Franchise marketer and online publisher Sean Kelly thinks that the cause of much of franchising’s conflicts is that sellers recruit too many franchisees who don’t like taking orders. Kelly advocates recruiting a better soldier will go far to help franchisor-franchisee relations.

Marketing the BYOB! [Be Your Own Boss!] myth is one of the most dangerous mistakes franchisors make. And it’s the cause of much of the conflict in franchisor/franchisee relations... Army recruiters say Be all that you can be. They don’t say “Be your own boss,” or “Do what you want.” They appeal to the individual’s self-interest: Communicating what the prospect will gain by trading in their freedom for the benefit of being part of something greater than oneself, of being disciplined and following directions. In Army recruiting, there is a regard for the brand, the team, even the rules themselves and the benefits they provide.

Franchisors must realize that the importance of avoiding the BYOB! myth goes beyond effective recruitment and setting realistic expectations. Its importance goes directly to establishing and preserving the trust that is critical to their success. – [via New Zealand’s Franchise-Chat]

Now give me $150,000 and drop $300,000 more in that hole. I said now, soldier!!