Building a smarter future
Dear Readers,
Every franchisee who owns and runs one of the estimated 79,000 franchise businesses operating in Australia has made a decision to improve their future by becoming a part of this dynamic and economically important sector.
Whether the goal is to build financial sustainability, gain a better work/life balance, to ‘be your own boss’, or a combination of any of these aims, franchising provides everyday Australians with a chance to shape their own futures.
Preparing franchisees for the future
The Franchise Council of Australia’s annual National Franchise Convention (NFC17) ‘Franchise Intelligence – Building a Smarter Future’ this year poses the question: what is standing between you and a smarter future for your franchise?
It might be as simple as a new conversation that makes you think differently, or a connection that can help to grow your business. It could be that nugget of information or spark of an idea from one of our speakers that leads you to explore a new way of thinking or approaching the challenges you have in your business. The answer, and indeed the question, will be different for every attendee.
But we are confident that at Australia’s biggest franchising event, you will find something that will help you along the journey to a smarter future for your franchise business. We are particularly pleased this year to include a Franchisee Forum in the NFC17 program. This half-day program is designed to provide franchisees with tools to drive growth and sales in their businesses.
The program for the Franchisee Forum has been crafted by the FCA in conjunction with the Franchise Relationship Institute’s Greg Nathan, a global thought leader on the psychology of franchising and a member of the FCA’s Franchise Hall of Fame. The Franchise Relationship Institute will be just one of the experts imparting their knowledge as part of the forum.
We are also thrilled to welcome as speaker at the Forum Dr Glen Richards, the founder and former CEO of Greencross, Australia’s largest pet care company, and one of five business mentors on Channel 10’s ‘Shark Tank’ reality competition television series.
The chance to learn from Glen is an opportunity not to be missed, and at NFC17 franchisees will have the chance to participate in a Q&A session with this business expert. Equally important is the chance to learn from franchisees who have demonstrated success in their businesses and the ‘Psychology of Success Panel’ will reveal the secrets of success from some of the best franchisees in Australia – all of whom are past winners of the Franchise Council of Australia’s (FCA’s) Excellence in Franchising Awards.
These are people who have experienced the struggles of starting a new business and found strategies to grow and thrive. They also represent a diverse range of franchisees, from multi-unit franchise owners to single-unit franchisees who don’t employee any staff, and come from an array of industry sectors The Franchisee Forum will also include opportunities to share ideas at round-table sessions where franchisees can talk about their experiences, solve problems, and gain practical advice on a range of hot topics.
Recognising too, that franchisees can gain valuable insights from the entire NFC17 program, we are pleased to provide franchisees with a 70 per cent discount to attend the full convention program of panels, round-tables, masterclasses and keynote plenary sessions. To find out more about NFC17, which takes place on the Gold Coast from October 8-10, and to register your attendance, visit www.nationalfranchiseconvention.org.au.
Celebrating successful franchisees
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege to attend the FCA’s Excellence in Franchising Regional Awards presentations and have seen just how the franchise business model provides everyday Australians from all walks of life with the chance to build a better future.
Every finalist and every winner has a unique story, and their own motivations and inspirations for becoming a franchisee. But the thing that struck me most was the passion they all shared for their business, their franchise system, and the support and reassurance that is provided through the franchise business model.
“I love what I do. I love helping people. I love seeing people achieve. It doesn’t feel like a real job,” said Glen Cammiade, winner of the Vic/ Tas Single Unit Franchisee of the Year, less than two staff Award for 2017.
Glen purchased his EFM Ferntree Gully franchise in 2009, and describes the support and advice he gets as a franchisee at EFM Health Clubs as being “just priceless. Any question you’ve ever got, the team at the head office have done it before and they know the answers.”
It’s a similar story for Mt Gambier Salts of the Earth franchisee, Cathy Beckman, who took out the SA Single Unit Franchisee of the Year, two or more staff award for 2017.
“When I researched Salts of the Earth, it just seemed like a really good fit for me. I believed in the product, I believed in the model, the company. The franchisor seemed very supportive and I just believed it was the right next chapter of my life. I love seeing the results and I love helping people,” said Cathy.
These are just two of many such anecdotes provided by Regional Award winners across Australia this year.
I would like to once again congratulate all winners of the Excellence in Franchising Regional Awards for 2017, and wish them all the best as they move forward as finalists for the MYOB FCA National Excellence in Franchising Awards, to be presented on Tuesday 10 October at the culmination of the 2017 National Franchise Convention.
Regards, Damian Paull.
www.franchise.org.au