By Evan Hackel
In the dynamic world of franchising, the ability to learn and adapt quickly is more crucial than ever. For franchisors, facilitating collaborative learning among franchisees, especially those who are new or launching new programs, can drive significant growth and innovation. Let’s explore how this method can be particularly beneficial for franchisors and how to implement it effectively.
Skill Development Through Peer Learning
Collaborative learning allows new and experienced franchisees to learn from each other’s diverse experiences and expertise. This peer-to-peer interaction not only enhances the practical knowledge of franchisees but also fosters a sense of community and support. When franchisees share insights on overcoming common challenges, they collectively build a stronger skill set, leading to more efficient and successful operations.
Simple examples of this are franchisees visiting neighbors or talking to other franchisees at conventions or by a friendly phone call. More advanced versions are professionally designed mentor programs, regional meetings, and peer/performance groups. New franchisees can be grouped with other new franchisees as they go through the opening process together.
Schedule time for collaborative learning at your annual conferences and meetings. Instead of just expecting attending franchisees to connect and share ideas, build time for collaborative learning into your daily schedule.
Resource Sharing for Enhanced Learning
One of the key advantages of collaborative learning is the pooling of resources. Franchisees can share their tools, information, and best practices, creating a rich repository of knowledge and learning materials. This collective approach ensures that all participants benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of the franchise system and its operations, leading to improved performance across the board.
One key is to have a well-thought-out place on your intranet site where people can reference and add materials. The more advanced version of this is visiting franchisees and documenting best practices. Sometimes, this knowledge updates an operations manual, and other times, it supplements information that is on your intranet.
Create and Support Franchise Advisory Councils
Create a main council with a rotating membership to share ideas and solutions. If you have enough franchisees, consider starting secondary councils about marketing, buying, systems and other vital activities.
Increased Motivation and Engagement
Learning in a group setting can significantly boost motivation and engagement among franchisees. The support and accountability from peers encourage active participation and commitment. Franchisees are more likely to stay engaged and motivated when they feel their contributions are valued and they are part of a collaborative community. This heightened engagement can lead to better understanding and thus adherence to franchise standards and greater overall satisfaction.
There is nothing like live in-person learning. The pandemic moved us away from this, and economics and costs can discourage it now. But now that the pandemic has passed, it is time to make in-person learning and real experiences part of your learning process.
Accelerating Growth and Fostering Innovation
By creating groups of new franchisees or groups of current franchisees who are launching new programs, franchisors can accelerate growth and foster a culture of innovation. Collaborative learning encourages continuous improvement and the sharing of innovative ideas. Franchisors can harness this collective creativity to enhance their business models, improve customer experiences, and stay ahead of the competition.
Integrating Collaborative Learning with E-Learning
Combining collaborative learning with e-learning can be particularly powerful for franchisors. Franchisee groups can engage in the same e-learning modules and then meet to discuss their learnings. This blended learning approach maximizes the strengths of both methods, reinforcing key concepts and deepening understanding.
How to Implement Collaborative E-Learning
- Schedule e-learning sessions for franchisee groups to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Organize regular meetings where franchisees can discuss and reflect on their e-learning experiences.
- Collect feedback from participants to continuously improve the collaborative learning process.
Conclusion
Collaborative learning offers a myriad of benefits for franchisors, enhancing the growth and innovation of their franchise systems. By leveraging the diverse experiences of franchisees, fostering a supportive learning environment, and integrating e-learning, franchisors can create a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. This approach not only drives individual franchisee success but also strengthens the overall franchise network, ensuring long-term success and competitive advantage.
By embracing the benefits of collaborative learning, franchisors can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Whether you are onboarding new franchisees or launching new programs, a collaborative approach to learning can help your franchise system thrive and achieve its goals more effectively.
About Evan Hackel
As author, speaker and entrepreneur, Evan has been instrumental in launching more than 20 businesses and has managed a portfolio of brands with systemwide sales of more than $5 billion. He is the creator of Ingaged Leadership, is author of the book Ingaging Leadership: The Ultimate Edition and is a thought leader in the fields of leadership and success.
Evan is the CEO of Ingage Consulting, Delta Payment Systems, and an advisor to The Learning Network. Reach Evan at ehackel@ingage.net, 781-820-7609 or visit www.evanhackel.com.