2024 CFE Special Sessions

8 CFE Fran-Guard Credits

IFA Fran-Guard™ is IFA’s Franchise Sales Management and Compliance program. Through this program, the business case for compliance will be demonstrated, along with how a culture of compliance will help you and your staff build a vibrant company, while also helping you protect your system and avoid costly mistakes.

This session is specially designed to help senior executives learn how to take initiative-taking steps to:

• Reduce risks
• Manage growth
• Build a stronger, healthier franchise system

Presenters: TBD

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

7 CFE Education Credits

“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” says John C. Maxwell. But do all of your team members know how to leverage their natural behavioral tendencies to discover their own authentic leadership style?

This foundational workshop from The John Maxwell Company empowers participants to realize their leadership potential by uniting key leadership principles from John C. Maxwell with the best behavioral hard-wiring assessment tools* (RightPath4 & 6™). Participants develop a deeper understanding of when to lead and when to team as they uncover personal blind spots and develop strategies for minimizing them. They learn how they are naturally wired to deal with conflict, change, relationship differences, and more. Most importantly, they understand how to maximize their hard-wired strengths for the good of the team. Each participant completes a personal profile to guide his or her own growth following the workshop.

In a truly eye-opening, full-day experience, participants explore why they do what they do, why others do what they do, and how to best leverage that understanding to lead and succeed. Participants in this workshop will learn to:

• Develop a deeper self-awareness of the authentic personality style hardwired into each participant.
• Understand the gap between what they intend to convey and the impact of their actions based on how others perceive the use of their natural strengths.
• Learn what causes blind spots in relationships and how to identify and minimize their negative impact.
• Identify their natural tendencies for responding to conflict and how best to manage conflict in the future based on their authentic leadership style.
• Understand how they can perform at their best on a team composed of diverse personalities and strengths.

Presenters:

Kevin Wayne Johnson, Founder & CEO, The Johnson Leadership Group LLC

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

7 CFE Education Credits

This highly engaging session will provide an overview of key issues faced by franchise executives in managing franchise operations. Using real-life scenarios and hypothetical formats, this course will present a series of problems that are faced by franchise executives every day.

Participants will receive information, solutions, and resources relating to:

• The serious problems franchisors typically face
• How others are solving these problems
• How to make good decisions concerning difficult issues in franchising

Presenters:

Barry Heller, CFE, Partner, DLA Piper LLP / Bret Lowell, CFE, Partner, DLA Piper LLP / Kay Ainsley, CFE, Managing Director, MSA Worldwide / Joe Bourdow, CFE, Managing Partner, Premier Franchise Advisors LLC / Mark Liston, CFE, Retired Franchise Executive, Glass Doctor a Neighborly Company

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

7 CFE Education Credits

Imagine leaving a one-day session with a complete set of practical, yet sophisticated financial tools guaranteed to improve your network’s profitability and cash flow. Attend this session and that’s exactly what you’ll get when Steve LeFever presents this extremely popular IFA session, Profit Mastery: Financial Boot Camp. This case-study driven program provides unique tools and a process you’ll be able to implement immediately in your network.

This Profit Mastery program delivers:

• Key financial concepts and tools attendees can apply immediately
• Standard financial statements into powerful financial intelligence
• Financial Performance Road Map
• The theory to use Break-Even Analysis to manage revenue/cost relationship
• Keys to implementation strategies, communication tools and franchisee motivation processes
• The tools and a clear road map to drive unit profitability and cashflow in your network

Presenters:

Steve LeFever, Chairman & Founder, Profit Mastery

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

This interactive workshop will provide participants with an understanding of the dynamic world of marketing within the franchising framework. From the basics to understanding the responsibilities of both parties, this workshop will provide marketing education to all levels of participants. A panel of experts will provide firsthand experience of what has worked in their respective organizations, providing valuable insights for application.

Presenters: 

Dr. Kathleen Gosser, CFE, Yum! Brands Assistant Professor of Franchise Management, Director, Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, Management & Entrepreneurship Department, College of Business / Dr. Yuvay Ferguson, PhD, Education Consultant, Yuvay Ferguson LLC / Krystal Burge, Franchisee, Taco Bell / Will Fraker, CMO, FranNet / Shawn Goldsmith, CFE, CEO, Markarie / Mike Wesley, VP of Marketing, KFC 

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

Franchisor executives are increasingly rolling out new initiatives and changes to existing systems, so their networks remain successful and competitive. Yet franchisees often resist these vital initiatives, especially if they are being asked to think differently or invest significant time or money. This highly interactive and practical workshop will show you how to overcome this resistance and gain franchisee engagement to new initiatives. Based on years of extensive franchising and psychological research, it will equip you with proven techniques and processes, with plenty of time for small group discussions and opportunities to reflect on how to apply your learning in real life. Most importantly, you will walk away with new tools and skills for gaining franchisee commitment and support, so you can achieve your vision for success. You will also receive a comprehensive Learning Journal with reference materials and reflection exercises to record your insights.

Through dynamic presentations and interactive group discussions, you will learn:

• Psychological insights on what drives franchisee commitment and engagement, and how to apply these.
• How different types of change affect the brain, and why franchisors and franchisees often see the same change in different ways.
• How to face resistance and lead unpopular changes in a calm, courageous and confident manner.
• Why certain types of change provoke greater resistance, and how to quickly move franchisees from defensiveness to acceptance.
• The most common and costly mistakes franchisors make when introducing change, and how to avoid these.
• How to maintain a culture of positive engagement and prevent system-wide stress during periods of uncertainty and upheaval.
• How to address franchisee concerns and have difficult conversations that avoid unnecessary conflict.
• The nine evidence-based principles behind the FRANCHISE Change Model, along with proven tools and processes to implement these.

Presenters:

Greg Nathan, CFE, Founder, Franchise Relationships Institute

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

Are your customers loyal to your organization? More than 70% of what makes a customer experience great is the behavior of frontline employees. Great behavior doesn’t happen without inspiration and accountability, and that requires a bottom-up approach—not the typical top-down corporate method. True customer satisfaction comes from interactions with your frontline employees. If your employees are enthusiastic promoters of your organization, the sentiment will resonate with your customers too.

Engage Your Team to Win the Heart of Every Customer. Leading Customer Loyalty is a half-day introductory work session for frontline managers to learn the principles and practices needed to win the hearts of employees and their customers. Managers leave with a clear understanding of how to model, teach, and reinforce empathy, responsibility, and generosity.

This session will provide insight and tools to:

• Make genuine human connections.
• Listen and communicate with empathy.
• Discover the real “Job to be Done” for customers.
• Follow up to learn how to improve and resolve concerns.
• Give and receive feedback that builds people up.
• Inspire the team to share their best thinking and ideas.
• Run effective loyalty team huddles.

Presenters: 

Suzette Blakemore, VP Sales, Author, FranklinCovey

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

This interactive session will empower people leaders that are managing a multi-generational workforce with an understanding of the generational cohorts they are working with and provide tools to help them build a more inclusive workforce for these groups.

Learning Objectives:

•  Recognize the different generations in today’s workforce.
• Understand the role neuropsychology plays in unintended biases that can prevent leaders from leveraging human differences to create successful work cultures.
• Learn concepts, terms, and language to respectfully converse about workplace inclusion and belonging.
• Walk away with a framework that can be used to activate inclusive leadership.

Presenters:

Dr. Yuvay Ferguson, Education Consultant, Yuvay Ferguson LLC

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

8 CFE Fran-Guard Credits

IFA Fran-Guard™ is IFA’s Franchise Sales Management and Compliance program. Through this program, the business case for compliance will be demonstrated, along with how a culture of compliance will help you and your staff build a vibrant company, while also helping you protect your system and avoid costly mistakes.

This session is specially designed to help senior executives learn how to take initiative-taking steps to:

• Reduce risks
• Manage growth
• Build a stronger, healthier franchise system

Presenters: TBD

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

7 CFE Education Credits

Leaders at every level make a significant impact on every metric in your business: employee productivity and engagement, customer satisfaction and loyalty, innovation, and financial performance. Leaders are the “Difference-Makers” in your business.

From new and emerging leaders to those in the executive suites, the role of a leader has always been tough – and today’s realities make it even tougher. People skills typically account for 80 percent of success in this role. Yet many people are promoted into leadership because of their technical capabilities, without mastering the skills of managing and motivating others. Without these basic skills, leaders at every level can struggle with leading teams in today’s workplace.

The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team™ is a special collection of relevant, practical resources that provide leaders with the mindsets, skillsets and toolsets needed to excel in their critical roles of leading others effectively.

Presenters: FranklinCovey

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

7 CFE Education Credits

Franchising is an expansive method of distribution that is used by over 150 distinct industries. While there are commonalities across franchisors and within industries, many franchise professionals only get to understand the dynamics of franchising through the lens of their company or a handful of common approaches used by franchisors in their industry. This can often have a chilling effect on a company’s ability to strengthen their current franchise offerings and can also limit an individual’s mobility and career opportunities in the franchise space.

This eight (8) hour program is an essential addition to the learnings made available in the IFA’s CFE classes and is based on the graduate school course on franchising offered at The Ohio State University, which is now part of the IFA’s CFE program.

Presenters:

Michael Seid, CFE, Managing Director, MSA Worldwide / Kay Ainsley, CFE, Managing Director, MSA Worldwide / Marisa Faunce, CFE, Partner, Plave Koch PLC

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

7 CFE Education Credits

Providing effective field support is one of the most important, and expensive, services provided by a franchisor. It is also the key to building a network of engaged and profitable franchisees. However, the field consultant role is complex and demanding, requiring the ability to build trusted adviser status, drive performance and ensure compliance to brand standards. The ongoing training and development of field consultants is essential. The program will be dynamic with lots of opportunities to interact and learn from other participants supported by two panels of seasoned field consultants who will also share their insights and tips for success. Whether you are a seasoned operations manager, field consultant, or relatively new to franchising, you’ll find this workshop extremely useful and enjoyable.

This highly practical workshop will equip field consultants with proven techniques, tools, and processes to:

• Build and maintain high levels of trust and credibility
• Stay focused on the things that add value to franchisees
• Maintain high energy, keep organized and manage stress
• Get commitment and buy-in to new initiatives
• Improve the effectiveness of face-to-face and virtual meetings
• Coach franchisees to achieve higher levels of performance
• Deal with conflict and difficult interpersonal situations

Presenters: 

Greg Nathan, CFE, Founder & CEO, Franchise Relationships Institute /  Jeff Bevis, CFE, COO, Caring Senior Service / Jeff Lewis, CFE, AVP of Franchise Support & Operations, Propelled Brands  / Lance Sinclair, CFE, President, Trade Brands/Authority Brands / Mark Liston, CFE, Retired Franchise Executive, Glass Doctor a Neighborly Company / Marla Mock, CFE, President, Molly Maid a Neighborly Company  / Tim Katsch, CFE, Founder, Franchise Hire & Franchise Cosmos / Tom Spadea, CFE, Franchise Attorney, Spadea Lignana LLC

Price for this class is $699 (member) and $899 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

This engaging and interactive session is relevant for both new and established brands, as well as experienced recruiters or those new to the role.

Participants will take away key insights into:

1. What impacts franchise recruitment?
2. The culture of recruiting
3. Understanding your recruitment funnel
4. Reviewing your offer in a competitive market
5. Master, area development and conversion franchising
6. The role of franchise brokers
7. How to set or review a recruitment budget
8. Advertising tips and insights
9. Franchise recruitment incentives
10. Current trends & issues

Presenters:

Jason Gehrke, MBA, CFE, Founder, Franchise Advisory Centre

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

Join us for a 3.5-hour journey into the heart of growing your franchise business. We’re getting real about expanding your empire through multi-unit and multi-brand strategies. This isn't just another workshop; it's a friendly, no-nonsense deep dive for franchisees who are serious about taking their business to the next level. Expect a mix of hands-on advice, stories from those who've been there, and practical tips you can start using the day you walk out the door. Whether you want to open your second (or fifth, or thirty-fifth) location or maybe even add a new brand to your portfolio, we've got you covered.

Presenters: 

Jerry Akers, President of Sharpness Inc, Great Clips-MOCA, The Joint Chiropractic / Founder: zdynamix

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, franchisors must stay ahead of technological advancements to maintain competitiveness and foster growth. This course, designed for non-technical people and led by seasoned industry expert Dan Monaghan, provides franchisors with the insights and tools necessary to map out effective technology strategies. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the franchisor's technology stack, learn about the transformative impact of AI on business operations, understand the changing landscape of digital marketing and explore future trends in digital disruption and the future of work. Whether you're just stepping into the realm of franchising or looking to elevate an established brand, this session will guide you through the complexities of today's digital tools and tomorrow's innovations. By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define the components of a franchisor's technology stack and understand their functions within a franchise system.
• Identify strategies for mapping and integrating technological solutions into their business model.
• Discuss the implications of AI on the franchise industry and recognize opportunities for its application.
• Explore the relationship between digital technologies and the future of work, including potential disruptions and innovations.

Develop a forward-thinking mindset to anticipate and adapt to technological changes in the franchising sector.

Presenters: 

Dan Monaghan, CFE, Founder, Clear Summit Group

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).

3.5 CFE Education Credits

Managing franchise resales so that they occur as quickly and efficiently as possible is in the best interests of the franchisor, the franchise network and the franchisee whose business is for sale.

This session explores:

• Understanding network resale ratios;
• The notice of intention to sell and managing vendor expectations;
• The role of business brokers;
• Valuing the business for sale;
• Leasing and future capital expenditure issues;
• Preparing an Information Memorandum;
• Buyer/Franchisee selection criteria;
• Accepting or rejecting a franchisee’s buyer;
• Buyer due diligence and professional advisers;
• Managing the operational handover.

Presenters:

Jason Gehrke, MBA, CFE, Founder, Franchise Advisory Centre

Price for this class is $399 (member) and $599 (non-member).