3 Ways to Truly Be in “The People Business”
“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 not just […]
Resilience: The Most Important Soft Skill for Sustained Franchise Performance
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 […]
Introducing ‘Franchisor Appreciation Day’
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 […]
How Franchisors and Franchisee Associations Can Partner for Brand Greatness
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 […]
Why You Should Ditch the Golden Rule
“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 […]
Why sticking to the system isn’t enough
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 […]
10 Fictional TV Small Businesses and the Lessons They Offer
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 […]
What Preschools Get Right and Franchisors Get Wrong
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 […]
Finding Franchise Opportunities With Broker Consultant Groups
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 […]
Busting the Myths of Franchising
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 […]
