The concept of business coaching, as it is now popularly publicised, was spearheaded in 1993 by ActionCOACH founder Brad Sugars. The company that started all of this is still on top more than two decades later. In fact, no franchise in the “business coaching” category has a total revenue that is 10% of ours. From a one-man show to a multi-million dollar enterprise, ActionCOACH has set the standard and is the most innovative company in the business coaching industry. Lets get to know more about ActionCOACH from Vic Ciuffetelli, their Global Sales Director.
1. How did you enter the franchise business?
I have been in the Franchise world for 40 years. Both as a Franchisee and mostly working with Franchise Brands. I have been with ActionCOACH now for 22 years. Franchising appealed to me as it was a ‘safer’ way of getting in to business. Back then Franchising was just emerging, and the thought of getting into a new industry did excite me, even though the journey I have been on has by far exceeded any expectations I had.
2. Where and how did the idea of your concept come from?
Brad Sugars is the Founder and currently Chairman of ActionCOACH. ActionCOACH has been operating as a Franchise since 1999 and was formed in 1993. In the early days Brad was a speaker who focussed on Business and he found that at events, the people would walk away with great ideas and many ‘to do’s’, but very few of these were implemented. He devised Coaching as a way of helping Business Owners implement these ideas.
3. What inspired the brand name?
Action is just that, taking action to achieve your goals and desires, rather than sitting around thinking ‘one day I’ll do ……’
4. What is the story behind the brand’s logo?
It’s what we do and who we are – Coaches who inspire others to take action so that they can live their dream life.
5. What makes your brand different from your competitors?
ActionCOACH, well Brad Sugars, was the creator of this profession called Business Coaching. So we have led this profession from the start to now we are the worlds largest coaching Firm and all through this time we have led the innovations in the market. We are not only now a Business coaching business but a Business education organisations building communities of local Business Owners through our Membership program. So now we have a product that fits all size of business. Our USP is the 360 degree approach we have to business. We are currently operating in 88 countries.
6. What are the essential qualities that you look for in a franchisee?
Must have a passion for Business
Must have a passion to help others succeed
Must have at least 10 years success in the Corporate world or running their own business
Must have the desire to grow a coaching business rather than being a ‘one man band’
Helpful if they have a Sales or Marketing background, but these aren’t essential as we train these skills in our new Franchise Partners
7. How long does it take, on average, for your franchisee to realize their investment?
6 – 9 months. Our coaches are among the most successful and highest paid in the market, because we deliver results.
8. What was the major challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
Growing ActionCOACH in so many countries, most that I hadn’t ever visited before. I found that networking with local organisations, associations and just connecting with like minded people always helped me launch into these countries.
8.1 What is your best achievement?
Working with a team that has grown us to 88 countries and 1200 offices around the world.
9. How does your business day start?
Always with reflection. Then I start making the calls to continue our growth so the we can work closer to our Vision of ‘World Abundance through business re education’.
10. What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?
There have been so many through from introducing people to ActionCOACH, to assisting in their training, and ultimately watching them own their own very successful business and living the life that they had desired for themselves.
11. Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?
We keep on innovating and making sure that we are delivering services and products that are meaningful in the current Business market. So I see us continuing these innovations, continuing our Growth and to continue serving the local Business community to more and more success
12. Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?
Do your research. Develop a Business plan. Make sure you get in to a business you have a passion for, then the money/success will follow.
Source: The Franchise Talk
