elderly care franchise - Senior Home Care Franchise

10 Essential Smartphone Apps for Franchise Owners

As a franchise owner in the senior care industry, you can use your smartphone in a number of ways that help you succeed, but you have to know the apps that can help you do so without wasting your time.

If you’re looking for some new apps to help you become a better, more productive franchise owner, here are ten examples that can help you start getting more done today!

#1 — Wunderlist

This easy-to-use app helps you take notes, plan assignments and make lists from anywhere. If you are a detail-oriented person, it helps you stay on top of your workload, and it includes functionality to aid in collaboration.

#2 — Trello

Similar to Wunderlist, Trello helps you stay organized with lists, notes and assignments through a visual, board-based interface. If you’re familiar with Pinterest, you will probably catch on quickly to how Trello works.

#3 — Evernote

Yet another option for taking notes, keeping lists and collaborating with others is Evernote. It uses a simple, clean interface that allows you to integrate text, images, video, PDFs, webpages and other media easily. Evernote is a terrific choice for productivity if you are torn between Wunderlist and Trello.

#4 — Addappt

Caregivers, clients, franchise representatives and others populate your “contacts” list, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Addappt helps business owners manage their contacts with easy updating and the ability to categorize contacts simply and effectively.

#5 — Asana

Asana provides a single location for franchise owners and their team members to connect and share communications and tasks. Adding files, links or images is easy with Asana, and the app is free for teams of 15 people or fewer.

#6 — Google Drive

The Google Drive app provides tons of storage for virtually any file type, and it ensures that you’re always just a click away from your work, no matter where you’re located. The Android version of Drive also allows you to scan documents, making it easy for you to add receipts, sketches and hand-written notes.

#7 — CamScanner

Speaking of scanning, one of the most popular apps for business owners is CamScanner, which is available on all major platforms. Just point your phone’s camera at any document and convert it into a searchable PDF almost instantly.

#8 — Polaris Office

Polaris Office is a full suite of applications for managing, creating, editing and saving documents without a connection to the internet. If you’re looking for a way to work with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents (as well as PDFs) on the go, Polaris Office is worth investigating.

#9 — Dropbox

Dropbox is one of the more popular solutions for secure file storage and document sharing. It works directly with a number of useful applications like Word and Photoshop, and it’s supported on a wide range of platforms, ensuring that you always have a way to access your work.

#10 — RescueTime

According to the experts at PCMag.com, RescueTime is “…simply the best time-management app we’ve ever tested.” If you’re wondering how you can squeeze more into each day, this amazing app can help you get more done by providing a detailed analysis of how you actually spend your time.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our amazing franchise owners! Download our FREE senior care franchising eBook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Survive — and Thrive — In Your First Year as a Franchise Owner

Running a business of any kind requires hard work, planning, and diligence. The process of operating a business successfully requires intense focus and an ability to compartmentalize different aspects of the endeavor. If you are considering franchise ownership, you may think that running your business will be easier because of the system that’s in place to help you and other franchise owners succeed, but you’re in for a surprise if you think you can simply sit back and watch your business grow without making a serious effort of your own.

Your first year as a franchise owner will test you and present you with challenges that you may feel unprepared to deal with. Owning a senior care franchise can be stressful, particularly during your initial 365 days, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Yes, the first year of running your business will have a significant impact on your long-term success, but as long as you remain focused and follow some simple, common-sense tips, you will be able to see, firsthand, the many benefits that franchise ownership can bring.

#1 — Assess and Understand Your Local Market

This is where many franchise owners fall behind. Yes, your franchisor will have marketing data and resources for you to utilize, but it’s up to you to understand the area in which you will operate, the people who live there and their needs. If you want to make a difference as a senior care franchise owner, it’s essential to understand what you bring to your market that no one else can provide.

#2 — Start Networking Immediately

No matter how high the demand for quality in home senior care in your area may be, people are not going to line up outside your door to sign up with your company. It’s up to you to go out and tell people about your business. Begin by networking within your established groups. Put the word out about what your business has to offer and why your franchise does it better. Doing this allows you to hone your “pitch” in low-pressure situations, and it gives you the chance to gauge the level of interest surrounding your franchise.

#3 — Surround Yourself with the Best People

Operating your own senior-care franchise may require you to start out with a very small team, but as you add key personnel, it’s important to fill roles with people who can truly help your business grow. You aren’t just putting people into slots; you are matching opportunities with individuals who have the specific skills and talents to take them on. In your business, you need to have high-quality people who share your vision and are committed to providing the highest levels of care.

More Senior Care Franchise Info

If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to operate a senior care franchise in its first year, Always Best Care is here to help you! To learn more, download our FREE franchising ebook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Be There for the Baby Boomers as a Senior Care Franchise Owner

According to statistics from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 10,000 “Baby Boomers” will turn 65 every single day for the next 20 years. The overall senior population in the U.S. is also expected to double during the coming two decades, which means that senior care will only become more and more important. In fact, the need for new solutions in the area of senior housing and non medical care is becoming critical. Baby Boomers are not interested in adhering to the senior-living patterns of the past; they insist on doing things differently, which often translates into different lifestyle needs. This generation will insist on living our their senior years at home, but for them to do so comfortably, our society’s entire infrastructure will require changes.

What does this mean for you?

As a senior care franchise owner, it means that opportunities for growth and success will abound in the coming years, but you can’t just rest on your laurels and expect good things to happen. You need to be able to understand the Baby Boomer generation and their specific requirements. If you can do this, you can become a much-needed resource in your community and a model for how to handle the needs of Baby Boomers.

Recognizing the Opportunity

The dominant mindset surrounding the Baby Boomers and their shift into retirement age has been one of anxiety. Certainly, it’s easy to look at the needs of Baby Boomers — and their sheer numbers — and focus on the negative. But what if you shifted your perspective? It’s actually easy to see great opportunity where others might see stress and strain.

As an in-home senior care franchise owner in your community, you will lead the way when it comes to catering to the Baby Boomers. This generation wants to retain independence, and they love the idea of staying at home through their senior years. However, they also understand that they will require assistance and care from time to time as they grow older, making your senior-care company the perfect solution!

Baby Boomers and In-Home Care: Made for Each Other

Baby Boomers are largely responsible for creating our modern world, and they want to help create a new standard for senior living, as well. For most of them, this means staying at home where they can continue to live as they wish, on their own schedules. You can help this great generation by providing them with the resources they need as your area’s favorite in-home senior care provider!

Learn More

If you’re interested in learning more about providing excellent care as a senior care franchise owner, we invite you to consider the possibilities available through franchising with Always Best Care. We’ve been leaders in senior care for nearly two decades, and we’ve always got an eye on the future. Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more.

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Three Ways You Can Help Alzheimer’s Patients As a Franchisee

Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia represent a huge health and wellness concern for many families across the country and around the world. Alzheimer’s is still somewhat mysterious — even to expert scientists and doctors — and there is no cure or treatment that can effectively reverse the symptoms and characteristics of the disease. However, recent years have seen numerous breakthroughs in the ways that people care for Alzheimer’s patients, most of whom fall into the growing senior population.

As a senior care franchisee, you play a special role in the lives of older individuals, and that role gives you a unique perspective into the disease and its effects on patients and their families. What you may not realize, though, is that your role as a non medical senior care franchise owner gives you a chance to provide help, hope and comfort in ways that aren’t possible otherwise.

Here are three ways you can use your role as a franchise owner to help Alzheimer’s patients:

#1 — Lead and Educate

As a franchise owner, you are the leader of a team. Therefore, it’s up to you to make sure you’re up to speed with the latest care techniques and data on Alzheimer’s. That way, you can ensure that your caregivers and other staff members are equally informed and able to provide the best, most comprehensive non medical care possible.

Of course, with the way the world changes these days, it’s important to constantly keep your ear to the ground to stay up to date. New breakthroughs are happening every day, and new methods of non medical care are being developed as we speak, so be sure to stay on the cutting edge!

#2 — Make it Personal

It’s likely that one of the main reasons you became a senior-care franchisee was to give back to your community because for you, it’s personal.

When it comes to caring for Alzheimer’s patients, you can make a huge impact by showing your team — and the families they help — that you are personally invested in the lives of the people for whom your business provides essential care. After all, if you’re like most people, you probably know someone close to you who also suffers from the disease.

#3 — Be Your Area’s Alzheimer’s Care Leader

More and more families are searching for options for Alzheimer’s care these days. When you can show your community that you are the leader in dementia care, you give people hope and reassurance. When people know that they can trust you to provide the best possible care, they will make sure the world knows that your business has what it takes to provide much-needed relief.

Make a Difference as a Senior Care Franchisee

If you’re ready to learn more about senior-care franchise ownership and the difference you can make as a franchisee, we invite you to download our FREE franchising ebook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Do You Have What it Takes to Be A Senior Care Franchise Owner?

If you are reading this, there is a good chance it’s because you’re curious about becoming a senior care franchise owner. Perhaps you’ve gained experience in the corporate world, but you’re interested in owning your own business. Maybe you’ve even been considering franchising for a while, but the right opportunity hasn’t come along. Whatever your reasoning, it’s true that right now is a great time to enter the growing in home senior care industry as a franchisee. It’s a solid industry with a tremendous growth forecast, and those who have followed their franchisor systems and worked hard have experienced impressive successes.

The senior care industry is highly appealing, so it makes sense that you would consider it when evaluating franchise opportunities. But there’s something you need to ask yourself: Do you have what it takes?

Are You Cut Out for Senior Care?

Our industry attracts prospective franchisees from all backgrounds and walks of life, but the senior care sector is not ideal for every individual. That’s why it’s important to evaluate yourself, your abilities and your preferred way of working before you jump in and sign on.

Here are four qualities that successful senior-care franchisees possess:

They Can Handle Coaching and Feedback

As a franchisee, this can be difficult if you’re used to giving orders instead of taking them. However, if you are a team player who can trust a proven system and integrate constructive feedback into your career, you will probably do just fine in the world of senior care franchising. It’s all about working hard and using your specific talents to make the system work for you and your business.

They Appreciate Structure

Some people require a certain degree of excitement and spontaneity in their professional lives, and these individuals tend to make exceptional entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, they don’t always make the best franchisees. But if you feel comfortable working within a structured system with clear guidelines to follow, franchising might be perfect for you.

They Possess Strong People Skills

Although it’s possible to run some businesses without interacting with a diverse group of individuals, that’s just not how most franchises work. If you’re a “people person” who can work successfully with all kinds of people while putting your ego aside, though, franchising is an avenue worth considering. The senior-care industry, in particular, is incredibly diverse, bringing together people from all backgrounds, cultures and economic realities.

They Want to Support the Community

Senior-care franchising is different from other opportunities because it allows franchisees the chance to truly help their communities. Senior care companies provide a resource and a lifeline that might not exist otherwise. So if you’re interested in doing more than just making profits, you can find lots of chances to help others as an in home senior care franchisee!

Do You Have More Questions?

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a senior care franchisee in your area, we invite you download our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s loaded with information that will help you make the best choice for your future, so don’t hesitate to get your copy.

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Three Great Questions to Ask Existing Franchisees

When it’s time for a change in your life or your career, it can be tempting to jump in head first, dealing with the consequences and challenges as they arise. However, that’s not the right way to approach business ownership, no matter how eager you may be for a shift in your professional life. Perhaps you’ve become interested in the possibilities present within the lucrative senior-care industry, and you’ve heard about the difference you can make in your community as an in home elder care franchisee. While the industry finds itself in the midst of amazing growth and opportunity for hard-working individuals like you, you still need to do your homework and due diligence before you sign any paperwork.

One of the best things you can do for yourself — and your future franchising efforts — is to interview current senior-care franchise owners. They have insights that you won’t find elsewhere, and they can provide you with knowledge that can ensure that you make the right decision.

But what should you ask existing franchisees?

We’ve come up with three essential questions — Let’s take a look!

#1 — “How Happy Are You?”

This may seem obvious, but if you envision a happy life for you and your family, you want to be sure that such satisfaction is possible with a particular franchisor before you make any commitments.

Ask franchisees about their happiness and satisfaction. Pay attention not only to what they have to say, but also their body language and enthusiasm. If you sense that trouble may be brewing under the surface of a happy exterior, you may need to deepen your research and/or eliminate a particular franchise from contention.

#2 — “How Long Did it Take To Experience a Return on Investment?”

Ultimately, you’re interested in franchising because it offers an opportunity to earn a solid income. But you can’t wait forever to see a return on your investment. Find out how long it took existing franchisees to experience a return, and you’ll have a much better idea of what the senior-care franchising landscape will look like for you.

#3 — “What Kind of Support Have You Received?”

One of the primary reasons to choose a franchise business instead of a more traditional business model is the level of support that’s available to franchisees. Ask current franchisees about the types of support they’ve received from the main office. Is there marketing assistance? What about training? You want to make sure that you’re not on your own once you make a commitment!

More Great Franchise Questions and Answers!

If you’re interested in operating your own senior care franchise, a bright future awaits — but only if you go into the process of purchasing your franchise armed with good questions and great research. For more information on what it’s like to own and operate your own non medical senior care franchise, download our FREE franchising ebook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Four Fantastic Facebook Tips for Franchisees

Do you use Facebook? If you said “yes” in response to this question, chances are you spend a significant amount of time using the popular social media platform. Naturally, you use it to keep up with the lives of friends and family members, and you probably post your share of updates. Of course, if you’re like most Facebook users, you spend some time interacting with brand pages and updates posted by your favorite companies. Facebook is used by so many of these brands and companies because it’s incredibly effective, plus it makes a very small dent in the marketing budget.

If you’re an in home elder care franchisee, Facebook can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal, as well, but you’ve got to understand how to use it properly to promote your senior care business. Otherwise, you might as well be spending your days watching the latest viral cat videos!

Here are four tips that will help you get the most out of using Facebook for your franchise:

#1 — Provide Real Value

Ultimately, your Facebook Page is all about your promoting your business, but if you want people to take notice, you need to give them something of value.

Fortunately, doing this isn’t that difficult. Simply scour the web for interesting, relevant articles or newsworthy pieces on aging. Share content that adds value to peoples’ lives without promoting your business. That way, when you do use a post to promote your franchise, it has a greater impact. Also, be sure to post about local events and community activities to show that you’re invested in your area.

#2 — Be Consistent

Your Facebook page should be consistent with everything else you employ to promote your brand. Logos should look the same as they do on your website and everywhere else online. Images should convey a professional, authoritative aesthetic consistent through all social media platforms. Additionally, you want to make sure that your personal Facebook profile reflects positively (and consistently) on your brand.

#3 — Always Use Images!

When people post using only text, they generate very little interest; you’ve probably seen this for yourself when perusing social media. That’s why it’s so important to add an image to every single post. Use images that you have on file or search for unlicensed images on Google. You can also use stock-photo services that allow you to pay a small fee for the rights to use professional-quality photos and illustrations.

#4 — Check Your Links!

When you insert a link into your Facebook post, it populates it with an appropriate image and text. However, you shouldn’t just assume that your link will work as planned. Before you post your update, check all links to be sure they go where they’re supposed to and that they populate the post with the right image.

Always Best Care Can Help!

When it comes to marketing a senior care franchise, we are experts! Download our FREE franchising ebook today and learn how you can be a successful franchise owner in this growing industry!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Six Simple Tips for Senior Care Franchise Success

Senior care franchises are sprouting up all over North America, proving that it’s a business model that’s looking at a very bright future. If you’re a senior-care franchisee or you’re in the process of considering the purchase of your own in home care franchise, it’s important that you take time to think about how you will set yourself apart from the competition and ensure the success of your business.

Here are six simple tips that can give you the edge you need to make your franchise the class of your community:

#1 — Work Hard and Practice Persistence

Maybe this should go without saying, but too many franchisees think that the business model by itself is going to make them successful. Well, that’s just not the case. Hard work and persistence are the things that really set successful franchisees apart from their less-successful peers.

#2 — Work Smarter

Hard work is crucial, but sometimes you have to recognize when you’re putting a brute-force effort into something that just isn’t going to pay off. If you want to be successful, you have to be able to understand that sometimes the best solution comes from a good idea and not a Herculean effort.

#3 — Search for New Opportunities Constantly

As a franchisee, your success will depend on your ability to keep finding new opportunities. This might mean taking advantage of partnerships with local senior centers and other facilities, or it might mean making your business a sponsor of local events. You just can’t afford to coast as a franchisee.

#4 — Learn What Makes You Stand Out

What do you bring to your business personally? Is there something special that you do well that your competitors struggle with? If you can find a handful of these things, you can make your business more attractive to seniors and their families.

#5 — Avoid Making Excuses

Things aren’t always going to go your way. That’s just how business works, though, so you have to be able to bounce back when a plan fails or a venture falls through. Although it’s easy to make excuses and complain about how things didn’t work out, that’s not way to succeed. Instead, look at your efforts and determine how you can do a better job in the future. Then move forward one step at a time.

#6 — Be the Best at What You Do

Sometimes being successful is simply a matter of noticing what others are doing and finding a way to do it better. What are your competitors good at? Where can you improve with your efforts? Notice these areas, improve them and strive to be the best at them!

More Franchise Advice and Information

If you’re interested in learning more about how to be successful in the senior-care industry, or if you’re curious about purchasing your own franchise, our FREE senior care franchising ebook contains information and advice you can’t ignore. Download your copy today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Franchise Efficiency — 4 Tips for Staying Productive

Franchising is different from other types of businesses in many ways. Some lessons from the traditional business world just don’t apply when it comes to operating a franchise. However, there’s one thing that’s true for business owners all over the world, regardless of the business model in which they operate: greater efficiency means greater revenue and greater success.

If you’re wondering how you can get the most out of your senior care franchise without burning the candle at both ends, we have four tips that can help you operate at peak efficiency!

#1 — The System Works — Just Follow It!

So many franchisees struggle with this one, but it’s really the key to successful franchising, regardless of the industry. Franchises succeed because they have built and maintained a proven system. This system is what you’re really paying for with your franchise fee, so why would you take pains to avoid working within it? By following the system, you decrease the burden on yourself and your team to come up with effective strategies. You also give yourself the best chance to make money and grow your business!

#2 — Hire, Delegate and Train

The person who does it all on their own is largely a product of fiction and fantasy. In reality, people who run successful franchises rely on others to help them get things done. Hiring good people is the first step, but you have to be comfortable delegating tasks to them so you can lessen your load. Maybe you’ll feel uncomfortable delegating tasks to those who may not do them quite as well as you; that’s where good training comes in, so be sure to take the time necessary to get all members of your team on the same page.

#3 — Become a Marketing Expert

Following the system gives you the best chance at success, but you have to be able to bring some things to the table on your own. One area where you can really make things easier on yourself is the marketing arena. Learning how to use social media, email and other modern marketing methods may seem daunting, but it’s actually fairly easy. If at any moment you’re wondering what you can do to make your franchise better, increasing your marketing expertise is always a solid choice.

#4 — Don’t Burn Yourself Out!

As a driven business owner, it’s easy to justify a work ethic that might leave you sleepless and strained. This doesn’t do anybody any good, though, and it actually hurts your business. Remember that you can only do so much, and be sure to take time to rest and recharge. If you’ve delegated properly and increased efficiency elsewhere, you certainly deserve it!

More Franchise Tips and Advice

Are you interested in learning more about how to run a senior care franchise at peak efficiency? We are experts here at Always Best Care! Download our FREE franchising ebook today and find out how you can take your career to the next level as a successful elder care franchisee!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Three Tips for Selling Your Senior-Care Services

When it comes to operating a successful in home senior care business, you’ve got to be able to split your focus on two different aspects: On one hand, you probably entered the senior care industry because it offers a way to provide help, assistance and much-needed care to aging individuals in your community who might otherwise suffer from a lack of options. On the other hand, you’re also running a business, which means that if you want to continue to provide excellent care and act as a resource in your community, you need to be able to sign up clients and turn a profit.

All too often, unfortunately, franchisees in the non medical elder care industry fail to focus adequately on the business side of things, leaving them vulnerable to the competition and making it difficult to establish a local presence.

Are you wondering how you can restore balance so that you provide excellent care for your clients and your bottom line? We have three tips that you can’t afford to ignore!

#1 — Be Proactive!

Even though you might be able to provide the best care in the country, that’s not enough to sell your services to people. You just can’t afford to expect that the mere presence of your franchise in a specific market will drum up enough interest to get people to dial your number or sign up for more information on your website.

You have to be willing and able to put yourself out there and sell.

If you have sales experience, great! Take full advantage of your sales skills, and you will likely find success. However, if you feel uncomfortable with sales, remember that what you’re actually selling is better lives for older individuals and their families. You simply have to be proactive about it.

#2 — Build a Network

If you want to sell your senior-care services successfully, you have to position your pitch in a way that it gets heard by people who matter. That’s why it’s so important to establish strong relationships with hospitals, physicians, senior communities, estate attorneys and others in your area.

Through these connections, you will find exactly the clients that you are looking for.

#3 — Watch the Competition

You don’t want to be looking over your shoulder constantly, but you have to be aware of the fact that senior care is booming right now, and a lot of hungry franchisees are entering the industry, many of them with unique and innovative ideas about selling their services.

Pay attention to what your competitors are doing and work to set yourself — and your business — apart. And when you notice that someone might be working a little harder than you on the sales side, that’s your signal to find another gear, seek the wisdom of your area representatives and do what it takes to find your client base.

Learn More

If you want to know more about what it takes to be a successful franchisee, we invite you to download a copy of our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s packed with information you won’t find anywhere else. Download it now!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.