Teaching New People How To Fail: A Client's Story

My story is about The Infinite Group (TIG). I ran my own business and through a client I was introduced to a man called Mark Spolander. Mark was a director and franchisee of TIG. He convinced us to franchise our business by showing us how easy it would be and how much money we could make. We fell for it hook line and sinker. Mark charged us an astronomical monthly fee. He was supposed to help us start our franchise, write a franchisee manual, help develop the training programme and any other hands-on help we would need.

True love?

Well, well, well, so the Wedding of the Century is upon us. In a couple of days Ian Johnson and Pratima Patel are finally to tie the knot, declaring their love for each other before God and this showy congregation.

I wonder what percentage of the congregation will be there out of love for the “Happy Couple”, compared to those they have effectively “bought” – whom Ian Johnson likes to call “friends”. Until they are no longer making money for him, of course, at which point they too will be dropped like hot potatoes. One of the franchisees was invited to the wedding – his invitation was withdrawn when he declared his intention to leave The Infinite Group. 

The Criminal Definition of Fraud

2 Fraud by false representation

Con-artists are evil

The con-artist has extensive emotional insight, quickly figuring out what it is their victim wants and finding a chink to exploit. They lie with ease and are devoid of compassion. Validating their victims desires, a con artist establishes trust in a short period of time, making out they are your friend and giving the belief that you will benefit from meeting them. They often come with very little history.

The Infinite Group: the real Never Never Land

I am one of the majority of failed “partners” of one of Ian Johnson’s franchise schemes. My memories and experience of The Infinite Group is that of sleepless nights, worries about finances and sheer terror and panic of how I was going to make ends meet. Since I left, all I wanted to do was to forget that nightmare, but it doesn’t seem to want to forget me. When I was asked to contribute to this blog, all those memories came flooding back… I am, however, glad to talk about my dealings with Ian Johnson and hope that the truth about him and his so-called “franchise” helps all those who are still his franchisees and those, who consider joining his schemes or doing business with him.