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KNOWLEDGE-SHARING FOR GROWTH Organisations with a strong focus on knowledge-sharing will always generate opportunities for self-growth and create an environment to learn from one another. For ERA, the emphasis on sharing expertise begins at the foundation training, where aligning new franchisees with the company’s ethos is paramount for both immediate and long-term success. “Sharing knowledge is basically what we’re designed to do. It’s one of the reasons why we invite so many experienced franchisees to help deliver the training. Because who better to deliver the training than the people who’ve made it work?” emphasises Tasha Starks. It’s a concept deeply rooted in the company’s DNA, a collective appreciation that sharing ideas and knowledge helps individuals, and teams, to perform at their best. UNLOCKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES Another benefit of effective collaboration is the ability to unlock new opportunities for business growth. Innovative franchise organisations will always take a strategic view on how to get the best out of everyone, from franchisees to employees. “Every country we support is different,” agrees Tim Barber-Lomax, with much of his role focused on facilitating collaboration at an international level. “It’s important to understand the strengths and the challenges of those different countries because often the challenges in one region present an opportunity for another.” This collaborative spirit extends beyond franchisees to the global support teams, where regular communication and cross- departmental collaboration spark new ideas and ensure alignment with the network’s evolving needs. “We have a responsibility to promote the brand, to build trust and advocacy, to foster a connection with our audience on a global level,” adds John Mockler, head of marketing, “But we are also very ‘hands-on’ with our franchisees and tailor our support accordingly, rather than promoting a one-size-fits-all approach. People work in different ways and we try and cater for this.” COLLABORATION FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING Innovation and problem-solving are integral to ERA’s growth strategy. Establishing strong communication channels is essential for encouraging an environment where creative solutions flourish. “My team must adapt to new technologies very quickly. To allow us to have global communication with our franchisees, we have created a variety of solutions available to the network,” shares David de la Nougerede, head of IT. By leveraging the right tools and channels, an organisation like ERA can bring together diverse minds, skills, ideas, and perspectives to spark change, foster innovation and, ultimately, drive business growth. “Our model and structure fits the current, fast-changing business scene and is extremely well suited to today’s economy. Our vision is to continue unlocking potential and that applies equally for franchisees, clients and employees,” concludes Fred Marfleet, ERA founder and chairman. Franchise Overview ERA Group Established: 1992 Number of outlets: 750+ franchisees Locations of units: 50+ countries worldwide Min required capital: £49,950 Contact: joinus@ expensereduction.com uk.expensereduction. com/careers WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM 39 BEHIND THE BRAND: PARTNER CONTENT ERA GROUP