Utilize your resources more and take the time to ask the right questions!
Prior to Caring Transitions, Al Scobell spent 17 years in the franchising world, holding leadership roles at companies such as Yum! Brands, the largest holding company in the restaurant industry, Church’s Chicken and Fazoli’s. Scobell then joined Caring Transitions in spring 2017 as the company’s Vice President of Operations, where he assisted in the future development of the brand, including building training programs and mentoring franchisees on best practices.
Caring Transitions, founded in 2006, is the first national franchising concept specializing in senior relocation and transition services. With more than 200 locations throughout the United States all owned and operated by Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists, Caring Transitions provides clients with supportive moves, auctions, rightsizing and transitions. This includes expert advice plus a well-executed transition plan beginning with the initial sorting of personal belongings through packing, shipping and selling of items to the final clearing and cleaning of the property. Caring Transitions was named one of the fastest growing franchises in 2017 by Franchise Gator, and was also named on Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500 list.
Where did the idea for Caring Transitions come from?
Caring Transitions began in 2006 as a spinoff of Home Helpers, a former sister company. The company immediately saw success, as we found people going through a life transition were concerned for managing their belongings with detailed care. Now, Caring Transitions has over 200 locations nationwide and is the leader in the senior relocation industry. We specialize in organizing, packing, de-cluttering, moving and resettling, as well as handling estate sales, liquidations, and preparing homes for market.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
That is a great question. Our number one objective as a franchisor is to support our franchisees in their dream. We do this in a variety of ways starting with our coaching calls and visits monthly.
How do you bring ideas to life?
We vet every strategic initiative utilizing all our resources available to use whether it is our support team at Caring Transitions, our sister brands at Strategic Franchising, or our franchisees who are living it in the field. I am a big advocate of “stealing shamelessly.”
What’s one trend that excites you?
Our new franchisees are launching at a faster rate, which allows them to start earning money quicker as well as getting our name out sooner to the community.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
One of my favorite habits is running. I’ve been running for the past 20 years, and have ran a marathon and over 25 half marathons. This is how I start my day every day, and it allows me to gain mental clarity and attribute to my overall success.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Utilize your resources more and take the time to ask the right questions!
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
One of my biggest pieces of advice is not to hold on to people for too long. Ultimately, this does people a disservice and they won’t be performing at their peak capabilities. Even if you have an outstanding employee, be able to recognize when it’s time for them to move on – although it may be hard, it will benefit both parties if this is not where their passion lies.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
It comes back to asking the right questions over and over. “The 5 Whys” is another questioning technique I have learned in the past. Be persistent when you set your goals.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
We updated our on-boarding program as well as the On-Site Training. My philosophy was simple, we need to bring better franchisees into the system and then train and support them more effectively so we can help them live their dreams.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I made very important decisions too quickly without vetting out the process, which was caused by not having the right support people and process in place.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Hire people that can take your place. Surround yourself with great talent and allow them to think freely with boundaries.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I gave to missionaries in Spain. Because I am blessed it is important to me to help others.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
CT Bids, which is the online auction aspect of our business. This is a great tool that allows us to improve the way our franchisees do business.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I would recommend everyone read “The Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon. The Energy Bus philosophy surrounds the idea that if you get the right people on your ‘bus,’ you’ll be heading in the right direction. Although you are the driver of the bus, let your team help making driving decisions, and always make sure to get the ‘energy vampires’ off the bus in order to move forward.
What is your favorite quote?
“Good is the Enemy of Great” – Jim Collins
Key learnings:
- You are the driver of your bus. Follow the ten rules with an emphasis of rule number 3 “Fuel your bus with Positive Energy.”
- Hire the right people and allow them to execute.
- Be humble and be a servant leader. As I don’t have all the answers, I can ask the right questions to get them the correct answers.
Connect:
Al Scobell on Linkedin:
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.