Presentation at TICAD BUSINESS DIALOGUE at AUG 1st 2018
TOKYO, JETRO
We support Japanese service businesses to expand their franchise globally as well as being a business accelerator that partners with entrepreneurs from all over the world who are interested in Japan. We identify their needs, the characteristics of the business and the country they are in, and match a Japanese service business for them to develop as a franchise in their own country.
We have already successfully developed Japanese brands in 14 countries so far.
These businesses are getting developed as a franchise as well as an authentic Japanese service business in their own country.
In 2019, our aim is to support African entrepreneurs.
And that is why I am here today.
Today, I would like to talk about the opportunities and possibilities of franchise in service industry in Africa.
- Not just support, let’s do business in Africa!
- What Japan should develop in Africa is franchise in service industry
In this presentation, I will talk about
- the reason why we started to think that the franchise business in service industry is good for Africa
- and what kind of franchise businesses there are or can be in the market
- also opportunities/ possibilities in franchise
And here is the beginning.
Japanese service industry has long history, and it’s extremely competitive, and therefore, the standard is very high.
However, the globalisation of the industry has fallen behind because of Japan’s distinctive monolingual culture….
On the other hand, and at the same time, the reality is that Africa is changing.
Africa is no longer “a subject of support”. It may still face some issues and difficulties, but there is no doubt that it has become “a place where you conduct businesses”.
And that is how we have come to this realisation that what can solve both problems which Japan and Africa are facing is franchise business in service industry.
Are you all familiar with the term “franchise”?
Just in case anyone is not familiar enough, let me read this definition of franchise to you…
Franchise is…
Arrangement where one party (the franchiser) grants another party (the franchisee) the right to use its trademark or trade-name as well as certain business systems and processes, to produce and market a good or service according to certain specifications. The franchisee usually pays a one-time franchise fee plus a percentage of sales revenue as royalty, and gains (1) immediate name recognition, (2) tried and tested products, (3) standard building design and décor, (4) detailed techniques in running and promoting the business, (5) training of employees, and (6) ongoing help in promoting and upgrading of the products.
Service business can be anything…
For example,
It can be…
Stores that can provide water and electricity in each village/ community
Or online schools for children (teach English/ Maths)
Or car maintenance (preventive maintenance) garages
Or delivery services
Or ramen stores that can be enjoyed by people with different beliefs…
…Health Cafés (that provide food to keep you fit and healthy)
Hair salons (that provide fast-learning technical training for a beginner using special scissors)
Restaurants (that provide customer service which everyone falls in love with after a visit)
Educational training service (that motivates all employees)
Architectural design and supervision service that delivers the construction work on time
And also retailers, food-manufacture retailers, restaurants, transport and logistic, education, auto-mobile services, B2B services
It can go on. It can be many things. It can be anything.
These service businesses DO NOT use the IOT or high technology.
These are existing business industries/ business models that provide service with high-added value.
Young people and those who at the management level can learn and develop themselves in businesses like these.
LEARN HOW TO SUCCEED.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU LEARNT OVER AND OVER.
That’s how you make it YOURS.
And THIS is the strength of franchise business. It’s going to be you who will be learning, and what you will learn is going to be yours.
Now, I would also like to talk about the opportunities in franchise.
My question here is
“Can facing and being at the scene of another country’s development enhance more productivity and globalisation of the Japanese service industry?”
The answer that we believe is YES!
There IS a huge merit to Japan too.
The action of teaching business in a different culture/ custom itself is a huge lesson.
Teaching others enable you to take your self-learning to a higher level.
During the preparation of this proposal, I realised that I was wrong…
This proposal is not really just for Africa.
It is also to improve true productivity and growth of the Japanese service industry.
Franchise business in Africa can benefit all of us. Both Africa and Japan.
- Not just support, let’s do business in Africa!
- What Japan should develop in Africa is franchise in service industry
This is what I want you to think about today.
THANK YOU!
