™ NETWORK FAQs

We launched the ™ Network in October 2006 seeking "Pioneer Partners" to help us establish our brand.  Within 6 months, we had national reach and we're now looking to consolidate our presence and expandd the Network further.

Make no mistake: this is not an easy business with rich pickings.  But with determination, skill and luck, even today's market has potential. We’re now inviting people looking for the right professional business opportunity to join the ™ Network as Pro Partners. We think this market has already reached a once-in-a-market-moment: the technology is reliable and well established, the service offer is widely available but not yet a high street commodity, and the market is ripe now for a more mature approach under a brand offering identifiable services to targeted audiences.

We understand that you’ll have questions and want to take your time and get help and independent advice so feel free to contact us and in the mean time take a look at our FAQ’s.

1. So, what is a "Pro partner"?

Simply, our second wave of partners in the ™ Network: you’ll be at the front of establishing our brand, with likeminded "Pioneer" partners already in place, and in recognition of your investment in our brand, you’ll pay no management charges.  You will have  a brand licence, which will be free of royalty for its initial term ending on 31.12.08 (with no obligation to continue with the brand). And after the initial term, if you decide to renew, you’ll enjoy a 50% discount on the prevailing royalty rate under the brand licence for our second generation and subsequent partners. And throughout your membership of the Network, you’ll enjoy heavily subsidised upgrade paths and favourable access to product upgrades and service offers (always without obligation to purchase) in comparison to the second generation of Network partners.

You certainly don’t need specialist skills to join the Network: but our Pro partners will be sourced exclusively from professional photographers.  You very much do need to be able to deliver professional services in a professional way. We offer training (including residential training)  from experienced mast pro's only, for those wanting to hone their skills or boost confidence.

If you decide to join the ™ Network, you’ll still own and operate your business but you’ll become part of a team that has already built the the leading presence in the field as a network. Just like any other branded network, you’ll pay a modest royalty to be a part of this. But you’ll get a royalty holiday until 31.12.08 and a permanent discount of half of the prevailing rate in the future if you renew; and that rate is also capped.

We are setting the initial royalty at 4% of gross sales by each Network partner. This means that you’ll pay nothing until 31.12.08 and only 2% of gross sales as a continuing Pro Partner. We are reserving the right to vary the royalty but we will guarantee to our Pro Partners that they will never pay more than 3% (even if the prevailing rate is more than 6%) of gross sales: you are that important to us.

2. What benefit do I get from the ™ brand?

You are not obliged to take up an ™ licence to operate your aerial photographic services business (you can still buy PhotoSurvey™ systems from us), but if you do choose to take a Pro Partner licence to operate your business under our brand, you’ll get free access until 31.12.08 and discounted renewal thereafter to a great brand which is actively promoting the first and only network of mast based aerial photographers, where we’ve done the hard work and made the investment in creating a compelling name for our markets and a great brand look and feel.

On top of that, you’ll be getting the opportunity of website referrals to your business, membership and support from other Networkers and of course the satisfaction of building an exciting brand. On top of that – and highly unusually in business format sales and franchise markets – we’ll actively encourage you to build your own brand alongside ours. Best of all for our Pro Partners, you’ll pay no brand royalties before 31.12.08 and will not be obliged to take out a licence in the future.

Before committing yourself to the licence – even a free one! - we’ll send it to you in any convenient format so that you can discuss it with your professional advisers.

3. So, how is your network different from a franchise?

Our ambition is to take the best of the franchise model and create maximum flexibility for our partners. Just like typical franchises, we offer you a brand, business mentoring and support, access to our website and a reliable business system. Just like franchises, what you make of the opportunity is down to you.

But unlike franchises, we won’t make management charges, tied-sales (mandatory purchases from us and only us), impose sales targets, or tell you what uniform to wear and what vehicle to drive (even if we rather like Land Rovers ourselves!). We won’t get in a huff if you decide to talk to our competitors, but we will want to know if we’ve let you down and how we might mend the problem. We won’t limit your growth or your field of operation. We won’t tell you when, where, how and with whom you may or may not work.

4. How much money can I make?

Here are some important influencers:

• Am I relying on the property market, event coverage and claims support? (Potentially steady but comparatively low rates)
  
• Or private commissions? (Hit and miss on advertising; mid price)
  
• Or surveys and specialist engineering needs? (Premium services but often depending on a solid professional reputation and excellent technical skills and an excellent customer base or little black book of contacts to deliver work)

Remember that we have a strong incentive in seeing you succeed: we are depending on a future royalty!

Making money is always down to hard work, good research, decent professional advice, a bit of luck – and more hard work. You’ll need all of these in varying combinations at different times of your journey. We’ll try and support and encourage you all the way…but it’s still your journey.

5. Is this right for me?

We’re looking for people who want an independent, professional practice and will enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.

And we’re looking for calculated - risk takers: people who understand risk but take sensible steps to limit the risk in terms of time and investment and match them to their resources, skills and appetite.

6. Am I who you’re looking for?

We’ll need to like you if you are taking the brand licence but apart from a sensible attitude to risk and a like minded approach to this opportunity we have no identikit Pro Partner.

You might be looking for a bolt-on to an existing business …or just looking for a change!

This may be your first independent foray into small business, or you might be moving from an employed career to a more independent lifestyle.

Whatever your background, you’ll be keen to build a professional business which suits a highly independent lifestyle and one where you’ll get out and about. You’ll enjoy working alone or with partners, as the case may be, be able to deal politely and comfortably with construction industry professionals, homeowners, home sellers and many, many others on equal terms. And, dare we say it, you’ll enjoy the prestige of building and owning your own professional practice.

7. What do you like about this business?

We love its simplicity! Wherever our rig goes, people stop and ask what we’re about and when we explain, you can see that “Eureka!” moment. It makes for a great business model: it looks complex, but it’s obvious when explained and people really “get” the almost unlimited variety of applications. Marry that up with a great vehicle, a great lifestyle and a really useful service and you have a business that’s got a lot going for it.

8. Can I try before I buy?

We are always happy to demonstrate our PhotoSurvey™ systems depending on availability and bookings. We may be able to arrange a location shoot for you to observe with our main rig or with one of our Pioneer Partners. There is of course no charge for this.

9. Can I talk to you in person, with my advisers and without a hard sell?

Yes. Absolutely. Sure, bring your chequebook. OK, ignore that bit, and contact us.