Indulge! - Planters Development Bank

sme focusThe secret to rapid growthIn 2007, GSP made bold decisionstowards professionalizing the business.She received her first loan to build acommissary from Plantersbank.“We went to the Department of Scienceand Technology for advice and learnedprofessional systems, best practices andsanitary requirements.”Furthermore, she sought the help offranchising guru and SME magazinecolumnist, Butch Bartolome, in developingtheir franchise packages.“We were encouraged to go into franchisingwhen we saw the market potentialof our business. But we didn’t realize tillwe consulted with Mr. Bartolome to becomea professional franchise companyalso requires your commitment to investin change and further improvement,” shewittily shares.Girlie kept an open mind to fulfil herdream of growing the business fast. By2008, she was completely thrown into thefranchising ball game.Full steam aheadSuffice to say, Girlie Pagtakhan is nochicken when it comes to this business.“Kailangan determinado ka, matibay angdibdib and malakas ang loob (It takesdetermination, courage and confidence),”she enumerates. But equally important forher is taking care of the employees.Five years into the business and shestill has big dreams to accomplish. Alreadyin the works are opening more branchesin Metro Manila, nearby provinces likeBatangas and even as far as Boracayisland.“We want to be the top lechon manokbrand in the country, even globally. There’sroom for more improvement,” Girlie says. Infact, the company is looking into the retailpossibilities of the GSPagtakhan lechonsauce. “We’re looking into the application ofblast freezing for marinated chickens, andpossibly hiring area heads in the future,”she details. Something tells this writer thatshe’ll do all of these in no time.For franchise inquiries,GSP Lechon Manok335 Tanzang Luma 5, Imus, CaviteEmail: gsplechonmanok@yahoo.comTel. Nos.: (046) 970.71.36 and (046) 471.02.96Fax Nos: (046) 970.93.70 and (046) 471.29.23On the GrillGSP’s Quick Guideto Franchise Management> First and foremost, know everythingthere is to know about your product. “Noone can succeed as an entrepreneur withoutembracing the business idea or understandingthe product well.”> Provide potential franchisers with anattractive offer. Aim to penetrate the marketfast and early, while helping investors earn. Ifyou make business good for your franchisers,the good news will spread like fire.> Screen franchise applicants. And screenagain. “We conduct a very thorough credit andbackground investigation. Don’t just considerthe financial capabilities when choosingbusiness partners. You have to protect thebrand and its reputation. Look into theirattitudes towards employees and theirwillingness to grow the GSPagtakhan brandand business.”> Establish good relations with partners.“We make sure that franchisees observecompany standards, especially cleanliness,grooming (for crew) and professionalism. Wehave supervisors who check on outlets twicea day. We also conduct regular monthlymeetings with franchisees. This kind ofstrong support keeps partners happy.”17VOL. NO. 03 / ISSUE NO. 06