Franchise Business Educational Opportunities

You may need some proper education before making your franchise opportunities a success. Good news is an important arm of the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the Educational Foundation, which was formed in 1983. This tax-exempt organization has a mission: “increasing the knowledge and professional standards of all members of the franchising community; educating the next generation of franchising practitioners; increasing recognition of franchising’s key role in the free enterprise system; and providing comprehensive information and research about important developments and trends in franchising.”

To accomplish this mission, the Educational Foundation has set up a number of online courses for both franchisees and franchisors. Anyone can work his or her way through these courses and receive a certificate of achievement at the end. These courses are highly recommended as knowledge is power, and in business, it’s mandatory.

The IFA’s online courses include the following:

  • Franchise Basics is targeted to those who are interested in becoming a franchisee. It explains the process as well as what the franchising relationship is all about. It also helps potential franchisees evaluate whether this choice is truly for them.
  • Franchise Sales Compliance is more technical and is geared toward executives,franchise sellers, paralegals, and lawyers who are involved in the sales of franchises. It helps them understand the legal and business issues that go into franchise sales.
  • Practical Financial Management for Growing Business offers tools to enhance financial analysis and management.
  • Diversity Today educates franchisors about the importance of creating and maintaining a diverse workplace. The course is made up of four sections: What is Diversity?, Workplace Fundamentals, Marketplace Fundamentals, and Developing a Diversity Plan for Your Company.
  • Selection and Development of Top Performers is a Caliper Course that shows how the best people can be recruited for franchises, whether they work in the boardroom or at a franchise.

The IFA also administers the Franchise Sales Law Enforcement Program in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission. Through this program, franchisors can learn more about franchise regulations and potential violations. Participation is voluntary, but, again, I highly recommend it. Franchisors who have committed technical and minor violations of the FTC rule may be given an opportunity to undergo the training in lieu of an FTC enforcement action.
In addition to all of these great programs is IFA-University.com, which offers courses to IFA members. Successfully completing the courses earns members credits toward the Certified Franchising Executive (CFE) designation. The courses at IFA-University.com include: business and accounting; communications; diversity management; franchising courses; free courses; HR and recruiting; industrial skills; IT and technology; management skills; negotiating; OSHA compliance; personal skills, growth, and interest; project management fundamentals; project management professional; sales and customer service; and team performance. There is a fee for these courses and proceeds go to the IFA Educational Foundation.

As you can see, the International Franchise Association is hard at work for its members, from studying the economic power of this type of business model to offering courses on how to get started in franchising. Anyone connected to franchising should get involved in this great organization.

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