Telecom gains via franchising

A multi-ventured firm, Big V Telecom is providing telecom spins for enterprises across different sectors via franchising. Keshor Daga, Director, Big V Telecom shares the company’s future plans with our readers.

Abha Garyali (AG): Tell us something about the concept of Big V Telecom.

Keshor Daga (KD): As the name suggest, Big V Telecom is into providing various telecom spins for enterprises belonging to any sector. Our main target is basically the SME sector (Small and Medium Enterprises). As you know that the telecom industry is booming and our product known as YOCC is a perfect solution for every industry like government, corporate and education sector, and for political parties, hospital, real estate, entertainment industry and many more.

Our company is a multi-ventured firm into Next generation Telecom Utilizes YOCC. YOCC is an utility which allows you to approach your business in a more professional and organized way. This is an advertisement cost-cutting and a monitoring tool which help both the management and the customer. However, we are still growing further keeping in pace with the demands of the customers and corporate to utilise trends and tricks of technology and provide the maximum.

AG: When was Big V Telecom incubated?  When and what motivated the company to adopt the franchise route for expansion pan India?

KD: The company was incubated by our parent company namely, Silex India Pvt. Ltd. We are into telecom sector since last 16 years. Therefore, we are well experienced in the business. However, it was only last year in 2009 that we took this route for expansion as it is the best way of expansion around the nation. The concept of product selling is not a big deal and we can sell our products easily. But with franchisees it becomes easier and takes less time for successful expansion. For example, running a business in Rajasthan would be easier for a local entrepreneur as he would know the people and the place. Franchising overcomes this problem as local franchisees can run the business knowing the area.

AG: Do you face competition from other organised telecom players in this category?

KD: The main advantage for our franchisees is that we have no market competitor as the business idea is unique and fresh. It is a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs to join us as whoever enters the market is sure to be a winner after five years.  Aaj Tak, a media channel is a good example as they started 24 hours news concept which was followed by many other channels, but Aaj Tak is still the winner among media channels. Similar is our case as the telecom services concept provided by us is also new.

AG: What is the USP of Big V Telecom?

KD: Besides the creative and unique nature of our telecom business, we have one more USP. It is that one can generate revenue from each and every sector, be it education, tours & travels, hospital, manpower consultancy, service provider, corporate or government sector and many more. There are handsome margins in this business & also recurring income year after year.

AG: How many franchisees do you have in India and in which cities? What are your future expansion plans?

KD: We have three franchisees presently. They are present in Mumbai and Pune. We plan to go pan India in a short time. We are having talks and coming up with many other franchisees.

AG: Do you think that the success of the brand can be contributed by the hard work of the franchisees?

KD: We strongly believe that franchisees have a major role in brand building. If properly trained and supported they can market the brand in a total different way due to their popularity in that area and their efforts.

AG: What are the criteria for the selection of your prospective franchisees? How much investment is required by them?

KD: The foremost criterion is that we require people who already have a business or those who have the passion and creativity to run a business. It is a misconception among people that a telecom business requires a lot of technical knowledge. I would like to clear that this business also requires simple skills like in any other franchise businesses. Anyone from any business or educational background can run this business. Moreover, all difficult concepts and technicalities will be handled by the company only.

Amount of investment ranges from Rs two lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Therefore, it comes under low cost businesses.

AG: How does the company support and train the franchisees?

KD: This concept requires total support from the company. We help in recruiting man power. Moreover, initial training of one month is provided to franchisees. This includes educating them about the technical aspects of business, marketing training etc.