Opportunities of Franchise

Franchising in Latin America – Brazil

2011-06-21T01:35:00.000-07:00

Franchising in Latin America – Brazil  

The size of Brazil gives a huge potential. And Brazil wants a bigger franchise market. The Brazilian franchise sector is already booming, largely on the strength of local brands. Some 90% of the franchises operating in Brazil are Brazilian. Brazilian companies kept growing, and the foreign companies didn’t come as expected. One of the inhibiting things for foreign franchises is that interest rates, although they have fallen, are still high. High interest rates and taxes make it hard to start a business here. The sector nonetheless grew to 1,700 franchises in 2009, estimates the sector grew by double-digits in 2010 and will see similar growth this year.

Behind those numbers are several factors. Credit is still widely available. More Brazilian women hold jobs now, and they are the ones splashing out on food and drink, clothes, accessories and health and beauty, precisely the areas that are among the fastest-growing for franchises.

As in other franchise sectors, franchisees undergo extensive training before they can open shop. Future expansion will largely be realized outside Sao Paulo. There are many other areas, such as Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and the Northeast, where there is plenty space to grow. Brazil is going through a great period economically, and we should take advantage of that.

This year, around 40% of Brazilians will be in the Class C; these people have more money, and they are earning at above inflationary rates, they have money to spend at franchises.

Education, including language schools, is another fast-growing segment in Brazil. The increase in demand for language skills is because of the hosting duties of the World Cup in 2014 and Rio Olympics in 2016 and the country becomes more international in its outlook. Brazil anticipates that thousands of international visitors will come for those events. The country’s national business-travel and tourism markets are also growing, with hotels and other services springing up around the country.

Brazil will continue its fast-pace growth for years to come, alongside the overall investment and development the entire country is experiencing.

Starting a financial franchise business

2011-06-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

Starting a financial franchise business

There are many options to choose when entering into the financial and accountancy franchise industry, such as business cost management consulting franchises, accountancy franchises, tax preparation franchises, financial advising franchises, loan franchises and mortgage franchises.

Entry into this industry is fairly easy and financial services franchises usually have high earning potential, as many of their clients are businesses.

These franchises are for to those who want to utilise their financial or accountancy skills and have automatic brand name recognition and support that helps build a successful business from the begining. People who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are attracted to the financial sector but don’t have experience are also great candidates, as franchises provide them with training on how to run the business as well as providing crucial information on the financial market itself.

Once you decide on a franchise that matches your interests, make sure to enquire about important details. Ask how much is the initial investment, if they help you obtain capital and do you have enough working capital on hand for your personal expenses during the initial months of starting the franchised business.

Enquire about projected earnings as well as actual earnings results from their other franchisees, which will give you a realistic idea of what you can expect to make.

Find out about what kind of initial training and set-up assistance they provide, as well as what kind of ongoing training and support they will provide. Most franchises will teach you about the business itself, how to run it, how to use any products or perform any services the business offers, how to hire and manage employees and how to market your business. Make sure you can expect ongoing telephone support and a way to communicate and network with fellow franchisees.

When you are ready to sell your franchise, you want to know your options. Find out how long your contract lasts and if there are any specific rules to when and how you can sell a franchise.

Make sure you’re convinced the financial services and accountancy industry is for you.

Costa Rica ICT sector is a good example

2011-06-01T01:29:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica ICT sector is a good example

Costa Rica is an interesting example for countries looking to project national strategies to develop the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector as a driver for long- term competitiveness and growth. In fact, the country is notable among the economies of its kind for the success obtained in this respect.

Costa Rica also has remarkably well results in different international assessments benchmarking national performances in a number of aspects related to ICT development.

The World Bank’s World Development Indicators 2010 have placed Costa Rica as the fifth-largest technology-exporting country in the world, with high-tech exports representing 40% of its total exports in 2009, surpassed only by the Singapore (60%), Philippines (55%), and Malaysia (45%). It also ranked 5th out of 140 countries in the foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology transfer components of the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 2009–2010.

There are three major public policies behind Costa Rica’s success, that have increased the rapid and sustainable growth of the ICT sector: a reduction of internal taxes on and trade barriers to technological products, continuous public investment in education, and solid FDI platforms and foreign trade.

In 2008, the ICT sector employed 2.5% of the Costa Rican labour force and generated US$2.798 billion in sales; their production represented 11% of Costa Rican GDP and their exports accounted for 30% of the country’s total exports. In terms of the sector’s sales, 93% were for exports, percent IT-enabled services 70%, the components sub sector represented 20% ; 7% direct services and 3% software development.

To understand well the importance of sector’s for Costa Rica’s economy, consider that 700 domestic and international firms operated in Costa Rica’s ICT sector in 2008, according to data provided by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Agency PROCOMER and the local ICT Chamber CAMTIC.

Chile’s human capital is a key advantage of this country

2011-05-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

Chile’s human capital is a key advantage of this country

Regarding education, Chile has a wide range of top-quality schools and universities while, in the case of the arts, it combines the legacy of Nobel poets Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral with the painting of Roberto Matta and new generations of artists as well as the world’s most important mass artistic events for which Santiago is one of the region’s key venues.

Chile has 62 universities, 44 professional institutes (giving 4-year courses) and 112 technical institutes (with 2-year courses).

A total of 650,000 students are enrolled in higher education of which two-thirds correspond to universities and the remainder to technical courses.

A report published in 2008 by Gartner, an IT research and advisory company, oncluded that some Chilean universities and schools are on par with those in the United States. Along with increasing enrolment in courses related to technology and business courses, this guarantees a future supply of skilled human resources in Chile.

Chile is also noted for the quality of its universities. According the 2009 ranking published by the América Economía magazine, three of its business schools are among the ten best in Latin America. These are the schools of the Adolfo Ibáñez University (3rd), the Catholic University (5th) and the University of Chile (8th).

Foreign investors regularly pointed at Chile’s human capital as one of the country’s key comparative assets, drawing attention to the high standards of its universities and business schools.

Out of the country’s labour force of over 6 million, 65% are employed in the services sector.

Franchise opportunities in Spain

2011-05-11T01:26:00.001-07:00

Franchise opportunities in Spain

In the Spain market alone, the franchising numbers speak for themselves:

Over the last few years, the phenomenon of the franchise as a new way of doing business has been undergoing a notable increase in Spain, with year on year growth rates of around 40%

According to a Spanish Franchise Association report, there are 919 franchise brands in Spain and growing.

The latest franchising reports show that Spain is experiencing exponential growth and success within the franchise industry. There are already more than 57,000 franchise brand outlets in Spain.

The Spanish economy is developing to embrace more franchises each year and will most likely become a larger contender in international franchising in the future

Franchising turnover in sales has been Euro 25 Billion in recent years

It's your turn to become a part of the vibrant franchise industry! For over 30 years, franchising has grown into what it is now - one of the most widely recognized and reputable forms of business in the world!