Mike Rubick from Playball NZ on the O2E Business Academy
Owning your own business is a challenge in itself, so imagine if you were to leap from running just one SME to managing 20. Mike Rubick took on that challenge when he expanded his Playball Taranaki franchise operation to include the entire New Zealand contingent.
It was a huge step, and rather than undergo a baptism by fire, Mike chose to listen to his parents’ (invested) advice and seek help. That assistance came in the form of Craig Oliver, via Venture Taranaki’s business mentoring service.
In his new role as master franchisor for Playball NZ, Mike has the responsibility of managing the overarching NZ business and defining how all franchises should be set up and run.
For those unsure on how a franchise works (https://www.business.govt.nz/); “it’s a way to expand your business into other markets, by granting someone else – your franchisees – the right to run a copy of your original business in another location for an agreed amount of time.”
As the master Playball franchisor, Mike’s obligations to his other franchisees mean he has to provide:
· trademarks and branding
· operating systems
· full training
· co-ordination of group buying
· marketing
· communication and documentation.
These practices all required some attention, but a few stood out as needing intensive improvement so Mike and Craig worked together for around six months, one on one. When the O2E Academy came about, Mike jumped in, rugby boots and all, to hone and further develop his business acumen and leadership skills.
Points of pain
There were plenty. Mike particularly cites:
A need to transform the staticky communication flow from UK-based head office into a clearer, more dynamic and regular format; a need to create a unified marketing and branding strategy (both digital and hard copy; to establish “we’re all on the same page and this is how it is now” cooperation from all his franchise owners; to document a coherent health and safety protocol and HR system; to take a closer look at goal setting for future growth.
In addition, coordinating the 20 other franchisees scattered throughout New Zealand felt like herding cats to Mike, and liaising with such a diverse Playball network highlighted the need to learn effective people management skills.
Mike’s desire to become a better leader meant strengthening his authority and mana to a level where he could feel confident in:
1. Saying ‘No’ to achieve work-life balance
2. Delegating
3. Finding his merit and reflecting that in the Playball brand
4. Respecting his own knowledge and experience
5. Growing some balls (playballs, that is)
6. Relating to a cross range of demographics
7. Negotiating new business systems to franchisees.
Ordinary to Extraordinary Academy
The structure of the O2E Academy suited Mike to a T. The group meeting was followed by a more tailored panel session, which was then consolidated by a 1:1 a couple of weeks later. Convening once a month was time-friendly and easy to assimilate. At this point, Mike was dealing with up to 1000 school kids per week on top of administering the NZ franchises, and the pressure was on.
Homework was presented in front of the group, so no blaming the dog for eating it, because Craig’s a bit like the teacher who expects good things; growls if they aren’t delivered, praises when they are. It was important to complete set tasks (all relevant to Mike’s Playball Taranaki / NZ franchises) and to be accountable for following through with new business strategies as formulated.
Sharing problems, stories, and issues in a safe, group situation meant tons of experienced brainpower on hand to offer solutions. Some participants were ex-franchise holders who understood the system and its variables - invaluable. The professional input from each session convenor or guest speaker meant all topics were pertinent and informative.
The group acted as trusted sounding boards for each other, and other happy outcomes eventuated in the form of new social friendships and opportunities for increased networking.
What Mike took on board
· Learning what not to do!
· Tried and true troubleshooting techniques
· Learning how to optimise communication to franchise holders
· Learning how to develop branding e.g. by linking into the existing international Playball website https://www.playballkids.com/
· Establishing unified and inclusive systems to represent the entire NZ Playball franchise
· How to reign in individual franchisees to present a fair and non-mutually competitive service
· How to initiate up a targeted marketing strategy including posters, flyers, print media
· How to navigate the extreme differences of the Playball user demographic and communicate effectively
· Highlighting relevant points of difference to help with pitching
· Establishing H&S and HR systems
· How to see value and charge accordingly
· How to work smarter, not harder
The intangible becomes measurable
Mike’s experience and passion for the Playball industry (sparked back in the day as a uni student) offered a natural career path. His progression from student to teacher to business owner to master franchisor reflects the attention he’s paid to opportunities, both offered and created.
However, Mike joined the O2E Academy with a few problems likely to create thorny issues down the track. With several businesses on the go, all with heavy people management and administration requirements, he was astute enough to see that for Playball to function well, certain practices needed sorting.
Mike also knew that to develop the leadership qualities necessary to achieve his Playball goals, he’d have to discover and believe in his worth - as a businessman and as an individual. Strengthening self-belief comes from confidence, and the Academy delivered this in spades. Mike’s intangible change in attitude is well on its way to morphing into tangible results.
Return on Investment? Coming right up.
Becoming a leader in your field opens up a whole heap of new doors. For Mike, having the confidence to explore what’s to be gained from working smarter will smooth the way to achieving financial security - which then allows for expansion. Mike reckons the benefits of the Academy and of having a mentor alongside are like “having a mate on the journey - someone who’s not afraid to kick you up the arse” but who teaches the tools to achieve all your vital goals.
Final words:
“I’d recommend the Academy to anyone. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Mike Rubick, Playball Taranaki, Playball NZ