Adam Bannister: What makes Pitman Training an attractive franchise?
David Shimwell: Any successful franchise usually has a strong brand attached to it – that’s what you get with Pitman training. Also, any franchise that has the number of locations that we do – 100 – has also had the experience to adjust the business model to be more successful. So in summary, it’s a strong brand and a proven business model.
Any franchise that has the number of locations has also had the experience to adjust the business model to be more successful
AB: How long has the brand been around for?
DS: If you take it to its literal beginnings you’re actually going all the way back to 1839 – 169 years.
We’re not exactly the same company but effectively, if you were doing a ‘Who do you think you are?’ Pitman training would go back to 1839.
AB: And how did it start out?
DS: It started off with shorthand. As soon as you mention Pitman to anybody, the people that the brand means something to would think of shorthand.
AB: When was it first franchised?
DS: 15 years ago.
AB: What does the franchisee get for their money?
DS: Access to our brand, marketing, sales technique – effectively our business system. We will train them on that system and support them on it, so they can go off and run a flexible learning, IT business and commerce training centre.
AB: What sets it apart from similar franchises?
DS: There are a number of what I would call good franchises out there, and it’s a bit like saying what sets you apart from various restaurants – it depends what food you like and what you want.
But I think it’s down to that proven business system, which has been adapted over the years, and its support.
AB: How much can they expect to make in a normal working week?
DS: I would say that is all dependent on their determination.
AB: How many hours will a franchisee typically need to work?
DS: Anybody setting up what I would call a ‘business’, rather than a ‘job’ franchise, you’re going to be looking at 50 hours plus a week for the first year to 18 months.
