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 FROM
BERRY EVERITT
For many matriculants and students, this is a worrying
time of year - not only because of exams but also because their
employment prospects are uncertain even after they have qualified,
and they are desperately wondering how they will make a living in
future.
Meanwhile for those people already employed, low
inflation means that current salary growth prospects are not great
either. Which is precisely why we are so excited at the growing
success of the micro-franchising concept, which is being hailed
by many in the international development community as the best tool
for creating real prosperity.
Micro-franchising is a business model where a significantly
scaled-down price tag makes it accessible to individuals and small
businesses, without losing any of the benefits of a powerful brand
name or a proven operating system. And we think real estate is one
of the economic sectors in which micro-franchising can be most successfully
applied - as per our new Notebook licence model which has already
attracted more than 20 operators around the country.
We specifically designed Notebook to be used in
smaller towns and specific areas where the size of the market would
not justify the costs of establishing a full franchise, and it is
absolutely true to the definition of micro-franchising in that it
gives an operator full access to our strong brand and a rich array
of support services without major start-up expenses or ongoing royalties.
And it has been so well-received - and so successful
- that we are now going full steam ahead with plans to extend the
concept next year into other areas that are critically underserved
in real estate terms; notably the old townships but also country
towns and villages where there are currently no estate agencies.
Matriculants and graduates with ambition take note:
There is huge potential in these areas for real estate entrepreneurs,
as well as for qualified, experienced business people who would
like to write their own cheques for a change. Good luck for the
exams!
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