Support kit for franchisees hit by flooding

The kit contains tips, strategies and practical guidelines for providing two important types of support – business and psychological. Business support is needed to assist franchisees assess their current situation, create a plan of action to minimise the commercial damage to their business and, if possible, rebuild. Emotional support is just as important. Originally produced to assist those affected by floods in Queensland, the kit includes advice based on psychological research on the best ways to help people affected by traumatic events and also things to avoid.

Download the free kit

‘For many franchisees, their business is not just a source of livelihood; it is a source of pride and a source of meaning and purpose,’ says Greg Nathan of the FRI. ‘Many franchisees have literally invested their life savings and made significant sacrifices to build their businesses over a period of years with the hope that one day they will be able to retire comfortably. So the sense of shock, heartbreak and loss is understandable when a franchisee’s business is seriously damaged by a sudden act of nature, such as a flood, that is beyond anyone’s control.’

‘Unfortunately, despite the best will in the world, some of these businesses will not fully recover. This may be due to the extent of the damage to the business, the emotional impact on the franchisee and their family, or a mixture of both. The first part of the healing process will involve the franchisee coming to terms with this sudden change in their business and life situation. The next part of the process will be the franchisor and franchisee taking stock of whether reopening the business in its current form is a realistic and viable option. And, if so, starting the rebuilding process.’

‘The kit provides a practical reference point for franchisor executives, field managers, friends and colleagues to use in helping those affected to work through a number of important issues and find a way forward.’

The Franchisee Support Kit can be downloaded free here.

Other sources of information and assistance

5 tips for small businesses

This article from Stuff helps outline some steps that small business owners can take to navigate the unexpected circumstances that they find themselves in.

IRD

The IRD is aware many customers will have been affected by the event and may need help to keep up with their tax obligations, including filing and paying on time. More information is available on their website.

NEMA

Click the link above for the latest updates from the National Emergency Response Agency.

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