BOFE - Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo

[AmithS]

So I visited the BOFE at the Dome on Thursday around 11h00 2 hours after the official opening...

What a disappointment, the only thing worth while was the Standard bank guy that took my business details down so it could be displayed on the tv screens at the event.

Now just to clear things up I went to see what is out there in terms of business opportunities and how the market is progressing, what are the new brands how have companies progressed, etc...

Firstly more than 50% of the stalls where either government departments like DOL and all sorts of companies offering I will make your business do this or this if you buy this if you get what I mean!

The other 25-30% was individuals or at least what looked like individuals to me selling their products at the expo, e.g. people selling cellphone accessories and clothing accessories.

The remainder was businesses I basically never saw in my life, the only exhibitors I can remember was the fish & chip company, DIY depot, Subway and courier guy (there where a few other know brands)

Now the 1st thing is, what happened to all the big brands, the new aspiring brands that we see emerging in the market?

The next thing is there where plenty of government and businesses offering start up services but not nearly enough opportunities and most of the businesses there are definitely not franchisable in my humble opinion...

Now the thing that really got to me was the lack of preparation or taught that went into alot of the stands at the expo... there where about 3 stands that where not even present at the start of the show... there where about 2 stands where the display equipment was just being delivered to the stands... there where a few stands setup but with no one to be seen near them... the there where stands where people where explaining things to the prospective franchisees and all they had to give was a business card!!! no pamphlet, nothing to show at the stand, no memorabilia, nothing!!! the business cards handed out did not even have their websites listed on them and I know these businesses have websites... So how do people remember you when they considering which franchise to purchase?

and to think these people paid money to show case their businesses...

Overall a real disappointment for me, not sure where the problem lies but a general lack of interest is evident to be seen...

PS: On a positive note looking at some of these businesses and what they have to offer it is also evident to see there is a market for people like myself. The problem is it is easier to convince people to buy into a poor business system than to pay for services to make a success of their businesses...