Auditel celebrates its 15th anniversary with a record year

Auditel, the UK’s leading home-based executive franchise, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a record number of new franchisees. Founded in 1994, Auditel is a full member of the British Franchise Association (bfa). The company has developed into the market leader in cost and purchase management with over 140 franchisees in its network. These highly skilled specialists are widely regarded as being among the best in the business. More than one in five are currently earning in excess of £100,000.

As the recession continues, more professional people are facing the threat of redundancy. But far from signalling the end of life as they know it, redundancy can mean a fresh start. Many have used their redundancy to leave corporate life behind and start their own franchise business, often doing something completely different from their previous line of work.

The 2009 NatWest/bfa franchise survey confirms that becoming a franchisee could be a wise decision. Brian Smart, the bfa’s director general, reports: "There is little indication so far of the recession having a severe impact on the franchise industry. Franchised businesses are in a much stronger position, as they have the additional protection of a proven business model and brand.” Auditel is one of those franchised businesses.

New approach to cost management
Laurence Knott, Auditel's Head of Marketing, reveals: "There is no escaping the fact that the majority of businesses are feeling the heat from the slowing economy and there are plenty of organisations out there offering costcutting solutions. However, Auditel goes a lot further than simple cost or expense reduction. We call our system Total Cost of Purchase Management. We don’t just make one-off savings and then move onto the next client, but build valuable long-term relationships over many years. Our franchisees become trusted advisers to their clients."

Why businesses need Auditel
Are you thinking that an outsourced cost management professional may not really be needed, because most companies tend to operate regular cost reduction programmes? Things are not quite that simple. A recent survey of 50 finance directors showed that over two-thirds felt that further savings could be made in their business procurement. And, according to accountant KPMG: "Even though cost reduction targets are often as low as three per cent per year, a worrying nine out of 10 programmes fail to deliver and the gains appear to be short term."

This is why more and more businesses are turning to Auditel to maintain profitability. As Laurence points out: “Our self-funding service does not add to the financial burden of their overheads by charging upfront fees. Confident that savings can be made, we work on a no-win, no-fee model. Our clients only pay us when we have saved money as a result of our work. This ever-increasing demand means that, whether there’s a recession or a booming economy, it's always a profitable time to be an Auditel Consultant."

What Auditel franchisees do
As an Auditel Consultant, you are trained to implement the company’s unique Total Cost of Purchase model. By evaluating every aspect of their procurement, you enable organisations to lower their business costs year in, year out, thus helping them to reduce their overall operational expenditure and add to their bottom line. Savings are generated from a wide range of business costs, which could be anything from communications and energy to waste management, insurance and financial services.

Business Development General Manager, Edward Brewer, adds: "There are four basic steps in our approach to build an understanding of a firm’s cost structure. Firstly, we assess these essential costs through a comprehensive in-depth analysis of their current expenditure. Then we analyse the data to determine where savings might be made and produce a detailed report.”

"Next we take responsibility for managing relationships with suppliers, and turning those theoretical savings into a reality. Finally, we monitor the actual savings and ensure that our clients benefit from any new services as they become available - Hercule Poirot would certainly approve of our methods!"

Consultants work with all types and sizes of businesses - sometimes on joint ventures. The multi-site YMCA Movement in England achieved savings of £135,012 over mobiles, electricity and gas, waste and other expenses. Its Head of Shops, Paul Sargison, said: “ The management of this project has been excellent. We have made some really significant savings, which will bring real benefits to the people we are working with."

Training and support for success
Support General Manager, Janet Twining, confirms that, as a member of the network, Auditel will give you full support throughout your career to build you a profitable and satisfying business. Your personal and professional development programmes includes:
• 13 days' residential training covering all aspects of the Auditel business.
• Three follow-up workshops and one-to-one appraisals during your first 12 months.
• Two accompanied sales visits.
• A fully configured wireless notebook PC with comprehensive manuals and Auditel business software.
• Your own optimised website.
• Unlimited access to the support team and mentors for help and advice.
• Additional training workshops on new developments.
• Regional and local meetings.
• Annual suppliers' exhibition and national conference.

The Auditel difference
Working from home: the beauty of the Auditel business model is that it lends itself perfectly to working from home. You won't need to rent office space or employ staff. Apart from Auditel’s business system, all you need to get started is a desk, computer, phone and access to the internet. The benefits include:
• Low overheads.
• No commuting.
• Flexibility to choose your own working hours to give time to friends and family.

With access to the Auditel Information System, you are in touch with over 140 colleagues who can answer any queries within minutes - so you’re never alone.

Unlimited territory: unlike most franchises, Auditel doesn’t limit you to a geographical area, which means you can build your business anywhere in the UK.

Huge market opportunity: almost every organisation in the UK is a potential Auditel client and there are more than 400,000 in the marketplace.

Research and development:
Auditel is constantly looking for new opportunities to improve its client service and broaden its portfolio. The company’s partners are the UK market leaders in their fields. They include Shell LPG, EDF Energy, British Gas, Drivers Jonas and Travelex. In addition, Auditel has a relationship with over 170 accountancy practices, which offer profitable referrals from their clients.

Head office support: Auditel’s franchisee support team is 25-strong. This means there’s more than one team member for every five franchisees in the network, which is one of the highest ratios in the industry.

Predictable cash flow: as an Auditel franchisee, you can earn 50 per cent of the savings you make for your clients for at least three years from the date you implement each saving.

Meet some franchisees
Northampton-based Peter Harrison was a senior engineer with the Williams F1 racing team before redundancy. He was looking for an opportunity to maintain a high income and more flexibility of working hours, travel and holidays. When researching franchise opportunities, Auditel caught his attention.

"I took an instant liking to their business proposition and I was really impressed with the attitude of both the head office staff and other franchisees," he says. "Right from the first call, everyone I met was professional, friendly, sincere and keen to help. After the first meeting, I felt I could fit in well with the Auditel network. I was confident that the business model had the potential to live up to both my earning and lifestyle expectations."

Tim Latham, from Warwick, was working as a senior sales and marketing manager with Jaguar. Tim says: "Auditel stood out for me as one of the strongest franchise businesses and the one that fitted me best - low start-up and running costs and a soft sell that thrives in all economic conditions - and a great head office team." He enthused about the training: "Very strong, well presented, thorough, fun but challenging. I can’t wait to get cracking."

London-based Pam Johnson joined Auditel in 2006, having spent 20 years in sales management for a variety of niche technology vendors. She now has 26 clients across a broad range of sectors. She reports: "It's still pretty early days, but my income is growing quarter on quarter and I can't imagine going back into the corporate world now. For a start, I have a much better work/life balance than I did before and it would be difficult to get used to commuting again. Also, being my own boss gives me a very different sort of work satisfaction than I ever had as an employee."

Free Discovery Seminars
Prospective franchisees can find out more at Auditel’s free Discovery Seminars, designed to give an insight into how the business works, meet the franchise support team and ask as many questions as they like.