Today's "Emerging Franchisors" = Tomorrow's Leaders

One of the things I most enjoy doing is helping start-up franchisors get questions answered about how to poise their business for growth. It is really rewarding, and fun, to get to know these concepts that are just coming to market and then be able to watch their steady progression over the years. Many of us experience similar challenges and opportunities at similar times in our companies' life cycle because we share the business model of franchising, so it makes perfect sense for new and seasoned franchisors alike to sit around a table and talk about how to do it [franchising] right. I had the pleasure of leading just such a discussion last week in Chicago. One of the attendees was David Lipschultz, Top Top Dog, Out-U-Go! Franchising (a pet sitting/pet care franchise) and I so appreciate the feedback he shared with me post-meeting....

"Thanks for moderating the round table discusstion last Wednesday and specifically for facilitating the conversation to address my questions about building an infrastructure and corporate team. Every time I hear you speak I'm always extremely impressed. The thoughts and insights you shared last week were extremely helpful to me. In fact, I took the handout you included and passed it on directly to my COO. You really bring a refreshing sincerity and transparency to the business world. Between the roundtable and your article, I am much closer to knowing what my organizational chart looks like. Thanks again for everything!"

Take a minute to check-out Out-U-Go! Franchising's website at: www.outugo.com, you're likely to be hearing more about David and his company in the near future!

With Energy and Purpose,
Susan

Subway Worldwide Franchisee Convention

It is with great excitement I get to share that I will be presenting "Plan for Profit: 6 Actions for a More Rewarding (and Profitable!) Tomorrow" two different times at the 2010 Subway(r) Worldwide Franchisee Convention. I am very grateful for this opportunity and will be anxious to share news of how the sessions go. Stay posted for updates after July 23/24, 2010!
With Energy and Purpose,
Susan

Praise for "Plan for Profit"

One of the programs I give is titled, "Plan for Profit: 6 Actions for a More Rewarding (and Profitable) Tomorrow". I recently did this program for our franchisees at Super Wash and I was blown away by some of the comments we received after the session. It is truly inspiring to hear things like, "Your message of 'make time to do the things that are important to us' was a strong wake-up call. Yes, I have heard it many times but know in my heart that I must 'plan for life' so that it doesn't plan for me. Thank you for that kick in the pants, positively driven encouragement." To be able to offer encouragement to not only a franchisee, but to someone who's a mom, a wife, a daughter, a volunteer, a community leader is really special to me.

From another franchisee, who had been struggling with their business due to a detrimental family health situation that had taken precedence in their lives, we heard, "I am knee-deep in doing things at the wash from my list I made at the meetings. I have to say I truly enjoyed the franchisee meetings. I learned a lot and the best part is that I now have 'renewed energy'." Could it be that we have the ability to not only help people with their business life, but their personal life too? What an beautiful opportunity!!

In my opinion, part of the responsibility of a great speaker at a franchisee meeting or a company convention is to compel the audience to want to make improvements. To that end, I smiled ear to ear when we received this email, "I was, and still am, pumped from the meeting. Both of our minds were clicking the whole way home. Thank you for the support, encouragement and comfort of being there when we need help...I have so much 'Renewed Energy,' everyday I am doing something new."

I am so thankful for the opportunity to speak with franchisees of different systems and inspire them to renew their spirit and "Plan for Profit"!