Do you remember how excited you were when you got your first 64-Pack of Crayola™ Crayons? (With a built-in sharpener!)
Most likely, you also received a coloring book or two-kind of a “boxed set” for kids. Good stuff.
You set up shop. You started coloring. But..how did you color????
Jim Blasingame (The Small Business Advocate) interviewed me recently on his small business radio program, and we discussed crayons. And coloring.
In 2003, Jim wrote a classic franchise article called “And God Created The Franchise” In it, he said this;
“Purchasing and operating a franchise is entrepreneurial coloring inside
of the lines.”
In other words
When you pick out your favorite color crayon, and start coloring something in a coloring book, are you staying within the lines? Are you following the suggested way of coloring in a coloring book, (by way of lines outlining the object-a type of “blueprint”) or are you coloring outside the lines, and getting all creative?
In almost every interview I’ve had with Jim, he’s brought up his “coloring inside the lines” analogy. It’s a good one.
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In general, rule-followers color inside the lines. They like systems, and some amount of predictability in their professional lives.
On the other hand, rule-makers color outside the lines. (Actually, they may even think of a better way to produce the actual crayon!)
If you’re going to invest in a franchise of your own, please make sure that know what type of artist you are. What will you do with your crayons?
Two Things
1. Go to www.TakeTheFranchiseQuiz.com. It’s a free franchise suitability test. It’s totally unscientific. And it will really get you thinking. I’ll personally score it, and send you the results.
2. Listen to my most recent radio interview with Jim Blasingame. He asks me about the current state of affairs in franchising, and we discuss issues related to getting a franchise start-up loan. I think we talked about coloring books too. I know that you’ll find value in our frank discussions…
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Peter says
July 1, 2010 at 11:23 amThanks for sharing these thoughts. This has been very helpful to me. Looking forward to read more informative topic.
John Falchetto says
September 16, 2011 at 3:45 pmThis is a great image – franchising is coloring inside the lines.
I ran a franchise for the worlds’ largest rescue training company. The lines are there because the standards we must upheld are high.
On the other side the brand awareness in that new market was zero. We still managed to become agent of the year in 2008 in number of people trained and income.
Coloring insde the lines has never been so much fun 🙂
The Franchise King says
September 16, 2011 at 4:00 pmThanks for sharing that, John.
Darn! I wish i could take credit for that “coloring inside the lines” analogy.
Gotta give it too @JimBlasingame:disqus
Thanks for stopping by!
JL