Vehicle graphics spread the word

Signs Express (Peterborough), together with Marshall Military sales designed and produced vehicle graphics for the Hawk Display Team.

The Hawk display team’s full time mission is to train the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy combat pilots of the future.  The team exists to demonstrate the professional excellence of the RAF and promote recruitment.

Marshall Military sales Peterborough provide vehicles each year for Help for heroes and other worthy causes in the military to assist in fund raising and awareness on a UK wide scale.

Anne Hitch, Director of Signs Express (Peterborough) and her team created the design and applied the graphics using long lasting vinyl material MD5.  The full colour prints were then gloss laminated and decal cut.

Commenting on the work carried out Anne Hitch said; “Land Rover Marshall are a regular customer of ours and when they asked for assistance with the vehicle graphics for the Hawk Display Team we were delighted to assist with the project.”

 

Anne continues; “We take great pride in the application of all our vehicle graphics projects as it requires much care and precision to ensure the overall appearance is flawless.  We have some of the best technology in the printing industry so we’re able to recreate the vibrancy of any image for a great effect.”

Research shows that vehicle graphics is a highly effective advertising tool with an average of 3,000 people seeing a vehicle on a busy road every hour of the working day.  Signs Express (Peterborough) can provide a number of options from simple graphics to digitally printed photographs and full wraps on cars, van and lorries.

 

The 6 stages to a successful franchise

Hayley Forder, Franchise & Marketing Executive at Signs Express HQ offers her advice for setting up your own business and selection of the right franchise opportunity.

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Start a business for yourself, be self employed, become an agent or start a franchise for a company?  Deciding on the vast range of business opportunities can be difficult with so many different factors to consider, so it’s always best to take your time and do your research.

So let’s start with the question, what is franchising?  It is a licence to use intellectual property from one party (franchisor) to another party (franchisee) with a predetermined series of ongoing commitments between both parties.

There are 3 different types of franchising:

• Manufacturing or product franchise
• Distribution or co-operative
• Business format or system franchise

It’s always a good idea to evaluate your objectives for running your own business, look at your strengths to work out which one would be the best for you.  Franchising can change your life for the better and unfortunately at times sometimes for the worst, however the worst usually happens when people have not considered the factors such as lifestyle, money, and above all else location.  Like they say “the worst house in a good neighbourhood is better than the best house in a bad neighbourhood”.

Here at Signs Express we feel that there are 6 different steps to selecting the right franchise, so let’s begin…

STEP 1: Investment level

Firstly you should speak to the banks and accountants to know the reality of your finance situation.  It’s always best to define your investment level before you chose a franchise, don’t try and make it fit if you can’t afford it, and always thoroughly research your options.  Banks are always happy to help when franchising is involved, the main reason being that a franchise is a tried, tested and proven business model.  They can give you advice on a business plan and also ideas on how to raise the finance. 

 

STEP 2: Suitability

After looking at your finances it’s always a good idea to take a look closer to home and ask yourself if franchising really is the best thing for you:

• Do you have the desire to work hard?
• Are you able to make a long term commitment?
• Can you follow and adapt to the franchisor system?

STEP 3: Industry

So this is where it gets exciting!  Now is the time to look at your chosen industry, research it and the current market place.  It’s always best to avoid “fad” industries, don’t forget to take a look at the boom/bust cycles it may have had over the years.

When choosing a franchise, the franchisor will train you so don’t be concerned if you don’t have experience – most franchise owners come from completely different backgrounds.

Ask questions like:

• Does it have a proven market place?
• Does it interest you?
• Are there opportunities for growth?
• Who are the main competitors?
• Will it suit my lifestyle?

STEP 4: Seek advice

So now it comes down to the three remaining pieces of advice:

• Commercial – always make sure you have spoken to the franchisees/franchisor to make sure you understand what this franchise is all about.  It’s always a good idea to speak to the BFA and other industry bodies; they have been in the business a long time and will be able to give you information on the franchise opportunity you’re looking to buy.
• Financial – Accountants, you need to make sure that you not only have enough money for the franchise but also enough to give you working capital.
• Legal – make sure you speak to your franchise solicitor and understand all terms of the franchise agreement.

STEP 5: Compare the best

Would you buy the first car you saw?  Possibly, but more than likely you would shop around to find a car that best suits all your needs.  This is the same principle as looking for a franchise; it may be that the first franchise is the best suited to yourself.  However it’s always best to see what other companies in the sector you have chosen offer.  Its good to ask questions, and to also visit the head office to get a feel for the company and the support structures in place.

STEP 6: Decision time

Its decision time, you’ve done your research and asked the questions but don’t sign if your not ready, you can always start the six steps again.  Make sure you are 100% ready and if and when you decide to become a franchisee remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, but your franchisor will be with you every step of the way.

Signs Express is the UK and Ireland’s leading signs and graphics franchise, established for over 20 years with a network of more than 75 franchisees.  To find out about Signs Express franchise opportunities call 0800 731 2255 or visit http://franchise.signsexpress.co.uk/

CASE STUDY - Anne Hitch Signs Express Peterborough

Signs Express is the UK and Ireland’s leading signs and graphics franchise, established in 1989 with a network of over 75 franchisees.  Anne Hitch is Managing Director of Signs Express in Peterborough, and also owns an additional territory area operating the Kings Lynn area.  As the only sole woman at the helm of a Signs Express franchise she is one of the inspiring personalities behind the brand.

We spoke to Anne about her career path and what qualities she believes makes her successful in business.  As well as being an award-winning franchisee, Anne is a mother of two, an active member of her local business network and proactively supports charities and community causes.

“I started off my working life in office support roles but my longer term ambition was always to become by own boss”, explains Anne. 

“Having a partner with professional interests abroad led to our living in the Middle East for 10 years, while our boys were young.  Whilst away, I studied a part time correspondence business management degree and am very proud to have graduated with first class honors.  We returned to England for the children’s schooling. Although I was initially looking into managerial jobs, my partner and I went on to buy a Signs Express franchise.  As circumstances changed I began running the business by myself and have been doing that for three years now.

Anne observes that things have changed since she became sole manager. “I have an extremely supportive and highly skilled team.  The hallmarks of my management style are diplomacy, empathy and flexibility.  It’s a softer management style compared to some men I know but I think this helps to get the best out of people.  I plan ahead so that production is consistent, avoiding peaks and troughs where possible.  Everyone in the team has their specialism but is also trained to cover other roles.  For example our sales person has had risk assessment training, so this is something factored in to initial contact with clients, rather than further down the line. 

“Credit control and good financial management are my strengths.  Yes, it’s good to know the technical side of things, but good business management is most important when running a management franchise, knowing your overheads and so on.  The business degree gave me so much knowledge. You’re never too old to learn.

How does Anne balance work and motherhood? “Being a full time working mother, there are times when I’ve got to be in too many places at once.  You have to ask flexibility of your kids sometimes.  Being self employed, if I have to take someone to the hospital for example, I can do it. Things might not always happen when I’d like them to, but they do get done.

On women in business, Anne says: “Women have so much to offer.  Being organised is critical to business success and this is where I think women excel.  Many working women also run a household, do the shopping, cooking, cleaning and so on.  Most of us intuitively juggle and multi task and that’s often played down.  I think that women have to be confident in their ability. Sometimes this can come across as a bit hard but you have to be brave and have a go. I’ve had it all said to me in the past; “how are you going to do that”?  If you believe negative comments you will lack confidence and won’t achieve.”

“I feel a bit of a pioneer, being the only lady operating as a sole franchisee within the Signs Express network.  Hopefully I will inspire other women to seek out similar business opportunities.”