Field visits should have a structured agenda that is known to both parties (i.e., franchisor and franchisee), and organised to create the most value from the field visit. It is important for field visits to be productive because both parties depend on it, and field visits are costly to resource from a franchisor and franchisee standpoint.
Regular field visits should at least include the following high-level types of areas within the agenda. But, of course, they can and should be a lot more prescriptive as well – depending on the field visit purpose and field visit objective.
Examples of key areas that should be included in a regular visit are:
- Reviewing the agenda and meeting timeframe
- Reviewing past action plans and commitments
- Reviewing the performance, discussing opportunities, business plans and actions
- Observation and exploring alignment to the franchise system, and
- Developing an agreed-upon action plan
Of course, field visits can have different purposes and objectives. Some companies and / or visits will benefit by an agenda focusing on specific business drivers and functions (e.g., customers and sales, HR, Health & Safety, operations, IT etc) and timely topics (e.g., training, new CRM system, refurbishment programme, marketing initiative, business plan approval etc).
Notwithstanding, a general overall field visit focused on the franchisee and their business should have a good base structure such as that suggested above.
A good agenda will enable both parties to prepare properly in advance. And as identified in other best practices (already covered), the agenda should be developed and agreed by both franchisor and franchisee.
About the Franchising Best Practice 500 Series
This is part of a series of franchising best practices. Franchize Consultants is sharing and publishing these best practices weekly for the betterment of franchising. We know that better knowledge and execution of franchising best practices leads to bigger and more valuable franchisor and franchisee businesses.
We have assembled the first 40 best practices into The Best Practice Handbook, which is available for purchase.