Training & support
How will Martin & Co train me to be a successful letting agent?
Martin & Co (UK) Ltd has been recognised as meeting the National Standard for effective investment in people and is accredited with the Investor In People award. Its franchise induction training programme has been proven over many years - indeed since 2003 over 70 new franchisees have passed the programme and none have yet failed.
Crucial to the training is the Operations Manual. This not only provides a handy source of reference but firmly establishes the Martin & Co ‘best practices' at an early stage - the difference between running an average letting agency and an exceptional one.
Is it all classroom based teaching?
No, a variety of teaching methods reflect the fact that individuals absorb information in different ways. Some of us are readers, some of us like to discuss new ideas, and others are more action centred in our learning. The Martin & Co programme combines:
- assessed self-study
- mentoring by an experienced franchisee
- classroom training with a legal expert
- practical exercises and coaching in ‘real life' situations
Will I get help with the training?
A new franchisee is paired with a dedicated Operations Director. An Operations Director is a seasoned lettings professional who has no duties other than supporting new franchisees and helping existing Martin & Co franchisees with business development.
The Operations Director ultimately launches the business alongside the franchisee, and through a series of three highly structured on-site visits puts in place a marketing strategy to generate landlord and tenant leads, and shows the franchisee how to convert leads into paid for business.
I'm worried that I might not have any business when my shop is ‘launched'
Providing the Operations Director's instructions have been followed (and the Martin & Co systems and process are in place) this is unlikely to happen. At launch franchisee's will have properties available and the shop will be ‘dressed' to look like a successful trading business.
What support will I receive after the launch?
There is unlimited telephone support from your Operations Director. They will also arrange to visit your office on a cyclical basis, to coach you and your staff on best practice. They will also help you with staff recruitment as you expand, and if your ambitions run to opening a satellite office or expanding into a second franchise territory then they will help you prepare to reach this stage. In addition you have access to:
- An intranet with downloadable resources such as a bank of press releases
- Regular email newsletters
- Updates and reviews on technical and legal matters such as tenancy agreements
- Monthly benchmarking exercises - comparing your business plan to actual results and comparing your business with others in the Martin & Co group
- An annual franchise conference
- Periodic regional business meetings
- A web based bulletin board to exchange ideas and provide a forum for debate
- Two free legal help lines - 1) Landlord and tenant matters and 2) Human Resource advice.
Will Martin & Co train my staff?
Franchisees and their staff benefit from a Training Academy - a series of specialist training courses that take place at convenient venues throughout the UK. Enrolment on these courses is completely free of charge during the first year of a franchise and places are then heavily subsidised by Martin & Co (UK) Ltd to encourage continued professional development and to assist franchisees with training new staff.
The Training Academy will also prepare franchisees and/or their staff with a comprehensive grounding to study for further for relevant professional exams.
