This year's title of Australian Franchisee of the Year was won by Worldwide Online Printing franchisee, Andrew Robertson, who believes fun and trust underscore a successful business.

MANAGING two printing franchises, Andrew Robertson is used to arranging certificates for customers. But the tables were turned when he was presented with his own certificate when he was crowned Franchisee of the Year in the 2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Excellence in Franchising awards.

Competing against hundreds of franchisees across Australia, Queensland based Robertson modestly says that he has no idea why he was picked number one, but describes the build-up as daunting.

"I've only had a few nerve-wracking times in my life: one was when proposing to my girlfriend (now my wife) and before that, asking her father's permission. But the process of being scrutinised before being judged the nation 's number one franchisee was right up there," he says, describing it as "terrifying." Particularly tough was the four-hour interview by representatives of the FCA [Franchise Council of Australia] as they drilled down on every last aspect, and sought practical or other evidence on each. In the application form, I listed responses to things like recruitment practices then had to demonstrate it all, so it wasn't just talk the talk, it was very thorough and quite intensive."

 

Each year the Franchise of the Year Award is staged by PricewaterhouseCoopers with the cooperation with the FCA. The awards recognise innovation and excellence in Australian franchising and are "a high quality example of successful Australian small business contributing to a $128 billion sector." Under Robertson's helm Spring Hill Worldwide Online Printing annual turnover has quadrupled and the store collected a series of awards. The success spurred him on to purchase his second Worldwide Online Printing franchise in nearby Rowes Arcade, Brisbane CBD.

"My approach to management is to pre-determine expectations - set the ground rules, and once they are set, most people tend to do the right thing," he revealed.

Established in Perth in 1999 and described as Australia's fastest growing design and print franchise, Worldwide Online Printing currently operates more than 80 centres providing high resolution printing on smaller digital print jobs, leaving the large offset and digital volumes for their specialised print factories ('hubs') in WA, NSW, Victoria and Queensland featuring 810 million of equipment and 70 staff. The 'hub and spoke' model reduces franchisee investment on equipment yet still delivers 24/7 service.

By 2003 Worldwide Online Printing was named one of Australia's fast 100 companies and since then it's continued to set records. In 2005 turnover exceeded $50 million.

Like the majority of Worldwide Online Printing franchisees, Robertson joined the fold without any printing experience. The commerce/marketing graduate spent eight years in hospitality as owner-operator of an up market motel and restaurant then launched the complementary business of a fully-guided coach tour before accepting an offer to sell lock, stock and barrel.

Footloose and fancy free, Robertson then departed for Brazil on a three-month study exchange.

On return he co-partnered a Brisbane business development consultancy in a role that served as springboard to his signing a management agreement in 2003 at Spring Hill Worldwide Online.

Personal qualities working in Robertson's favour are his "seeking the fun in things, using humour to counteract stress, and surrounding myself with people like that. You need to believe in and trust people," he maintains.

Now named Australia's best franchisee, his advice to others is to "invest in good people as staff and have faith in them, and also maintain a constructive partnership with your Franchisor... proper communication is important."

 

 

Company:
User:
Password: