Ahead of the curve

Expense Reduction Analysts has increased its global support staff by 30 per cent to drive the growth of its international network of franchisees

As a leading international white collar franchise, Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) has, for more than 25 years, helped companies to optimise costs and improve efficiency by delivering value through insight in areas such as cost and supplier management, process improvement and now digital solutions.

A business that thrives on collaboration, leverage and a strong passion to deliver long lasting value for clients, ERA’s key principles also include an open-minded approach and a company culture of sharing knowledge.

Collective know-how

This successful approach combines individual franchisee expertise and insight with the collective know-how and approach of an international organisation present in the marketplace for more than two decades.

Nevertheless, with a large international network of franchisees (650-plus) operating across such a variety of different countries (30- plus) and with plans to expand into new territories (Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia) over the next two years, ERA knows continuous investment in the development of the global support team is integral to the ongoing success of the franchise.

It’s a view that’s shared by Expense Reduction Analysts chairman Fred Marfleet, who has long recognised the importance a committed and passionate support team plays in, not only the success of a franchisee’s business, but also in the long-term sustainable growth of the franchisor.

He says: “Only through proactive investment can we - as a franchisor - continue to provide our growing network of franchisees with the necessary support to enable their businesses to develop and grow.

“By investing in the infrastructure of our franchise, we are able to deliver continuous and substantial value to our franchisees in areas that are core to the everyday running of their businesses, such as marketing, IT, training and coaching.”

Indeed, in the last 12 months alone, ERA’s global support team has increased by more than 30 per cent to further assist the growth of the international network.

This extensive level of franchise support provides ERA franchisees with the freedom to focus on winning new business and delivering substantial savings - and added value - to their clients.

Award winning marketing

One key area in which ERA has always invested significantly is in the expansion and development of its marketing department.

Consistently recognised by its peers as a market leader, ERA has won numerous awards for its marketing support, demonstrated recently by the company receiving ‘Best Marketing Campaign’ at the Franchise Marketing Awards for the third time in four years.

Paolo Massimilla, global head of marketing for Expense Reduction Analysts, says: “When all your efforts are focused in the right direction, the chances for success improve significantly.

“We have a number of key initiatives which are designed to help franchisees win business and generate more revenue. A significant amount of time is also spent providing a reactive ‘agency’ style support to franchisees, where they can call on us for urgent help, training or simply advice.”

Constantly evolving

Financial success and remaining competitive is key for any business. For more than 25 years Expense Reduction Analysts has evolved its value proposition in order to deliver the best, and most current, service to clients by adapting to the needs and requirements of companies operating in an ever changing business environment.

New technologies have often been a driver for cost savings, but that is more true today than in the past. An increased emphasis on automation and digitisation will provide companies with better efficiency and savings solutions. ERA, therefore, appreciates the importance of staying ahead of the curve.

“Our business cannot afford to stand still and must always strive to grow and push forward, making the ERA brand evermore successful,” Fred Marfleet adds.

“We have invested significantly in technology and software to enable our franchisees to stay ahead of the curve and ensure they have all the relevant tools and data at their fingertips.” Enterprise 4.0 is the term used today to define the combination of digital technologies, data, and analysis tools found throughout the value chain.

In an increasingly global and digital society, technological advancement will continue to play a significant role in the ongoing progress of entire industries and set the stage for the emergence of new ones.

“The next evolution in business is upon us,” agrees Dr Arnd Halbach, chief sales officer for Expense Reduction Analysts.

“And while a lot of our clients are trendsetters in their industries, they often struggle to spot, understand and implement new technologies in areas of their business that don’t get the most management attention. This is where our consultants add value through insight into new technologies such as blockchain, internet of things, e-mobility and 3D printing, to name but a few.”

People business

While new technology and digital solutions will no doubt change the way business operates in the years to come, as well as the service that providers such as Expense Reduction Analysts offers to its clients, one thing that will never change is the importance ERA places on relationship building and transparency.

After all, Expense Reduction Analysts is, first and foremost, a people business.

Dani Girolami, franchise sales manager for Expense Reduction Analysts, says: “Expense Reduction Analysts, at its core, is an international network built on collaboration and leverage between people, based on the unique methodologies and processes ERA has developed over the last 25 years.

“As a franchise, through our experience, business expertise and passion we deliver indispensable and ongoing value to clients. We take great pride in the quality and professionalism of our global network and are always looking for talented individuals to join our business, whether that be in existing markets with established networks or in new territories through the sale of master licences.”