Rob Andrew joined the Auditel Cost Management Franchise in May 2012. Following a degree in Physics, he spent over 30 years in the Telecommunications industry. More recently, he has been working with business leaders in companies, ranging from small to large corporates. By applying his experience and discipline across all areas of cost management, he provides profitable solutions tailored to a client’s needs.
Why did you decide to take up a franchise?
Having chosen early retirement, I still wanted to use my experience and skills to help improve the performance of companies. I realised that a franchise provided a ‘business in a box’. It brought brand-strength, marketing collateral, training, tools and a network of helpful, entrepreneurial industry experts to call on. Something that would have taken years to achieve on my own. Instant credibility, sums it up.
How was Auditel found and why was it chosen?
I attended all of the seminars at the London Franchise Show at ExCel, to learn about Franchising. I narrowed my short-list of white-collar franchises to cost and purchase management. I visited three franchise discovery days and performed detailed due diligence into each organisation, its franchisees and clients, before deciding. Auditel has the simplest business model, flexible client payment methods and is supplier independent.
How is the training and support?
One of Auditel’s many strengths is the training. This is conducted both by Head Office staff and experienced, established franchisees who have industry expertise. This enables them to offer real-life support and mentoring. The training material and the analysis and reporting tools enable the ‘newbie’ to get to grips rapidly with the new environment. They provide early confidence to approach prospects. I particularly benefitted from the attendance of their Business Development Manager when I had an opportunity with a large, important prospect. This gave the meeting more gravitas and gave me added confidence.
What are the highlights of being an Auditel franchisee?
One of the major highlights has been the support and camaraderie of the Head Office team and the other franchisees. Though we are, in effect, in competition with each of the other franchisees, I am amazed at the level of help, patience and encouragement that I have experienced from the network. Having been tempted out of retirement because David Cameron told me that would live until I was 100, getting back into the cut and thrust of business life has proved very fulfilling! I have met so many new people, in so many walks of life. I don’t regret my decision.
What is your progress in the marketplace so far?
I have delivered key benefits to my clients. This included the implementation of a new, structured company car policy, documentation and supply of a new car fleet, for a dental equipment manufacturer/distributor. This saved them significant amounts of both time and money.
For a top market research company, I produced annual savings of £38,360 (46%) on previous bills for their hundred mobile phones, and again, an immeasurable saving of time.
Asked about the future, Rob says: “I plan to grow the business over the next few years, to provide stable, residual income and a value that offers choices of either divestiture, continuation or an eventual handover to my sons!”