In early November, I had a great time participating at this year's IFA's Emerging Franchisor Conference in New Orleans. I have been to this event several times before and was fortunate enough to be invited back again as a speaker and roundtable facilitator.
Board Building Insights: Navigating Franchise Growth at IFA
I was there representing Sport Clips as a Board of Directors member. On the panel speaking with me was Kim Gubera, President and CEO of Pirtek USA, and Tom Hodgson, Co-Owner and Brand President of Shrunk 3D. Together, the three of us had a topic called "Building your Own Board of Directors or Advisory Board". We discussed finding mentors, trusted advisors and people who speak the truth. It was a fun session and good audience engagement. I shared many ideas about the process and benefits of implementing a Board of Advisors and a Board of Directors within a franchise business.
I shared practical ideas and strategies for franchise professionals and incorporated some personal stories to add depth and understanding. Kim and Tom were also very informative and had great experiences to share from their careers. Kim talked about her experience of having mentors, not being afraid of a Board, presenting to a Board, and how to get value from the Board around your organization. She had some great experiences to talk about. Tom shared ideas and experience from the Boards that he previously served on and had some other great perspectives on using franchise mentors and being a mentor.
We rounded out the session together and had time for a Q&A with the audience. Afterward, several attendees approached me, expressing that they found the session valuable and learned a lot. It's always gratifying to receive such immediate positive feedback. One point we made sure to cover is the IFA's "Franship Program," which is the mentoring program offered to IFA members; I've been a participant for several years and find it exceptionally valuable.
How to Get the Franchise Support You Need
Takeaways on Franchise Innovation and Responsible Development
Among the event's standout moments were the continuous emergence and launch of innovative franchise concepts, supported by a generous community eager to offer help and share invaluable experiences. There was a great range of speakers, presenters, workshops, and round tables; the value provided to those at the event was tremendous!
One theme that was reoccurring was the concept of responsible development. This includes building a brand carefully for quality, performance and value for the franchisees and the franchisor. In the past, much of the growth talk was about how fast you could grow and attract private equity. This year, the attitude was a little different, and I found that to be a healthy change. I was able to meet plenty of new people and, of course, see many friends and people I've known for years and years.
Take Your Franchise to the Next Level with The Franchise Lifecycle
The event is an excellent opportunity for early-stage franchisors to connect, share, and learn more about launching and growing a brand and doing that strategically and successfully. Nothing in franchising is easy, and launching a new brand is challenging and a huge commitment. This event provides the opportunity for individuals and franchise professionals to gain perspective, share ideas, and make new connections and friendships around the industry. The IFA always does a great job of organizing its events, and this one was truly top-notch. I'm optimistic I'll be invited again next year. In any case, I would recommend the IFA's Emerging Franchise Conference to anyone interested in the early-stage strategies for a franchise brand. Next year's event will be November 18th-20th, 2024, in Austin Texas
Find out More About the 2024 IFA Emerging Franchise Conference
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John Francis of Johnny Franchise is an enthusiastic, engaging, and entertaining public speaker, advisor and franchise coach; he speaks from experience and the heart. He is the creator of the successful Franchise Lifecycle Program that will take your franchise to the next level. Franchising is in his blood, and his parents were true pioneers in the industry, turning their family haircutting business into a 1,000-salon franchise empire. He has been a franchisee and a franchisor and has a deep understanding of the issues both face. Connect with John, and you and your franchisees will learn how to look at your business in new, positive, and profitable ways.
