Questions and Answers

Q... Is there a contract involved ?

A... A contractual agreement between the contributor and their potential license holder is developed during the negotiating process. The Principals are responsible for ensuring that the details such as the final price, payment schedules, training dates etc. are as they agreed to before accepting an identical final version.
In addition to the sections generated by the Principals agreements, Workingswell requires this section be included in the Licensee's copy and are agreed to:

Q... Does Workingswell or the contributor set the price?

A. The reservation fee is the same for each opportunity, $40.00. Other than that, Workingswell does not set prices. Each contributor sets the price based on their judgment of the value in the region specified by the interested party. Conversely, a prospective purchaser can open negotiations with an offer.

Q... Where does the training take place and is it always necessary?

A... Training will usually take place at the contributor's production studio. It is recommended that you or a designated employee take hands on training. However, if distance or other factors make this impossible, It may be possible to receive instruction and support using email, movie clips, telephone etc. Contributors who offer long distance training are identified in their initial (stage one) listings.

Q... Why is there a fee just to get information?

A... The fee compensates the contributors for the risks they incur by releasing information about their business and provides an important qualifying factor, preventing the possibility of having to respond to numerous enquiries from people who are not really serious.

Placing a reserve for this minimal fee allows the prospective purchaser to begin gathering an understanding of the opportunity they are interested in at low cost and without feeling pressured by the potential of any competing interest. If the region that is requested is not available, the fee will be refunded.

Q... What is Stage One information?

A... Stage One information is what you see when you browse our contributors. The contributor is identified along with their own brief description of what they have to offer and the regions available. A link to a website may be included at the contributor's discretion. There is no charge and no registration required.

Q... What is Stage Two information?

A... Stage Two information is what you get when you place a regional reserve. It's information that was supplied by the contributor when he or she registered with Workingswell and answered the Critical Aspects questions. It's information designed to give an overview of the opportunity under consideration.
The cost of the regional reserve and the stage two information is $40.00. This is what is included:

A list of the items that can be made under the license.
A description of the items and what makes them innovative.
Pictures of the items.
Information on the hands on time required in the production of the items, not including non hands on time such as curing or drying.
The cost of materials. Because of regional variation a high and a low estimation is given.
The cost of major tools, a high and low estimation.
A description of things such as molds, jigs or modified tools that may be included.
A description of known health hazards associated with the production process.
An assessment of the environmental footprint and or benefits associated with the items and their production.
An estimation of the training period required.

Q...Do the contributors have patents on what they are offering?

A...Check the individual contributors listings. Intellectual property registration decisions are made by the contributors alone. The contributors may have a variety of intellectual property protection measures in place. They may have patents, design patents or industrial design registration, They may have registered trade marks and copyright on pictures and written material. Some may have published their designs and methods without claiming a patent. They all have the right to market their trade secrets confidentially and under contract, which is the basis of the Workingswell system. Contributors to Workingswell are required to verify that what they are offering does not infringe on anybody else's intellectual property rights. Potential licensees can of course use the reservation period (3 months renewable) to conduct their own intellectual property related searches before making a full commitment and without risk of missing the opportunity. 
Workingswell does not offer advice on intellectual property matters. However a fuller analysis of the issues and links to people who do can be found on the Workingswell Intellectual Property Issues page.

Q...Does the regional aspect mean I couldn't sell products to anyone not living nearby ?

A...No it doesn't mean that. The limitation accepted by the licensee is one placed on marketing (the active pursuit of sales) not upon the servicing of any particular sale. To explain further: If you as a licensee were to receive a call from a customer from outside the region, you would be free to pursue the potentials of the call and ship items without breaking the agreement. Actively seeking such an enquiry, by whatever means, successful or not, would violate the agreement.

Q...Would the license prevent selling my business once I get it developed ?

A... One of the great benefits of working for yourself and developing a successful business is that in the process you organize an infrastructure that is in itself valuable to others. In fact holding the license would demonstrate that you have knowledge and skills that are not commonplace to offer as part of your business. The license is transferable but may not be duplicated, meaning that you may teach the skills to a new owner but you cannot continue in business yourself as well.

Q... What is Workingswell's definition of a region?

A...The standard is any city and its surrounding smaller centers. Huge cities such as London or New York are a region just as smaller ones are. This is to prevent problems arising from managing territorial boundaries within a city. However a license should be expected to be more expensive in line with the greater population and therefore potential.

Q... Is it possible to buy the rights to more than one region?

A... Absolutely and if you can afford the investment it's a great idea. Buying one license puts you in a great negotiating position for buying licenses for neighboring cities . You could develop a separate business in each city or hold the licenses as an investment that also protects you from competition. 

Q... Is it possible to get a government grant to assist purchasing a Workingswell license?

A... Every situation is different, with the applicant's own capabilities being the major factor so clearly no guarantees can be given. That said, many governments offer assistance to help start or develop self employment or small businesses, and travel for the purpose of training or gathering expertise can be considered as a valid objective for an applicant. Holding a Regional Reserve on a license to produce proven products will allow you to show that you have clear intentions and access to training and experience. The three month (renewable) reserve allows you ample time to investigate grants and other financing options before making a full commitment and without risk of missing the opportunity.

Workingswell's Government Grants and Assistance page provides links to appropriate government web pages listed by country.

Q...Are Workingswell Listings Franchises?

A...No. Franchises are a particular form of agreement where the buyers (franchisees) operate their businesses as part of a larger parent business. The parent company maintains control over the operational standards and procedures so that the overall company identity is maintained and protected. Workingswell licenses are better likened to apprenticeships, where information, training and expertise are provided in exchange for payment or labour. Once the training and payment is complete, the apprentice (licensee) is free to use the training to develop a business in their own manner and at their own pace. 
Workingswell license agreements are the product of negotiations between two individuals. It's possible that some contributors in some circumstances would request terms similar to terms used in franchise agreements. For instance, if a contributor agreed to accept royalties on future production as a payment method, it would be reasonable for him or her to want to set a minimum production level or time period so that if there is no production, and therefore no payment, the license would lapse and the contributor could resell the region.
There are some solid advantages to the franchise model and it clearly works for certain type of people. There are also a number of websites offering franchise opportunities and Workingswell does not want to duplicate or compete with them. Our system is designed for sellers who believe they have some valuable skills and designs to offer, but don't want to build an empire, and buyers who would appreciate a "leg up" into self employment but have no desire to wear a corporate uniform.