The Sun
Friday March 29, 2019
11
International Franchise of the Year 2019 Daniel Francis and his team at Smith & Sons have hit a pinnacle this year winning the coveted Smith & Sons International Franchise of the Year Award for 2019. Winning the award is no easy task, it takes the effort of all the staff under good leadership and this is something Daniel is particularly proud of. Daniel has represented Smith & Sons in Marlborough since 2014 and it came as a big surprise to Daniel when the winner was announced. “It has been a lot of work and we have constantly worked at getting things better and better by being proactive in developing the systems we use,” he says.
No stranger to winning, Daniel’s franchise has won South Island Franchise of the Year for the last four years consecutively. He remembers going to the first awards event held and looking around and thinking he could have a shot at winning Franchise of the year in the next five years if he put his mind to it. He hadn’t been focusing on it but is really chuffed to have won with only four years in the franchise. He thinks a big part of taking out the award was to do with how he used the tools he was provided with. “I have always tried to evolve the processes we use and give back ideas
and improvements on the systems,” he says. “We weren’t the franchise with the highest turnover but we do focus a lot on evolving what we do and being part of a group has helped a lot, there is no doubt about it.” Part of his contribution to the wider group Daniel says, is helping to create newer versions of the systems they use. “A big part of it is how we are setting standards, and we are very proud of that.” Taking on a franchise was a massive shift in comfort zone he says, and moving off site into the office had its challenges.
“It was a big mind set shift and for me. My expertise wasn’t with estimates and it’s always tricky with older houses, so I had to learn fast and that’s always part of the challenge” he says. It has become highly competitive in the building industry he says, so constantly evolving and testing the boundaries is what drives him. “Testing the boundaries is where I get my kicks. It is seriously hard work in this industry at times but it is interesting and gives me a focus,” he says. Reon Paterson, general manager of Smith & Sons Renovations & Extensions says choosing Daniel as
this year’s winner was simple. “Daniel has always had an outstanding attitude and a total belief in our systems and model, and he would be one of the best guys in the group for giving feedback on how things are on the ground. Daniel has helped a lot.” He says the awards aren’t just about turnover and profit, they are about continuous customer satisfaction, the help in evolving what we do, and the success of his business. “He is also an excellent builder and gives his customers an as near as you could get experience of a new home with the work he undertakes,” Reon says.
Our entire team are committed to supporting and guiding our customers towards the best possible solutions. “By locals, for locals” Congratulations to the team at Smith and Sons
Daniel receiving his awards
CONGRATULATIONS SMITH & SONS BLENHEIM
Jess and Daniel Francis
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CONGRATULATIONS SMITH & SONS PLACEMAKERS BLENHEIM
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