Holiday Blues? Maybe You Need a Career Change!

By: Franchoice | 0 Shares 79 Reads

November 25, 2008 // Franchising.com // EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - There are many reasons people may feel sadness around the holidays but dissatisfaction with a career ranks pretty high on countless lists. "We always see an increase in people checking out franchise ownership towards year-end," said Lori Kiser-Block, President of FranChoice, Inc., a national franchise consultant company that helps individuals find their ideal fit in a franchise business. "While people are reflecting on what they are thankful for, they may also be thinking of the goals they have yet to accomplish and the dreams they want to pursue."

The holiday season is a great time to assess a current situation and maybe look into other career options, suggests Kiser-Block. "A large number of displaced executives - or those who feel they are stagnating in their current positions - come to us for help in finding a franchise. They realize that if they use their skills and experience to build a business for themselves instead of for a corporation, they can achieve more. Whether that person wants more wealth or more control, or both, business ownership can provide that for them."

The future is not so rosy for those in corporate America. With a depressed economy and a possible recession around the corner, companies are going to be careful with their budgets and unlikely to give out large raises or bonuses in the coming year. For many organizations, layoffs and hiring and/or salary freezes are among the top contingency activities in place, according to Watson Wyatt, a global consulting firm focused on human capital and financial management.

And, with unemployment heading toward record highs, even those who have jobs they enjoy are fearful that their position may be eliminated at the next round of layoffs, said Kiser-Block. "It doesn't seem to matter how long you've worked for a business or how talented you are," she added. "When a company needs to reduce expenditures, anyone and everyone is vulnerable."

Franchise ownership offers a possible solution to many people, said Kiser-Block. "When you own a franchise, you have control over your life. You can choose the type of business you want to own and how hard you want to work." But you don't have to start a business from scratch, as you would without a franchise system to back you up.

"Great franchisors have developed a finely tuned business process that makes it easy for a displaced worker to make the transition from employee to owner," said Kiser-Block. "Besides the training provided, the brand and the trademark recognition make franchise ownership a value-added proposition. When you include the marketing help and the on-going assistance provide by a franchisor, you have a complete support system ready to help you achieve your goals and dreams. It's easy to understand why franchising is so successful."

Franchising as an industry is booming. According to FRANdata, franchisee candidates have a wide range of franchise opportunities to choose from. There are more than 100 lines of business, with investment ranges from as low as $10,000 to more than $1 million, and business formats of all shapes and sizes.

"A person spends an enormous amount of time either at a job or thinking about their work," concluded Kiser-Block. "It just makes sense that they should be doing something that they enjoy and that rewards them for their efforts. Often the best way to gain control over these two goals is through business ownership. Franchising can provide the fulfillment that so many people are looking for. Finding a franchisor that fits with your goals and dreams is the key to forever banishing those holiday blues."

About FranChoice

FranChoice is a national network of consultants dedicated to helping consumers find their ideal match in a franchise business. Since 2000, FranChoice consultants have helped over 40,000 people identify and investigate the perfect franchise for them through their free service.

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