BUSINESS LIKE; Mirror Biz.

Byline: SIMON READ

ENTREPRENEURS thrive with franchises because they are buying into a successful brand, according to business author Basil Plews.

"Lots of people feel they have talent but not the necessary skills for success in business. That's where buying a franchise could help them because they become part of a team and buy in to a brand and a system," says Plews.

And he adds that rising unemployment is making the idea of working for yourself much more attractive, so more people are exploring the possibility of buying a franchise.

"If you choose your franchisor carefully, you should get a great deal of support - through training, being kept abreast of changes in relevant regulations and so on - which should significantly ease the burden of starting your own business," he points out.

Franchising offers opportunities across most industries - but most franchises can be operated by people with little or no expertise because of the excellent support they are given.

Often, all that is needed to get started is the ability to get on with people and hard work.

Basil Plews became a franchisor after having a successful career in business. With his son Tim he bought a Driver Hire franchise and, in four years, grew their annual turnover to around pounds 1million.

Now he's passing on the secrets of his success in a new book The Franchise Way where he explores the character, talents and motivation of successful franchisees.

"Anyone thinking about a franchise needs to not only find out how to discover the business opportunities that a particular franchise has to offer but also about their own suitability and motivation to take on a franchise - and make it successful," Plews advises.

Find out more..

THE Franchise Way is published by Authorhouse, available for pounds 11.99.

Find out all you need to know about franchising at www.thebfa. org.

www.whichfranchise.com offers tips and advice on franchising and business opportunities.

CAPTION(S):

BRAND LEADER Basil Plews