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CAREERPLUG announces neW PresiDenT anD neW ceo roLe
CareerPlug announced that Jenny Leman will become the company’s second President. CareerPlug’s first President and its Founder, Clint Smith, will be taking on a new role as the company’s first CEO.
The change in roles comes as CareerPlug implements a new approach to leadership within the organization based on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) method. This new framework has allowed CareerPlug to identify opportunities to evolve its top leadership roles and solidify the core responsibilities and focus of each role.
Smith founded CareerPlug in 2007. The company has partnered with more than 12,000 clients to help them make the right hires for their business.
Before joining CareerPlug in 2017, Leman led operations for a multi-unit franchisee and later for a software company. Her
Jenny Leman, careerPlug President
unique blend of franchise and software expertise brought a valuable perspective to CareerPlug in helping to build a people operating software for franchises.
“I find myself deeply connected to the problem CareerPlug solves because I’ve worked for small businesses and franchisees. I know how important it is for
clint smith, careerPlug founder and ceo)
small business owners to make the right hires because they have so much on their plates. I understand the concerns of our clients, and I feel proud to contribute to CareerPlug’s mission of helping connect the right people with the right jobs,” said Leman.
www.careerplug.com/
NETBLAZE Launches agencY ParTnershiP
and search engine optimization (SEO). NetBlaze’s agency partnerships offer businesses custom branding, website URLs and more, allowing them to upsell the platform to their clients to increase service offerings and create new revenue streams.
“We know that running an agency can be overwhelming with SEO, social media algorithms and Google rankings constantly changing, making managing client accounts very time consuming and can quickly eat away at profits,” said Steven Clayton, CEO and Founder of NetBlaze.
NetBlaze, a leading digital marketing solution for small businesses nationwide, launched an agency partnership to help businesses streamline digital marketing efforts, manage and grow their client base, and create new revenue streams by offering digital marketing services.
NetBlaze provides an SaaS solution for agencies to manage a variety of marketing efforts, including social media management, customer relations management (CRM), reputation management “By partnering with NetBlaze, agencies can give their customers the tools they need to conquer digital marketing and boost their revenue by outsourcing the solution to its paying customers. By following the recipe of the 80/20 rule—focusing on the most important tasks that get the best results in the least amount of time—digital marketing strategies can guarantee results and scale an agency all at once.”
THE UPS STORE ranKeD #3 among ToP franchise BranDs
The UPS Store, Inc., the world’s largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers, has ranked #3 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual Franchise 500 list of the top franchise brands in the United States and Canada. The UPS Store brand has been in the top five since 2017 and this year’s ranking comes amid a momentous time for the brand as it experiences surging shipping volumes.
“Despite a challenging year that affected us all, I am proud that The UPS Store network continuously operated in its communities when they needed us most, created safe environments for customers, expertly handled incredible shipping volume, and was even able to unveil a new store design that was four years in the making,” said Tim Davis, president at The UPS Store, Inc. “Our franchise owners and their employees are members of the communities they serve, and I am always in awe of their dedication to those communities.”
Deemed an essential business under guidance issued by the White House and as defined within the Critical Infrastructure Sectors by the Department of Homeland Security, The UPS Store locations remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When small businesses were forced to quickly adapt and consumers shifted more to e-commerce, many turned to The UPS Store to handle the greatly increased mailing, packing, shipping, printing and returns. A franchisor since 1980, all The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated, helping each franchise owner understand the needs of their customers. During the pandemic, The UPS Store helped print curbside menus for local restaurants and large signs for drive-by birthday celebrations, as well as ship more online purchases and gifts as travel decreased. www.theupsstore.com/
LYNX FRANCHISING acQuireD BY miDocean ParTners
JAN-PRO Systems International – one of the nation’s largest franchisors of commercial cleaning and disinfecting franchises – announced the brand was part of a major acquisition, as MidOcean Partners acquired LYNX Franchising – a multi-brand platform with a collection of B2B essential services, including Intelligent Office, FRSTeam, and JAN-PRO Systems International.
“We are excited about the acquisition and are eager to partner with a firm that is so dedicated to helping us take our brand even further,” said JAN-PRO Systems International President Gary Bauer. “Our industry leading model and experience, coupled with MidOcean Partners’ resources is an incredible combination, and we are eager to see where this partnership takes our brand, especially as we continue our mission to help protect businesses, their customers and their employees from COVID-19.”
The acquisition comes at a time when JAN-PRO Systems International has set its sights on several new markets for franchise development, including Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Iowa, among others. The resources provided by MidOcean Partners will aid JAN-PRO Systems International in these expansion efforts.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses of all kinds have turned to JANPRO CLEANING & DISINFECTING as the commercial cleaning experts to keep their employees, customers, and tenants safe during this unprecedented time. JANPRO CLEANING & DISINFECTING saw a 500% increase in upgraded special cleaning/disinfecting services since the start of the pandemic as businesses relied on their services to help employees and customers be safe from COVID-19.
takinG care Of Business
Business services that are in deMand
there is no doubt that 2020 changed how many of us do business. While working from home and Zoom meetings have become the new work-day normal, franchises that specialize in business-to-business services have had to adapt and pivot to stay in business.
The good news is business services franchises have been up to the challenge, introducing new products and services to help support their clients. “Necessity,” as the saying goes, “is the mother of invention.” And for B2B franchise operators that has certainly been the case— think heightened Covid-safe cleaning practices, innovative mobile apps for food catering, and teleconferences and webinars for franchising events and expos.
Businesses have always relied on other businesses to do business—and the urgency of the pandemic has only intensified that relationship. These are a few of the industries that provide essential business services that will always be in demand.
digital Marketing
As many of our regular franchising expert advice writers will tell you, an online presence is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a necessity. A mobile responsive website, an SEO plan and at least two or three social media accounts should be standard business practice in this day and age. However, many small business owners struggle to build and maintain their digital real estate.
Some may have purchased build-yourown website software believing online marketing is a “set it and forget it” proposition. But the reality is, an online presence needs regular attention. Web design, search marketing and social media
management are no longer side jobs that can be taken care of in-house by the office admin—they require detailed knowledge and a dedicated person (or team of people) to manage.
Business services franchises that include digital marketing, social media and website design offer a much-needed service and allow business operators to get on with the day-to-day of running and growing their business.
TOPFIRE MEDIA is an integrated digital marketing and public relations agency specializing in the franchise industry. Their clients benefit from years of experience in franchise SEO service, public relations, media relations, content writing and management, social media marketing, and web design.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory/top-fire-media PRIMERO SYSTEMS leverage the power of the internet to improve efficiencies and help your prospects successfully navigate their journey. Their Webtreepro franchise marketing platform offers a simple-to-use solution for franchise marketers seeking to manage their digital assets, create responsive sites and automate promotions.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory/primero-systems
NEXUS ONLINE MEDIA provides a Software as a Service (SaaS) online marketing platform that integrates website, social media, and email marketing into one platform. Clients can track specific topics about their products and services on social media.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory/nexus-online-media
cleaning Services
Businesses of all sizes have long relied on cleaning services to keep their physical spaces spick-and-span—whether they be customer-facing outlets like shops or restaurants or employee work spaces and offices. From vacuuming and window cleaning to disinfecting and polishing services, cleaning is a physically demanding and time-consuming task. So, outsourcing this responsibility is a nobrainer for most business owners.
In 2020 the need for cleaning services grew even stronger as we faced the most stringent hygiene controls we have ever experienced. In addition to regular maintenance cleaning, businesses now also require regular deep clean services using approved Covid-safe practices.
Franchises that develop a trusted relationship with business owners, ensuring their hygiene needs are up to standard and
the work environment is both clean and comfortable, can reliably predict a longlasting relationship.
OFFICE PRIDE COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICEs is a full-service commercial cleaning franchise company with 137 franchises around the country. A member of Franchise Business Review’s Hall of Fame, Office Pride’s services include carpet cleaning, floor stripping and waxing, and routine janitorial services.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/findfranchise/office-pride-commercialcleaning-services
OXI FRESH CARPET CLEANING offers an environmentally-friendly carpet cleaning system that uses safe, green cleaning solutions and provides fast drying times. Oxi Fresh also provides services for rugs, upholstery, hardwood floors, and tile and grout. The company was recognized as one of “America’s Best Franchises,” according to Forbes magazine.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory/oxi-fresh
coffee delivery and catering
Coffee and catering franchises are a staple of the business world. From staff celebrations and team meetings to networking events and conferences, no gathering is complete without a smorgasbord of tasty treats and hot beverages.
It’s true that Covid-19 has impacted businesses in terms of the ability to gather in large numbers. Many office employees are conducting business from home and large-scale conferences and networking events are now either being held online or on-hold completely. But while food and drink service companies have taken a hit, resourceful franchises have found ways to survive. Successful catering companies have developed online ordering apps and introduced contactless delivery, allowing clients to continue a somewhat businessas-usual approach to their day-to-day operations.
When the dangers of the pandemic lift, businesses will be keen to meet with clients face-to-face once again and catering franchises who have maintained their clients through these difficult times will be well placed to keep them happily caterered to for years to come.
FRESH TO ORDER pioneered the innovative “fast-fine” restaurant niche, combining the quality fine casual dining with the operating platform and price point of fast casual. Fresh To Order’s industry recognitions include Top 100 Movers & Shakers, Hot Concept!, Top 50 Breakout Brand and Best Franchise Deals.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory/fresh-order-f2o “While the future is unpredictable, the beauty of franchise models is that they have well-oiled systems, protocols and tools in place to support their franchisees.”
XPRESSO DELIGHT is a simple business concept that simply transplants a cafe experience into the workplace. The franchisee owns a number of fully automated gourmet espresso coffee systems and simply charges their clients a per-cup rate in a “pay for what you use” policy.
Directory listing: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory/xpresso-delight
If you are contemplating becoming a business service franchise owner, now is a great time to consider your options, learn about how the industry has changed and adapted to Covid-19, and what franchises are doing to navigate their franchisees through turbulent times.
While the future is unpredictable, the beauty of franchise models is that they have well-oiled systems, protocols and tools in place to support their franchisees. Rather than going it on your own as an independent small business owner, joining an established franchise network will give you the foundation from which to grow your business.
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