At Central Office, the Franchise Support team are currently very busy organising the Belvoir Annual Conference and Awards 2024. This is a fantastic, no-expense spared, annual event for franchisees and provides an opportunity to network as well as listening to suppliers and industry experts sharing valuable insights into how the sector is likely to develop in the coming months, plus ideas on how to maximise the potential of new opportunities. A key subject for this year’s conference is going to be AI, which as we all know is a hot topic at the moment, and I am very much looking forward to listening to the industry experts and discovering the pros and cons of AI, and how we can use this new technology to positively impact our businesses.
Later in the evening, after a champagne reception and four course black tie dinner, Belvoir will announce the winners of its Annual Awards 2024. The highlight of the evening is the announcement of which franchise has won the prestigious Belvoir Franchise of the Year award. These awards recognise the hard work of franchisees and their teams throughout the previous year, and it is most certainly not only the large, long-established franchises that are chosen as winners. There are numerous award categories, including best audit results, Community Champions, best social media accounts, acquisitions, and marketing awards. All these elements play a vital role in the success of a franchise business, and winning in any category is testimony to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. Winning an award is also very motivational and aspirational experience, helping to nurture the all-important team spirit that every franchise endeavours to create.
Talking of team spirit and commitment to the health, wellbeing and development of team members, I am delighted to report that the Belvoir Group has received Silver Accreditation from Investors in People.
Along with our highly-skilled franchisees, employees really are the lifeblood of our business and the reason for the continued success of all the brands within the Group. In 2023 we decided to partner with the Investors in People Scheme with the aim of raising standards even further and improving the Belvoir Group as a place of work, focusing on rewarding, supporting and investing in the team and its productivity.
This accreditation is the result of nine months of intensive effort. The process is very comprehensive, involving a thorough independent assessment, surveys, and one-to-one interviews to ensure team members were given the opportunity to make their views and opinions known. We were then able to use this information and work with the Investors in People assessor to further enhance the workplace so that team members feel inspired, empowered, recognized and rewarded.
The fact that The Belvoir Group has been awarded Silver Accreditation means that not only do we have the right principles in place, but all brands within the Group are focused on the core values of their businesses. At Central Office we have developed an incredible benefits package for the Franchise Support Team, which includes birthday leave, a free library of valuable resources, mortgage admin fee waivers, access to Medicare, a cycle to work scheme and the ability to buy and sell annual leave, as well as extra holiday for every year worked. We look forward to continuing our journey with Investors in People over the coming years.
If you are considering a franchise opportunity there are many factors to consider. However, there is no doubt that the franchisor’s commitment to the wellbeing of franchisees, team members and support staff are incredibly important.
Finally, I would like to wish everyone continued success in 2024, as this is my final contribution to Elite Franchise in my role as CEO of the Belvoir Group. I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to share some of my experience, advice and tips to prospective franchisees. As I have said many times, I truly believe that franchising is an incredible business model, and when the right business owner links with the right franchisor, it is a win-win situation for both parties.
