A recent study revealed that 11% of working Brits intend to start their own business in 2018. Over the last six months, Expense Reduction Analysts UK (ERA UK) have confirmed these findings, having welcomed eight new Franchise Partners into the network!
When polled, a whopping 44% of people said their reason for ditching the corporate grind in favour of being their own boss would be to achieve a better work/life balance. 43% said they wanted to choose the type of work that they do, whilst 37% cited attaining a greater sense of achievement as their main driver: which also happen to be three of the top reasons people choose to join ERA UK.
The ERA UK franchise opportunity attracts high-calibre professionals, often from senior management positions, across a plethora of industries. And the latest group of eight new recruits are no exception, with backgrounds in the likes of Microsoft, Royal Mail, Siemens and BP between them.
New Franchise Partner, Simon Daley, is a former change-management and culture-change practitioner with experience at both BP & Diageo (Guinness). It was ERA UK’s impressive marketing programme along with the level of support offered for Franchise Partners, that drew him to the brand:
“I was impressed from the outset with the quality of materials available for Franchise Partners and the obvious research and investment that goes into the marketing support. From a personal perspective, I was drawn to the comfort of having the team and the organisational structure and support behind me, whilst at the same time, having control over my own business and the opportunity to structure my future in a way that will work for me.”
Fellow new recruit, David Rickard, launched his franchise in January this year. A former Procurement Director with global giant, Microsoft, it was the autonomy of business ownership paired with ERA UK’s uniquely symbiotic network, that David saw as the perfect formula for success:
“What attracted me most was the sheer strength of the collective network. The knowledge and power they command as a procurement entity is internationally renowned; and it’s each individual Franchise Partner’s ability and willingness to both leverage and participate in the grand scheme that makes the business so successful.
“Prior to launch, I had the opportunity to attend the annual conference and meet almost every single consultant under one roof! Even though I already knew it would be there, the buzz over the course of the day was infectious. Business being done in every corner, over every coffee – and with a genuine sense of camaraderie and fondness between colleagues. I’m more excited than ever to have joined this extraordinary group of professionals.”
As the network continues to expand, ERA UK Managing Director, Robert Allison, says that the number-one priority remains the quality and level of support for Franchise Partners. As a testament to this fact, ERA UK have just been named finalists in the 2018 bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards in the category ‘Award for Franchisee Support’.
“We’re committed to supporting and growing the business of each and every one of our Franchise Partners, whether they’ve been with us for two weeks or 20 years. We do this by continually asking ourselves ‘how can we be better?’ and then implementing the systems, the technology and the structures to do just that – being shortlisted for this award demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our network and our brand in the UK.”
*The research of 1,000 fully employed UK adults (excluding freelancers) was conducted on behalf of FreeAgent by OnePoll.com from 18-21 December 2017.