franchising | Senior Home Care Franchise

Area Representatives — 3 Ways They Help You Run Your Franchise

The advantages of going into business as a senior care franchise owner are numerous, but perhaps the most attractive aspect of operating a franchise vs. going the startup route is the system of support that’s in place for you. As an in-home senior care franchise owner, you aren’t starting from scratch; you’re beginning your new business with a road map and a proven system all in place.

The proven system includes strategies and tools for marketing and hiring, but it also includes the wisdom and support of people who understand what it’s like to run a business like yours. And for many franchise owners in our industry, the most crucial person in the system of support is the Area Representative.

What is an Area Representative, and how can they help you operate your franchise as effectively and efficiently as possible?

Let’s take a look!

#1 — Your Area Representative Has a Vested Interest In Your Business

If your ability to run your business well didn’t make a difference to your Area Representative, they probably wouldn’t be quite so invested in your potential success. But Area Representatives depend on franchise owners like you to follow the system and employ their own helpful strategies. Their ability to succeed is tied directly to yours, so they are going to be there for you whenever you need to know how to move forward.

They’ve been in your shoes, and they can give you advice that comes from a place of genuine care and faith in your business!

#2 — Your Area Representative Is Your Local “First Responder”

People who run startups and other non-franchise types of businesses don’t have experts to call at a moment’s notice when a crucial decision must be made. They are on their own, and that’s a scary place to be.

With an Area Representative in your franchise’s corner, you always have someone available to respond quickly and give you the guidance you need to move forward confidently and with the best interests of your business in mind. Having an expert who is just a phone call, email or text away is a significant boon to your ability to operate your business well.

#3 — Your Area Representative Provides Magnificent Motivation!

Sometimes as a business owner, you just need someone to give you a pep talk or a positive perspective. When you own a franchise with Always Best Care, you can rest assured knowing that such a motivating presence is always there for you.

It’s an exciting business, but it’s also full of challenges that can leave franchise owners feeling frustrated. When an Area Representative is available, it can make all the difference in the world during times of struggle.

True Teamwork to Help You Run Your Franchise

Owning and operating a franchise is a terrific way to go into business for yourself, giving you an opportunity to call the shots and make important decisions. But you also get to take advantage of a team of experts who are there to help you, and the cornerstone of that team is your Area Representative. They’ve been where you are now, and they know how to navigate the world you’re entering as a franchise owner.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Hire the Best for Your Senior Care Franchise

As a senior care franchise owner, you’re going to have to hire caregivers to provide the services that your clients require, and we’ve covered tips on hiring excellent people in previous blog posts. But what about help when it comes to administering your business and making sure your efforts are spent where they are most needed? You can’t do it all by yourself, so it’s important to take the right steps when it comes to bring others on board. Thankfully, we’ve got some great tips!

What Do You Do Best?

As you consider the structure of your business and the roles you want to fill through hiring, it’s important to consider your priorities, talents and needs. Take some time to sit down with a notebook and ask yourself some tough questions. The answers will help you determine the type of personnel that you need to make sure your business runs as efficiently as possible.

What do you insist on doing yourself? Why?
What do you dislike doing on your own? Why?
In what areas would you consider yourself an expert?
In what areas do you feel like you’re far from an expert?
Do you need assistance with leadership?
Do you need help with senior care side of the business?
Do you need help with the administrative side of the business?
Where are your “blind spots”?

These might be some tough questions to answer, especially if you’re accustomed to taking on every challenge by yourself. But by examining your strengths, weaknesses and needs, you can begin to paint a picture of the types of people you can bring in to offer real, valuable help to your business.

Evaluating Potential Employees

Once you’ve considered what your role should be as the leader of your franchise, you should also have a clear picture of what you’re not going to tackle. These are the areas you’re hiring for!

It’s important to cast a wide net in your community to find the right people, and it’s crucial to explain exactly what you’re looking for as you draft your hiring notices. The clearer you are in the description of what you require, the better your chances of finding the ideal employees.

As you look through resumes and applications, think about what you value in an employee, whether it’s experience, positivity or any other important qualities. The Interview

Once you’ve whittled down potential candidates, it’s time to sit down with them face-to-face. Here is where you can determine how well the potential employee will work with you. Be prepared with good questions designed to tease out the person’s ability (or inability) to complement what you are doing as owner. Really pay attention to the individual’s passion for senior care and helping others when discussing positions that are visible to the community. Your business is a special part of your community, and you need to make sure that the people who represent you are there for something bigger than themselves.

Once you’ve gone through this process, you can feel confident that when your new hire signs the dotted line, you’ll be embark on a long, collaborative and fruitful relationship!

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Boost Your Social Media Power

Social media is increasingly becoming an essential marketing tool for franchise owners in the senior care industry, and it’s the people who take the initiative to spearhead their own campaigns that stand to see the best results.

If you are a senior care franchise owner, or are considering becoming one, it’s important that you take advantage of all the social media marketing tools provided to you by the corporate office. But it might be even more important for you to dive into social media marketing yourself.

Why Social Media?

If using social media as a marketing tool doesn’t seem like a good use of your time and energy, consider this:

– Social media platforms allow you to connect with real people in real time
– The use of social media gives you the chance to be topical and relate aspects of your business to things that are going on in the world right now
– Twitter, Facebook and other popular social media platforms make it possible for you to generate interest and “buzz” much faster than other types of media
– Social media can connect you with the right people to help your business grow on the local level, which is where the rubber hits the road for your business

There are numerous reasons for you to use social media to help you grow your in home senior care business, so how can you make sure that you’re using it efficiently and effectively?

Let’s take a look!

5 Social Media Tactics Senior Care Franchise Owners Can Use Right Now!

#1 — Run a Twitter Poll

Twitter is loaded with features that not everyone knows about. One of these features is the ability to run polls. It’s a great way to engage your audience and get a sense of what’s on their minds.

#2 — Start Using Great Imagery

Posts on social media platforms perform much, much better when they’re accompanied by an image of some kind. You don’t have to be a great artist or photographer to make an impact; but if you can show, for example, some smiling senior faces, you’re likely to increase engagement and positive feelings about your business!

#3 — Integrate Video

Video content rules the web these days, so make sure you take advantage of the public’s hunger for moving pictures! You don’t have to overdo it, and you don’t need to be super creative — simply linking to a relevant video is often enough to get people to take notice.

#4 — Show Your Authority and Expertise

Have you read some interesting statistics or facts about senior care recently? Are there things about your business that people would be surprised to know? Use your social media platforms to express your authority and expertise as a senior care expert, and you’ll build trust in the community.

#5 — Connect With Other Local Businesses

One of the best ways to make an impact through social media on the local level is to reach out to other businesses that you may be able to partner with. Be friendly and reach out to businesses that are adjacent to the industry. And don’t be afraid to share posts relevant to your specific location. This practice can be extraordinarily powerful!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Need a Better Way to Be Your Own Boss? Consider Franchise Ownership!

When people think about the “American dream,” they tend to envision a nice home, a loving family and a rewarding professional life. The concept of independence also comes to mind, with many Americans dreaming of lives in which they are their own bosses.

Being your own boss is challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding aspects of living the “American dream.” Entrepreneurs embody this spirit, taking risks and confronting challenges in the name of freedom and independence. They also love the notion of providing for their families with an income derived from pursuing their own professional goals — not the goals of a boss or a corporation.

But traditional entrepreneurship is not right for everyone. It looks good on paper to many people, but in reality, it’s just too much to take on, especially when they have families to support. And for many would-be entrepreneurs, there are too many potential pitfalls: What if they don’t have the right business plan? What about filling out and filing the proper legal documents? How will they know how much capital is needed to get a brand-new venture off the ground.

Thankfully, there is a wonderful alternative to the traditional model of entrepreneurship; one in which there is a tremendous amount of support and assistance available: franchise ownership!

A Different Way to Be Your Own Boss

Franchise ownership has emerged as an ideal option for those entrepreneurs who would rather follow an established model than start from scratch. It involves following a system and the guidance of experts, but it’s one of the best ways for modern entrepreneurs to become their own bosses. The benefits of owning and operating one’s own business remain, but with the additional benefits of having access to a system of support and expertise that would not be available under the traditional entrepreneurship model.

Franchise Ownership in the Senior Care Sector

Franchise ownership is a great way to be your own boss, but selecting the right franchise can be a challenge. Everyone knows about fast-food franchises, but there are numerous alternatives available to suit the entrepreneurial needs of people from all walks of life and business. One of the most intriguing industries for franchise ownership is senior care.

The in home senior care industry is rising, and many of the opportunities that are available in this growing sector of the economy are in franchise ownership. Senior care franchising allows entrepreneurs to be their own bosses, but it includes the added benefit of the opportunity to serve and help others.

Consider Always Best Care

Always Best Care is a leader in the senior care industry, and we’re always looking for compassionate, driven people to join our company as franchise owners. Our proven system provides a clear roadmap, and our people are always there to help. For those looking to be their own bosses, Always Best Care is a terrific choice for the next chapter of professional life!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Franchise Ownership — Amazing Opportunities for Military Vets

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces are some of the most skilled, dedicated, selfless and hardworking people in the country, but they often experience difficulty transitioning back into civilian life once their military service has come to an end. For many veterans, the seeming lack of opportunity can be incredibly frustrating, especially when they have so much to offer. Certainly, there are jobs out there to be had, but what many veterans desire is the chance to operate businesses that allow them to continue to provide service. For many returning veterans, owning a senior care franchise represents the ideal opportunity.

Veterans Have All the Right Traits for Franchise Ownership

As it turns out, the skills required to own and operate a senior care franchise effectively have a lot in common with those that are developed through military service. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

*Focus
Franchise ownership requires people to wear a number of hats, but that’s only done well if a person can prioritize and focus their concentration on what needs to be done in the here and now. Through their training and experience, military veterans are some of the most focused individuals on the planet, making them excellent candidates for senior care franchise ownership!

*Leadership
Military veterans understand what makes teams work well, and they know what it takes to provide excellent leadership. Mostly, it’s all about understanding people and motivating them, which is something with which most military veterans are very familiar.

*Strategy
Seeing the entire “chess board” and being able to plan several moves ahead (while accounting for possible surprises along the way) are traits that are highly developed among military veterans. Strategic traits are crucial when it comes to successful franchise ownership; marketing, accounting for growth, dealing with competition and a number of other aspects require an ability to strategize effectively.

*Following Orders
A successful military operation requires that people understand the chain of command and can follow orders. In franchise ownership, it’s important to be able to lead, but it’s equally as critical to be able to take direction and follow the system. Military veterans are ideally suited for this type of professional scenario, given their backgrounds.

Continuing Service

In senior care, franchise owners work toward various professional goals, but they also experience something rare in the business world — the chance to give back to their communities.

Seniors everywhere are living better lives thanks to the “aging in place” boom, and senior care franchise owners are making it possible. Franchise owners provide options that help families care for aging loved ones, and they act as vital resources in their communities. Military veterans who wish to continue their service can find a rewarding outlet through senior care franchising.

Why Always Best Care?

Always Best Care has been consistently ranked as one of the top franchises for veterans. In fact, Military Times has called Always Best Care one of its “Best for Vets” franchises on multiple occasions. For those veterans interested in franchise ownership, Always Best Care should be at the top of the list!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising eBook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Set Up Your Franchise Facebook Page

As a senior care franchise owner, it’s crucial for you to be able to market your business well. Of course, franchising gives you access to tools and expertise from your area representatives, as well as powerful name recognition for your brand. However, there are a number of marketing initiatives that you can take on to ensure that people know you’re offering outstanding in home senior care in your community. These days, marketing means being able to make an impact online, and one of the best places to make an impact is on Facebook.

Your Facebook Business Page is an essential plank in your overall franchise marketing platform, but you need to set it up properly to ensure that you get the results you want.

A Page, Not a Profile

First of all, you need to make sure that your business has an official Facebook Page, which is different from a Facebook profile. A profile is what you have for your personal use, allowing you to interact with family and friends. A page is a separate creation that identifies itself through its direct association with a business or other entity. Using a Page is much more professional, plus it ensures that you remain within the boundaries of Facebook’s Terms of Use.

Getting started with your page is easy! Just go to your personal account and select the option for “Create New Facebook Page.” You’ll be guided through all of the steps for the initial creation of your page.

Spruce it Up!

Facebook will take you through the basic steps for setting up your page, which allows you to do the bare minimum to get it up and running. However, it’s important that you take some time to add a detailed description and a good selection of images. Choose your profile picture carefully — the thumbnail of this image will appear in all of your Page interactions. Also, be sure to select a cover photo that is 851 x 315 pixels, or at least 399 x 150 pixels (Facebook will resize it). Otherwise, your page will look less than professional.

Admin Privileges

As the creator of your Facebook Page, you have exclusive administrative access. You may want to give others access, though, so you can have your team post updates and interact with others.

To add users as “admins,” simply click on the option to “Edit Page,” then you can select (or deselect) users for admin access. Please note that admins need to have user profiles in order to be given access to your Page.

Promoting Your Page

When you set up your Facebook Business Page, it won’t have any “Likes.” In order to get people to pay attention to your Page, invite friends from your personal profile and begin promoting your Page in blog posts and through postings on other social media platforms. You can also create a Facebook “badge” to place on your website, which will send users directly to your Page when they click on it. Of course, you can always use Facebook Ads to generate interest in your Page; just make sure that you use your advertising budget wisely and that you take time to focus on a targeted audience to make the greatest impact.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

5 Inspirational Quotes for Franchise Owners

Owning and operating a senior care franchise can be a rewarding experience, but running your own franchise isn’t always smooth sailing. Ups and downs are natural in any business, so it’s important to stay motivated and focused on performing to the best of your ability, especially when the challenges you face seem overwhelming. Thankfully, as a franchise owner, help is available from your area representatives and corporate office. But if you’re looking for an extra spark of inspiration, it doesn’t hurt to pay attention to some tried-and-true bits of wisdom.

Here are five excellent inspirational quotes for senior care franchise owners!

#1 — “Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.” – Alfred Montapert

Alfred Montapert is a somewhat obscure 20th-century philosopher and author, but this quote really packs a punch! What Montapert is saying is that problems will arise in your business, no matter how hard you work to avoid them. If you can accept that problems will come up, you can deal with them decisively in the moment. And by being prepared for them, you can eliminate them with relative ease, just like you eliminated that piece of toast you had for breakfast!

#2 — “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

Making plans and generating big ideas about how you will run your franchise isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, but if you fail to actually take action on your ideas, you won’t see your business grow. Don’t worry so much about all of the steps you have to take; just take the first one. With each step, you become better prepared to take the next one!

#3 — “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” – Thomas Paine

Some challenges are more difficult than others to deal with. The good news is that facing the biggest problems head on tends to reap the biggest benefits. That problem that seems insurmountable now could represent the most direct route to reaching your goals in the future, so take on your big challenges one step at a time.

#4 — “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison

Here, Edison calls to mind the classic, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” nugget of wisdom, but he goes even further in identifying “giving up” as a weakness. Few, if any, good things ever came from giving up, so if you believe in something, why not give it another try?

#5 — “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” – William Butler Yeats

The world isn’t going to present the perfect opportunities for you to take actions in the interest of making your franchise grow. You create those opportunities for yourself through hard work, careful planning and using the advice and insights provided by your franchise support system. If you want to succeed as a franchise owner in the senior care industry, you’ve got to be proactive!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

3 Tips for Stress-Free Franchise Ownership

Owning and operating your own senior care franchise is a great way to take control over your life and career without all of the hassles associated with startups and other such ventures. When you buy a franchise, you buy a certain amount of peace of mind, not to mention a strong brand name and a proven system to help you operate effectively. However, franchise ownership is not completely stress free.

If you are a franchise owner — or if you’re considering the purchase of your very own non medical senior care franchise — it’s important to understand that not everything will be easy. There will be challenging days, but the challenges you face will not be insurmountable. How you deal with stress will have a lot to do with how effectively you move past the hurdles that will stand in your way.

The tools and techniques that you’ve used throughout your life to tackle stress will certainly come in handy as a franchise owner, but it’s always good to add some different tools to the toolbox. With that in mind, here are three great tips to help you make senior care franchise ownership as stress free as possible!

Tip #1 — Remember That You’re Not Alone!

Sometimes franchise owners lose focus and try to do too much on their own. They feel that they have to be present for every decision, and that without their input, nothing will get done. It’s an all-too common trap to fall into as a franchise owner.

Thankfully, franchise owners can always hit the “reset” button by realizing and recognizing that they have the support of experts behind them at all times. As a senior care franchise owner, you will have corporate support available to you to help you through difficult moments. You will also have access to area representatives who have seen it all before and can help you navigate choppy waters.

It’s also important to remember that every good franchise owner assembles a great team. Allow your staff to do what they do best so you can focus on leadership! This will reduce your stress levels considerably.

Tip #2 — Keep an Eye on Tomorrow and Plan Ahead

Senior care is a dynamic sector of franchising where changes can occur rapidly. You won’t always be able to see around the next corner, but if you keep one eye focused on your future, you won’t be taken by surprise when a difficult challenge presents itself. The day-to-day operations of your franchise are important, but as a leader, you need to be able to look past the present and anticipate your future needs.

Tip #3 — Remember Why You Do It

Getting into franchise ownership in the senior care industry represents a tremendous business opportunity, but it also gives you the chance to make a difference in your community. You’re not just running a business; you’re providing a valuable resource for seniors and their families. Whenever things start to get too stressful, it’s always helpful to remember that your hard work and persistence pays off for you and everyone in your care.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

10 Essential Smartphone Apps for Franchise Owners

As a franchise owner in the senior care industry, you can use your smartphone in a number of ways that help you succeed, but you have to know the apps that can help you do so without wasting your time.

If you’re looking for some new apps to help you become a better, more productive franchise owner, here are ten examples that can help you start getting more done today!

#1 — Wunderlist

This easy-to-use app helps you take notes, plan assignments and make lists from anywhere. If you are a detail-oriented person, it helps you stay on top of your workload, and it includes functionality to aid in collaboration.

#2 — Trello

Similar to Wunderlist, Trello helps you stay organized with lists, notes and assignments through a visual, board-based interface. If you’re familiar with Pinterest, you will probably catch on quickly to how Trello works.

#3 — Evernote

Yet another option for taking notes, keeping lists and collaborating with others is Evernote. It uses a simple, clean interface that allows you to integrate text, images, video, PDFs, webpages and other media easily. Evernote is a terrific choice for productivity if you are torn between Wunderlist and Trello.

#4 — Addappt

Caregivers, clients, franchise representatives and others populate your “contacts” list, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Addappt helps business owners manage their contacts with easy updating and the ability to categorize contacts simply and effectively.

#5 — Asana

Asana provides a single location for franchise owners and their team members to connect and share communications and tasks. Adding files, links or images is easy with Asana, and the app is free for teams of 15 people or fewer.

#6 — Google Drive

The Google Drive app provides tons of storage for virtually any file type, and it ensures that you’re always just a click away from your work, no matter where you’re located. The Android version of Drive also allows you to scan documents, making it easy for you to add receipts, sketches and hand-written notes.

#7 — CamScanner

Speaking of scanning, one of the most popular apps for business owners is CamScanner, which is available on all major platforms. Just point your phone’s camera at any document and convert it into a searchable PDF almost instantly.

#8 — Polaris Office

Polaris Office is a full suite of applications for managing, creating, editing and saving documents without a connection to the internet. If you’re looking for a way to work with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents (as well as PDFs) on the go, Polaris Office is worth investigating.

#9 — Dropbox

Dropbox is one of the more popular solutions for secure file storage and document sharing. It works directly with a number of useful applications like Word and Photoshop, and it’s supported on a wide range of platforms, ensuring that you always have a way to access your work.

#10 — RescueTime

According to the experts at PCMag.com, RescueTime is “…simply the best time-management app we’ve ever tested.” If you’re wondering how you can squeeze more into each day, this amazing app can help you get more done by providing a detailed analysis of how you actually spend your time.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our amazing franchise owners! Download our FREE senior care franchising eBook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Survive — and Thrive — In Your First Year as a Franchise Owner

Running a business of any kind requires hard work, planning, and diligence. The process of operating a business successfully requires intense focus and an ability to compartmentalize different aspects of the endeavor. If you are considering franchise ownership, you may think that running your business will be easier because of the system that’s in place to help you and other franchise owners succeed, but you’re in for a surprise if you think you can simply sit back and watch your business grow without making a serious effort of your own.

Your first year as a franchise owner will test you and present you with challenges that you may feel unprepared to deal with. Owning a senior care franchise can be stressful, particularly during your initial 365 days, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Yes, the first year of running your business will have a significant impact on your long-term success, but as long as you remain focused and follow some simple, common-sense tips, you will be able to see, firsthand, the many benefits that franchise ownership can bring.

#1 — Assess and Understand Your Local Market

This is where many franchise owners fall behind. Yes, your franchisor will have marketing data and resources for you to utilize, but it’s up to you to understand the area in which you will operate, the people who live there and their needs. If you want to make a difference as a senior care franchise owner, it’s essential to understand what you bring to your market that no one else can provide.

#2 — Start Networking Immediately

No matter how high the demand for quality in home senior care in your area may be, people are not going to line up outside your door to sign up with your company. It’s up to you to go out and tell people about your business. Begin by networking within your established groups. Put the word out about what your business has to offer and why your franchise does it better. Doing this allows you to hone your “pitch” in low-pressure situations, and it gives you the chance to gauge the level of interest surrounding your franchise.

#3 — Surround Yourself with the Best People

Operating your own senior-care franchise may require you to start out with a very small team, but as you add key personnel, it’s important to fill roles with people who can truly help your business grow. You aren’t just putting people into slots; you are matching opportunities with individuals who have the specific skills and talents to take them on. In your business, you need to have high-quality people who share your vision and are committed to providing the highest levels of care.

More Senior Care Franchise Info

If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to operate a senior care franchise in its first year, Always Best Care is here to help you! To learn more, download our FREE franchising ebook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.