{"id":9054,"date":"2021-04-21T14:02:59","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T13:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/?p=9054"},"modified":"2021-04-21T13:53:40","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T12:53:40","slug":"huw-williams-david-james-how-are-they-faring-six-months-into-their-auditel-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/huw-williams-david-james-how-are-they-faring-six-months-into-their-auditel-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Huw Williams & David James \u2018How are they faring six-months into their Auditel business?\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Cardiff based long-term friends Huw Williams and David James have over 30 years of experience in sales and business management and wanted to put their previous commercial skills to good effect in a business partnership of their own, so in August 2020, they undertook their Auditel induction training, and started their new business journey, in September.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1\"In late March 2021, we spoke with Huw and David about their experiences so far, and discovered how, despite the pandemic, they already had clients, completed successful projects and had quickly engaged with the wider Auditel franchisee \u2018family\u2019 to harness the strengths and expertise of the 100-strong consultancy network.<\/p>\n

Fantastic Training, Marketing Materials and Support<\/strong><\/h5>\n


\n<\/em><\/strong>\"2\"\u201cThe initial training gave us a really good insight into the Auditel business and franchising with some great tips and advice for us taking our first steps into self-employment.\u201d <\/em>David explains, \u201cEven before the training started we had undertaken a detailed marketing planning session with Chris Aston (Managing Director with over 20 years Marketing experience in this business sector).\u00a0 Pre-training activities included evaluating our existing network and developing our prospect list. Then, after we had received the comprehensive sales training we felt enthused and empowered to continue at pace.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Huw adds \u201cThe extensive sales training, fantastic marketing materials, our thorough preparation, starting to network straightaway and our strong work ethic are some of the reasons we signed our first client early on.\u00a0 But it\u2019s not about us – being part of a big organisation with over 25 years\u2019 experience and having access to a vast network of experts really helped us secure initial introductions and meetings.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

First client within just four weeks of starting!<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\"3\"\u201cThe learning curve has been huge, but with most of it spent in a \u2018lockdown environment\u2019 we have really appreciated the time to learn all about Auditel and also being able to concentrate on networking and prospecting activity. Within 4 weeks we had signed our first client – a manufacturer producing paper items such Christmas decorations and wrapping paper.\u201d <\/em>says David.<\/p>\n

He adds \u201cWe are also working with a restaurant\/take away business where we are looking into changing their energy supply with the introduction of solar panels to not only reduce their bills and help<\/em> reduce carbon dioxide\u00a0emissions,\u00a0but also as a source of income for the owner when the energy is exported to the national grid.<\/em><\/p>\n

Also, one client we work with has had an extremely successful outcome where 100% landfill became 100% recycling and saved them 45% on their annual waste bill! This was a fantastic result for everyone involved.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Auditel\u2019s New \u2018Net Zero\u2019 \u2013 Carbon Strategy Group<\/h4>\n

\"4\"Recently, Auditel launched its Carbon Strategy Group, a brilliant Procurement and Sustainability Team who are able to offer expertise to help organisations plan and meet their Net Zero targets.\u00a0 Auditel are already working with clients across a range of sectors and supporting the delivery of energy efficient, sustainable, low carbon models for their organisations.<\/p>\n

Relative to discussing this service with clients, Huw says \u201cNot one of our clients has had a negative response to Auditel\u2019s Net Zero Roadmap to help them plan and meet their Net Zero targets. We know that for many businesses this is a complex and daunting process, but our approach has been really well received <\/em>when we explain in detail what is involved to achieve Government targets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Auditel\u2019s Support Programme a Highlight<\/h4>\n

Starting a business is never easy but with a proven franchise, and in Auditel\u2019s case a head office team with over 200 years of franchise experience between them, the pathway to success is well trodden.\u00a0 The first 18 months is a big learning process and Auditel ensure that new franchisees are being guided carefully to ensure they are doing the right things at the right time, whilst getting bespoke support as their businesses can develop in slightly different directions such is the flexibility of the Auditel model to be able to play to your strengths.<\/p>\n

\"5\"David explains \u201cThe Bi-weekly support calls from Auditel\u2019s Director of Network, Fiona Steels<\/em> are definitely one of our highlights.\u00a0 As we work in a partnership we are never lonely, but Fiona \u2018keeps us on our toes\u2019, is extremely encouraging and puts us in touch with others in the network when we need specialist help or advice.<\/em><\/p>\n

Huw adds \u201cWe have made sure that we have attended all of the local\/regional meetings that are currently carried out online.\u00a0 This has not only been a great way to meet people but also to learn and share information and start the process of joint venturing to keep the pipeline going.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A Bright Future<\/h4>\n

The marketing plan is essential to growing a successful business and Huw and David are ensuring that their focus is firmly in this area at the outset of their business.<\/p>\n

\"6\"Huw advises \u201cWe have set ourselves a target of 10 clients in year one and aiming for 10 by September this year.\u00a0 When we engage with clients we are exploring all areas of expenditure as part of Auditel\u2019s \u2018Full Scope Business Review\u2019 model.\u00a0 This will usually involve us securing clients on a hybrid of monthly retainer fees as well as a partial \u2018share of saving\u2019 reward for delivering the results we would expect to achieve.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

David adds \u201cOur approach is that both Huw and I like to develop client relationships and focus on ongoing client management.\u00a0 We then leverage all the expertise in different cost categories and project areas within the talent pool across the Auditel network, so we work under a \u2018joint venture\u2019 process with the other franchisees.\u00a0 It\u2019s a really great network and we\u2019ve got to know so many of the other Auditel franchise \u2018Affiliates\u2019 within a short space of time.\u00a0 We are really looking forward to the National Conference and Regional Meetings returning hopefully soon so that we can meet everyone directly in person! <\/em><\/p>\n

The Right choice<\/h4>\n

Like all franchisees, the moment comes for making a \u2018leap of faith\u2019 in making the decision to go ahead and start the business.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of the most important decision you may ever make, and so careful research is required.\u00a0 Auditel provide a thorough evaluation process that involves meeting with key Directors and support staff, as well as discussions with a number of franchisees \u2013 all of which supports a two-way research process as it has to be the \u2018right choice\u2019 for both franchisee and franchisor, when appointing a new franchisee.<\/p>\n

\"7\"On their own experience Huw advises \u201c<\/em>It\u2019s hard work but really rewarding. It\u2019s everything we thought and more and this has been aided by the Auditel brand, wide range of marketing materials available and having access to a very strong network.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

David adds \u201cWe looked carefully at the franchise marketplace and considered many franchises.\u00a0 We assessed our skillsets and had our own \u2018Wishlist\u2019 and once we started exploring Auditel we both got a very positive \u2018gut instinct\u2019.\u00a0 As we continued our investigations we increasingly felt it was the right franchise for us and now here we are rattling through year one of our business.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAuditel has a great network of franchisees who are supportive, encouraging and helpful, and the head office team are experienced, passionate and help keep us on track and focused on doing the right things at the right times.\u00a0 We would have no hesitation in encouraging people with good commercial backgrounds who are considering starting their own business to explore Auditel and see if it feels the \u2018right fit\u2019 for them, and to start their own exciting journey into self-employment.<\/em>\u201d Huw concludes.<\/p>\n

To find out more speak to Nick Tubb, Head of Recruitment for an open discussion to help you learn more about Auditel and whether the self-employment future you desire can be achieved with Auditel.\u00a0 Nick will help you to see how your background, skills and experience can be utilised with Auditel for your own benefit and can support you through your own research process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cardiff based long-term friends Huw Williams and David James have over 30 years of experience in sales and business management and wanted to put their previous commercial skills to good effect in a business partnership of their own, so in August 2020, they undertook their Auditel induction training, and started their new business journey, in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1061,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-auditel","category-business-franchises"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/lightblue-handshake-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9054"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}