|
#1 Business Consulting Franchise in North
America - Entrepreneur Magazine
Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants is the largest independent telecom consulting
company in North America. Our network of consulting offices serves as the outsourced
telecom experts, providing telecom solutions for clients from coast-to-coast.
Our sophisticated Franchise system, which includes a comprehensive training
program, state-of-the-art support systems and an innovative regional client-distribution
system, is well established as a rising star in the Franchise industry. In
fact, we were recently recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one
Business Consulting Franchise in North America.
A Brief History
Schooley Mitchell was established in 1983, with its telecom division being established
as a separate entity during 1996. The company has been providing professional
advice to its clients in the areas of finance, accounting, computers, management
and telecom services since inception. With decades of combined telecom experience,
Schooley Mitchell has pursued its Franchising concept to meet the need for independent
and objective telecom advice in the North American market.
Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants has its corporate head office in Stratford,
Ontario. The company is the largest independent telecom consulting organization
in North America, with offices from coast to coast in both United States and
Canada.
Schooley Mitchell Franchisees are independent of all telecom companies selling
products or services. Franchisees do not receive commissions, residuals or
kickbacks from any telecom suppliers. Therefore, the solutions provided to
clients are designed with the exclusive goal of providing the best solution
to meet clients' individual needs regarding telecom services.
Operations
Franchisees generally begin by operating their Schooley Mitchell Franchise as
a home-based business. Consequently, overhead and operations costs are minimal.
Due to the fact that the Franchise system extends across North America, there
is an opportunity for all Franchisees to network from coast to coast. This is
a significant benefit for larger clients that may have multiple locations. Of
course smaller clients are served locally and comprise a significant, lucrative
portion of our Franchisees' client base. And, your client base is protected
through our sophisticated client registry system.
Training
Schooley Mitchell provides all new Franchisees with an intensive two-week initial
training program at The Telecom Institute, as well as one week of mentoring
training in your community. The training then continues with hands-on training
as you begin the operation of the Franchise. Continuous training takes place
via our intranet, through our support staff, through sessions near your community
with suppliers of technology solutions and via other distance learning initiatives.
The initial training includes "hands-on" training with live client cases as
well as marketing, telecom, computer and technical training. Head office staff
also continues to train you through our support team, as you execute your initial
client engagements. In addition to all of these vehicles to keep you up to date
and provide training to you, each Franchisee attends our annual conference where
the newest technologies are reviewed and the successes of all of our vast network
of Consultants are shared with peers.
Support
Support from head office is provided on a continuous basis. Head office staff
have been providing support to clients across North America for more than 20
years. Through our toll-free numbers, you are never left to deal with a challenge
alone. We continually help you through your client situations as well as continually
providing information about supplier options and technical information. Our
field consulting staff also provide marketing and sales support.
Research
The mandate of the head office research team is to stay on top of the telecom
world. That includes updated rate tables for supplier options, continually advising
about technical information as it changes and providing market information to
aid Franchisees' development. This information is communicated to Franchisees
on a weekly basis to increase profitability and success.
Marketing and Advertising
As indicated in the Schooley Mitchell mission statement, our goal is to be known
as the telecom experts across the continent. Our advertising and marketing programs
are directed toward that goal. Our training course includes three full days
of marketing skills development to ensure that our Franchisees fully understand
our marketing programs and strategies. During the past few years, Schooley Mitchell
has been honoured with six coveted "Frankie Awards" for the best advertising
campaigns among all Franchise companies. The Gold Medal for "Business to Business
Brochures" and the Silver Medal for "Direct Marketing" were awarded in 2000.
Those achievements were followed up with the Silver Medal for "Corporate Identity"
and the Bronze Medal for "Business to Business Brochures" in 2001. Two more
Bronze Medals were received in 2002 and 2003.
Franchisee Selection
Our success is based entirely on the success of our Franchisees. Consequently,
we are very careful in our selection process. In selecting Franchisees, preference
is given to applicants with the following characteristics:
| 1. |
Aptitude for managing a business; |
| 2. |
Strong business background - marketing, sales, consulting
or management; |
| 3. |
Team orientation that entails an appreciation for the benefits
of working in a proven system; |
| 4. |
Good interpersonal and communication skills; |
| 5. |
The ability to make a full-time commitment (from the Franchisee
or a Franchise manager); |
| 6. |
Financial resources |
| 7. |
Strong desire to control your own destiny & financial
security |
Although the investment to acquire a Franchise license is small compared to
most Franchises, you must be able to meet that commitment, as well as provide
for personal expenses. Results vary from Franchisee to Franchisee, which makes
it difficult to predict how many weeks from the point of start-up will be required
before realizing the initial collection of fees. Consequently, you must have
enough capital, so you don't require cash from the business for the start-up
period.
Investment
Schooley Mitchell requires an investment of $37,500. You also require a computer
with the ability to run Windows 98 or higher, as well as a printer. If you already
have an appropriate computer with the proper characteristics, there may not
be further computer investment required. There are some other start-up requirements
such as business cards, letterheads, envelopes, and Internet access, if not
already in place. Those actual requirements will be discussed in detail at the
interview stage of the application process.
The system includes:
1. |
Use of the Schooley Mitchell name, trademarks, and quality
reputation; |
2. |
Computer software tools developed by Schooley Mitchell,
as well as continuous updates; |
3. |
The initial training course; including
mentoring training |
4. |
Continuous training on a distance learning basis; |
5. |
The annual training updates; |
6. |
Access to specialists in all areas of telecommunications
through our consultant network throughout North America; |
7. |
Continuous toll-free support; |
8. |
Head office support, experience, business expertise and
advice; |
9. |
Marketing and advertising materials and advice; |
10. |
U.S. and Canada-wide coverage to ensure all client needs
can be satisfied; |
11. |
Access to the Schooley Mitchell intranet site, which contains
technical material, training material, methods of easy communication
among franchisees, etc.; |
12. |
The fully developed operating and support systems, which
means you don't have to "recreate the wheel."
|
The Path to Success
The concept is simple - the only way we succeed is to have you succeed. We will
do everything in our power to duplicate the success we have experienced with
our other Franchise locations.
A Schooley Mitchell Franchise offers the prestige of association with a professional
business and the opportunity to become part of a successful team. Our proven
system of operation and our recognized identity in the field of Telecommunications
are the essential components to build business success. |
