Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2015 – 16
This year will be the 21st time that these Awards have been held and it promises to be a bumper year for entries! Held under the internationally acclaimed Malcolm Baldrige business excellence criteria, the Awards are independently judged by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation.
Although the closing date for Expressions of Interest is 5th June, if you wish to submit an entry, please contact the FANZ office urgently and it may be possible to fast track you through this stage. The close off for all qualified entries to be received is 14th August.
FANZ free online training course for prospective franchisees celebrates its second birthday!
Since it was launched in July 2013, 700 people have become better informed about franchising and their possible entry into the sector having registered for the free online training course, developed in association with Massey University that can be accessed through the FANZ web site www.franchiseassociation.org.nz.
The availability of relevant information is part of the total solution for better informed decision making by prospective franchisees who are considering joining the 24,000 independently owned New Zealand businesses operating in a franchised format.
Franchising research in Australia has previously found that improved pre-entry education is likely to have significant positive impact on the franchise sector. One key study found that 71.3 per cent of respondents felt completion of pre-entry education should be a mandatory requirement before entering a franchise agreement. Principal author of the five module course is FANZ Affiliate Member, Franchize Consultants, with contributions from other key FANZ Member experts from the banking, legal, accounting and property leasing sectors.
Each module incorporates a mixture of downloadable text and short videos followed by a self-assessment questionnaire. Completion of a module allows access to the next in the series, with Massey University providing a Certificate of Participation to individuals who complete all five segments. Several franchise systems have already taken the opportunity to improve the quality of their potential franchisees by insisting that anyone wishing to discuss the purchase of a franchise first proves their seriousness by bringing their Certificate of Completion with them for their initial discussion.
Whilst completing the course, potential franchisees can also research franchise systems that are of interest by using the FANZ official online directory, www.buyafranchise.co.nz.
Annual Conference 30th/31st July 2015
You may still have time to book a place at the 19th annual Franchising Conference, which is to be held at the Distinction Hotel, Rotorua.
The agenda will be packed with the information; resources and tools needed to grow and take care of your business.
Speakers already booked include Brendan Thompson, Specsavers NZ (last year’s Supreme Award winners at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards); Cindy Buell, Mexicali Fresh and Burger Wisconsin; Jewli Simpson, The Franchise Relationship Institute – plus live from America by AV link, Melanie Bergeron, Chair of Two Men and A Truck and Todd Rowe, Managing Director, Google SMD Global Sales. The conference will be wrapped up with a dynamic presentation by internationally renowned speaker, Murray Thom, who was named one of New Zealand’s Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the decade by NZ Business magazine
The full delegate package including two nights’ accommodation with two evening events is $1,200 plus GST per person (member of FANZ) and $1,500.00 plus GST per person (non-member). Further information and online booking facilities can be found at the FANZ web-site www.franchiseassociation.org.nz