msnbc.com:
The franchisee/franchisor relationship is a unique one. It differs significantly from the average employee/employer dynamic in various ways.
Over the course of 16 years, I’ve been both a franchisor and a franchisee at different times and at various levels of organizations. Ensuring an optimal relationship between the two will not only improve your bottom line, but perhaps your emotional well-being as well.
When you’re new to an organization, you quickly understand the larger purpose of having two ears and one mouth. There is much to listen to and many to learn from before you should start making changes. As the youngest of seven kids, Ive been used to people around me thinking they know more than I do (often times, this is true), but I also learned to speak up or youll be left out.
Now, I try to listen–even more so than when I was a newbie. Surround yourself with great talent. To maximize this talent, have your team take ownership of a task as quickly as possible and get their input before investing valuable time and energy in one idea. A successful leader gives targets to achieve. It is vital to know what the ultimate goal is, but don’t micromanage the process or the steps to get there. Here are three suggestions on maintaining a great relationship with your franchisee or franchisor.