Staying fluid and able to react to the fast-changing dynamics of the Internet is key to WSI’s success. With more than 1,500 franchisees in 87 countries around the world, it must continually stay a step ahead of its competition to ensure that its network of Internet Marketing Consultants is not only making their clients’ businesses more profitable, but also achieving their own personal and financial goals.
Sometimes tough decisions have to be made, just ask WSI president Ron McArthur. In 2008, WSI lost 350 franchisees – 18 percent of the WSI network at the time – as a result of a major shift WSI made in 2006 to focus on consulting and education: educating companies on how to leverage the Internet and profit from it. The value that WSI had previously delivered to clients through web site building had diminished as technology improved. Businesses had a new need – Internet marketing solutions – and WSI was poised to deliver.
“The Internet moves so fast. Over the years, WSI has had 19 major franchised competitors and only two remain,†McArthur said. “The reason is because the industry changes so fast.â€