innovation: a new way of doing things which results in positive change and makes life better!
March 27th marked the 30th anniversary for Rainbow International and the Dwyer Group. What an achievement! The only way a company can thrive and not just survive for 30 years is due to being innovative. Hats off to Dwyer associates, franchisees, master licensees, and our customers for your contribution to our combined success.
As I reflect back over the 30 years, one of the greatest habits I was taught by our late founder, Don Dwyer, was to be constantly learning. His favorite method for learning was to listen to tape programs/audio books. I have carried on this habit. One of the recent audio books that I listened to was, Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo. The book shared Steve Jobs’ principles of leadership.
Principle number one - do what you love - following your heart can make all the difference.
2) Put a dent in the universe - surround yourself with like-minded people that relate to your vision and turn ideas into world changing innovations.
3) Kick start your brain - innovation does not exist without creativity.
4) Sell dreams not products - to Steve Jobs people who buy Apple products are not consumers. They’re people with dreams, hopes, and ambitions. He wants to build products to help them achieve their dreams.
5) Say no to 1000 things - simplicity is key. Innovation means you got to eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary can speak.
6) Create insanely great experiences - Apple stores are the gold standard in customer service because they introduce simple innovations that make deep, lasting, emotional ties with the customer.
7) Master the message - Steve Jobs knows how to tell a product story in an art form.
I was listening to this audio book one morning while getting ready for work. A morning in which I happened to have developed a sore throat through the night. I was heading out of town the next day and had a large action list to achieve and I didn't want to interrupt my day with a doctor's visit.
I asked myself, "what would Steve Jobs do to be innovative at a time like this"? My first thought was, I'll take a picture of my throat with my IPhone. It's got a great flash and I'll e-mail it to the doctor’s office. I must admit that I was feeling a bit giddy about my innovative thought and it took courage to press the send button. By the way, the picture was unbelievably clear.
At 6:11 AM I e-mailed the photo to my doctor’s office with a request that he please take a look and let me know if he was able to diagnose my problem. By 8:20 AM, I received an e-mail from his office acknowledging receipt of the message and by 10:14 AM, the nurse called to say that it appeared I had an infection and the doctor was prescribing an antibiotic. Wow!!! It's amazing how technology is changing our world.
I'd like to challenge all of you to look for new ways that we can conduct business that results in a positive change that makes life better for all. Let's gear up for another 30 years of thriving!
PS-thanks to see Steve Jobs and Apple for making it possible for me to take a quality photo with my Apple IPhone and to jar my creative juices with his book.
I think I'll tweet about this :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
For the second year in a row, franchise companies of The Dwyer Group, Inc. will commit $100,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities®. In addition to donating $100,000 to the charity in 2010, our franchises donated $82,000 through plumbing, electrical services, appliance repair/maintenance, glass installation/replacement, heating and air conditioning work at Ronald McDonald Houses across North America.
The national sponsorship includes Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric and Mr. Rooter Plumbing, as well as The Grounds Guys. As part of the renewed sponsorship, franchise owners will continue to donate their services, labor and supplies.
Ronald McDonald House Charities was established in memory of McDonald's founder and franchise icon Ray Kroc in 1984. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a “home-away-from-home” so families can stay close by while their child gets the health care they need.
"The families that RMHC supports derive strength from each other, volunteers, staff and corporate donors like The Dwyer Group,” said Marty Coyne, president and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities. “On behalf of the 12,100 children and families we serve every day through RMHC core programs, I thank The Dwyer Group for this amazing commitment to our families.”
Visit RMHC at http://rmhc.org/ if you are interested in making a contribution to this wonderful program.
The national sponsorship includes Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric and Mr. Rooter Plumbing, as well as The Grounds Guys. As part of the renewed sponsorship, franchise owners will continue to donate their services, labor and supplies.
Ronald McDonald House Charities was established in memory of McDonald's founder and franchise icon Ray Kroc in 1984. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a “home-away-from-home” so families can stay close by while their child gets the health care they need.
"The families that RMHC supports derive strength from each other, volunteers, staff and corporate donors like The Dwyer Group,” said Marty Coyne, president and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities. “On behalf of the 12,100 children and families we serve every day through RMHC core programs, I thank The Dwyer Group for this amazing commitment to our families.”
Visit RMHC at http://rmhc.org/ if you are interested in making a contribution to this wonderful program.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
VetFran Program on “20 To Watch” List for 2011
Franchise Times magazine included the VetFran Program - founded by my father, the late founder of The Dwyer Group - to its “20 To Watch” List for 2011. Each year the magazine predicts the industry’s top movers, shakers and money makers, and it’s a huge honor for the VetFran Program to be recognized in this list.
As the former chair of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran Task Force, I am a big supporter of the VetFran program, which gives honorably discharged U.S. veterans incentives and discounts on purchasing franchises. Helping veterans transition into entrepreneurship is a great way for us to say ‘thank you’ for serving our nation.
Since the VetFran program was re-launched in 2002, more than 350 franchising companies have participated in the program. To date, more than 1,500 veterans have purchased their own franchises with the help of the VetFran program.
The Dwyer Group celebrated its 200th franchisee through the VetFran program in November. Army veteran Lonnie Oldham – along with his wife Nancy and son Clayton – opened a Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise in San Angelo, Texas. They were able to save $6,500 because of the VetFran Program.
Altogether, The Dwyer Group has given more than $1 million in discounts to veterans through the VetFran program. This is a milestone I think Don Dwyer Sr., late founder of VetFran and The Dwyer Group, would be proud. He established the program after the Gulf War as a way to honor our veterans and re-launched after 9/11.
If you’re interested in using the VetFran Program to open a franchise, you can visit
www.franchise.org/vetfran.aspx to learn more. Go to www.franchisetimes.com/ to find out the other 19 to watch in 2011.
Here’s wishing you a world class day.
As the former chair of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran Task Force, I am a big supporter of the VetFran program, which gives honorably discharged U.S. veterans incentives and discounts on purchasing franchises. Helping veterans transition into entrepreneurship is a great way for us to say ‘thank you’ for serving our nation.
Since the VetFran program was re-launched in 2002, more than 350 franchising companies have participated in the program. To date, more than 1,500 veterans have purchased their own franchises with the help of the VetFran program.
The Dwyer Group celebrated its 200th franchisee through the VetFran program in November. Army veteran Lonnie Oldham – along with his wife Nancy and son Clayton – opened a Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise in San Angelo, Texas. They were able to save $6,500 because of the VetFran Program.
Altogether, The Dwyer Group has given more than $1 million in discounts to veterans through the VetFran program. This is a milestone I think Don Dwyer Sr., late founder of VetFran and The Dwyer Group, would be proud. He established the program after the Gulf War as a way to honor our veterans and re-launched after 9/11.
If you’re interested in using the VetFran Program to open a franchise, you can visit
www.franchise.org/vetfran.aspx to learn more. Go to www.franchisetimes.com/ to find out the other 19 to watch in 2011.
Here’s wishing you a world class day.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Here's to Optimism
I count my blessings that The Dwyer Group has experienced such incredible growth and strength. And last week, the International Franchise Association released a forecast for 2011 that projects a 2.5% jump for the industry and some 194,000 new jobs: www.franchise.org/Franchise-News-Detail.aspx?id=52727. This is another incredible sign of the role small-business ownership will continue to play in moving our great country forward. The opportunity to be in business for yourself and not by yourself still thrives, and everyone at The Dwyer Group and across our franchise brands is excited to be a part of it.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Today is a monumental day in the history of The Dwyer Group. Majority ownership of the company by TZP Group is officially complete in a transaction that is valued at $150 million. www.dwyergroup.com/press/ Those kind of numbers used to seem like a dream to me. That kind of growth and financial support seemed like the stuff you only read about in The Wall Street Journal – the stuff other companies, bigger companies, announced. As we prepare for 2011 and the 30th anniversary of The Dwyer Group, I am inspired by how far we have come in three decades as a business. And I’m excited about where we are headed as well. Our management team remains in place, our company name shines brighter than ever, our franchise brands are leaders in the service industry, and we are ready to grow to the next level with our new partners at TZP.
At The Dwyer Group, we like to tell people to “Make it a World-Class Day.” Those are inspirational words that motivate us at every turn. For me, they continue to be ambitious words to do something great with your life. At The Dwyer Group, we are making it a world-class day today. And there will be many more like it in the days, weeks and years ahead. I count my blessings this holiday season for being a part of such a wonderful company. And here’s to a very Happy New Year!
At The Dwyer Group, we like to tell people to “Make it a World-Class Day.” Those are inspirational words that motivate us at every turn. For me, they continue to be ambitious words to do something great with your life. At The Dwyer Group, we are making it a world-class day today. And there will be many more like it in the days, weeks and years ahead. I count my blessings this holiday season for being a part of such a wonderful company. And here’s to a very Happy New Year!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veterans Day 2010
As we observe Veterans Day this week and honor those who have served this great country, I invite everyone to find a way to thank our men and women in uniform and all who came before them. There are no words that do justice to the freedom and peace we enjoy as a nation thanks to our brave members of the military. The sacrifices they have made are too great to go unnoticed. So take a moment on this day and every day to find an opportunity and recognize them.
Shake the hand of a returning soldier when walking through a crowded airport. Say a prayer for our fallen heroes during Sunday church service. Give thanks to our retired and active military and fly a flag at your home with pride. No gesture is too small for their duty to serve that is so great.
We at The Dwyer Group also thank them by counting more than 200 veterans as franchise owners who have come through the VetFran program www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com/VetFran.asp. It’s one way to make every day Veterans Day as we continually add to our franchise network across the Dwyer brands with true leaders from the ranks of our U.S. Military. Together, we can all make a difference.
Shake the hand of a returning soldier when walking through a crowded airport. Say a prayer for our fallen heroes during Sunday church service. Give thanks to our retired and active military and fly a flag at your home with pride. No gesture is too small for their duty to serve that is so great.
We at The Dwyer Group also thank them by counting more than 200 veterans as franchise owners who have come through the VetFran program www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com/VetFran.asp. It’s one way to make every day Veterans Day as we continually add to our franchise network across the Dwyer brands with true leaders from the ranks of our U.S. Military. Together, we can all make a difference.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Founder's Day 2010
In less than 24 hours, our company will be celebrating its annual Founder's Day. It's special to us at The Dwyer Group because we wouldn't be where we are today if our late Founder, Don Dwyer Sr., didn't take that entrepreneurial leap of faith almost 30 years ago to start it all.
We can appreciate our franchise family and where we're headed because we can also appreciate where we started and how far we've come. History is important, and we pay homage to our history at The Dwyer Group. We celebrate Don's vision each and every Founder's Day and remember him well.
We invest in time together away from the office. We enrich ourselves in more than work, itself, because we value the people who keep our business thriving and keep Don's vision alive. As our Code of Values teaches, we like "Having Fun in the Process" at The Dwyer Group. Remembering our Founder, breaking bread together, playing games and enjoying what life has given us, is great fun indeed.
We would have none of that if one man, one founder, didn't "Dare to Dream."
That was the theme of our annual convention this past summer, and it merits repeating. We can be dreamers at The Dwyer Group and we can realize those dreams because Don Dwyer dared to be the first. Thank you, Dad!
We can appreciate our franchise family and where we're headed because we can also appreciate where we started and how far we've come. History is important, and we pay homage to our history at The Dwyer Group. We celebrate Don's vision each and every Founder's Day and remember him well.
We invest in time together away from the office. We enrich ourselves in more than work, itself, because we value the people who keep our business thriving and keep Don's vision alive. As our Code of Values teaches, we like "Having Fun in the Process" at The Dwyer Group. Remembering our Founder, breaking bread together, playing games and enjoying what life has given us, is great fun indeed.
We would have none of that if one man, one founder, didn't "Dare to Dream."
That was the theme of our annual convention this past summer, and it merits repeating. We can be dreamers at The Dwyer Group and we can realize those dreams because Don Dwyer dared to be the first. Thank you, Dad!
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