How would you best hire go-getter contract negotiators?

[Scott T. Jensen]

I'm about to fall into a nice amount of money. If I can get a good
multiplier from a bank, it should be enough to launch a restaurant chain
idea I've had for a long time. Its business plan is solid. It would start
with one unit, perfect its operation, and then start expanding. The only
thing missing was a sizeable amount of money. However...

What I'm thinking of doing is hiring at least one employee that is
essentially a contract negotiator. I know my own limitations and believe
such an employee would be a good spur for the business than if everything
depended on me at the start. I would eventually have to hire a small group
of them anyway so I thought I might as well hire at least one from the
start. The problem is...

How would you advertise for such? Of those that apply, how do you select
the best of them? I need ones that are excellent negotiators and
go-getters. Having experience negotiating leases from shopping malls being
exceptionally wanted. I've been thinking of hiring up to three initially
and letting their competitiveness spur them on even further. However...

If I were to hire them at the start, they would do a lot of contract
negotiating to get the first unit going and then there would be a lull. The
lull could be quite short or long. Basically, it would be until the first
unit indicates it is a profitable operation. Not necessarily debt-free but
firmly in the black. But what to do with the contract negotiators until
this lull has passed?

I thought about having them actually work in the restaurant to assist in
perfecting its operations and to give them hands-on experiences with the
business they'll be helping to expand. They would only do this with the
first unit and never again. Naturally, I would inform job applicants of
this lull work. But that seems like having a race horse become a plow horse
for a summer and a race from then on.

-OR-

Are there companies that will act as another company's contract negotiator?
I would much prefer to farm this aspect out to such a firm since there is
also a limit to how large the chain can grow and at that point there is the
issue what to do with the chain's contract negotiators. If an outside firm
were used, this then wouldn't really be a problem for the chain to worry
about. Anyone know of such contract negotiation firms? Ideally ones that
have experience negotiating with shopping malls?

Regardless which used, part of their job would be identifying and then going
out and soliciting bids from potential suppliers, service vendors, and so forth.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Scott Jensen

[Herb]

Post by Scott T. Jensen
Are there companies that will act as another company's contract negotiator?
Thoughts? Suggestions?

Scott:

We have worked with a European multi-unit company establishing a
beach-head in the US.There approach was to combine internal know-how
with outside help.

For example, SYSCO, in return for most of your food purchases, will
help. Also there are divisions of major real estate organizations, that
have departments specialzing in locations, the same goes for equipment,
packaging etc.

In summary, most potential vendors, will help in return for future
business, but you will have to keep in mind, that for the most part,
they will not necessarily have your best interest at heart.

Herb

[Scott T. Jensen]

Post by Herb

Post by Scott T. Jensen
Are there companies that will act as another company's
contract negotiator?

We have worked with a European multi-unit company
establishing a beach-head in the US.There approach
was to combine internal know-how with outside help.

That's pretty much how I would do it as well. The chain's contract
negotiators representing the company.

Post by Herb
For example, SYSCO, in return for most of your food
purchases, will help. Also there are divisions of major
real estate organizations, that have departments
specialzing in locations, the same goes for equipment,
packaging etc.
In summary, most potential vendors, will help in return
for future business, but you will have to keep in mind,
that for the most part, they will not necessarily have your
best interest at heart.

Yes, I understand what you've said above. A while ago, I did just this for
the chain idea. Unfortunately, a money source didn't come through then and
the idea was put back on the shelf. Now a solid money source has come
through ... the most solid: me ... and I can now do the chain idea. What
I'm looking at using the contract negotiators for is essentially haggling
with the different potential vendors and playing them against each other (or
at least getting the best deal possible and picking it). I'm seeking to
employ such employees for these positions and I'm wondering how best to go
about doing that. Suggestions? Thoughts? Everyone is invited to give
theirs. :-)

Scott Jensen