By Kim Ann Zimmermann, BusinessNewsDaily Contributor

Thinking of buying a franchise? Before you sign up to run a fast-food joint or a convenience store, you might want to consider the many, many franchise opportunities that exist today. There are a whole host of franchises that are off the beaten path—everything from organic gardening to furniture repair. Odds are that one of them will fit your tastes and your budget.

There are several benefits to owning a franchise, including backup support and a clear business plan that’s already been proven to work. Here are the key things to consider if you’re thinking of buying a franchise.

Do you need experience?

“The key to a successful franchise, whether it is a traditional one or more of a niche opportunity, is to understand the marketplace and have good business acumen,” said Tom Wood, president and chief executive officer of Floor Coverings International, a Norcross, Ga.-based flooring franchise.

You don’t need to be a flooring expert to get involved in the franchise, which is the case with many franchises, Wood said.

“In fact, we strongly prefer that our franchisees don’t have experience in the flooring industry,” he said. “We want franchisees who understand the art of marketing and the need for sales. We want franchisees who are focused on customer service and ways to increase transactions. Good quality franchisees are hard to come by.”

How is the market changing?

Franchise opportunities often emerge as the result of changing consumer tastes. Because franchises have professional marketing and planning departments, they can react quickly and effectively to changing consumer trends.

“When we started out, ‘green’ and ‘organic’ were not the buzzwords they are today,” said Karen Cancilla, founder and CEO of Anaheim, Calif.-based groOrganic. The company offers franchises that involve installing and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in backyards, schools, health care facilities and businesses and providing educational programs and high-quality organic products. “It is a small target, but it is growing like crazy,” she said.

Is there a need for your franchise?

Before choosing a franchise, it’s important to assess whether there is a real need for what your company will be offering.

Todd Gerry, president of Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Tradebank International Franchising Corp., the franchising arm of Tradebank International, said his franchise business focuses on an alternative payment option — barter — something which is gaining interest in a down economy, especially among small business owners looking to swap their products or services for things they need through a barter network.

“Barter and other alternative payment methods are hot-button issues for business owners looking to reduce their expenses while increasing their profit margins,” he said.

Does the franchise offer support?

Because unconventional franchises focus on unusual products and services, training and support is important.

“We have accountants, lawyers, IT professionals and all kinds of people who get into this business,” said Al Crnjac, who just signed on for a fourth Fibrenew franchise in Eastern Ontario. The franchise, which is based in Calgary, Alberta, specializes in leather, vinyl, plastic and cloth repair. “The training is excellent and there is an online library that is always available as a reference.”

Is the business recession-proof?

Before choosing a franchise, it’s important to consider whether the business can ride out rough economic times. The answer may not always be obvious.

“We are a full-service staffing franchise, offering permanent and temporary staffing services and employment solutions, including evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources,” said Dan Gunderson, franchising executive for Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Express Employment Professionals. “Staffing and HR are areas where there is always a need, no matter what the economy,” he said. “Even if companies are not hiring full-time workers, they are looking for temporary or contract employees to fill the gaps and they need help with human resources issues.”

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/choosing-franchise-2105/

I became a Tradebank franchise owner in 1995. My background was in sales and marketing, and I was drawn to Tradebank because I was looking for a challenge. I had come to the right place—at the time, there were zero businesses using Tradebank in Knoxville. It was very much a “from-the-ground-up” operation.

Even though my staff and I had our work cut out for us, we were surprised at how many businesses in Knoxville were already using barter in their day-to-day activities, and how many were interested in the service that Tradebank offered.

Since then, the business has grown every year for the past 15 years. We now serve over 800 businesses in the Knoxville area, and are adding more all the time. Each business has its own needs and challenges and my staff and I help them overcome those hurdles.

Why have we seen such terrific growth? Two reasons: hard work and a great service. I won’t say that it has been easy. My staff and I don’t spend the day looking at the clock. Bringing new businesses in is only part of the job—we spend most of our time helping make the businesses we already have more profitable.

The second reason is just as important: Tradebank offers a great service. Tradebank is successful and profitable because it makes its clients successful and profitable. Tradebank looks out for its client’s best interest. I have seen similar businesses try and fail in the area because they do not have that philosophy.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, dynamic career that is built on building relationships and thinking outside the box, I can’t recommend Tradebank enough. It’s challenging, but it is also very rewarding. The more you are willing to work hard and help others, the better off you will be. It’s a simple philosophy, but it’s one that has brought me (and many other Tradebank franchise owners) a lot of success.

Control your Time

A day-in, day-out work week with a 9-5 schedule can be exhausting. What if, instead of planning your life around your work schedule, you could plan your work schedule around your life? As an owner of a Tradebank franchise, you’re in charge of the hours you work. It’s a full-time job, but with a schedule dictated by you, not someone else.

Control your Day

If your job has you doing the same thing day after day, they’re wasting your talent. As a franchise owner, your days are dynamic. Each one brings new tasks and new opportunities. You’ll love the feeling of facing fresh challenges and thinking outside the box.

Control your Finances

Does your current industry have an expected growth rate of 500% in the next five years? Didn’t think so. Barter is a $20 billion industry that has grown by leaps and bounds, and it’s only getting bigger. As a longtime leader in the barter industry, Tradebank gives you all the tools you need for enormous success.

Control your Future

When you think about your future, can you honestly say that you know where it’s headed? Are you counting on a promotion you may not get or a new job you may not find? Instead of waiting and hoping, you can control your own destiny. As an owner of Tradebank Franchise, your success will be determined by you and you alone.

Ready to take control of your financial future? Click here to learn more. It really is the opportunity of a lifetime.

http://www.fairfieldgladeresourcedirectory.com/reviews/2011/03/business-to-business-bartering-is-here/

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http://www.flyergroup.com/local/local_story_295155245.html