July 14, 2010 by admin.

“Tips for Franchisors”
Daily Express 01.04.96
David Bigmore, a solicitor specialising in the industry, offers the following tips for the would-be franchisors:

SEEK expert help. See a franchise consultant, who will be able to develop your business experience into a customised system, an experienced accountant, who will work out the profitability for you and your franchisees, and a specialist lawyer who will advise on legal requirements.
CHOOSE the name of the franchised operation carefully and register it at the Trade Marks Registry.
DEVELOP a profile of an acceptable franchisee. Many of the problems experienced by franchisors derive from inadequate selection.
INVEST a great deal of time and money in developing a training system.
“Menace of law to nail pyramid swindlers”
The Express 19.05.97
A new law designed to tighten the controls on pyramid selling and multi-level marketing schemes threatens to make many franchises unworkable.The Trading Schemes Act 1996, which comes into effect in August, casts its net so wide almost all businesses, including franchises, are effected. Anyone breaking the law could be committing any of the four criminal offences and be liable to fines or even jail.
Having begun with a catch-all law, the DTI, whose aim is to deter swindlers went on to write exemptions in the Act designed to exclude legitimate businesses. But franchise lawyer David Bigmore says the exclusions are not wide enough and many franchises might still find themselves trapped.
The first type of exclusion states that single-tier trading schemes are exempt. But Bigmore claims the way the law is worded means franchisors who use self-employed salesmen or independent contractors, or whose franchisees employ independent contractors, may find themselves subjected to the Act.
The second exclusion exempts VAT registered businesses. That means smaller franchisees with turnovers of less that £48,000 must register, forcing them to raise their prices by 17.5%. The law could also allow a disaffected franchisee to threaten a deregister and plunge the entire franchise operation into the murky waters of the new Act.
Bigmore believes the DTI mistakenly categorises businesses rather than aiming at the intention to swindle. He adds “You can use any business as a fraudulent vehicle, and that’s more or less what the Act says. Basically what they’ve done is take the pyramid out of pyramid selling. All we can hope to do is change the exclusions.”
Bigmore and the British Franchisee Association are lobbying to free franchising from the oppressive law. In the meantime, franchisors wanting to know where they stand should seek legal opinion.
For more information visit the experts at www.dbigmore.co.uk

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February 5, 2010 by admin.

At RDD Associates Inc.
We do take the guesswork out of design.

We believe that every client should have a valid proof as to the potential sales levels, inventory levels, capacity levels before one nail is placed into the wall.

Through proven business models we have been able to deliver profitable stores, displays and concept shops for our clients.

Our award winning design and business approach to ever design has set us apart from the rest of the Retail Design Industry.

With over forty years of retail experience we are considered by many as the benchmark for Retail designs that bring profit to your bottom line.
Visit Our Site at www.rddassociatesinc.com

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June 5, 2009 by admin.

Atkinson Brignall Caring Dentistry is a stunning, state of art family and cosmetic dental practice with a difference. Situated in a wonderful Grade II listed old school building in Sevenoaks, Kent, it has a wonderful children’s area themed as a submarine. This area serves to provide both fun and dental education for its young patients, which fits well with the practice philosophy of preventative care.

Developed with help of the local community, it is called “Aquabubble”, a name chosen by children at a local primary school, it has already featured on the BBC News Programme “South East Today”. Aquabubble boasts:
• A ceiling with blue acrylic domes and metallic grey walls with brass portholes creating an undersea feeling.
• This is complemented by a wonderful undersea mural painted by local artist, Mrs Nicky McNamara.
• A fantastic electronic “control panel” based around a sonar screen with buttons to press and knobs to twist producing both sound and light effects. This custom made panel was designed and produced by pupils at Tonbridge Grammar School
• A working periscope, which allows young submariners to observe their parents in the main lounge area as they relax and enjoy a cup of coffee The grey metallic walls are adorned with painted pipework and valves creating a truly realistic impression.
• A flat screen TV connected to a DVD player allows the dentists to show DVDs ranging from dental health to enjoyable entertainment
• The centre pieces of Aquabubble are undoubtedly the two touch screen computers loaded with dental games designed by Dr Marty Jopson, the science guy from BBC’s “The One Show”. The games which include a quiz, a card matching game and a dental version of space invaders have proved a big hit with the children. Designed with different levels to challenge all ages, the games provide much in the way of education to help children look after their teeth.
All of this, coupled with the dental tooth stools and dressing-up clothes, makes Aquabubble a truly unique and memorable experience for the young dental patient.

You have got to visit our site at www.atkinsonbrignall.co.uk

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