From redundancy to empowerment with a Auditel franchise

Philip and Pam Godwin

Nottingham-based Philip & Pam Godwin, joined the Auditel Cost Management franchise in January 2009

Why we chose franchising

Philip: I had worked in a diverse range of Finance, Audit and IT management roles. Latterly, I was employed in a senior management post by one of the UK’s leading integrated power and gas companies giving me valuable insight into the way the utilities market operates. We wanted to start our own business, but reduce the start-up risk by using a proven business model. Looking for different things to do rather then stay in employment, we had spotted Auditel as far back as 1998, so it was in the back of our minds when I was made redundant in 2009.

Our advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

It is important to check the background of the Franchisor and their operations eg support, backup/training etc. Talk to a variety of current franchisees – new ones to old hands. Think very carefully about the impact of becoming self-employed, eg on family commitments

Why we chose Auditel

Philip

We looked at a number of franchise opportunities. What made Auditel stand out for us was first of all the management team - integrity, professionalism and dedication. Then, the key issue - it had been in the market place some 15 years with the accompanying reduced risk. It offers a business model which was adaptable to the lifestyle that we wanted to achieve and has a commitment to ongoing personal development. Finally, here was a company I would want to do business with.

Pam

There are various reasons why I chose Auditel but mainly the opportunity to work together with my husband in a business partnership to which we could both contribute and use our different and complementary skills - I had over 20 years in Teaching. Auditel and its team were professional from our first contact with them. They were fully supportive and able to answer all the questions we posed in the decision making process.

How we raised the finance

Redundancy money

Training and support from the franchisor

We were given an intensive two weeks training – basic client acquisition and technical expertise and later follow-up sessions. Pam says: ‘I approached this with a little apprehension as to how I would cope, having no previous business or relevant industry experience. I was concerned that I might be out of my depth, but the training gave so much information and the confidence that we would be able to put what we had learnt into practice.’

The challenges we have faced

· Managing the time between different aspects of the business e.g. marketing, client management, report writing and networking.

· Dealing with the highs and lows and maintaining motivation.

· Developing new skills within a steep learning curve e.g. IT, VAT, networking, and telemarketing etc.

Progress in the marketplace so far

We are beginning to sign up clients and partners in the Partnership programme with accountants – the Client Acquisition process is slower than we had anticipated. Although we decided that Pam should head up Sales & Marketing, Philip has also become involved in networking and finding clients – and enjoying it!

Our plans for the future

We have two boys, aged 9 and 12, and are adjusting to a new work/life balance.
We shall continue marketing to local businesses, especially local accountants as Partners.
We hope to sign eleven clients by December 2009.
We plan to gain more knowledge of the Utility Markets and managing costs.

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