internicola spoke with Minneapolis-based Sylvan Learning franchisee Mike Kelley.

Franchisee insights

Here are some of the key insights from their discussion.

Franchisees have an obligation to take care of three groups: their staff, their customers and their vendors. As a business leader, it is important to manage these groups by keeping staff employed, keeping customers satisfied and meeting obligations for vendors.

Right now, employees are looking for leaders to help them manage this crisis week by week. Franchisees need to show their employees they are there for them, and they need to create a plan to get through to the other side of this crisis.

Franchisees should communicate with customers and show them how the business is adapting and adding value for consumers. An open dialogue with customers is crucial to developing an understanding of what they need during this time. For example, at Sylvan Learning, it is important to show nervous parents that their kids are in good hands and aren’t going to fall behind in school.

When it comes to vendors, it is important that franchisees keep them updated on the plan of action and let them know that they are valuable partners.

For franchisees, laying out an in-depth plan in well-defined phases can help ease the stress of consumers, employees and vendors.

Franchisor support

More than ever, franchisees need the franchisor to prove that all the support they sold in the sales process is real. Franchisors should be offering resources and pivoting strategies to position franchisees for success.

Being able to lean on a franchisor with resources is invaluable during a time like this. Franchisees shouldn’t be afraid to ask for support and work closely with franchisors to come up with creative and local solutions to problems as they arise.

Lean on vendors such as landlords or supply chain companies, don’t hesitate to ask them to work with you through this tough period. These conversations are what allow owners to keep staff employed and keep the machine running.

Communication with customers and employees can also keep franchise owners positive and motivated during these uncertain times. For passion-driven businesses that provide an essential service to communities, this can be a particularly rewarding period for business owners, despite the challenges.

It is easy to be negative, but it is important to remember that positivity is within our control. A positive mindset goes hand-in-hand with growth.

Last week, the fear and anxiety was overwhelming, but now we all must move forward with a positive attitude, working as hard as possible, communicating and making smart decisions for the future.