To cater to the rising multi-faceted demands in the healthcare services Sky Healers, a complete OPD service provider recently announced its expansion through franchise route. Dr Chakrapani Bhardwaj, CEO, Sky Healers India Pvt. Ltd, shares the future plans of his company.
Ramanjit Kaur (RK): What inspired Sky Healers to take the franchise route to expand the brand?
Chakrapani Bhardwaj (CB): Our mission is to spread our network pan India in a short span of time, so, we took the franchise route to tap the market. We have engaged the expertise of Franchise India to expand our brand. Since we are the pioneer in providing quality OPD products, we want to have early bird advantage to explore the market.
RK: What practices and initiatives have you introduced in Sky Healers?
CB: Sky Healers is the first and only complete OPD service provider in the country which has an exclusive panel of experienced and leading doctors, hospitals and nursing homes across the country. Our focus is to be a dominant player in health sector by introducing unique OPD services to our all customers. We have come out with OPD plans which have been designed based on a survey of large number of patients and doctors. The plans have been customised to provide immediate curative care with reimbursements. The plans have also been designed keeping in mind the family structure of the society like individual, couple and family.
RK: What is the eligibility criterion for taking the franchisee of your company?
CB: We are looking at people who are educated and want to work for a noble cause along with good margins, but commitment for integrity, passion and service excellence is something which is very dear to our organisation and is of utmost importance. We want our channel partner to be devoting full time to this business and have entrepreneurs skills.
RK: What support do you provide to your franchisees?
CB: We will be supporting our franchisees with extensive training. We will also help our franchisees in marketing, and recruiting unit franchisees.
RK: What are the challenges that can be faced by a franchisee in this business? How can they overcome these challenges?
CB: Initially, the franchisees may face some problems in building a network of hospitals and nursing homes, which is the prime requisite to succeed in the healthcare industry.
RK: Any advice for the young entrepreneurs?
CB: Nothing is impossible; it is your attitude what makes a difference.
RK: What are the company’s future plans in terms of expansion through franchising?
CB: We are planning to have more than 80 master franchises and 150 plus unit franchises by March 2010. We also have plans to set our pharmaceutical company and having our drug stores.
RK: Share with us any new venture that your company has entered into?
CB: We recently have started our new venture of Stock Market Education Institutes by the brand name of AIFM (Ageis Institute of Financial Market). These institutes will provide complete stock market education programmes and prepare professionals to take up the stock market opportunities. We will be adopting franchise model for the same as well.
