Expense Reduction Analysts Franchise

“There are others that say to do what we do, but it is my belief that we are still the best.”

6th February 2012

With over 10 years of achieving staggering savings and delighting clients, Gerry Pentleton believes it is the strength of Expense Reduction Analysts’ network that sets them apart from other cost reduction companies.

Gerry joined Expense Reduction Analysts to become a fully trained procurement consultant in 1999 following a career of over 30 years in Engineering, Sales and Senior Management within UK and International organisations. He has a passion for sailing and motorbikes, a pastime this is also shared by his wife, Sara – which culminated in them taking six months off in 2011 to go sailing, whilst the business still generated significant income.

Read Gerry’s account of:

• The lifestyle benefits to managing your own procurement franchise.
• How he has worked on global projects to achieve savings for his clients.
• How he can fit his work around his love of sailing and motorbikes.
• How being his own boss has allowed him to take the six month trip of a lifetime.
• A business that has won him two awards and earned him more income than he ever could have imagined.

What made you decide to buy a franchise?

Back in 1999 I was looking for a career change; I had various options for employment but decided to explore the franchise market and kept getting drawn back to Expense Reduction Analysts. The concept of using in-house category expertise to achieve substantial savings without compromising the quality of service seemed to be a perfect match to my own skills and enthusiasm of providing delectation for my clients.

Why did you choose to join Expense Reduction Analysts?

It seemed ideal for me as it’s a ‘white collar’ business that allowed me to utilise my skills. My background includes over 30 years experience in Sales and Senior Management, which I felt could be a strong asset in managing my own consultancy franchise. It also requires a strong work ethic and a determination to ensure all clients are pleased with the service they receive - both of these I have. It was a practical choice too, as this franchise doesn’t require premises, staff or specialist equipment.

The other added attraction was that this is a B2B environment and as such there are no ‘cash’ transactions, therefore any concerns over till issues that could be expected in a retail environment.

In all honesty, one of the real deciding factors was the then Managing Director, John Allison, who had really exciting plans for the future of Expense Reduction Analysts. At the time, I thought he was either a very good salesman or a very genuine human being, as I later found out he was both. The culture of Expense Reduction Analysts is still the same over ten years on, and it is still such an exciting organisation to be part of, which at its heart is still a family run business with those beliefs and values.

What challenges did you face in your early days?

Personally, I didn’t really have any real challenges as due to my previous roles, I was already accustomed to this type of work. It helped that I had the experience and self discipline required of working from home – where actually, I find I can achieve more without the usual distractions of an office environment.

What do you enjoy the most about being an Expense Reduction Analyst consultant?

For me, one word sums it up: ‘Freedom’.

In managing my own Expense Reduction Analysts franchise, I am part of a major Cost, Purchase and Supplier Management business, but I am freed from all the normal distractions associated within the corporate world. I can simply focus on ensuring that I am able to build the business through my lifelong passion of ensuring that my clients are delighted with the service I provide them.

I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed the earnings; my annual income has completely exceeded my expectations, as has the total amount I have been able to bill for my franchise. It’s an incredibly satisfying reward for all my hard work and efforts.

How has being your own boss changed your life?

It has changed my life in both the professional and personal aspects. I have had a lot of fun building my business and enjoyed working with the excellent team of specialists from within the network. They have proved their value to my clients and have worked through some very interesting, sometimes challenging projects and delivered some really significant improvements that were very well received.

It allows me to plan my work around the things I enjoy doing such as sailing and spending time with my family, a luxury I didn’t get from my career in the corporate world.

What are the highlights of your career since joining Expense Reduction Analysts?

There have been many highlights during my time with Expense Reduction Analysts; I have won awards such as the highly sought after ‘Consultant of the Year’ as well as the ‘Special Merit Awards’ which recognises the hard work and effort that I have put into my franchise.

A real achievement over the last ten years has been working with major blue chip companies as well as developing alliances with major financial institutions, where we have been implemented as part of their Value Improvement Programme to their own clients. This demonstrates the benefit of our work, when another company want to incorporate us in providing to value to their clients. What’s more, as Expense Reduction Analysts is a well respected and admired brand name for what we do, major organisations trust us before we even walk in the door. Not many other companies can say that!

I have had lots of successful projects over the past ten years, but one that really stands out is a major PLC I worked with where some of the categories we reviewed for this client ran out globally. This particular project entailed bringing together the resources of our Expense Reduction Analysts franchise partners in Australia and Canada, along with pulling together a strong team of consultants from the UK network to work across a whole host of categories. The client was delighted with the results and generated some interesting fees for both myself and my colleagues who were involved too.

A personal triumph of mine, being a strong believer in rewarding effort and results, was that I had always promised myself that we’d build the business to the point where we could take a sabbatical after ten years. This, we managed in 2011 as we sailed the boat out of Largs (Scotland), turned left and headed south for six months. I reflected deeply on this and it made all the efforts over the years all the more rewarding.

A lifelong ambition of mine, it was a great personal reward and we had a fantastic journey. I would not have been able to do this without Expense Reduction Analysts.

What made you decide to renew your Franchise agreement after 10 years?

I renewed because I still really enjoy working within the group, and whilst it has grown in the number of associates since I joined, the team at Group Office have never stood still, they are always working hard to find new ways of improving our offering to the market place. There are many others that purport to do what we do, but from my perspective, we are still the best by some considerable margin.

What are the future plans for your business?

To continue to develop the business, carry on uncovering great savings, adding real value and overall, thrilling our clients. I’d like to see the business’s success go on, with the goal of eventually selling my share to my business partner and sailing off into the sunset.

What strengths do Expense Reduction Analysts have that differentiates them from other cost reduction companies?

I have never come across another company that focuses on working so hard to ensure that every client is delighted with our service. I believe that our biggest strength lies within our network of trained consultants as we continually drive forward with innovative initiatives that bring real added value to our clients.

To find out more information about Expense Reduction Analysts Franchise simply complete the form below

• Request Further Information

Expense Reduction Analysts Franchise Case Studies

After 10 years, I still very much enjoy what I do.
2nd January 2012
The financial rewards have been beyond my expectations

Derek Hodd “Highest Income Earner” 2011
3rd October 2011
Established consultant of over 11 years, Derek Hodd, won this highly regarded award at the Expense Reduction Analysts National Conference...

Expense Reduction Analysts have a wider cost base and expertise.
13th September 2011
When looking for a white collar franchise, Richard considered Expense Reduction Analysts and one other cost reduction company, before...

"I chose Expense Reduction Analysts because of the client offering and spirit within the network”"
9th August 2011
Paul Duesbery reflects on his initial experiences since joining Expense Reduction Analysts

“The aftercare has been excellent”
25th July 2011
Paul Reeder reflects on his first six months with Expense Reduction Analysts

From facing redundancy to running my own successful business
8th June 2011
After contemplating her options, Sue thought about franchising and if there was a credible white collar opportunity available in the UK.

“I can see that it is going to be an exciting time”
12th April 2011
Simon Perkins is one of Expense Reduction Analysts’

Further Information

Franchise Information

BFA Membership Status
Full

UK Years Established
19 years

Current UK Coverage
80%

Franchisee Support Staff
18

Personal Investment Req.
£12,000

Total Startup Cost
£39,900

Home-based business location

Business to business services

Part of a collaborative franchise network

Why Choose Us?

What Our Franchisees Say

Latest Case Study

2nd January 2012
After 10 years, I still very much enjoy what I do.

Latest News

26th March 2012
Award winning marketing, from Expense Reduction Analysts