All Trades Network: Sharing Franchise Success

All Trades Network franchisees are encouraged to share their successes and voice their opinions to fuel the development of their businesses and the network as a whole. Rachel Spaul reports

All Trades Network is an organisation with its finger firmly on the pulse of the UK insurance industry and what its franchisees need to deliver professional services to this industry.

The company recently held its first National Franchisee Meeting, which will become an annual event, giving franchisees the opportunity to meet each other and to receive further training and encouragement. Managing Director Keith Roberts describes the event as a 'huge success' and says it built on the knowledge franchisees gained through their initial training and experience gained to date.

'We started the meeting with an informative asbestos awareness presentation from TASC (Training and Safety Consultants),' he reveals. 'Many domestic properties contain asbestos, as historically it was used extensively in building materials. It is important that franchisees have a full understanding of where it was used and where it is most likely to be found, so that they can identify it when surveying customer's properties.'

A company presentation followed outlining network developments, including a new company brochure to market the network for new contracts. The day was brought to a close by a relaxing dinner giving franchisees the opportunity to socialise. A formal meeting to exchange ideas and to raise particular issues followed the next day.

Formed in 2002 and franchised last year, the company has established a strong reputation based upon its track record providing a professional building repair service to insurance companies. With eight franchisees trading, All Trades Network is looking to recruit its next phase of franchisees to satisfy the huge nationwide demand for its expertise.

As a white-collar opportunity, franchisees manage a team to fulfil the needs of the insured parties and the insurance companies. This includes the verification of property damage, building a schedule of repairs and sourcing first class tradesmen to carry out those works. There's minimal selling involved as the majority of business comes direct from insurance companies via head office national accounts, leaving franchisees to concentrate on delivering a first rate service.

Tim de Gruyther, who was the first franchisee, outlines his reasons for becoming an All Trades Network franchisee: 'With experience in management linked with the construction sector, I warmed to the All Trades franchise team instantly. As a home-based business this is brilliant, with minimal overheads. However there's huge room for expansion with the opportunity to move into larger premises and build a team of staff.'

Franchisees must be committed and conscientious with good organisational skills and management experience. Keith adds: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for determined and enthusiastic individuals to join All Trades Network as it seeks to develop its share of the UK market.'

Do you measure up?

All Trades Network Ltd is a dynamic business with an impressive track record of managing a complete building repair service on behalf of blue chip insurance companies and their policy-holders.

Whether it's a leak from a pipe or a major loss from a fire or storm, our franchisees make a difference to people's lives in swiftly diagnosing a problem and leading a specialist team of tradesmen to complete the work in hand. Well-handled claims can increase policy renewal rates and therefore provide repeat business to the franchisee. We are now looking for our next phase of franchisees to satisfy the huge nationwide demand for All Trade's expertise.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a determined and enthusiastic individual. Full comprehensive training will be given for every aspect of the franchise. If you feel you can grasp the opportunity of running your own business and make a difference to a policy-holder's needs; this is the franchise for you.