Computer Troubleshooters Not Only Survives, But Grows
A few years ago I made the decision to leave my comfy corporate job (boasting visionary leaders, wonderful coworkers, challenging business models, an excellent health care plan, five-weeks paid vacation a year and a comfortable, informal office just six miles from my house) of seven years to enter the computer sales, repair and support business. I also chose to buy a franchise. I figured having someone else develop back office systems, implement vendor relationships, manage marketing initiatives, etc. would pay dividends.
That was the right call. No doubt.
What's interesting, at least to me, is how easy it became for me to select Computer Troubleshooters. After reviewing Entrepreneur magazine's annual Franchise 500 rankings, sifting through countless UFOCs and attending prospective franchisee workshops, I chose CT. Their numbers looked great, the franchisor was (and remains) debt-free, all the CT folks I met (and meet) were (and are) genuine, sincere individuals and the fit felt (and continues feeling) right.
Instead of insisting I purchase three territories (three!) to start, as did Geeks-on-Call, CT's management requested I purchase a single territory, become comfortable with day-to-day operations, and only then visit thoughts of expansion.
That philosophy proved telling, as Entrepreneur's 19th Annual Franchise 500 guide just hit newsstands. Computer Troubleshooters is again ranked the number one technology support franchise.
What's happened to the likes of Geeks-on-Call (now 905-GEEK), Concerto Networks and others that courted my dollars, not too mention blood, sweat and tears? They placed behind Computer Troubleshooters in Entrepreneur's 2008 Franchise 500 (and other lists for that matter) or have fallen off the Franchise 500 entirely!
Lists, of course, don't mean everything. But I think it's telling that Computer Troubleshooters not only maintains its consistently high Entrepreneur ranking year-after-year, but continues growing, even when the technology sector experiences inevitable shake outs.
That was the right call. No doubt.
What's interesting, at least to me, is how easy it became for me to select Computer Troubleshooters. After reviewing Entrepreneur magazine's annual Franchise 500 rankings, sifting through countless UFOCs and attending prospective franchisee workshops, I chose CT. Their numbers looked great, the franchisor was (and remains) debt-free, all the CT folks I met (and meet) were (and are) genuine, sincere individuals and the fit felt (and continues feeling) right.
Instead of insisting I purchase three territories (three!) to start, as did Geeks-on-Call, CT's management requested I purchase a single territory, become comfortable with day-to-day operations, and only then visit thoughts of expansion.
That philosophy proved telling, as Entrepreneur's 19th Annual Franchise 500 guide just hit newsstands. Computer Troubleshooters is again ranked the number one technology support franchise.
What's happened to the likes of Geeks-on-Call (now 905-GEEK), Concerto Networks and others that courted my dollars, not too mention blood, sweat and tears? They placed behind Computer Troubleshooters in Entrepreneur's 2008 Franchise 500 (and other lists for that matter) or have fallen off the Franchise 500 entirely!
Lists, of course, don't mean everything. But I think it's telling that Computer Troubleshooters not only maintains its consistently high Entrepreneur ranking year-after-year, but continues growing, even when the technology sector experiences inevitable shake outs.
Labels: computer troubleshooters entrepreneur franchise franchising franchisee 500
posted by Erik Eckel at 7:51 PM
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