VIP national sales manager equips franchise tool kit

Written on the 20 September 2013 by Griffith University

Despite having 14 years of experience in the franchise sector VIP Home Services National Sales Manager Andrew Perry wanted to up-skill to add to his franchising tool kit.

Andrew says franchisors continually ask franchisees to invest in new initiatives across an array of areas, which means head office professionals need a diverse range of skills to support franchisees.

"In this dynamic sector franchisors are continually asking franchisees to invest in new marketing initiatives, new equipment, fit outs and re-brand their stores,” Andrew said.

“I thought the Graduate Certificate of Franchising would be an advantage to me and the franchisees I work with, by adding more diverse skills to my franchising tool kit.”

As he had never undertaken university study before Andrew wasn’t sure what to expect, particularly as he was based interstate and studying online.

“I had attended a lot of conferences and one day workshops, however the thought of attending a university was a little daunting,” Andrew said.

Andrew started with the Franchise Field Financial Management Training intensive to give him a taste of university study before applying for the full Graduate Certificate in Franchising.

The intensive also enabled Andrew to accelerate his studies, allowing him to apply for credit for the ‘Accounting for Managers’ course in the Graduate Certificate as the same principles are covered during the four day intensive.

He said the intensive was a great way to get started.

“If you're not sure about going back to university or attending for the first time, the field training intensive is a great way to start,” Andrew said.

“For me, it was fantastic to sit in a room for four days with like-minded franchising colleagues and realise that my local issues are global issues, as well as have the opportunity to network and problem solve with other brands and the facilitator.

“Although about accounting, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements, the intensive teaches how to break these figures down to be meaningful, then how to work with a franchisee to help them take action and work towards smaller more attainable goals.

“This leads to greater franchisee profitability and ultimately franchisor profitability.”

Having recently graduated, Andrew said despite his concerns at the start of the degree he found studying online provided the flexibility as well as support he required.

“Working full time in a national role and trying to attend university lectures would have never worked for me, however by studying online I was able to learn in a setting that gave me flexibility but also contact with other students and lecturers, who were all fantastic,” he said.

Another highlight for Andrew was the Leadership and Self Development course.

“The leadership and self-development skills have been of enormous assistance as franchising is all about relationships.  I now have greater insight into how to handle conflict and gain franchisee and senior management buy-in for new initiatives too,” Andrew said.

“The Graduate Certificate is a world class franchising qualification that has broadened my franchising knowledge as well as confirming a lot of what I had learned over the past 14 years in the sector.

“All four courses challenge your thought processes on very pertinent franchising topics, and have given me a fresh way of thinking and ability to handle situations.

“It is a marvellous sense of achievement to graduate. I recommend the course to anyone who is passionate about helping franchisees increase profitability, up-skilling themselves or their field support or management teams, or have a desire to create a stronger franchise sector.”

To find out more about the Graduate Certificate in Franchising and how you can apply visit: http://www.franchise.edu.au/graduate-certificate-in-franchising.html