John Wardle

John Wardle lives in Sutton Coldfield with his wife and three grown-up children.  He is a Chartered Accountant. Before becoming an Auditel Cost Management Franchisee in April this year, he was Operations Director for a major car leasing company.

He worked closely with small, medium and large businesses. He understands the fundamental requirement shared by all – to work with suppliers that offer not only the most competitive prices but also a flexible approach to  service delivery.

John says: “I am passionate about generating significant savings for organisations  while simultaneously improving suppliers’ service. This allows them to focus more time on their core business. It is my belief that this can be successfully achieved through a deep understanding of how the business operates today and its aspirations for the future.”

Asked why he chose Auditel, John recalls: “ Well, I’ve wanted to own my own business for many years. I had looked at ERA and Auditel 13 years ago, but the time wasn’t right for me then. About six months ago, I decided that now was the right moment and compared the most important features of the two franchises again. It was really that as an accountant, I was struck by the structured approach, the processes and the very coherent methods that they operate at Auditel. Then there was the differential in the cost, the excellent tools and finally, my belief in the product – I would buy that! So this is what really swung it.”

He enthused about the training. “I obviously came with mixed thoughts, you know, ‘how is it going to be’? I can honestly say now, it was absolutely fantastic. I’ve been on many training courses in my life. Never have I come across one that was so professional, so well delivered and that has energised me in this way. At the end, I had three days before I started my business and I was like a coiled spring. I couldn’t wait to get out there and get started!”

Matt Sidwell, Auditel’s Network Development Director, adds: “John Wardle is one of a number of management professionals who have joined us this year. Like John, all our new Affiliates have done their due diligence in the franchise marketplace and opted for Auditel as their favourite choice.  With many awards and nominations for best franchisee support, Auditel does stand out as an excellent white-collar franchise. We still have places for our highly recommended free Discovery Seminars in Winchester and would be pleased to meet you there or at the British Franchise Exhibition in Manchester on 21^st and 22^nd June.”

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Visiting franchise exhibitions is an ideal way to learn about this unique opportunity. They enable you to establish personal relationships with major players in the industry: franchisors, bankers and advisors, in a ‘one stop shop’ environment.

• Take time out to plan: You need to pre-select those stands you wish to visit. The range of business ventures is very wide. There could be 200 franchisors on display and a focussed approach is necessary.
• Attend the seminars: If you’re new to franchising, find time to attend the seminars. There will be experts who can explain the fundamentals of franchising, franchisors who present their opportunities and franchisees who describe how they realised their ambitions.
• Meet the people: Clearly, you’re not going to sign a cheque here! You just want to meet the people behind the brand, obtain a better understanding of their business model – and the competition – and go home to think about it.
• Professional advice: Try to find time to meet professional advisors. You may need funding and banks will usually lend up to 70% of the cost for reputable franchises and offer good advice. You will also need the services of a franchise solicitor to review your franchise agreement.

Burnley-based David Gray joined the Auditel Cost Management Franchise in 2008. Prior to becoming a franchisee, he spent 21 years in the Royal Air Force as an aircrew linguist, flying on board the Nimrod R1 reconnaissance aircraft in support of many operations, mainly in the Balkans and Middle East.

David recalls: “Without doubt, I could not have started my own business independently. Although the military endowed me with many good qualities and attributes, business acumen was not one of them. I made the decision early to go self-employed and for me franchising was the only sensible option.”

He visited the British Franchise Exhibition in Manchester and found it very helpful. David said: “Having a full range of franchises under one roof was extremely beneficial. I came across Auditel and was immediately impressed with their business model and how well it suited the current economic situation.

“Since joining Auditel, I have found the experience to be testing and hard work, but ultimately very rewarding. While a franchise model offers some sort of proven framework for business, there are no shortcuts to success. I know this is an oft-repeated cliché but it is true.

“I am approaching the end of my fifth year. I have enjoyed the challenges and the rewards of self-employment and cannot imagine going back to work for anyone else now. I have no regrets and really enjoy running my Auditel business!”

Matt Sidwell, Auditel’s Network Development Director says: “If like David you are exploring  ways to expand your horizon,  visit the Manchester Franchise Exhibition, 21^st and 22^nd June, and drop in on stand R80. We’d be delighted to meet you!”

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Matt Sidwell, Auditel’s Network Development Director explains: “We are finding an increasing demand for our franchise from couples. It is advantageous for them because our franchise fee includes training for two people. As the business grows, we often find that relatives are invited to join the family business. Sometimes, franchisees who start as sole traders, take on staff employing up to five or six people and working from rented office space.

“There are enormous opportunities available to expand and build a really thriving and enjoyable business. We shall be delighted to hear from management professionals who would like to hear more about our opportunity. We still have a number of free Discovery Seminars available this year and look forward to meeting you!”

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Chris Allison

Talk Business Magazine interviewed Auditel Managing Director, Chris Allison, for a Focus on Franchising spotlight in their May Issue.

Why did you pick the franchising business model? The original thinking was to license a specialist cost and purchase management programme from the States. Three years later, when we acquired the Intellectual Property rights, I saw the opportunity for setting up a franchise. It was, unusually, a “knowledge franchise”, and the business model was simple to implement. A niche had opened up, thanks to deregulation in the energy markets, which gave businesses more choice. With the franchise model, we could maintain quality and a much greater degree of control over the operations and processes than that used in the license system.

What are the biggest challenges in franchising a business?
From the beginning, a great deal of capital, hard work and help is required to get it right. This includes advice from accountants and solicitors. Many would-be franchisors engage franchise consultants to set up the franchise, as it is a significant undertaking. In effect, you are starting a new business, which must be based on a successful and proven model, which can be replicated. You must remember that franchising does not fix a bad business!

What will your franchisees get for their money?
The opportunity of becoming a highly-skilled cost management consultant and a valued advisor to their clients. There is the potential to build a secure, recession-proof business and earn an impressive return on investment. The average earnings of full-time Auditel consultants with established business practices are over £100k pa, while some make over £200k. Finally, yet very importantly, our franchisees enjoy the company of over 200 like-minded colleagues and make new friends for life.

Do you offer training and support?
Our award-winning, one year fast track training programme is for one or two people.
During the first few weeks, a new franchisee will attend a residential training course hosted by specialist trainers, mentors and business coaches who are existing consultants and expert practitioners. The course covers client acquisition, auditing service usage, using our bespoke business analysis tools, negotiating with suppliers, presenting and implementing recommendations and developing strong client relationships.
This is only the start of life-long training, which consists of regular and individual support.

How much will a franchise set me back?
The franchise fee is £36,000. This includes a fiveyear Evergreen Franchise Agreement.

What is your vision for the future of the franchise?
We aim to increase the number of franchisees to 250 and double our corporate base by 2015. To continue to support our franchisees to achieve
their goals.

What has been your proudest moment in business?
Being selected as the winner last year of the bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Award for Outstanding Franchisee Support.

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Charlie Tomlins

Auditel is an award-winning Cost and Purchase Management Franchise. We offer free Discovery Seminars for management professionals seeking to run their own successful business. These informal gatherings can give an insight into how franchising works, an introduction to Auditel and the opportunities open to our trained specialists. We invite you to come to one of our Franchise Discovery Seminars,  meet our Support Team and ask as many questions as you like. There are no obligations and nothing to pay.

Ex-IT Director Charlie Tomlins, who joined Auditel in March 2009 after attending a seminar recalls: “It was well structured and focused on making sure that you learnt as much about Auditel as the few hours permitted. There were plenty of questions from the audience and the team answered them all openly. We also had an opportunity to meet some new franchisees. They were happy to discuss why they had chosen Auditel and talk about the training. I left feeling very comfortable. The key to me was, that this was not a high-pressure sales event. It was certainly the most professional out of the four discovery seminars that I had attended with other franchise companies.”

Auditel’s Network Development Director, Matt Sidwell adds: “Applicants recognise the value of our cost and purchase management service in these challenging economic times. Our higher earners enjoy an income of over £200k. These seminars give an indication of the financial, business and personal satisfaction which may be achieved within our franchise.”

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David says: “With such strong competition, we are honoured to be a finalist in this category. The trust of our customers and partners is integral to the success of our business and is at the very heart of everything we do here.”

The criteria for this award included the need to ensure that they have a set of values to which they adhere, embed those values in the dealings they have with both customers and suppliers, are able to communicate these and can demonstrate examples of it working in practice.

Transparency, accuracy, fairness and clarity of terms and conditions are all key components upon which the judges will base their final decision. Auditel’s strength in these areas is one of the things which impressed the judges so far. The focus on cost management, not cost cutting is what David Powell’s Team hope will stand them in good stead with the judges.

The shortlist of finalists will now be sent to the judging panel. This will be made up of Angela Knight, CEO of Energy UK, Louise Kingham, CEO of the Energy Institute, David Porter, ex-CEO of AEP and the former editor of Utility Week, Janet Wood. They will be joined by Chair of Judges Mervyn Bowden on June 12th, to whittle down the nominees to find the winners. They will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 27th.

David Powell’s team of five specialists is based in the centre of Leeds. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2001 and post qualification, worked for a FTSE250 Logistics Firm and a Global Management Consultancy before joining Auditel, an award winning national consultancy network.

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Robin Cockburn

West Calder-based Robin Cockburn joined the Auditel Cost Management Franchise in March 2009 following a career of 30 years in banking and finance. He had held a number of senior posts at RBS, including Director of International Banking Services.

Robin said: “There are many other franchise options but I chose Auditel because the business proposition stacked up. The recruitment process was professional at all times and I did not feel that I was being sold to. It was important to me that I delivered value to my customers, had a proposition I believed in and people I could work with. Auditel gave me all this. I did think about setting up my own business but Auditel gave me a head start and reduced the risk.”

Asked about the training, Robin commented: “I have been on many training courses over the years but this had one big advantage over most. It was delivered by professionals from within the company who knew the business inside out and were not simply delivering sales theory – Excellent and exceeded my expectations!”

Robin recalls: “Earlier in my career I spent a number of years as a client-relationship manager. During this time, I worked with organisations ranging from the sole proprietor/business owner to major UK-wide businesses, government organisations and other public sector bodies.
“This covered a wide range of activities and disciplines. It included running business units over multiple locations, setting up and managing joint venture companies, implementing outsourcing arrangements and managing major supplier relationships. I also spent time working in international business and was a Director of two companies in the financial sector.

“This experience provided just the right background required for the Auditel cost management model. I enjoy working with clients, understanding how businesses operate and looking for ways to improve efficiency and profitability.”

Robin has developed a wide range of clients, including an Invoice Finance House, a small bank, a few Independent Schools, a number of Restaurant businesses, Charities, manufacturing businesses and sporting clubs. One of Robin’s clients has been a property company. Their Director, Pat Mavor, says:

“I recently appointed Robin to review my business needs and negotiate the best terms for changing utility providers when I moved office. I found him to be extremely helpful and professional and an expert in his field. Robin has made an ongoing effort to check my rates and reports regularly with ways to reduce outgoings. As a small business owner, I find this to be an indispensable service. I cannot recommend Robin highly enough and hope I can make further use of his services again in the near future.”

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Answer: They are among the new intake in the Auditel Cost Management Franchise, like many other management professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

Nina and Miles Hosking

Miles and Nina Hosking live in Rickmansworth. Miles spent most of his career with the BBC in a number of senior roles. Nina had been managing her own business running a local magazine.

Asked why they chose Auditel, Miles said: “It’s recession proof and a great product. I was impressed when I looked into the services provided and it struck me, ‘why wouldn’t businesses want to buy it’? The other obvious reason is the team. It’s great. I liked their values. They’re very professional and they absolutely inspire confidence. This is a company that I want to be a part of.”

Nina adds: “It’s a fantastic opportunity with great support. We felt Auditel was a really good place to be. It plays to our strengths and experience.”

Both Miles and Nina enjoyed the training. Miles reports: “It’s been really good, very intense, loads of information, but all relevant. We have learnt a lot but we don’t feel that this is the end of the process. We know that there is going to be much on-going support as well, which is fantastic.”

Nina recalls: “I have been on many sales training courses but this was by far the best. It was pitched at the right level for the people involved, with a sufficiently flexible approach to cater for all the abilities  in the room. It will give us a really wonderful foundation for our first day of work – Monday!

Matt Sidwell, Auditel’s Network Development Director, says: “Franchising is a superb opportunity for any management professional seeking a change in their career. It’s a huge industry with an annual turnover of £13.4 billion employing nearly 600,000 people. The latest survey indicates that 91% of franchisees are profitable.

“Auditel still have places in their network for newcomers to become highly-skilled and valued cost management consultants in the company of over 200 like-minded colleagues. We welcome visitors to our free Discovery Seminars. You can meet the Head Office Team, hear about franchising and ask as many questions as you like.”

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Matt Sidwell

Chris Allison, Managing Director of the Auditel Cost Management Franchise, reports that the number of new Affiliates over the past few years has been quite remarkable. He adds: ‘As our business continues to grow, we have a commitment to provide the best training and support in the industry. To fulfil this ideal, we are making some important changes in our management structure. Matt Sidwell is appointed to the Board of Directors as Network Development Director.’

Other promotions are:

• General Manager Support: Janet Twining
• Network Development Manager: Heather Hancock
• Project Manager: Helen Lancaster

New posts are:

• Executive Assistant to the MD: Annie Sexton
• Initial Enquiries: Chris Milner
• Office Administrator: Stefanie Hobley

Chris Allison says: ‘We offer congratulations to those who have been promoted and a warm welcome to new members of staff. We have impressive plans for the future and growth of our franchise network. These measures will ensure that we have the abundant resources to support our existing and new franchisees to achieve their goals!’

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Denis and Rhys Brennan

Denis Brennan, Auditel Cost Management Consultant says: “I am really a ‘solutions provider’ to my clients, a ‘solutions consultant’ if you like. Most clients have problems with the time that it takes to deal with issues that are not their core competencies or core business interests. We take that pressure away and do the work for them.”

Denis joined Auditel in September 2008. He had a distinguished career with the Arjowiggins Group, the multi-national paper manufacturing company, for many years. Latterly he held the key role of ITC Performance Director, where he was involved in controlling telecoms services and business costs. This gave him extensive experience of overseeing projects and programmes within challenging schedules and budgets.

Opening his Auditel business allowed him to focus this experience on his clients’ behalf. Denis says: “I really enjoy the situation that Auditel has provided for me, to work within a variety of business sectors. While my goal is obviously to help my clients, I have been pleasantly surprised by the opportunities to learn new ideas and concepts.”

Denis is a Project Manager for one of Auditel’s Business Development Teams responsible for identifying new categories of overheads for investigation. “While we look at the essential overheads of energy and telecom costs, I have a special interest in what we call ‘other business costs’. These include office and janitorial supplies, stationery and R & D Tax Credits, depending on the nature of the business. I am also an Auditel network trainer and mentor, coaching new franchisees in how to work in those areas.

“Our varied client base includes charities, schools, restaurants, hotels and manufacturing companies. We also provide our service to many leading accountancy practices, Chambers of Commerce and other organisations through our unique Partnership Programme.”

One of Denis’s clients is Christ College in Brecon, a foremost co-educational boarding school, founded by Henry VIII under Royal Charter in 1541. Denis achieved savings of 34% in their telecommunications, 56% in their gas bill in Year 1 and 21% in Year 2, 16% in their electricity bill in Year 1 and 16% in Year 2. Ongoing projects are Office Consumables and Janitorial Supplies.

Christ College’s Bursar reported: “Auditel understood our business needs quickly and identified what we wanted. They provided all the assistance we needed to get the best possible deal in a number of areas. We are delighted with the results!”

Rhys, 26, joined his father’s business in January 2011, following graduation from Cass Business School, where he achieved a Merit for his MSc in Business. “One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is the wide variety of people I meet. I also relish the challenges thrown up by the everyday running of a small business and the potential for personal development that this provides.”

Denis adds: “He brings academic rigour and discipline and heads up the Business Development arm.”

Both Denis and Rhys Brennan agreed that they felt comfortable and engaged with Auditel during the recruitment process. Denis: “The openness and the pleasant nature of the people were the principal reasons why Auditel appealed to me more than other opportunities. The training was excellent. Rhys: “It wasn’t a difficult choice. Following the training, I felt very confident and looked forward to getting stuck in on Monday first thing!”

Being conveniently based in two major commercial centres, Denis and Rhys Brennan are able to service a UK-wide client base. Last year, Denis was recognised for his services to the network and his progress in the field. At Auditel’s National Conference, he received the prestigious ‘Franchisee of the Year’ Award.

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