A very good question and sometimes we ask ourselves the same question, when things are not going as well as we would want them to!

I'm sure you have heard of 'Murphy' and his laws. Well, the one most appropriate to our situation, and maybe yours, is "Things always take longer and cost more than the best laid plans of mice and men."

Our marketing strategy which, by choice. is 'a very public one', is that we intend growing Howards Storage World to become a major force in providing a total stack and storage product range to our customers.

If that means people believe we have a big ego, well so he it. But it also means we are determined to grow and the only logical way we can grow to the size and strength we want, is by embracing the 'Culture of Franchising'.

Regardless of what others may tell you, the only honest reasons any business has to franchise are:

1) It's almost impossible to find, train and keep good employees, as they are either poached by your competition, or decide they know your business well enough and decide to become your competition!

2) It doesn't matter how big your business may be, or how much capital you can invest in growing your business. The simple fact is, we are able, by franchising, to have access to an unlimited amount of capital, 'other peoples'. and the self-motivation that comes with that capital commitment, ie. nobody works as hard as the boss.

Franchisees are both physically, emotionally and financially committed and any comparisons to employees, agents or commission sales-people simply fails to meet the marketing dynamics a business benefits from when it's franchised.

We need you to supply your investment dollars, your enthusiasm, and most importantly your burning desire to succeed to build a successful retail business.

You need us, to show you the best way of operating this type of specialist business, and avoid failure and maximise your operating profits.

Franchising as a marketing tool is still coming of age in Australia, and yes it 1 s true to say franchising has had its fair share of 'quick buck franchisors', but our bottom line is very easy for you to understand.

Without you, we won't achieve our goals; without us. you may not achieve yours. Our job, as Franchisors, is to show you how to make a good living, a fair return on your investment and to feel personally terrific in being a part of our Howards Storage World Franchise Family.

We challenge you to ask us lots of 'why' questions and we will in turn qualify you as best we can to ensure you understand what it takes to succeed in retailing in today's tough marketplace.

Our goal is to find up to 100 franchisees and choosing from an Australian population of 20,000,000 people we reckon its going to he a match making process for both of us!

1. You are a self starter.
2. A joiner - team player.
3. Enjoy people and a good joke.
4. Are realistic when it comes to the work you need to put into growing your repeat customers.
5. Are not frightened by the idea of quoting for shelving and perhaps installing product at the customers home.
6. Will listen and take advice.
7. Enjoy getting together to share ideas.
8. Are honest, and can get a problem off your chest by talking about it rather than bottling up your feelings.
9. Don't expect to make a million dollars overnight but are hungry for the material benefits a successful business can deliver.
10. Enjoy the idea of your own business but are smart enough to see the advantage of group buying power and joint advertising clout.

1. A 10 year contract with a further 10 year renewal option at no additional cost to you.
2. Monthly meetings where we will all compare retail results and update our selling skills and product knowledge.
3. A management fee of 6% of your sales, so we are both tied to the task of steadily increasing your sales and profit.
4. An advertising levy of 2.5% of sales which is split between a National contribution of 1% and 1.5% of your sales that will be spent by you in your own local area.
5. An annual conference where we all share information and invite our suppliers to offer us the best pricing deals based on bulk buying arrangements.
6. Ongoing field visits by our franchise management team to ensure you are operating your business to its maximum capacity
7. Negotiation with your landlord to get the best possible rental deals and minimum rental increases.
8. An insurance package to cover all your business and personal insurance.
9. Negotiation with our bankers to get you the best loan deal, if you choose to partly borrow or lease your shop fit out.
10. An genuine ongoing caring attitude to make sure you, as our number one customer, are happy to stay with us!