Franchiseindia

With a vision to create successful, independent professionals with skills in emerging technologies Jetking was established in 1947. In an interview Nandu G Bharwani, Joint MD, Jetking Infotrain Ltd shares his experience of company’s participation in FRO Hyderabad.


Namita Bhagat (NB): Elaborate on the origin and growth and success of Jetking and how did the company opt for franchise route?

Nandu G Bharwani(NGB): Jetking was established in 1947 by Late G P Bharwani who started by selling big Radios, Gramophones & Valve Radios. Bharwani set up a portable radio manufacturing factory in the suburbs of Mumbai. Bharwani, whose motto was ‘Banish Unemployment’, pioneered Do-It-Yourself kits and Pocket Transistors. Suresh G Bharwani pioneered Computer Hardware and Networking training in India. He could foresee in the 1990’s that when India was just going through the initial stages of the IT boom that Computer hardware and networking engineers would be in great demand. Thus, in 1990, he established the Jetking School of Electronic Technology in Sewri, Mumbai with a vision to create successful, independent professionals who were skilled in emerging technologies. From this point there was no looking back as the demand for the engineers with the knowledge being provided by Jetking grew manifold. To help keep up with the demand Jetking forayed into the franchising route to rapidly increase the network of centres. Today Jetking boasts of having more than 130+ centres spread across the length and breadth of the country. Jetking keeps pace with the technology advancements and is a pioneer in introducing the latest in the curriculum and bring the best to the students.

NB: Do you think promotional strategies play a significant role in the appropriate growth of the brand? Kindly elaborate on your company’s strategy for enhancing its reach.

NGB: Success of a brand in today’s scenario rests completely on the branding strategy being employed. Today’s youth has access to latest technologies in their palms and connectivity is no more an issue. In fact with the digital explosion branding has now assumed a completely new meaning. With this scenario it is important for each brand to highlight the key achievements in new dimensions and present a completely transparent look to the buyer. Education awareness is also undergoing a metamorphosis in the sense new job opportunities are getting thrown up for which relevant skilled manpower is not available. More awareness to the student about the merits and demerits of a course are easily available and makes the choice more difficult.

NB: Franchise India Holdings Limited organises series of events in the form of BOS (Business Opportunity Show) and FRO (Franchise and Retail opportunity) Show every year to provide a platform to the entrepreneurs and investors to come face to face. Your company participated in FRO Hyderabad, what factors motivated you to participate in the event?

NGB: Shows like FRO and BOS are huge platforms for bringing together entrepreneurs and potential franchisors on a common ground. With the new opportunities and areas of business interests coming up such shows bring together the Franchisors options under a single roof and helps understand the products, marketability, project sizing, future prospects within the reach of the entrepreneurs. Jetking participated in this show as we have huge expansion plans for south and East India. With such plans it is important that we also reach out to these young entrepreneurs and give them a correct platform to evaluate the exciting world of education franchising. It also helps in understanding the potential of the entrepreneur in his ability to grow the business in his choice of city with the strength of the brand.

NB: How would you like to share your experience of being one of the participating companies at FRO.

NGB: Jetking fortunately has got some good business partners who have excelled in their cities by using the brand strength and their experience in their cities. It is important that the partner understands the brand and puts his best effort to generate business opportunities in their city of operations. Given the past experience we would like to participate again to increase our Geographical reach in Rajasthan.

NB: Do you think the brands’ participation in the event really contributes in the growth of the company?

NGB: As we stand poised for the growth in the state, through this exhibition we wish to increase the footprints of the brand in some select cities in Rajasthan. With the economy looking upwards we are hopeful to bring more like minded business partners into the Jetking family and help the next level of entrepreneurs grow with us in our endeavor. As a brand we have performed very well in the state and would like to sustain the growth story into some more cities to match with our ambitions for the next year.

NB: What advice would you like to give to the entrepreneurs and investors aspiring to participate in the show to get maximum benefits from it?

NGB: I would like to advise the entrepreneurs to carefully understand the history behind the brand as most of the times new entrants have no real success stories behind and are therefore gullible buyers in this race. I would like them to evaluate the success of the existing partners of the brand and understand how many of these have sustained in last few years. With the economy taking a beating, the ability of the entrepreneur to sustain in the difficult times can be shared by only old partners as they have been truly supported by the brand behind them along with their own resilience. Jetking partners have some major success stories to share as they have grown in their respective cities and have also contributed to the growth of Jetking brand as a leader in this domain.