The Small Business Franchise in 2011

We’re now well into February 2011 and those New Year resolutions likely are forgotten dreams. Except for that one significant promise, to become master of your own destiny and invest in your own business.

If owning your own business is one of your goals this year, there are some trends in your favour. Slow to moderate overall economic growth in many countries hard hit by the recession is forecast to continue through 2011. In the US, the small business sector remained in recession in 2010, lagging in recovery, but is predicted to see stronger demand and better business conditions this coming year.
Key trends seen as driving the growth of small business through 2011 are

• small manufacturing businesses in niche markets aided by technology making barriers to entry lower,
• the weak dollar aiding US manufacturing cost competitiveness,
• the internet becoming more widely known to small business as a low cost way of sourcing and selling goods and services.
• Small business growing more familiar with and making greater use of social media in their local marketing efforts -think Groupon Inc and its highly successful coupon business supporting local deals!

When time is not on your side, the resilient and proven franchise business model allows you a faster way to generating positive cash flow. As the old adage goes, it’s your own business, you just don`t have to go it alone. Strong viable franchise opportunities are there for the qualified buyer, so how to join that select group?
Access to financing from traditional sources is expected to remain tight in the US throughout 2011, in spite of the Government’s continuing efforts to support small business through tough times. We recommend that potential franchise buyers be cautious when selecting companies to do their 401(k) rollovers or when selecting a financing company – with all of the fraud that has occurred in the banking sector over the last several years, finding a reputable company to provide you financing is more important than ever and a winning point in your favor with franchisors.

I founded MatchPoint Franchise Consulting Network in 2006 with a mission of helping companies expand their franchise networks and improve their system profitability. Its mission included improving the quality of new Franchisees coming into a system.
Advice is offered freely to franchise buyers by MatchPoint consultants and is vital to you in making a better, prudent, buying decision. The advice offered by our consultants does not make us lawyers; it is there to help you, with a high quality due diligence process. It is an effective hedge against misrepresentation and fraud sometimes propagated by less than reputable business opportunity marketers.
MatchPoint consultants know the red flags in the investment field. It takes the very few promoters that practice business fraud to taint the dream of an investor and their family.

That`s why seeking the independent advice of an expert franchising consultant at the start of your due diligence process is both wise and invaluable.