Turning Adversity into Opportunity with Jim’s Test & Tag
In today’s ever-changing job market, the prospect of redundancy can be a challenging and unsettling experience.
However, for Alan Collins, it became the catalyst for a remarkable career transition.
After nearly three decades working at Telstra, Alan found himself facing redundancy, unsure of what the future held.
Little did he know that this unexpected turn of events would lead him to discover a thriving franchise opportunity with Jim’s Test & Tag.
As Alan recounts his story with Joel Kleber, it’s clear that his journey was not without its challenges.
“I was sitting at home for nearly six months, chewing through the package money that they’d given me,” he explains.
“I thought, ‘Well, hang on, that should be paying my house off,’ and then I was listening to SEN radio and the Test & Tag Division had advertised on this SEN radio, so I thought, ‘Well, that sounds like a good idea.’”
With a background in electronics and a keen interest in health and safety, the Test & Tag industry piqued Alan’s curiosity.
He recognized the potential to leverage his existing skills and knowledge to build a successful business of his own.
Encouraged by his son, who initially considered joining him, Alan started on the Jim’s Test & Tag training program, eager to learn the ins and outs of the industry.
The Comprehensive Jim’s Group Training Advantage
One of the key factors that drew Alan to the Jim’s franchise model was the extensive training program.
As he explains, “The Jim’s training was so much better because we spent days on working with the tester, we spent several days on testing different appliances that they had set up in the training room, we had an accountant come in and tell us about how to set up our business, we had a guy from the construction industry coming in and run us through our white card training or construction card training, and we did a lot of business type goal setting role plays.”
Compared to the one-day courses offered by other providers, the Jim’s training program stood out for its depth and attention to detail.
Alan emphasizes the importance of this comprehensive approach, noting that it not only equipped him with the technical skills to perform the work but also provided invaluable insights into running a successful business.
- Extensive hands-on training with testing equipment.
- Detailed instructions on a wide range of appliances and safety protocols.
- Guidance on business setup, accounting, and regulatory requirements.
- Role-playing exercises to develop customer service and sales skills.
- Ongoing support and opportunities to refresh training as needed.
For Alan, the comprehensive nature of the Jim’s training program was a key factor in his decision to join the franchise.
He recognized the value of the in-depth knowledge and practical experience it provided, which he believed would give him a competitive edge in the industry.
Navigating the Transition to Business Ownership with Jim’s Test & Tag
Making the transition from a long-term corporate role to running his own business was not without its challenges for Alan.
However, his previous experience in middle management at Telstra had equipped him with valuable skills in self-management and team leadership.
“In my 30 years in Telstra, I spent a lot of time in middle management, so I’d managed a lot of people,” Alan explains.
“But then that teaches you to manage yourself because if you can’t manage yourself, you can’t manage others.”
Still, the day-to-day tasks of running a business, such as invoicing, scheduling, and customer management, were new territory for Alan.
He credits the Jim’s training program and the support of his peers within the franchise network as crucial in helping him navigate these unfamiliar aspects of business ownership.
Alan’s advice to those considering a similar transition is to carefully consider the different entry points into the franchise model.
“There are three ways you can come in,” he explains.
“You can purchase a vacant territory and wait for the phone calls to come through the call center or go out and knock on doors in that territory and build up from zero, you can buy a vacant territory and then buy excess customers off of existing franchisors or franchisees that may have grown too big and are too busy, or you can buy an existing business.”
For Alan, the decision to purchase an existing business proved to be a wise choice.
“I went with option three, and I bought an existing business because the guy who was running it had about three days’ worth of work, so he wasn’t working too hard. So it had scope to grow, but I earned money from the first day.”
Expanding the Service Offering: Fire Safety and Beyond with Jim’s Test & Tag
As Alan’s business grew, he recognized the opportunity to expand his service offerings beyond the core test and tag services.
One such addition was the fire safety component, which he describes as a natural fit with the existing work.
“I can’t remember the exact timing of when we added fire safety, but I definitely wasn’t trained from the start. I had to come back at a later date and do a different training course in the same room, and that’s where we learned all about the exit lighting and the fire hydrants and hose reels and all that sort of stuff.”
The integration of fire safety services allowed Alan to provide a more comprehensive solution to his customers, offering a one-stop shop for their electrical safety and fire protection needs.
By packaging these services together, he was able to offer a more competitive and convenient option for his clients.
“You can package it up with your customers and charge them a more competitive break because, for example, you know an electrician will come and test your exit lighting, but he’ll charge you $100 to turn up and then whatever time you see. You can get someone from a firefighting company; they’ll come and do the fire extinguishers, but they’ll charge you a call-out fee as well. And then you can get us to come to your test and tag, and we charge a call-out fee, but if I’m there for one visit to do three things, you only charge the one call-out fee.”
This approach not only benefits the customer but also helps to strengthen the relationship and retain their business over the long term.
As Alan explains, “They don’t need the hassle of bringing three different people or dealing with three different people all the time for the one thing.”
Jim’s Test & Tag: Serving a Diverse Range of Customers
One of the key advantages of the Test & Tag industry is the wide range of customers it serves.
As Alan explains, “There’s no limit if anybody’s got an appliance that plugs into something that’s electrical, if they’ve got a fire extinguisher in their truck or in their building, if they’ve got a microwave in their kitchen, if they’ve got a first aid kit in their office, and you know all workplaces whether it be a car or an office or a factory, they’ve all got to have those sorts of things, they’ve got to have electrical safety done, you’ll have RCDs checked, they’re gonna have their first aid kits up to date and their fire security, fire service stuff’s got to be up to date as well.”
This diversity of clientele has allowed Alan to build a robust and resilient business, with a varied customer base that spans industries and sectors.
From factories and construction sites to home offices and trade shows, the Test & Tag services provided by Jim’s franchisees are in high demand across a wide range of commercial and residential settings.
One of Alan’s largest and most notable clients is Jim’s Group itself, the franchisor he represents.
As the national Test & Tag provider for Jim’s Group, Alan is responsible for servicing the company’s extensive network of offices, call centers, and conference facilities.
“There’s close to 700 tags there now in a good day,” Alan explains.
“If I come up here to do that, just the national office myself, it’s three maybe four full days’ work, and then you’ve got the call center on top of that, which is probably another two days’ work. And I do all of the conference center as well.”
While the sheer scale of this client can be challenging, Alan takes it in stride, acknowledging the importance of maintaining vigilance and attention to detail.
“I always get nervous or in the test and tag conference time because someone’s going to find something in one of the rooms that I missed,” he admits.
“But Jim’s has been very loyal to me, and they’ve referred to me one day as part of the family there.”
Addressing the Risks of DIY Test and Tag
One of the key challenges Alan and other Jim’s Test & Tag franchisees face is the misconception that test and tag services can be easily performed by untrained personnel.
Some organizations attempt to have their own staff undergo a brief, one-day training course, believing this is sufficient to meet their safety obligations.
However, as Alan explains, this approach can be risky and potentially dangerous.
“You don’t have to be an A-grade electrician to do test and tag, but you do have to be what they call a competent person. A competent person means you’ve done an appropriate training course to give you the skills to do the electrical safety testing, and that you are regularly doing that work to maintain your skills.”
The problem with in-house training, even in large organizations, is that the personnel may only perform these tasks once a year or even less frequently.
This lack of regular practice can lead to a loss of proficiency and an increased risk of overlooking critical safety issues.
“I heard a story I used to go to a networking group to try and help build business, and I was talking to one of the people there, and his wife worked at one of the large private hospitals that is probably within 15 K’s of here, and her normal job was to push people out to radiography to get X-rays done, but then once a year they gave her the tester and said, ‘Go and test everything in a hospital,’” Alan recounts. “Not good.”
The consequences of such an approach can be severe, as Alan warns, “If there’s an incident, people are going to look back and say, ‘Well, who did this work for you, and what was this person’s skill set?‘”
- Importance of regular, comprehensive training to maintain competency.
- Risks of in-house training programs that lack depth and ongoing practice.
- Potential legal and safety implications of using untrained personnel.
- The value of working with a reputable, experienced provider like Jim’s Test & Tag.
The Advantages of the Jim’s Test & Tag Franchise
As an established Jim’s Test & Tag franchisee, Alan has experienced firsthand the benefits of being part of a larger, well-respected network.
One of the key advantages he highlights is the level of support and resources available to franchisees, which sets Jim’s apart from independent providers.
“The level of training they give their people doesn’t come anywhere near the level of training we’ve got, and the level of support we continue to get through the franchisors and the people in the national office who support Test & Tag, I don’t think comes anywhere near for the other companies what we get.”
This comprehensive support extends beyond the initial training, with ongoing opportunities for franchisees to refresh their skills and stay up-to-date with industry developments.
Additionally, the national network of Jim’s Test & Tag franchisees provides a valuable resource for sharing best practices and addressing challenges.
Another significant benefit of the Jim’s franchise model is the brand recognition and credibility it brings.
As Alan explains, “I think our presence is so wide now that people see us as a very reputable provider of those services. I think in the main, we probably still get typecast as Jim’s Test & Tag, but you’ll see the new livery on the cars now, it’s got Test & Tag on one side and Fire Safety on the other.”
This branding and reputation have helped to overcome any initial skepticism or preconceptions about the Jim’s Group, allowing Alan and other franchisees to establish themselves as trusted, professional service providers in their local markets.
Achieving Work-Life Balance and Retirement Planning
One of the most significant advantages of Alan’s transition to franchise ownership has been the improved work-life balance he has been able to achieve.
Compared to his previous corporate role, where he was often working long hours and commuting, Alan now enjoys a more flexible and manageable schedule.
“My normal day now is I might start on site at seven with a tradie who wants to get out of the way early, but by 2:30, the car’s pointed at home, and I’m going home, and I might spend half an hour doing the invoices for that day, and then that’s pretty much it by four o’clock, I’m getting ready to decide what’s for dinner.“
This newfound freedom and control over his time have allowed Alan to pursue his personal interests and hobbies, such as tracing his family tree and enjoying leisure activities like golf.
As he approaches retirement age, Alan has the luxury of gradually winding down his business, selling off customers to younger franchisees, and transitioning into a more relaxed lifestyle.
For those considering a similar career change, Alan’s advice is clear: “I would recommend to anybody who has the confidence or anything is even a little bit nervous about it to at least consider it, to come up and talk to people who can explain to them how it works because, you know, like I said, I’d never run a business on my own. I’d pretty much come out of high school, did my apprenticeship, went to Telstra, so the running of a business, while it was something I felt I was always capable of, it was never tested for me.”
By sharing his personal journey, Alan hopes to inspire others who may be facing redundancy or seeking a new professional challenge to explore the opportunities available within the Jim’s Test & Tag franchise network.
With the comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the potential for a fulfilling work-life balance, the Jim’s franchise model has proven to be a transformative path for Alan and many others like him.
To learn more about the Jim’s Test & Tag franchise and explore opportunities in your area, visit the Jim’s Group website or call 131 546.
You can also connect with Jim’s Group on their Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels.
For more inspiring stories and business advice from Jim Penman and the Jim’s Group team, be sure to subscribe to the Jim’s Group YouTube channel and check out the Jim’s Podcast, available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.