5 Tips If You've Been a Victim of Downsizing

If you’ve recently been laid off, it can be a devastating experience, particularly if you’ve been at the company for a long time. There’s the anxiety that comes with not having a paycheck and the depression that accompanies not hearing back from the companies you send resumes to. There are feelings of uncertainty and uneasiness, both which can lead you into a cloud of negativity.

Here are some tips to keep you on track to kickstart your new job search.

1.       Give yourself a minute to regroup. After the shock of a sudden layoff, many employees launch blindly into a new job search. Although having an income is an immediate necessity, don’t just jump at the first offer for a job you might not like. Take a minute to reflect and think about what you really want.

2.       Rethink the possibilities. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this could be an opportunity, but it could be a chance to point your career in a new direction. Have you thought about going back to school, starting your own business or getting involved in a franchise system? Some of our most successful WirelessZone® franchisees were laid off from their old jobs and decided they wanted to be their own boss.

3.       Tell people in a position to help. It’s time to network! Linked In provides a great opportunity to tell your peers your skills set and what you are looking for. Search both major and niche job boards to find the biggest variety of job listings in one place. Many job boards let you set up an alert so you get emails about jobs specifically in your area and with your skill set.

4.       Plan out your time. Organization is one of the keys to a successful job search. You can’t lay around in your sweat suit all day! Time management will allow you to get focused. Set aside a time each day to focus exclusively on getting a new job and schedule in some fun time or time to work out so the stress doesn’t become overwhelming.

5.       Don’t forget the small stuff. Have someone proofread your resume for any errors and make sure your voice mail is very professional. The old adage “the devil is in the details” holds true when you’re looking for a new job.

If you’re interested in discussing franchising, I’m all ears! If not, remember to stay positive and not let the frustration get to you!

Baby Boomers Choosing the “New Retirement”

A trend in business ownership has emerged over the last few years – baby boomers buying franchises after successful careers in the corporate world. Now, more than ever, people in this age range are transferring valuable acquired skills to their own franchise businesses, successfully and with no regrets.

 

Are you a boomer thinking about starting a new business? Afraid it’s too late? No way!

Baby boomers, individuals born between 1946 and 1964, make up the largest population group in the United States today, nearly 80 million strong. Over time, people in this age group will naturally transition out of the workforce, through layoffs and voluntary retirement. 

 

No matter how these people move on from corporate careers, some simply can’t or don’t want to “retire” in the traditional sense. This is fueling the trend in business ownership among the baby boomer population. For many, starting or purchasing a business fulfills a lifelong dream at a perfect time in life to start fresh.

According to a 2009 report by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in every single year from 1996 to 2007, Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 had a higher rate of entrepreneurial activity than those aged 20 to 34.

 

“Baby boomers make excellent candidates for cellular franchises,” explains Clay Neff, Executive Director of Franchise Development for Wireless Zone. “Boomers often bring years of management experience to the table which provides an advantage when moving from employee to employer. After all, there’s no time to waste when the trial-and-error days of youth are behind you.”

With a franchise such as Wireless Zone, there is also the advantage of training and support to help make a smooth transition to business ownership. Another advantage of investing in a cellular franchise is the well known franchise marketing and operational system, coupled with the flexibility and independence gained from business ownership. This is a big draw for many baby boomers.

“Baby boomers make excellent cellular franchise candidates because they are mature, have successfully been a team member sometime in their career, and are more resilient to the ups and downs of a new business,” adds Neff. “In general, this age group is also more financially secure and capable of investing in a franchise.”

Plus, Wireless Zone is not a physically demanding franchise – no intense labor is involved. If you are considering a franchise, consider a cellular franchise, where the market is growing with no signs of letting up!  

The Emergence of Cellular Franchise Business Retail Model

Look around town the next time you are out.  Notice how many wireless retail locations have arisen lately? There’s good reason for that: they work. 

Every one owns a cell phone today, and the incredible growth of wireless technology in recent years requires people to buy new phones every couple of years. On top of that, they need accessories for their phones and repair when the worst happens.  As the US economy begins to improve, we have seen a boom in the franchise world, most notably because people are willing to take more risks with their work but are still hesitant to start their own company.

One of the most successful franchise models today is in wireless retail, which has grown exponentially in recent years and is listed on top of lists for franchise business opportunities around the country.  Furthermore, the wireless retail model has many directions a business owner can take. As a Cellular franchisee, you can sell new and used phones, accessories, and even repair phones.  With the new growth in the wireless market paired with the diversity of commerce solutions a franchisee can chose from, owning a cellular franchise has become a promising business franchise opportunity.

The most successful franchises are those that have the biggest consumer base, and the wireless industry is one of those businesses.  Each year, more and more people eliminate their home phones and rely solely on their cell phones for day-to-day communications.  As technology in the cellular industry grows, consumers will need new phones at a faster rate allowing cellular retail franchises to capitalize on the high demand for these products without worrying if the industry will fail.  Even with cellular retail businesses popping up around your  home town, the demand for these products will remain high making it a lucrative business venture for years to come.

 

Another key factor for the incredible growth of the cellular retail franchise model is the aid franchisees receive from the franchisor.  The cell phone industry is among the fastest growing industries in terms of new technology, and Wireless Zone® is a primary leader.  Staying on top of the latest trends, models, and features can be daunting, and when you throw tablets and accessories into the mix, it can seem almost impossible to stay up to date.  However, with the support your receive with a Wireless Zone® franchise, you can be assured you will have the right products and knowledge to be successful without wasting hours on researching the products yourself.  

If you are interested in a cellular franchise, call Clay Neff at 412-491-6782 or request more information!

The Marriage of the Perfect Franchise Candidate and a Cellular Franchise Business

After many difficult years, the economy seems to be finally improving.  Although we are still a long way from a boom, we are making positive strides in the right direction, and it couldn’t come soon enough! As the economy improves, people are beginning to take more chances with entrepreneurship; however, many are still not ready to start their own company due to the risk.

 

For those ready to dip their feet into the business ownership world but are worried there still is too much risk involved, a great alternative is owning your own franchise.  Starting a business is never easy, but having a proven business model in place along with an established support infrastructure makes it much less overwhelming.

Franchise opportunities are booming as the economy begins to improve because they involve much less risk than starting your own company from the ground up while maintaining a level of freedom that owning a business provides.  In order to succeed as a franchisee, you have to start with the right franchise, and that’s where cellular franchise businesses in general, and a Wireless Zone® franchise in particular comes in.

 

People interested in franchising want to own a franchise in a market that has a strong future, and one of the fastest growing industries in the franchise world is wireless retail. As our country becomes more and more tech-savvy, there has been an increase in the demand for wireless retail companies. This demand has made wireless retail franchises one of the fastest, most sustainable businesses in the country today, and it will only grow stronger as more people buy cell phones and tablets. 

But how do you know if you are the right candidate for a wireless franchise?  First off, the perfect franchise candidate is someone ready to take the leap to owning their own business, but still want the help from a successful franchise business.  With a wireless retail franchise, you will receive help from the experts running your franchise, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the rapid change of new technology in the industry.

Second, the perfect marriage between the right candidate and a wireless franchise is someone who wants to be involved in a fast-paced industry without the high level of risk that is usually involved in such a venture.  Working with an existing franchise gives you the freedom to take part in the evolution of technology in the retail world while receiving support from an existing franchise that is proven successful.  The wireless retail industry is only going to continue growing, and with an economy on the rise, it is the perfect time to get involved.

If you are interested in a cellular franchise, call Clay Neff at 412-491-6782 or request more information. You’ll be on your way to owning your own successful business and being your own boss!

 

Franchising Versus A Start-Up Small Business

Being an entrepreneur can be one of the most rewarding life experiences a person can have, but it can also be one of the most difficult.  The dream of being your own boss and controlling your own destiny is an appealing venture for most, but with that comes risk, uncertainty, and stress of starting a business from the ground up.  According to a recent report from the Huffington Post, nearly three in every four startups fail within their first year.  With such a high rate of failure, it is no surprise that many entrepreneurs are hesitant to start their own business, especially during a recession.  But there is an alternative. 

Franchising is a very popular alternative to starting a business from the ground up because it minimizes much of the risk that is involved with the cultivation and longevity of a business; however, franchising may not be for everyone.  In order to help you decide which business venture is right for you, we have compiled a brief description of the advantages and challenges of starting your own business or franchising.

Franchising

By becoming a franchisee of an existing business, you invest into an already established and proven operating system of a successful business model.  The benefit is that you minimize the risk that is involved with starting your own company, such as building a reputable brand image, developing a unique business plan, and standing out in the market.  Owning an existing franchise gives you the tools, resources and knowledge to succeed and lets you maintain the freedom of owning your own business and being your own boss.   Furthermore, as a franchisee you are aided along the way by the franchisor which can play a vital role in the longevity of your company.  However, as a franchisee you are at the mercy of the franchise.  You cannot adjust brand image, products, or prices to much extent.  Also, you often must pay the franchise a royalty as part of a franchise system. 

 

As you can see, owning a franchise can help alleviate much of the risk in starting a business and allows you to maintain the freedom of being your own boss, but it also comes with restrictions and requires you to pay the franchise for the rights to their business model.  It is also key to understand that owning a franchise does not guarantee success.  You are still very much the master of your own destiny, and proper management of the business, its finances, and its employees can make or break even the most successful franchise.  When considering whether or not you wish to own a franchise, ask yourself if the sacrifice of complete control of your company is worth minimizing a large portion of the risk involved with starting your own business.

 

Starting Your Own Business

The dream of the entrepreneur is to start their own business.  With great risk comes great reward, and those able to weather the storm of the first year can see huge results in the long term.  In addition to the possibility of great financial reward, the appeal of starting your own business is being the master of your own destiny.  The products or services you provide are those of your own, and if they succeed you can expect a large financial pay out.  However, the first year can be extremely difficult for a start up, and without a solid business plan (and a little luck) many businesses will not survive.  One of the most difficult road blocks you will face is how exactly you will run your company.  Businesses often fail due to a lack of systems, processes and simply a plan, even with a great product or service.  This is unlike owning a franchise where you are aided by the franchisor and can use existing operation standards that are proven successful.

For instance, one of the advantages of The Wireless Zone cellular franchise versus starting your own business is that we have a proven system that is replicable – you’re not starting from scratch.  We provide sales, technical and business training at our Wireless Zone University in Middletown, CT, training that keeps you up-to-date in a field that is constantly evolving. Our IT department has developed a cutting edge point of sale system making inventory, payroll and commissions easy. Our build out team takes care of many of the details for the interior and exterior of your store. Plus all of our franchisees benefit from our in-house, full service advertising agency that help to create brand awareness locally and nationally.

If you are interested in discussing a cellular franchise, call Clay Neff at 412-491-6782.

Cellular Franchise Business Model: Taking Advantage of a Hot Retail Trend

If you’re thinking about investing in a franchise this year, you’ll be in good company. According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), nearly 11,000 new franchise units are expected to open doors in 2013 in the U.S., a 1.3% increase. In fact, franchise businesses are expected to employ 8.3 million people in the U.S. by the end of this year and generate $802 billion in revenue.

Franchise businesses are expected to grow faster than independent businesses in terms of job creation, new business formation and economic output.

With the outlook for franchising bright, the forecast for high tech franchises such as Wireless Zone is even more optimistic. There’s no doubt that mobile is one of the fastest growing industries. Therefore it shouldn’t come as a surprise that technology is at the top of the list for profitable franchise opportunities.

All Roads Point to Mobile
Not only are many digital technologies headed to mobile – telecoms, computers and the internet – but even major media is taking to the phone – music, gaming, news, television and more. Even the finance industry is muscling in on mobile with credit cards and online banking.

Let’s look at the mobile statistics worldwide according to the International Telecommunications Union:

·       There are 1.2 billion personal computers in use worldwide including desktops, laptops and tablet PCs like the iPad.

·       There are 5.2 billion active mobile phone subscribers. Considering the planet has 6.9 billion people, that means there is an active mobile phone subscription for 75% of them.

·       Americans collectively spent 2.321 trillion minutes on the phone over the last year (a three percent increase over last year), and sent just about as many texts: 2.273 trillion (also an increase of three percent.)

·         In 2010, the average person on the planet looked at their phone 150 times per day.

It seems like just about everyone has a cell phone, regardless of their socio-economic group or age. From children to grandparents, virtually everyone uses a cell phone, smartphone or tablet. The size of the cellular marketplace is a key reason that cellular franchising is so popular.

Why Wireless Zone?
Not only is the demand for cellular explosive, but the need for experts in the technology field keeps increasing. That’s where Wireless Zone and our cellular franchise will exceed your expectations. Our exclusive affiliation with Verizon Wireless, one of the leaders in the cellular industry, makes owning a mobile franchise even more exciting. You have the opportunity to be a local wireless expert with the strength of a great brand and world-wide name recognition behind you.

Cellular franchises will be a hot prospect in 2013 and beyond. For more information, contact Clay Neff at 412-491-6782.

 

Wireless Zone featured on the Hartford Business Journal

Wireless Zone was recently featured in the Hartford Business Journal in an article titled, "Neff returns to Wireless Zone."  The article discusses the announcement of Clay Neff being named Executive Director of Franchise Development for Wireless Zone.  The article gives a summary of Clay’s previous work, as well as some background information on Wireless Zone.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Neff returns to Wireless Zone

Clay Neff has been named executive director of franchise development at Wireless Zone in Middletown.

Neff got his start in the franchising industry as the director of development for Contours Express, where he was in charge of domestic and international growth. Neff was also previously the director of franchise development for Wireless Zone's Midwest market.

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