Tag: featured

by Julie Lusthaus

Tutoring is a booming business. In the U.S., it is reportedly a $4.9 billion industry. It is considered to be relatively recession-resistant in that parents are reluctant to cut education services to help their children. While in-person tutoring is likely to continue to experience strong growth, online learning may be even stronger. The size of the online tutoring market in the U.S. has been estimated at $608 million with an average growth of 6.9 percent between 2014–2019. However, because of COVID-19, e-learning may grow even faster. For those who have an existing tutoring business, this may present an opportunity to consider franchising. Before moving forward, there are costs and benefits to be weighed as with any franchise. These issues should be considered in relation to how they specifically apply to a tutoring franchise.  

Market size and location 

If you will be offering in-person tutoring, then you will want to target franchisees in optimal markets with a high percentage of parents who can afford tutoring services. With online tutoring, you may have more flexibility in terms of the location of your franchisee. However, either way, you must comply with both federal and state franchise rules. Many states have their own requirements for filing and registration and they may vary depending on where the franchisor is domiciled, where the franchisee is domiciled or where the business will be located. You will need to consult an experienced franchise lawyer about compliance with these rules. 

Staffing 

Typically, tutors have an educational background. For added credibility, you may want to require that franchisees hire tutors with tutoring certifications from the National Tutoring Association, American Tutoring Association and other certifying bodies. If the franchise will have a physical location, franchisees will need to access a good pool of candidates in the area at an affordable price. Note that tutors may be considered “employees” rather than “independent contractors,” which means they are subject to wage, hour and other employment laws.  

Reserving rights to online sales 

If you are franchising an online learning business or your in-person tutoring business also offers online tutoring as a separate service, you will need to decide if you want to reserve the right to sell online services yourself. This information will need to be included in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Item 12 of the FDD sets forth the geographical areas within which your franchises will/may operate. You must consider whether you want the ability to sell products and/or services within a franchisee’s territory through Internet activities or other channels of distribution. 

Start-up costs 

As the franchisor, you will have significant upfront costs related to business plans, legal documents, operations manuals, marketing materials, and other expenses. However, you also must consider the start-up costs for franchisees. An online learning franchise will have significantly lower costs for the franchisee than developing and maintaining a physical location. However, there may be added expenses related to training, software, tech support, and marketing for an online-only business.  

Franchising your tutoring business has great potential for growth, but it is important to discuss the specifics of your situation with a knowledgeable franchise attorney and business advisor.  

If you have questions about franchising your business, contact Lusthaus Law. 

by Susan Scotts

No matter who you are or where you are, Covid-19 has affected everyone in one way or another.  The world is not the same place it was just a few short months ago.  In life, “SHIFT” happens.  As resilient human beings, we always learn to adjust and redirect.  If you are in a state of flux with life as you currently know, you are not alone!  The “new normal-ish” is something we haven’t identified yet, and I believe it will continue to change and evolve. However, many of us don’t like change – especially many of the changes that we are facing now during coronavirus.  Just because things have changed, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy life in a positive way.  It just requires a shift in our thinking as well.  

Please know, it’s ok to not be ok.  Allow yourself to feel all the feelings.  All crises are just opportunities to go back to our core principles and decide what really matters and readjust our lives to lead a life that is fundamentally more nutritious for our physical beings, spirits and souls. 

With all of the external issues we’ve been faced with, I feel that many of the biggest things we are learning are internal.  Introspection has surely hit all of us, with additional time to think while in quarantine.  It is a time that requires our patience.  Patience, according to a Benedictine Monk, means to “sit with our suffering.”  Isolation can take from you, or GIVE you the space created for dreaming of what you really want for yourself, an opportunity to clear the clutter of everyday noise, activities, and even physical things we really don’t want, need or enjoy any longer.  These are the times that shape us. You can choose to be shaped or to shape yourself.   Are you allowing the isolation to take from you, or give to you?  To shape you, or for you to shape yourself? 

Here are some helpful ways to stay positive and to make you more hopeful: 

THINK POSITIVELY.  I know that sounds obvious, but having positive thoughts is extremely important.  Good can be found in almost every situation (sometimes it is not obvious at first, but good things can positively come from what we see as a temporarily bad situation.)  Perhaps now we have time to experience the small things in life and remember how special they are.  Enjoying the glorious sun coming up, taking time and enjoying a delicious, flavorful breakfast or dinner with your family.  Listening to the beautiful harmony of the birds chirping or simply enjoying a slower pace of life.  Taking a little time for ourselves to just breathe in the fragrant grass and flowers and simply enjoy a warm, summer day.  The glass is either half full or half empty, how will you choose to view it? Meaningful moments are happening that we were too busy to enjoy before.  This time is allowing us to enjoy them! 

MAKE A GRATITUDE LIST AND LEARN TO ATTRACT WHAT YOU DESIRE.    Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”  If you are personally struggling to find gratitude in your day or your life, try making a gratitude list.  Get out a piece of paper or even a laptop and begin to write all the positive and good things in your life.  It can be as simple as, “I have a roof over my head,” or “I have enough food to eat.”  How about, “I am healthy!!” Keep writing!  You’ll see once you begin, it’s easy to keep writing and see all the wonderful things in your life.  If you can’t focus on something good, think of how much worse it could actually be.  Be grateful.  Energetically you get back what energies you put out into the universe, so by seeing the beauty, you will attract more beauty into your life.  To empower you to attract abundance in your life, I created a powerful app called The Conscious Manifestor (available in both Apple and Google Play stores).  The Conscious Manifestor app provides you with a positive affirmation each day that you select and helps you learn how to utilize the art of consciously attracting abundance in your life.  Why not choose to attract what you really desire today! 

SERVE OTHERS.  After creating a gratitude list, you can begin to see how incredibly blessed you are.  To add to that list, instead of allowing this time of forced isolation to create separation, why not let it empower you to come even closer to others by helping them?  It doesn’t have to be a huge expense for you to make a difference.  Making a simple phone call to someone who is at high risk during the pandemic can make a huge impact.  You can donate food or time to a local group who is serving your local community.   The small kindnesses that will become who we were during this time will become who we are after it.   

USE YOUR TIME PRODUCTIVELY.  Embrace a slower pace – it’s the little things that add up to a full life.  Instead of seeing this time as a punishment, try viewing it as an opportunity for additional time to do what you want to do.  You can start by identifying what is important to you.   As the lockdown forces us to turn inward, it offers us an opportunity to rethink what’s important and what we were meant to do.  Perhaps your excuse in the past has been “I don’t have time to think about what I really want to do or the time to learn something new.”  The ground has certainly shifted, and many people are reviewing their lives, reflecting not only on “what’s important” and “what makes me happy” but also “what was I created to do?”  It may be time to re-evaluate what you do to earn a living to have a more purposeful life. For some, it may be mandatory due to a layoff or closure. For others, it is necessary to live a more authentic life.  Together we can explore meaningful work that will make you happy and fulfilled and learn about possibilities that allow you to “make a life, not a living.”  Perhaps it is time for you to consider a home-based business so you can be there for your children or a service–based business that allows others to work for you and you can then focus on what’s important to you.  There are many options available that you’ve never even thought of or might have dismissed prematurely that could be a good fit for you.  As a Career Transition Coach, I’ve been helping people for over three decades to become self-sufficient.  A free 10–minute call will change your life, so use this time productively and let’s learn together what might be a good fit for you.  Learn more on Apple App Store or Google Play or at ConsciousManifestor.com.  What are you waiting for? 

by Elizabeth Denham

The COVID-19 pandemic presented all of us with a lot to fear: health risk, job loss, isolation, life without toilet paper…the list was long. And while many of us were able to work from home, making that shift at a moment’s notice was challenging. Even more difficult, many of us were working from home and trying to keep our kids engaged with school.  

Now is no less challenging. Many summer camps are canceled, vacations postponed, friends kept at bay. So, the question is sent out to the vast universe. How do I entertain my kids so I can work?! 

I have some ideas. And I will admit, many are not my own. I have watched my kids and my nieces and nephews (heretofore known as The Gaggle) come up with some pretty creative ideas that I am going to share with you in the hopes that it will keep them occupied and out of your hair (at least for a while) so you can get some work done in peace. 

Zoom a la Painting with a Twist or Bob Ross 

The Gaggle has created a gallery of fine art with zoom, paper/canvas and whatever art supplies are on hand. Here is the deal. Your Gaggle, which can consist of friends, family or even solo) will: 

1. Get on Zoom or Facetime with other Gaggle members. 
2. Choose a picture everyone will paint or draw. 
3. Each creates art from his/her own locations with idle chitchat and bounteous commentary on the others’ work. 
4. Run to the living room and show whoever is home. 

This should get you about 30 minutes. 

Cooking Show Competition a la Gordon Ramsay 

This can be a bit messy, but cleanup can buy you another half hour. The deal is you mess up the kitchen, you clean it up.  This must be articulated before beginning. You will need to add the ingredient list to your next grocery run, but this one could buy you a couple of hours.  For this one, The Gaggle will: 

1. Choose a recipe. 
2. Get on Zoom or Facetime. 
3. Set out ingredients for a recipe. 
4. You can make this challenge harder – my Gaggle did – by having one person read instructions but NOT reveal portions of ingredients. This adds the potential for disaster which makes for better TV (my Gaggle filmed it and added it to their website). Want to see? Not sure if you do, but here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9NKV8PY_8k 
5. Create recipe. 
6. Have everyone taste and describe. 
7. Run to whoever is home and force into taste testing. 
8. Clean up. 

This one can buy you a couple of hours. 

Make a Movie 

The Gaggle does this every year when the cousins all come to town. They spend weeks meeting online or on the phone and writing a script. The plan shots, edits, costumes, etc. They even have a YouTube where on of my older sons says 103 unsuspecting victims have sat through these movies. I love them. It’s all about perspective, right? 

1. Write a script. 
2. Plan costumes. 
3. Plan shot selections. 
4. Plan locations. 
5. Film  
6. Edit (you’d be amazed that they all know how to do this on their phones). 
7. Show it to every unsuspecting victim you can find! 

This one, when done right, can buy you days and maybe even weeks! 

May the force be with you this summer! 

by Rebecca Monet

I know you better than you know yourself. Underneath that tough exterior, there lies a tender underbelly. But none have seen it. Not your friends, colleagues or boss. Not your children in whose eyes you are a combination of superhero and ATM. Not even your adoring and balding husband. What?! But he’s seen me naked, you exclaim. No, he’s clueless too. How do I know? Because he’s sound asleep and snoring while you’re wide awake asking yourself:  

“Do I have what it takes?” 

You’re not alone. Everyone asks themselves that question. But rarely out loud. Even rarer, is getting an answer in advance of taking the leap into business ownership. Indeed many linger for years watching on the sidelines as others much less talented crossover from corporate minion to business owner. Oh, I’m not suggesting you are dawdling. Besides, how would I know that? Nor am I implying you lack confidence or ambition. I’m simply suggesting this one question has hindered countless individuals from achieving their dreams of business ownership.   

Granted not everyone has the ‘right stuff’ to be a franchisee but just as often the issue is in regards to ‘right fit’ instead. Two different things. Both are important. I’ve spent 27 years in the psychometric assessment business specifically in franchising. I research, create and validate tools to determine if someone has what it takes to be a business owner and if so which franchise would be the right fit. I love data and being able to quantify and predict things. Call me a nerd, but franchisors who care about the performance of their franchisees like having me around.  

In the past 8 years, Zorakle Profiles has assessed more than 120,000 franchisees and prospective franchisees. That being said, let me provide an unbiased, science-based answer as to what it takes to be a successful franchisee. Then you can decide.  

Top–performing franchisees exhibited these three traits in spades over their low performing counterparts.  

Self-Control 

Pop psychology suggests if we are self-aware – understand our emotions, strengths, weaknesses and drives we will be happier and more successful.  I can’t argue the happier part but I can tell you our research shows no such correlation to business success. In fact, low performing franchisees scored higher in self-awareness than top–performing franchisees, pointing to negative correlations.  

Instead, top performers scored higher in self-control. Their ability to manage disruptive emotions and impulses effectively and remain calm in the face of the unexpected is what leads to success. This in turn confronts another false assumption, that one must understand something to control it. Top performers control their thoughts, feelings, mouth, time and money. Top performers do not bow to their feelings. They take their thoughts captive. They zip it because gossip, criticism, whining and complaining are destructive acts of pride. Most importantly they are good at delaying gratification. Want to fail? Speak and spend like there’s no tomorrow. Want to succeed? Exert self-control.  

Initiative 

Low performing franchisees scored higher in self-confidence whereas top–performing franchisees scored higher in initiative. Seems odd right? How is it that someone with strong self-confidence would avoid taking initiative? Let’s look at the difference.  Confidence by definition is courage that comes from certainty about our capabilities and goals. This doesn’t sound very confident or courageous to me. If one must be certain about something before taking action what kind of courage does that take?  

Initiative, on the other hand, is the power at one’s own discretion to do something before others do. In other words, someone with initiative is not waiting until he is confident in his capabilities. Top–performing franchisees take initiative. They cut through the red tape. They mobilize themselves and others even when all the ducks are not in a row. So why does someone with strong self-confidence not take initiative? Because confidence does not mobilize it gloats. Want to fail? Continue to gather competencies and capabilities, take that seminar, read that book, hire a coach and whiteboard your ideas. Want to succeed? Get up. Get dressed. Go do it.  

Humility 

While we are on the topic of self-confidence and gloating let’s look at the role of humility in business success. Humility is the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people. Hmmm, sounds like anti-gloating to me. Top performers outscored low performing franchisees in the trait of humility. Top performers treat people with respect. They are not easily offended. They don’t take credit for what others have done. They do not need to be right or insist on having their way. 

Pride is the enemy of success. We’ve heard ‘pride cometh before the fall’ a thousand different ways, yet we are a culture that is easily offended and applauds arrogance. Want to fail? Pretend you know it all, be easily offended and insist on being right. Want to succeed? Serve others, admit your mistakes and ask for help.    

I trust this quick glimpse into three attributes of successful franchisees answers your question: do I have the right stuff?  

 

About Rebecca Monet 

Rebecca Monet is chief scientist and president of Zorakle Profiles. Zorakle Profiles is a franchise–specific solutions provider of psychometric assessments. Zorakle’s SpotOn!! meta-analysis provides insight no singular profile, survey, algorithm or assessment can.  Zorakle’s SpotOn! science determines franchisee-franchisor compatibility and predicts performance. Zorakle reduces recruitment and support costs while increasing franchisee validation and performance.  

by Michelle Hummel

Engagement has been the buzzword in the digital marketing landscape for nearly a decade and with good reason. While there are many technical definitions, at its core, engagement is just another word for conversation. Basically, it’s what puts the social in social media, and now in the time of physical distancing, engagement is more important than ever. 

A recent article in The New York Times, “The Virus Changed the Way We Internet,” cites sources showing Facebook traffic is up 27 percent since February 29, when Covid-19 was being first being recognized as a serious matter. Even though the country is re-opening, most people are more comfortable virtually interacting instead of physically. Any business can benefit from this by engaging with your current and potential customers. 

Content Is King 

Before enacting an engagement strategy, the first step is a content plan. Think of content as the media in social media. Your business needs to post well-planned and well-executed content every day. Not only does this help your customers know what’s going with your business, but the potential customers you plan to engage with will check out your pages before speaking with you.  

A well-planned content strategy includes a mix of information about your products, highlighting the human element of your business, giving inspiration and posting thought-provoking ideas. Think for a moment about the last show you watched on television. Ads were placed in between the content – not the other way around. Your social media content strategy needs to flow the same way.  

Now let’s consider the well-executed part of your strategy. Every post needs an accompanying image taken in good lighting at a minimum, if not professionally taken, or from a stock service. The text needs to be free of grammatical errors and misspellings and needs to consider the many ways it could be interpreted, as well as its tone and timing. If your content misses the mark, your business could quickly go viral in a negative way. 

Inbound Engagement 

This is simply business gold. Inbound engagement is when customers reach out to you directly. Whether they’re commenting on a post or asking direct questions, it’s important to respond promptly – and take it up a step. If a customer comments with an emoji, give them two back. If they leave a positive comment, thank them and ask them a question back. You could also show your sense of humor by thanking them and including an appropriate gif. The more customers engage with your page, the more the social media platforms’ algorithms will continue delivering posts to them, allowing your business to stay top of mind. 

Outbound Engagement 

After you’re experienced with inbound engagement, it’s time to extend your circle. Think of outbound engagement as dating for a moment. If a stranger approaches you and immediately asks for a date, you’d probably turn them down. However, if you get to know someone first, you’re more likely to agree to the date when they do ask. Social media works the same way. Start by building a lead list of potential customers. This isn’t possible for B2C customers on Facebook, but it works there for B2B. B2C and B2B outbound engagement works on all other social media platforms. Once you have your lead list, build the relationship by liking one or two of their posts. Another week leave a comment or retweet them. Another week ask a question about their post. Now that you’ve built the relationship, go ahead and take it to the next level by DMing them one of your blogs you’d think they’d be interested in and asking for their feedback.   

Engagement is time-consuming, but its benefits will increase your bottom line by attracting new customers and reinforcing your brand loyalty with current customers, especially in this time of physical distancing. 

by Tom G. Porterfield, CPA, CFE

It is important that small businesses receiving the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans manage the loan proceeds. For that reason, we are sharing some best practices for managing PPP loans. 

Payroll and Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) 

PPP loans are forgivable, but reductions in employees, work hours and total payroll decrease the forgiveness. To manage this, recipients determine the baseline FTE and payroll amounts to calculate the forgiveness. 

This requires the average FTEs for the periods: 

• February 15, 2019 to June 30, 2019 for Option 1 and 
• January 1, 2020 to February 29, 2020 for Option 2. 

The other baseline is the total allowable payroll for the most recent quarter prior to the loan origination. You will need to gather the payroll expenses for employees during that first quarter. Track payroll expenses during the “covered period” by employee excluding employees earning over $100,000 annualized. The covered period has now been revised allowing recipients to choose an 8-week or 24-week period. 

Because the recipients must spend no less than 60% of the loan proceeds on payroll, it is important to track and monitor this from the start. 

Start by asking your payroll provider or CPA to help you gather this information.  

Segregate PPP Proceeds 

Open a new bank account to deposit and manage the PPP loan proceeds. Then pay the allowable expense from your existing bank accounts and transfer the funds from the PPP account to cover the expenses. This is important because the balance left in the PPP account should approximate the unforgivable balance at the end of the covered period. 

Maintain 8-Week and 24-Week PPP Projections and Logs 

Because recipients have the option of choosing 8 weeks or 24 weeks from the loan origination date to make the allowable expenses, it is important to project allowable expenses. 

Project and track the allowable expenses as actual expenditures are made over the 8 and 24–week periods. Setup a folder to save the reports and invoices supporting payroll, group health care benefits, retirement and other allowable expenditures. 

Communication 

Because the PPP loans are new, it is important to communicate with your banker throughout the expenditure period. It’s also important to understand the banker’s expectations for this process. Also keep abreast of any changes or clarifications of the PPP loan process. 

Taxability of the PPP Forgiveness 

There is a saying – “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” When it comes to the PPP loans, forgiveness is written into the CARES Act. This forgiveness is specifically exempted from federal income taxes. Sounds like a great deal, and it really is. 

It appears that someone reached out to the IRS and asked for permission. And while the IRS did not kibosh the tax free forgiveness, they clarified the deductibility of the related expenses in Notice 2020-32.

 While you are not taxed on the forgiveness, you can’t deduct the expenses paid by the forgivable portion of your PPP loan. 

So some think of this as bad news. It’s really a neutral event from a tax standpoint. Recipients are not taxed on the forgiveness on one side of the equation. On the other side, the related expenses are not deductible. So in the end, the tax effect of the PPP forgiveness is tax neutral. 

Accounting for the PPP Forgiveness 

Recipients should record the forgiveness to an easily recognizable account on the income statement. Do this to ensure that it is not taxable on your 2020 tax returns. 

Yeah, this a little technical for most of us. Here’s what you need to do. 

• Record the forgiveness in a separate “Other Income Account” 
• Work with your CPA specifically identifying the forgivable portion of the PPP loan. 
• Review the M-1 section of your return reconciling your book income to the taxable income. 

• Verify the forgiveness is removed from the book income (Line 5a Income recorded on books this year not included on Schedule K, lines 1 through 10), and 
• Verify the same amount is added back to book income (Line 3a Expenses recorded on books this year not included on Schedule K, Line 1 through 12 and 14p). 

The Remaining PPP Balance 

The balance of the PPP loan at the end of the 8 or 24–week covered period converts to a 2-year term loan at a 1% interest rate. Payments on your PPP loan are deferred for 6 months from the loan origination date. 

There is no prepayment penalty on the PPP loan. For that reason, recipients should consider how they will handle the unforgivable portion of the loan now in forecasting long-term cash flow. 

Summary of the PPP Best Practices 

First, understand the PPP loan forgiveness formula. Secondly, manage your expenditures during the 8 or 24 Week covered period to maximize the forgiveness. Then follow these steps: 

1. Gather the FTE and Payroll information for the baselines noted above. 

1. Segregate the proceeds in a separate bank account. 

1. Transfer funds to operating and payroll bank accounts as allowable expenditures are incurred. 

1. Create and maintain a projection of allowable expenditures. 

1. Update the projection as allowable expenditures are incurred. 

1. Scan and save supporting reports and invoices in a central folder to support the loan forgiveness calculation. 

1. Record the forgiveness to a separate “Other Income” account. 

1. Work with your CPA and review the 2020 M-1 Schedule ensuring the forgiveness is not taxable nor, the related expenses are not deducted. 

Finally, follow these steps to maximize the loan forgiveness and create liquidity during this difficult business cycle. 

by  Elizabeth Denham

Carolyn Thurston is a self-described dreamer. From a young age, she had a strong faith, a relentless desire to help people and the gumption to find a way to succeed. That gumption led her to her position as Founder and CEO of Wisdom Senior Care, an emerging franchise, and President and CEO of Wisdom Health Academy, a state-approved nursing school in Durham, North Carolina.

“In 11th grade, God gave me the idea and a name – ‘Wisdom,’” Thurston said. “I told my mother, and she said, ‘Girl, you can do it!’”

After going to school for sociology, she had a burning desire to get her nursing degree. She worked in a hospital for a time and then went to work in home health care always knowing she wanted to start her own business. 

In 2005, she had a dream, but she didn’t know what to do with it and had no money to start.  She decided to go for it. By 2006, Wisdom Senior Care came into being and Thurston learned as she went. 

“I had no business experience at all,” she said. “I learned that if you don’t have a business degree, have people around you who know business.” 

After ten years, Thurston began to feel burnout. She was doing everything herself, losing her passion and gaining fear. This is the typical reality of more than 30 million businesses nationwide. She got the opportunity through her church to be introduced to wEquipu, a business coaching and digital marketing agency.  With the agency, she discovered and read the book, “EMyth” by Michael Gerber and set her business growth around the concept of franchising. 

“My whole story is about faith which is our first core value as an organization. I didn’t have money, and my credit wasn’t great, so I had to learn how to become my own bank,” Thurston related. “I began franchising in 2016, and we have 5 franchisees now.” 

Thurston credits her persistence with pushing her forward. 

“I just don’t quit,” she said. “One of my greatest strengths is tenacity. The harder it gets, the harder I am going to fight. And when anyone tells me I can’t do something, that gives me the energy to prove them wrong.” 

Not only does Thurston stick to whatever she sets her mind to, she also makes sure she is prepared when opportunity arises. 

“I was shy. I knew I wanted to improve that part of myself, so in high school, I went to the library and read self-improvement books to learn to speak up for myself,” she said. “I worked to build myself up so that when I began the journey into business ownership, I was ready.” 

She is also intentional about surrounding herself with a good support system. 

“I have learned that you have to put people in your life and in your business who you trust and who will speak the truth,” she said. “Life is about improving ourselves and now, as a franchisor, I am in a position to help others avoid some of the things I have gone through.” 

Thurston defines success as being able to do things and live life without physical or mental limitations. It’s the whole picture of health – physical, mental, spiritual, social. It’s about being able to help others and about leaving a legacy by building a community of Wisdom Business Owners for her children. 

It’s also about accepting having no fear but not let it ever take over you. 

“You can’t let fear take over in business,” Thurston said. “You don’t know if you don’t try. What’s the worst thing that could happen? If it’s not death, everything else can be corrected. The real goal is to live with faith, core values and integrity and build core values that guide your decisions. Everything else will come.” 

For more information, visit: www.wisdomseniorcare.com/ and www.wisdomhealthacademy.com/ 

by Nancy Friedman, Founder and Chairman, Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training

Ok, here we go. I’ve had, as you might imagine, dozens of complaints on how people act on Zoom calls. And certainly not on purpose, we all know that. However, the need has come to go over the top ten ZOOM ZOMBIES as I’m calling them. And not in any special order, they all seem to be irritants.  

Zoom Zombie #1 

Use a REAL BACKGROUND from your location. FAKE IS FAKE. No one really believes you’re on the beach and doing a Zoom meeting. And while it’s “FUN,” it can be very distracting. And those who change the background several times during the meeting are simply childlike. Your office, your family room, dining room, even the kitchen. We all know we’re at home. Messy office? It’s ok. Honest. Having the San Francisco bridge behind you isn’t that important and certainly, Las Vegas in the background can be ‘loser-ish.’ (Pun intended)  

Zoom Zombie #2 

Keep good lighting in FRONT of you. Not behind you. Test it out first. Get a Zoom partner, if even someone in your own home, to test the lighting out. It’s like taking your picture outside. If the sun is behind you, normally your face is in the dark. Get the ‘sun’ in front of you and you look great. Same issue on Zoom.  

Zoom Zombie #3  

Dogs, kids, and other members yelling in the background. Never fun – on any phone call, let alone Zoom. Be prepared. In most cases, you know you have a Zoom call coming up. Get the dogs in another area of the house. If you can, have someone occupy them while you’re on the Zoom meeting. Alone? Then try and put the Zoom meeting at a time kids are napping or already in bed. Or before they get up. Schedule it. Most of the barking, crying, and extraneous noises are NOT appreciated.  

Zoom Zombie #4 

We don’t eat during a business meeting. This one is frightening that I even need to say it. Not even a snack. Yes, ok for some water. But munching on a sandwich or opening a bag of popcorn or chips? The microphone magnifies the sound 10-fold. A real OMG. Who is doing that? It’s a business meeting. Even the movement of a water bottle on a desk makes a big sound. That’s where you need to learn to use your MUTE.  

Zoom Zombie #5 

Be a little bit creative. I have noticed so many people use the same word in starting each sentence. “SO” is the big one. So this and so that. We don’t need the word “SO” in front of every sentence. And while you’re at it. Be mindful of how often you’re saying UMMMM. Most folks use it as a crutch.  

Zoom Zombie #6 

Your name will appear on your picture. Notice if you put the cursor over the name you will be able to change what it says. Some folks put their email there. Or the company name. You can customize that part. There are two ways. One, put the cursor right over your name. And two, the 3 little dots in the upper right on the screen has a “change name” option. Again, only if you want to.  

Zoom Zombie #7 

Learn – Learn – Learn. Practice – Practice – Practice. Ahead of time. Practice with a friend or a home companion – or even by yourself. Check out the screen options. This way when you’re on the Zoom meeting, you won’t be the one yelling out “where is this or how do I do this?” Don’t let a business Zoom meeting be your very first. You can have rehearsals. Be familiar with the screen…and its options.  

Zoom Zombie #8 

You’re on the air. It’s TV. Sit up straight. Don’t slump. No one looks good when they’re slumping. Very unflattering. Keep your hands AWAY from your face. Don’t lean into your palm with your palm on your face. Very unflattering. And watch your nervous habits. We all have them; we’re just not aware. Some folks play with their hair constantly. Some folks bite their nails. Some do other odd things. Be aware.  

Zoom Zombie #9 

On a personal note: Having a “happy hour” with friends? You can probably forget most of these guidelines. Although I’m betting they’ll appreciate your sticking with them…as you will them.  

Zoom Zombie #10 

Smile. Do you think I’d forget? You knew that was coming, didn’t you? Think it doesn’t matter? Show me a picture of you that you don’t like and I’ll show you it’s a picture where you’re not smiling. At least keep a hint of a grin on your face. No one looks good frowning. And you can use the Telephone Doctor mindset. “A phony smile is better than a real frown.” Even when you’re discussing something difficult or sad. I’m not saying to laugh out loud, but I am saying having a slight smile will help the tone of voice.  

by The Franchise Woman

The Franchise Woman magazine is thrilled to announce that Publisher, Elizabeth Denham, has welcomed Rebecca Monet as partner and Co-Publisher starting immediately.  

“Having Rebecca join The Franchise Woman team will elevate the magazine in terms of quality and exposure,” Denham said. “With her roots in the franchising space and her dedication to empowering women, she will help us provide an even higher level of quality and content – and she adds another layer of fun, fierce and fabulous!” 

The partnership brings together two women from different generations, different experiences, different political perspectives, different backgrounds, different points of view and one common goal. That goal is to provide a community of women who support each other in business and in life, the resources, tools and connections they need to thrive. 

“We want to provide a haven for women in which everyone is welcomed and included,” Monet said. “And the fact that we are an independent magazine means that our doors are open to anyone who needs support and information.” 

Denham agreed. 

“Giving women a community in which they have a voice and the power to ask for advice, insight or just a friendly ear is so important to us,” she said. “We want women to feel empowered and providing them this space and the education and resources they need will benefit not just women, but the businesses they run as well.” 

And be sure to stay tuned. The two have big plans for the next year.  

“We are planning on making The Franchise Woman more than just a magazine,” Monet said. “We have already launched our podcast, Where Passion and Purpose Collide, and we can’t wait to build more opportunities for women.” 

As we create more resources for women in franchising, be sure to keep in touch as we update our brand and reach out to women to see how we can offer support, tools and connections going forward. 

Rebecca Monet 

Rebecca Monet is CEO and chief scientist of Zorakle Profiles and has been in the franchise consulting and psychometric assessment business since 1993. Monet is known for her uncanny ability to draw performance correlations. She is fascinated with neurology, neuroeconomics and human performance as it relates to business success. 

Monet is the inventor of the meta-analysis methodology used in Zorakle’s SpotOn! Profile and SpotOn! Eclipse Reports which categorically compare prospective franchisees to a franchise system’s top performers. This meta-analysis approach provides insights no singular profile, survey, algorithm or assessment can, and has changed the way in which franchise companies recruit and select franchisees. 

Zorakle tools provide franchise companies a means to reduce training, support and litigation costs while increasing franchisee satisfaction, validation and performance. They have helped thousands of individuals desiring to own their own business find a right-fit franchise system. A business in which they have the highest likelihood of success and satisfaction. The SpotOn! System is Monet’s most comprehensive and predictive work to date. 

Elizabeth Denham 

Elizabeth Denham is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of The Franchise Woman. Elizabeth has a passion for helping women find and use their voices both in their businesses and in their lives. This passion has led her to produce The Franchise Woman as a resource to provide inspiration, practical business tools and new opportunities for entrepreneurial women in the franchise industry. 

Elizabeth has had an extensive career in writing, digital media and marketing. She is Editor of Relocating Fauquier County and has edited and written for Relocating Baldwin County. She has written and published two books: “Sweeten the Deal: How to Spot and Avoid the Big Red Flags in Online Dating,” a memoir and advice book for women going through divorce and dating and “Moving Day: Overcoming the Fear of Change,” a children’s book. She wrote a blog on the Huffington Post for five years and has appeared on HuffPost Live and the Daily Brew television program. She has also been featured on John Tesh’s “Intelligence for Your Life” as a relationship expert. She uses her project, “Pursuit of Humanity: Voices of Alabama,” to demonstrate her belief in the humanity of all and to advocate for the acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ community. 

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