Franchising is alive and well! That was the message that came out of the Franchise Association of Southern Africa’s Franchise Week – a week devoted to a Franchise Convention, Seminars, the International Franchise Expo and FASA’s Awards for Excellence in Franchising. |
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A 3-day Franchise Convention focused on all the important issues relating to franchising – from the effects of the imminent Consumer Protection Bill to a report by various funding institutions on how they are helping potential franchisees raise finance in our present economic climate. Site selection and area protection was discussed as were the challenges facing women in business. Alternate franchise options ranging from social and tandem franchising to public/private partnerships were discussed as viable alternate business formats.
The growth of franchising over the past 15 years was reviewed by franchise research consultants Franchize Directions and FNB together with Franchising Plus launched its ‘Think Tank’ scenario that aims to map the way forward for franchising in South Africa. |
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Key-note speakers included scenario planner Clem Sunter on the ‘World and South Africa in the 2010’s’, entrepreneur Jomo Sono shared his secret to success, political analyst Justice Malala gave us the state of the nation whilst David Shapiro of Sasfin commented on the current economic climate.
Marketing in tough economic times and brand trends were tackled by consulting experts Terry Behan of The Fearless Executive and Johanna McDowell of Sezwa Corporate Communications. For those wanting to franchise their concepts and businesses, Franchize Directions held a seminar aimed at assisting new entrants into franchising.
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| Besides FASA’s prestigious Awards for Excellence in Franchising which honoured the finalists and winners in the categories Franchisor of the Year, Franchisee of the Year, Franchisor: Leading Developer of Emerging Entrepreneur, Newcomer Franchisor of the Year and Brand Builder of the Year, several additional awards were given out during the Franchise Convention. |
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FASA celebrated its past Hall of Fame winners which included Eric Parker of Franchising Plus, Bendeta Gordon and Brenda Macqueen of Franchize Directions, Christo Calitz, formerly of Pleasure Foods and now MD of Maxi’s Restaurant, Craig MacKenzie of Retsol and Kobus Oosthuizen, immediate past chairman of FASA. The 2009 Hall of Fame was won by Derek Smith of Hot Dog Café, with Martin Piek of Martins Funerals and Blaise Sommerville of Vodashop as runners-up.
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Sponsoring FASA’s Entrepreneur 2009 award was Blue Financial Services, a relatively new entrant to the industry. Said Kenneth Fisher, GM of their Small Business Division. “We are proud to be sponsoring FASA’s Entrepreneur award, giving the winner a R60 000 prize. Blue Financial Services has carved a niche through financing those with unique entrepreneurial ideas, but who lack the collateral or own contribution to be accommodated by mainstream lenders.” Winning the award was Robin Wainwright of Fruit & Veg City Food Lover’s Market who saw the opportunity to open a high-end supermarket as a sub brand to Fruit & Veg to cater to the more affluent members of the community. Runners up were Antionette Slabbert of Active English and Gary Poovan of Woolworths, East London.
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With a growing number of emerging entrepreneurs entering the franchise sector, accounting for around 32% of all franchisees, FASA felt that it was time to introduce a Most Promising Black Franchisee award. Winners Clara Makara and Pule Makgoe who own the Woolworths store in Ladybrand and a second store in Phuthadijhaba have a partnership that is winning formula that saw them turn the business around to reflect a 50% increase on the previous year’s figures. Runner up was Sbonelo Mbatha of BP Dube Village in Durban.
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A day devoted to the challenges facing women in business wrapped up FASA”s Franchise Convention. At a luncheon at which Lindy McClymont gave a humorous motivational talk on WOW - the World of Women, the Most Promising Female Franchisee Award was handed over to Alinda Fouche who owns a Placecol store in Richardsbay and who’s dream has always been to own her own business. Runners-up Judy Redelinghuis of Woolworths, Upington and Judy Jennings of Vodashop in Umtata were also honoured for their dedication and success.
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Franchise Convention Speakers |
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Clem Sunter – Scenario Planner
Renowned South African scenario planner and former chairman of the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund, Clem Sunter has for the past few decades presented South Africa with analysis on ‘The World and South Africa – giving both the ‘high’ and ‘low’ road scenarios. Since 1987, he has authored 14 books some of which have been bestsellers.
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His other main interest is seeking to mobilise the private sector in the war against HIV/AIDS. He was recently awarded an Honourary Doctorate by the University of Cape Town for his work in the field of scenario planning. He was also voted by leading South African CEOs as the speaker who has made the most significant contribution to, and impact on, best practice and business in South Africa.
Click here to see article by Clem Sunter |
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Eugene Honey of Bowman Gilfillan on the Consumer Protection Bill
A qualified attorney with a B Comm LLB from Rhodes, Eugene Honey heads up the Trade Mark Prosecution and Commercial IP Deparmtne at Bowman Gilfillan in Johannesburg.
His trade mark practice includes availability searches, registration of trade marks, trade mark portfolio reviews and strategic intellectual property and trade mark management. He also specializes in copyright and commercial IP including license and franchise agreements, strategic intellectual property advice and intellectual property due diligence exercises.
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He acts for many leading local and international brand owners, franchisors and licensors. Eugene is also FASA’s legal advisor and was instrumental in advising government on elements of the Consumer Protection Bill related to franchising.
Click here for Consumer Protection Bill information |
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Andre Annandale of Fernridge Consulting on Site Selection & Area Protection
Fernridge Consulting is the leader in the field of Shopping Centre Feasibility Studies and numerous retail projects and assist in gap analysis and site assessments. Andre Annandale is General Manager of Fernridge and oversees Shopping Centre feasibility surveys and country development projects. His talk ‘Area Protection’ focuses on the issue of protecting the operator’s franchise area when a decision is taken by the franchisor to open new outlets.
Click here for full presentation
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Kenneth Fisher of Blue Financial Services on financing unique entrepreneurial ideas
Blue Financial Services, although a relatively new entrant to the industry, has carved a niche through financing those with unique entrepreneurial ideas, but who lack the collateral or own contribution to be accommodated by mainstream lenders.
Key-note speaker Kenneth Fisher is General Manager, Small Business Division at Blue Financial Services.
Click here for full presentation
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FNB COMMERCIAL LAUNCHES ITS THINK TANK 2009 INITIATIVE
FNB is always looking for ways to help our clients unlock the full potential of their businesses. Their Franchise Desk headed up by Riaan Fouche is dedicated to creating solutions for the franchise industry and their mission is to be the preferred financial service provider to the franchise sector.
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They decided to launch the FNB Franchise Think Tank 2009 in an effort to assist with the unlocking of franchising’s potential for skills transfer, job creation and the expansion of an economically sound middle class. The initiative, spearheaded by Anita du Toit, is a collaborative effort in the sector joining franchisors, feedback from franchisees and other service providers in finding ways to unlock franchising’s capacity to foster business development and all that it entails.
Click here for more information on the Think Tank initiative |
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Nerva Ndlovu of Elev8Africa reports on the Soccer World Cup
Nerva is an independent consultant currently involved in handling special projects for the World Cup and consulting to FIFA affiliates and partners. Nerva has 14 years experience with a range of companies including the Coca Cola Company, Cell C, ABI and Suncrush. Nerva presented an up-to-the-minute update on the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the opportunites that exist for businesses to get involved.
Click here for Nerva Ndlovu’s presentation - 4.9mb
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Ian Jacobsberg of Routledge Modise in association with Eversheds on FIFA copyright.
Ian acts for numerous household names in the franchising sector, giving advice on general contractual and commercial issues as well as competition matters and the protection of intellectual property and branding. He also acts for a number of aviation operators with regard to acquisitions and regulatory matters and is a commissioner of the Small Claims Court.
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Ian is a newly elected board member and is the Chairman of the membership committee of the Franchise Association of South Africa. His presentation concentrated on the copyright restrictions to the FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Click here for article
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Dr Kevin Wall – CSIR – Applying Franchising Principles to improving Water and Sanitation Services
Dr Kevin Wall, Manager of Urban Management and Infrastructure at the CSIR has found that franchise partnerships could alleviate and address many challenges in the operation and maintenance of water-service infra-structure. His research and piloting of water and Sanitation Services is a break-through in alternate franchising. Click here for article
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David Shapiro – The State of our Economy
David Shapiro of Sasfin, well-known investment expert, radio personality and columnist for The Times, is often referred to as a ‘market watcher’ who always gives his candid view on how economic and political issues are likely to shape our fortunes. Click here for an article on his view of our current economic situation
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Terry Behan – Analysing future Brand Trends
Terry Behan, MD of The Fearless Executive, is a specialist in internal brand development and designing the customer experience. Terry has lived and worked in Ireland, England, Greece and Germany before moving an settling in South Africa in 1997. He has worked on many of Africa’s best-loved brands assisting them to grow their market share through the development of focused brand implementation strategies.
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Terry is a published author, writer and speaker on the topic of brand leadership, brand engagement and nation branding.
Click here for article
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Johanna McDowell – Marketing in Tough Economic Times
Johanna McDowell is Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of the Mazole Holdings group. A graduate in marketing and business studies, Johanna’s career has spanned large corporate including banking, manufacturing and retail both in the UK and South Africa, along with a 15-year stint in two of the largest ad agencies in South Africa.
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She now specializes in strategic, integrated PR and marketing communications. Her talk focused on how to market in tough economic times.
Click here for presentation - 625kb
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