LinkedIn Networking Workshop Is Mandatory!

Who Should Attend?

Join a limited-number of professionals who are ready to learn how using LinkedIn properly with the right strategies and tactics can change your business and future to win. This LinkedIn Networking workshop will bring together participants from all levels of professions, so don't worry about being out-paced - the time is now for getting everyone up to speed on this powerful channel. Don't miss this opportunity to prepare yourself and your organization for owning the business niche in your space. Start converting your LinkedIn exclusive process into bottom-line improvements in any industry. This workshop is ideal for business professionals across all industries.

I have always written about small business entrepreneurship and this LinkedIn Networking Workshop should be a Mandatory attendance if you are serious about growing your business and stepping out front of your competition. Here is a workshop I recommend and know the trainer personally being held in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada for July. Register now and get an early bird discount: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/5905464403/WSI/58856021251  - Ray MacNeil

Ask Yourself When Considering A Franchise Business!

As a follow up to my previous post, here are some questions you can ask yourself to begin your conversations with me so I can help you find your perfect franchise business.

 

1.    How many years am I prepared to work in the franchise earning less than what I earn today in my job before I can see the return on my investment?

2.    Retail franchises such as fast food tend to have lots of staff and a high turn-over of staff; do I have a recruitment and training background? Will I enjoy this as a new full time endeavor?

3.    If my store manager does not show for work or I’m short of staff for a shift, will I enjoy working behind the counter?

4.    Will my inventory have a shelf life and if so for how long, for example perishable food items?

5.    Am I passionate about this business and industry?

6.    I want to be the owner operator of my business; can I see myself in this business every day?

7.    Is this business in a highly competitive industry or location?

8.    Is this business in a high growth market?

9.    Is this a cash business and will I need a big family in the business to reduce theft?

10.Is this business contributing to the health and wellness of people and is this important to me?

11.Is this a business I will be proud to tell my family and friends about?

Email me for a free franchise fit evaluation. I have more than 12 years of international executive franchisor experience and I specialize in finding high profit/high growth franchise businesses. My email is:  rmacneil58@gmail.com

Franchisors Only Want My Money

Why do I feel when I start talking to a franchise representative that their selection process is more about how much money I can spend than if I'm truly the right person to own and operate their franchise business? I worked too hard for my money and I want to make the right choice but there are too many choices. Some great but not in my budget, some in my budget but not so great and the others, well who knows.

The truth from an insider perspective is, your gut feeling is probably true and your search has proven to be fruitless because there really are too many choices; some great, some good and some not so good. There are even resale franchise opportunities. Do I buy and build new or buy an existing franchise?
The fact is there is an abundance of choices and it can be too daunting to even begin in fear of making a mistake. For example, as per a 2007 United States total economic impact of franchises on their economy study which included:

• The number of jobs filled within and because of franchised businesses (17,430,700)
• The number of franchise establishments (over 828,138)
• Direct and indirect economic output of franchised businesses; ($2.1 trillion)
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of franchised businesses ($1.2 trillion)

So, here are some tips I know will help:

1. Establish your budget for a franchise license and start-up costs leaving a safety net to cover your household expenses for a minimum of one year.
2. Create a checklist of what is important to you in franchise business ownership e.g.: Will I be an owner/operator or am I looking for an investment opportunity? If I own and operate what business/product/service or industry will get me out of bed every day to enjoy what I do? What are my skills, experience and talents that are transferrable to a franchise? High growth, high demand marketplace? Low investment high profits? Exceptional training and support to the franchisee and staff. etc.
3. An existing franchise versus new? Prepare a SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) analysis for yourself. For example: S = established revenues, W = revenues declining due to poor staff performance, O = new management could renew revenue performance in established location, T = desirable location could be absorbed by another competitor
4. Short list potential franchise systems that catch your interest from your community, word of mouth or media.
5. Reach out to a franchise broker who can then get to know you better and save you time matching you to the right franchise. Item 4 doesn't necessarily mean buying what you saw or heard but rather narrowing down your search to type of franchise. After all, there might be a better burger or donut you are not aware of or, a franchise offering you never thought of such as in home healthcare or automotive services to name a couple.

My most significant point to remember is that you don't have to search or go into a franchise systems selection process alone. Get the expert and free advice. The broker is typically compensated by the franchisor for saving them time in bringing forward a qualified candidate for consideration.
Happy franchise hunting!

This is a great seminar happening in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and I highly recommend this for business owners and people who want to impress their boss with how they grew market share through unique LinkedIn marketing insights: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/5905464403/WSI/58856021251

MacNeil Sales Consulting and Contracting

Building on my Do's and Don'ts list of business.  For example:  Do what is in your control to prevent potential failure. If all else fails, move on sooner not later. Don't ignore the signs of potential failure. As entrepreneurs we have a tendency (I'm guilty) to hang on to our passion and our dream of grand success with egotistical blinders on. The result may be to go down alone with the ship yelling "But she can be saved!"

Today I continue to build my new business, MacNeil Sales MSCC, leveraging my sales and franchise experience helping others find the right franchise. To help my clients understand a franchise and a franchisors selection process.

I'm also helping a local and established new home builder find investors for his next phase of new home construction in the London and Woodstock, Ontario, Canada area.

As an entrepreneur I'm open to hear how I can help your company as a contractor review your sales system, your franchise system and provide recommendations on building a winning sales team.

If you are interested to learn more about how I can provide insights to your business, or interested in a franchise or a home investment, send me a message.

MacNeil Sales Consulting and Contracting, MSCC

It has been some time now since I last wrote in my blog and I suspect I'm the only reader.  Well I'm back. My last year has been a challenge for my career. I could point fingers but instead I prefer to move forward, rebuild, survive and thrive. I plan to build my new business, MacNeil Sales Consulting and Contracting, MSCC, and take what I learned over my last 20 plus years as an entrepreneur and franchise sales executive to help others find their new franchise business. Or for others who prefer to put their money to work and invest with an establish new home builder who is looking to build another successful phase of new homes in the London, Ontario, Canada area. I can also help existing businesses build a sales team. improve a sales team's performance or assist your HR team with the recruiting of top sales professionals.

I'm open for business and open for discussions. I look forward to getting back to more regular posts in my blog and building a loyal readership and referral base.

What you should know before hiring professional Dismissal Specialists

It’s the one thing no employer likes dealing with. Despite pop culture characterisations of sadistic bosses relishing in the humiliation of downtrodden, soon to be ex employees, the reality is dismissing staff is a task few employers look forward to.

Not only is dismissing an employee tough on the nerves, it’s also legally something of a minefield. Thankfully, the dark days of old- where one might be fired for such outrages as wearing ugly ties, being a woman, or taking a sick day- are over, and the threat of arbitrary dismissal is not something most of us have to deal with in our working lives. The downside for employers is that when a staff member is bringing the team down in one way or another, dismissing them is a far from simple affair.

My personal experiences as a retail employee have given me a surprisingly deep insight into the complexities of dismissals. I’ve watched, gobsmacked, as thieving, unreliable employees blithely drain the company of resources and credibility, while crying foul at the slightest hint of dismissal and threatening legal action. I’ve seen staff who clearly have no interest in the job, fail to turn up on time, and treat customers with contempt, sue for unfair dismissal when it all catches up with them. It’s great to have safeguards in place to ensure good, hard workers are not sacked at the whim of tyrannical managers. But it certainly does make weeding out the bad seeds a more complicated matter.

For more information about conducting dismissals the right way, visit this Australian company who have the expertise: http://www.dismissals.com.au

My guest author of this post: Danielle McAnn of Melbourne, Australia

If you're interested to learn how to become a licensed center for the Dr. Oz endorsed Zerona Laser treatment system please feel to contact me directly through this blog. Visit our website: click here

Pinterest Data You Can't Ignore

Check out the fast growth and other statistics regarding Pinterest that I just read from the IMI Blog: Click on here

It's time to pay attention if you are not already of this new player in the Social Marketing arena.

Is Social Marketing Too Sexy For It's Body?

First, Social refers to anywhere online that internet users can go to socialize, engage and interact with friends, family, people like themselves with similar interests and even on occassion, with businesses. For example; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube and of course my Blog "Entrepreneurs Seek Advice". Sorry, I had to add that last one. :) There are many more but you should get the point. For Internet Marketers, talking about the opportunities of the online Social world might be the equivalent of saying painting your heavy duty truck in bright sexy red will save you money in gas consumption. Hmmm really?

Don't get me wrong! Businesses need to socialize with their customers to stay in their Top of Mind and leverage the power of Digital word of mouth referrals and repeat business. But, this requires creativity and a full time effort by businesses and the results may not be seen quickly. What is a business to do? Contract out! It really is that simple.

Get an expert consultant to hold your hand and guide you through the many choices and direct you to how, where and when to build a good, integrated Social Marketing strategy. WSI Digital Marketing is a franchisor who is global and working with thousands of clients in all industries through their hundreds of franchise offices. WSI leverages their private and global knowledge share network bringing this to local businesses the world over. They even work with National and Multi-National clients. In the world of online Social Marketing, Knowledge and Experience is truly power. Be careful that in 2012 you don't just add another expense to your business, make sure you partner with Knowledge and Experience. This will ensure you make a proper investment in the growth of your business.

By the way, don't get me started on Mobile Marketing! :)

If you are looking for WSI Franchise information contact me at: rmacneil@wsiworld.com

$8,000 usd Cash Referral Fee

As many of you know, I work for the world’s largest Internet Marketing  company, WSI. I personally speak to people around the world helping them learn if a WSI Internet Marketing Franchise or Master Franchise is a good choice for them and WSI. In my efforts to find more franchisees, I am offering $8,000 usd to anyone who sends me an interested person or business that completes our Discovery Process and becomes approved for a WSI franchise business. If we are not already working with this person and they invest in WSI through me, I will send you  $8,000. usd. Before you ask, the investment for WSI starts at $49,700 usd in Canada and the USA and 39,700 euro in Europe, 36,800 GBP in the UK and $49,700 usd in the MENA countries. Contact me by email for more information or to send me contact details if you know of an interested candidate: rmacneil@wsiworld.com

WSI: 27-28 September 2011, Abu Dhabi | 1-2 October 2011, Dubai

I will be in the UAE for our Master Franchise Office to speak on WSI Internet Marketing Business Consulting franchise opportunities in the UAE and MENA Countries. Register for one of our seminars if you are there the week of September 25th and interested: http://lnkd.in/HgbP97

QR Codes Are Here

I wrote about QR Codes back in June of 2007 when only a few insiders knew what I was talking about. Today many more people know what I'm talking about and, it really is beginning to become an integral part of a personal suite of 3G or Smart phone mobile technology applications. A must have in other words is a QR (Quick Response) Code  Reader/Scanner App on your phone. If you are a business owner, a QR Code is very easy and quick to create and should be at a minimum added to all your company branded marketing and advertising collateral. All you need do for example is search on Google "QR Code Generator" and you will see the most popular free QR Code Generators at the top of Google. For your convenience, I have included a link to the QR Code Generator I used for my blog. Click Here for QR.net's Generator.

Here is great article from the 'Business Insider' to read and begin your learning and understanding of how QR Codes can be used in business. Click here for this great article.

The Rise of Generation C

The Rise of Generation C by Roman Friedrich, Michael Peterson and Alex Koster is a great introduction to a new group of consumers that are connected to the world digitally. As business owners, we know that our customer has already gone or is going digital. So, the future, "2020", is going to be extraordinary. You will find below an excerpt from the article "The Rise of Generation C" but, I encourage you to read this article in its entirety by clicking on the author link above. WSI Digital Marketing and their WSI Franchise opportunity is clearly in the right place at the right time.

"...a new generation that will be coming into its own over the next decade. Its members are typically realists and materialists. They are culturally liberal, though not necessarily politically progressive. They are upwardly mobile, yet they live with their parents longer than earlier generations ever did. Many of their social interactions take place on the Internet, where they feel free to express their opinions and attitudes. They’ve grown up under the influence of Harry Potter, Barack Obama, and iEverything — iPods, iTunes, iPhones. Technology is so intimately woven into their lives that the baby boom–era concept of “early adopters” is essentially meaningless.


We call them Generation C — connected, communicating, content-centric, computerized, community-oriented, always clicking. As a rule, they were born after 1990 and lived their adolescent years after 2000. In the developed world, Generation C encompasses everyone in this age group; in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), they are primarily urban and suburban. By 2020, they will make up 40 percent of the population in the U.S., Europe, and the BRIC countries, and 10 percent of the rest of the world — and by then, they will constitute the largest single cohort of consumers worldwide.

This is the first generation that has never known any reality other than that defined and enabled by the Internet, mobile devices, and social networking. They have owned various handheld devices all their lives, so they are intimately familiar with them and use them for as much as six hours a day. They all have mobile phones, yet they prefer sending text messages to talking with people. More than 95 percent of them have computers, and more than half use instant messaging to communicate, have Facebook pages, and watch videos on YouTube. Their familiarity with technology; reliance on mobile communications; and desire to remain in contact with large networks of family members, friends, business contacts, and people with common interests will transform how we work and how we consume."

The Dirty Little Secrets of Search Optimization

Bravo to The New York Times for exposing to Google the dirty little secrets of J.C. Penney and their #1 spot in Google for many different search terms. They were exposed for "Black Hat" tactics. When BMW was caught for "Black Hat" tactics they were penalized to the bottom of the Google search engine. J.C. Penney however has only been recently manually moved down the page rankings one search criteria at a time. Considering J.C. Penney has now been caught 3 times for these unethical tactics why is it their punishment pales in comparison to the treatment experienced by BMW from Google. Read the New York Times article and form your own opinions. Many lessons to be learned here: Cheaters will be caught. Google has to watch the perception real or not of favoring the big spenders of ad space on their search engine and; businesses need to ensure they are using a reputable Digital Marketing firm. From small business to as large a business as J.C. Penney who spends millions on Digital Marketing, the best in the business isn't always based on price. There is no substitute for experience and ongoing learning from a Global perspective. This is where WSI Digital Marketing beats everyone else hands down. WSI is a franchise model and have hundreds of offices globally. For WSI Digital Marketing Franchise Information click here.

The Franchise Show Excel London

I'm off to The Franchise Show in London, UK which runs from Friday, February 18th through Saturday the 19th. This is an exciting show with many exhibitors, seminars and workshops. This is a great opportunity to learn about the many franchise choices and listen to industry keynote speakers introducing Master Franchise opportunities. I will be there with WSI conducting seminars at the Crown Plaza Hotel. With what happened recently in Egypt, the Digital Marketing and Internet Industry is exploding with opportunities and high growth. The WSI booth will I'm sure be busy and the limited seats at the seminars are filling fast. I will keep you posted on WSI's success in London.

Doritos Has Great Cross Marketing Strategy

You may have recently seen the Doritos commercial where two new flavour chips are created and we, the consumer, gets to write the ending of the commercial. An ending that will eliminate one flavour in favour of the other. You write the ending online and then amass votes as I am doing in my blog, my twitter and my facebook. The combination of a TV ad with an online site going viral through the social network is a great cross marketing strategy. Check out my ending on vote for my ending: Click Here to vote.

Egypt Has Harnessed The Power Of Social Networking

If anyone hasn't grasped the power of the Internet and how it works they need only look to Egypt to see the impact of Digital word of mouth referrals, customer testimonials and viral marketing. The eruption of unrest in Egypt that quickly took hold of this country that brought fear to the government was organized by people talking to each other via the social network:

"Security firm Zscaler noted Sunday that the top sites visited by Egyptian Web users on January 27 – the day Internet access went dark – were Facebook, Al Jazeera, and Google. In fact, social media and news sites accounted for about 65 percent of Web browsing that day. Zscaler also saw a 68 percent increase in transactions on Egyptian Web servers on January 26, and the spike was also most notable on news and media sites." - PCMAG.com

My sincere best wishes go out to all Egyptians for their safety and quick National stability. For all businesses globally who are not harnessing the power of Digital Marketing with an expert in this industry, you will lose out to your competition who will. The evidence of its power is too over whelming now in light of the recent events in Egypt. This is the equivalent of hitting you over the head with a ton of bricks to help you see what is clearly impossible to deny. The world of advertising has gone digital.

Canadian Tire and "Our Policy Is..."

I have been involved with an on going sequence of escalating frustration of events with a Canadian institution in the automotive retail industry, Canadian Tire. I purchased months ago 4 new all season tires with full replacement warranty and dynamic balancing which cost me close to $1,000. At first I notice that two of the tires kept losing air faster than normal. Being proactive I brought the car back to Canadian Tire. They checked the tires and said nothing was wrong and charged me for the labour and balancing. I found this doubtful but off I went after reluctantly paying this small bill. Then a couple of months later, while I was out of the country, my wife who was just minutes from entering a busy highway on-ramp found herself driving on the rim. The tire was flat and was now being damaged by the rim. She called a road side assistance company who charged her $70. to change the tire. She went to Canadian Tire and they very quickly replaced the tire and paid the bill for the road side assistance but charged us for the labour, balancing and a new replacement warranty. They claimed that the seal on the rim was the problem and promised that they used more sealant this time. 1 month later, the other tire moments before entering the same on-ramp is flat and coming off the rim. We called Canadian Tire this time from the road to come help us and they said they can't it is not "Our Policy to do service for you at the road, bring the tire to us and we can check it.." "I understand was my response but you need to understand the history before you say no and she interruptted me again with "Our Policy is..." I was short with her and disconnected our call. We then called the same company as before and went to Canadian Tire with the flat tire and a new $70. bill for road side service. Now this time we got attitude from the young girl at the desk who said "Our Policy" numerous times as a method to interrupt my explanation of the series of events. I suspect she is the same girl we spoke to on the phone days earlier. The end result, they did not replace the tire, they resealed it and charged me for labour and balancing again. We paid and left to experience a flat again two days later driving home from the office. We pulled into a nearby Active Green and Ross tire center and incurred a $34. bill but well worth it, these guys stayed late after their posted hours to help us out and provided a free 6 month warranty that this tire will not leak air. Wow! I write this post not to complain because we have done this already to Canadian Tire weeks ago in writing and they didn't even have the customer service responsiveness of a top notch company like Active Green & Ross to even reply to our letter. Their lack of response says it all.

I have written about the importance of great customer service before in my blog. It is not only a great differentiation from your competition, customers are prepared to pay more for high level service and they will become repeat customers and refer your business to their family and friends.

With the explosion of the Internet Socialization with the advent of such online venues as YouTube and Facebook and my blog, businesses need to understand that the consumer is now in control of your image and your brand. They can create an online viral marketing campaign that can kill your brand over night. As business owners, we need to ensure we are using a professional that can manage our online brand. The world has changed and there are new rules to marketing today because of the Internet. The days of the amateur is over. Like my business with Canadian Tire is now over. I hope the small money Canadian Tire makes on the labour they charge customers will help them grow their business against the loss of thousands of dollars I would spend in a lifetime multiplied by how many people read my blog post and Facebook rants.

How Unique Is Your Business idea?

I was recently in Germany and met with a new franchisor of a fast food concept. I actually met with many new fast food franchisors. They all had what they believed to be something unique and special to differentiate them from the hundreds of other fast food franchise opportunities. Sure, the food was good, for fast food. The marketing was slick. The store layout and look had some thought behind the finished product. But, so what! I've see it all before. Call me crazy but shouldn't a unique idea have little to no competition. Shouldn't a unique idea have the potential for high growth. And, wouldn't it be nice to enjoy, at a minimum, nice profit margins with a quick return on my investment. The idea of working 6 to 7 days a week and long hours just so I can keep more money in my pocket does not excite me. Call me lazy but, I like the idea of working towards fewer hours in the business with the business continuing its growth and still enjoying time for a much improved lifestyle. If you ask does this exist? Sure it does. It is called Digital Marketing and WSI is the leader in this industry with a franchise opportunity in most cities and most countries around the globe.

What is a franchise? It is a proven system with training and support that allows someone from a different background and coming from a different industry to enter into a new business and industry with little to no experience in their desired industry of choice. If you have been watching from the sidelines others take the step into business ownership and you have watch others succeed in the Internet and presumed you missed this opportunity because of a generation gap... then think again. WSI is looking for business executives for their Digital Marketing Franchise. Perhaps, at a minimum, I have left you with some fast food for thought. If you find you have some interest to learn more then contact me by email at: rmacneil@wsidigitalmarketing.com