“So, what business are you really in?” When I pose this question during my presentations as a motivational franchise speaker, many answer in terms of their products. “We’re in the ice cream business,” or, “We sell pizza.” Invariably a more sophisticated owner chimes in with, “We’re in the people business,” making the point that it’s...Read More

4 Coping Strategies for Franchise Business Owners to Boost Resilience “Where do you see franchisees struggle the most, with what they know or how they feel?” As a motivational franchise speaker, I recently posed this question to a group of franchise executives at an operations summit hosted by Franchise Business Review. I’ve worked with enough...Read More

There’s no shortage of official “days” in the U.S. Most of them have been created as a marketing tactic. Greeting card companies haven’t complained. But every now and then a “Day” comes along that merits some attention, and this September 15 will be one of them. Christened “Franchisor Appreciation Day,” this new initiative seeks to...Read More

McDonald’s Isn’t Banking on Robots Solving the Labor Crisis Faced with a challenging labor market, some of the biggest restaurants in the country have transformed robotics into a mainstream alternative. As a business resilience speaker, this is one of my areas of interest. Chipotle is the best example. The fast casual not only began testing...Read More

    Some time ago, a friend forwarded me an article about the Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama and their unsuccessful attempt to unionize. Since I’m a motivational franchise speaker, he asked me how often movements like this emerge in the franchise industry. This wasn’t the first time I’ve had to explain to someone that...Read More

“I treat them the way I want to be treated. It’s as simple as practicing the golden rule.” As a motivational franchise speaker, I was preparing to keynote for a chain of quick-service restaurants and I asked one of their franchisees what he does to provide good customer service. He shared the same belief I’ve...Read More

    Following the franchise playbook is a great step toward success. But as a motivational franchise keynote speaker, I can fill you in on the rest of the story. Let’s take an example: Anna and Bob both run restaurants in the same quick-service franchise. When they met at training six years earlier, they learned...Read More

One thing I’ve realized as a motivational franchise speaker is that just because a business isn’t real, doesn’t mean it can’t inspire. Without the burden of actually having to make money with their fictional franchise concepts, Hollywood has brought to the public a number of memorable brands offering all kinds of insight. Let’s take a...Read More

Before I was a motivational franchise speaker, I was a franchisor and when my son’s preschool was about to go under, I immediately hired his teacher to manage my Edible Arrangements franchise. Jennifer actually had experience running a flower shop prior to becoming an educator and I saw how well she ran my son’s class. I...Read More

As a motivational franchise keynote speaker, I’ve noticed that when unemployment increases… so does interest in franchising. Not having a job opens people to new opportunities. For some, it’s easier to pursue their dreams when there’s nothing holding them back, including a stable job. That seems to be the case now after COVID-19 has dramatically...Read More

During my event preparation as a motivational franchise keynote speaker, I always interview franchisees from the brand I’ll be addressing. Over the years I’ve met a lot. I ask the best ones why they’re successful. I see who they are and what they do. Then I talk to the struggling franchisees and ask them what...Read More

It all starts with the one factor that is completely within your control. Companies are scrambling to staff up their businesses. Many are throwing money at the problem by offering higher starting salaries, and in some cases cash just for applying. Many I’ve been talking to use the word “desperate” to describe how they feel....Read More