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In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in driving success and growth. This is especially true in the franchising industry, where managing multiple locations efficiently is crucial. In a recent podcast episode, we had the opportunity to discuss the transformative power of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software in the franchise world with Matthew, a representative from Thryv, a company specializing in CRM solutions for small businesses, franchisees, and franchisors.

 

 

Thryv's Commitment to Small Businesses and Franchises: Thryv is a CRM platform designed with a primary focus on smaller businesses. While small businesses often include local, independent operators, a significant portion of this ecosystem comprises franchises and their franchisees. Thryv recognizes this and has been making inroads into serving the franchise industry in recent years. Their software is used by small businesses, particularly local independent businesses, across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

 

Matthew, who joined Thryv in 2015, brought valuable experience to the table. He previously worked for a multi-unit operator of Gold's Gym franchises and a marketing services advertising company. His background made him well-equipped to lead Thryv's entry into the franchise software business in 2019.

 

 

The Value of Technology in Franchising: As technology rapidly evolves, small businesses, including franchises, must keep pace. Consumers now expect seamless, frictionless experiences when interacting with businesses, whether large or small. Achieving this manually or through Excel spreadsheets can be challenging. Thryv addresses this challenge by providing a platform that equips businesses with the tools they need to streamline customer interactions, from lead generation to payment processing.

 

One of the most significant problems Thryv tackles is the fragmentation of tools used by franchisees to manage their businesses. Franchises, in general, have made strides in digitizing their operations, but many still rely on various point solutions, making it hard to standardize and scale. Thryv allows franchisors to customize the local customer experience and provides franchisees with one platform to manage interactions consistently across all locations.

Empowering Franchisees: Thryv's platform is designed to make life easier for franchisees. It simplifies tasks such as marketing, social media planning, review responses, email and text marketing campaigns, and more. Small business owners, including franchisees, often face a daunting challenge when it comes to marketing it empowers them with user-friendly tools to create and execute effective marketing strategies.

The Data Advantage: Real-time reporting capabilities, allowing franchisors to gain insights into their franchisees' performance. They can track everything from leads and customer interactions to bookings, appointments, invoices, and revenue on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. This real-time data empowers franchisors to better support their franchisees and make informed decisions.

 

Supporting Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships: Franchisors can leverage Thryv's platform to maintain better relationships with their franchisees. By standardizing communications and marketing templates, franchisors can ensure consistency across the brand while still allowing room for local customization. This not only helps franchisors maintain brand compliance but also fosters stronger relationships with franchisees.

 

Technology is the Future: The future of the franchising industry is undoubtedly tied to technology. The world is transitioning into an era of increased automation and artificial intelligence. Both franchisees and franchisors relying on manual processes, like paper invoices, will face challenges. Success in the industry will require embracing technology and leveraging it to provide better customer experiences.

 

In the world of franchising, technology is no longer optional—it's essential for success. Thryv's CRM software is a game-changer for small businesses, franchisees, and franchisors. It empowers businesses to streamline operations, enhance marketing efforts, and improve customer interactions. As the franchising industry continues to evolve, embracing technology will be the key to thriving. Whether you're a franchisee or franchisor, exploring solutions like Thryv's CRM can be the first step toward a more efficient and profitable future in the world of franchising.

 

Here at Ask April Porter and The Infinite Franchisee® Program, we are dedicated to bringing you a diversity of information to grow and obtain infinite success. If you're interested in checking out the Thryv platform more for your growing business or discussing becoming an Infinite Franchisee® send us a message and we can hop on a Discovery Call to see if the programs are the right fit for you right now.