In an exclusive interview with the President, global Retail Business, NIIT Ltd, where he enlightened us with the franchsing facts of his brand and what he are his future expansion plans.
What has been the USP of your brand?
Our USP has been the standardization of student learning experience through our; curriculum, teaching methodology, staff member selection and training, infrastructure and certification. The distributed education model with integrated process management aspects make NIIT’s franchising model stand out uniquely.
The path-breaking franchisee-based business model of NIIT earned it the epithet of “The McDonalds of the IT training world” by none other than the Far Eastern Economic Review.
It was a path-breaking innovation – one that earned us the title of “McDonald’s of Education” by Far Eastern Economic Review magazine. Our mission being “Bringing people and computers together successfully”, by Innovative models & creating operational efficiencies, rigorous implementation of best practices, treating all own as well as partner centers in equal terms and imbibing the spirit of Brand Ownership. It is not a Franchisee – Franchisor relationship; it is a partnering relationship for growth & success. We strongly believe that NIIT’s success is a derivative of the success of our Partners.
Using this model, NIIT transformed aspiring young entrepreneurs into successful business men.
When did you start franchising& what attracted you towards franchising?
NIIT pioneered franchising in IT education in 1986, by delivering high-quality, cutting-edge, standardised technology learning through a robust franchisee network. In the past 34 years, NIIT has steered and led the training segment, and in the process played a crucial role in the success story of India’s IT industry.
How many franchise institutes are you planning to open in next 12 months?
This depends on operational requirements. As such we do not give any projections for the year ahead.
What is your business vision and how do you plan to achieve it in next five years?
NIIT pioneered franchising in IT education in 1986, by delivering high-quality, cutting-edge, standardised technology learning through a robust franchisee network.
In the process, NIIT ignited the fire of entrepreneurship in the country, helping first-time-businessmen, especially in the smaller towns of the country, to create wealth through IT training.
Shaped by NIIT’s mission of “Bringing people and computers together successfully”, its franchisee model today has over 380 education centres, spawning across over 40 countries. This has greatly enhanced its visibility across the world and helped shape the media perception of the company as a leading Global Talent Development organisation.
NIIT’s breakthrough franchising model earned it the title of “McDonalds of Education’ by Far Eastern Economic Review magazine.
Give us the franchise details of your brand.
Talking about facts, we have a total 267 of outlets/ centres at present and a total 248 of Franchised outlets/centres at the same time. With a total of 19 Company-owned outlets/centres at present, the investment required is 25 -40 Lacs. The investment is based on various factors such as the Center Location, Student Capacity, Duration and the Types of courses to be offered by the center. The area required is 1800 – 2500 sqft approx with an expected ROI variable & depending on the City and category.
The preferred locations & cities are 2 and tier-3 cities where we can set up our centers.The smaller locations hold promise as IT is spreading in these areas.
