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Franchising Survival of the Fittest webinar series

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Did you miss our free webinars to help franchise brands survive the coronavirus crisis?

You can still catch up on current and relevant topics to help franchise leaders manage changes engulfing their brands and business models


Ask about access to our series of webinars, with 16 hours of content now available.

These webinars were held live from 11am-12noon AEST every day in the first week of lockdown in Australia, and every Wednesday for three months after that. 

These webinars provide high-level sharing, expert insights and up-to-the minute information, and are still relevant now.
If you missed one webinar, or the whole series, then click on the link above to request access to past recordings.

(Please note that due to a family bereavement the webinar initially scheduled for April 22 was postponed to April 29)

Wednesday June 24
Wednesday, June 24 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

From Franchisor of the Year to coronavirus chaos and beyond – Lessons for franchise survival 

  • What makes a nationally-awarded franchise brand;
  • Dealing with the fallout of coronavirus closures across a national network;
  • Maintaining franchisee morale and growing confidence for a recovery;
  • Introducing new products, services and new approaches to franchising;


Guest expert: Matt Brusi, Operations Director, San Churro Chocolateria

Wednesday June 17
Wednesday, June 17 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

How franchising and new initiatives can drive small business recovery 

  • Why the pandemic creates an opportunity for the Australian government to reset small business policy;
  • Potential new tax and policy innovations to help businesses grow;
  • How a Small Business Award could benefit franchising; 
  • Trends in franchise dispute resolution;
  • Potential changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct


Guest expert: Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business & Family Enterprise Ombudsman

Wednesday June 10
Wednesday, June 10 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

How the Commercial Leasing Code has impacted rents, and common sticking-points in negotiating rent reductions and renewals 

  • How have the principles of the Commercial Leasing Code been adopted in real life?
  • What is the balance between rent waivers and deferrals across industries?
  • What are common obstacles in negotiating temporary rent relief?
  • What are the challenges of negotiating a lease renewal in the current environment?


Guest expert: Phil Chapman, Managing Director, Lease1

Wednesday June 3
Wednesday, June 3 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

Making the most of assistance packages by June 30, and getting ready for the new financial year

  • The pros and cons of state and federal grants and assistance packages;
  • Budgeting and reporting infrastructure to plan a recovery in F21;
  • What franchisees and franchisors should do differently in a post-pandemic world;
  • Finding the silver lining in the pandemic cloud.


Guest experts: Sean Thorpe, Director, PWC &  Simon Dennis, Head of National Accounts, MYOB.

MYOB and PWC collectively work with over 1.5 Million Aussie and Kiwi businesses impacted by COVID-19. This webinar will dive into the new norm of working in a changing economic climate, and provide some guidance and advice to consider for your own business.

Wednesday May 27
Wednesday, May 27 (11am-12 noon AEST)

Accessing franchise funding now and after the crisis

  • New options to fund network growth;
  • How to identify financing challenges and opportunities in your network;
  • Reporting infrastructure to support improved finance options;
  • Maintaining lender relationships for best results.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest experts:
Dan Toms, Director, Franchise Finance Australia
Matthew Whyte, Head of Distribution Growth, Aussie Home Loans

Wednesday May 20
Wednesday, May 20 (11am-12 noon AEST)

Retail survival strategies for a post-pandemic world

  • Creating new Covid-safe environments for workers and customers;
  • Social distancing and the impact on consumer queues, aisle or table spacing, and other spatial considerations;
  • Rebooting marketing with new enthusiasm at local and national level;
  • Rethinking sustainability and supply chain integrity.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest experts:
Bruce Lambert, Business Development Manager, Ben & Jerry’s (Australia & New Zealand)
Joel Goodsir, Head of Marketing, Inspirations Paint
Brad Wruck, CEO, Colorcorp

Wednesday May 13
Wednesday, May 13 (11am-12 noon AEST)

Insights from Australia’s largest retail franchise on surviving the pandemic

  • Creating solutions for problems no-one could have predicted only a short time ago;
  • Maintaining the morale of franchisees and head office support team;
  • Short and long-term measures to relieve costs and boost profitability;
  • Finding the silver lining in the cloud and creating opportunity from adversity.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest expert: Antony Moore, General Manager Lotteries Retail, Tabcorp

Wednesday May 6
Wednesday, May 6 (11am-12 noon AEST)

After working remotely for so long, should field visits now be done differently?

  • What is the balance between online and in-person visits?
  • What support should only be offered in person and why?
  • How does this impact the ratio of field support personnel to franchisees?
  • Should franchisees be able to choose how they wish to be supported?


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre

Wednesday April 29
Wednesday, April 29 (11am-12 noon Sydney time)

How brands are introducing new products and services to survive the crisis

  • Finding the silver lining by rapid adaptation;
  • How does pivoting to new products or services impact your franchise agreements?
  • Is this a short-term solution until the crisis passes, or a change for the long term?
  • How are customers embracing your new products or services?


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre

Wednesday April 15
Wednesday, April 15 (11am-12 noon Sydney time)

How to manage and survive a reduction in the size of your network

  • Looking beyond sales alone to make informed decisions;
  • Closing company outlets versus franchise non-renewals and closures;
  • Closing costs: End of lease arrangements, fit-out and stock write-downs, staff entitlements and more;
  • Managing with less royalty income and preparing to bounce back.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest expert: Peter Buckingham, Managing Director, Spectrum Analysis

Wednesday April 8
Wednesday, April 8 (11am-12 noon Sydney time)

How the new Commercial Leasing Code impacts franchisors and franchisees

  • Key principles of the new Commercial Leasing Code announced on April 7;
  • The proportionality principle for rent reduction and practical examples;
  • Waivers, deferrals and binding mediation;
  • How and when will the Code be introduced.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest expert: Phil Chapman, Tenant Advocate, Lease1

Past webinars
Friday, April 3 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

Reviewing your franchise recruitment activities to protect future growth

  • Recalibrating your franchise offer to appeal to future franchisees;
  • Do’s & Don’ts for updating your recruitment website;
  • Anticipating financing issues;
  • Preparing for an uplift in inquiry.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre

 

Thursday, April 2 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

How to halt declining sales and maintain customer confidence

  • How to pivot your offering to keep customers engaged;
  • Why you should communicate differently to your loyal customers;
  • How supporting the community now can pay dividends in more ways than one;
  • Taking the opportunity to test new ways of engaging with customers ;


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest expert: Michael Woodruff, Head of Growth, Customology


Wednesday, April 1 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

COVID-19 and the impact on Franchise and Small Business as we knew it yesterday

  • Understanding the Government Grants, Tax Breaks, and Assistance Packages for Franchise and Small Business
  • The harsh reality of inaccurate financial data in a crisis – what the ATO, the government and Centrelink will be looking at during this crisis
  • How technology changes your operating rhythm – connection to advisors, customers, and each other


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest experts: Sean Thorpe, Director, PWC &  Simon Dennis, Head of National Accounts, MYOB.

MYOB and PWC collectively work with over 1.5 Million Aussie and Kiwi businesses impacted by COVID-19. This webinar will dive into the new norm of working in a changing economic climate, and provide some guidance and advice to consider for your own business.


Tuesday, March 31 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

Rent relief, royalty holidays and contract options to improve survival

  • Leasing options to explore with landlords and the best way to go about it;
  • Balancing discretion and compassion in managing franchise agreement obligations;
  • Anticipating the collapse of resales;
  • What to do with renewals when franchisees can’t trade?


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre
Guest experts: Chris Nikou & Chris Wille, K&L Gates Lawyers


Monday, March 30 (11am-12 noon AEDT)

How franchisors are supporting their franchisees through the crisis

  • How to get on the front foot with internal communications;
  • Understanding and empathising with the pain experienced by franchisees;
  • Creating solutions for problems no-one could have expected;
  • Maintaining the morale of your franchisees and head office support team;
  • Learn and share with other franchisors how to support your franchisees.


Facilitator: Jason Gehrke, Director, Franchise Advisory Centre

 

Missed this webinar?
Click here to request access to a recording


Participant feedback:

I just wanted to send you heartfelt thanks for the Survival of the Fittest series of webinars which you have hosted over the past few months.
They have been incredibly useful and the information (especially in the early days of COVID) has been invaluable in helping us to navigate these unprecedented times.
Thanks again for providing such a valuable resource and we have made a donation to the Salvation Army in recognition of our thanks.
– Becky Hughes, Director, Baby Sensory Australia and New Zealand

Thank you for providing this additional information, these sessions have been great.
– Courtenay Zajicek, Legal Counsel, Nando’s Australia

Just touching base to say I really appreciated your webinar session today. It’s all quite overwhelming and there’s a lot to take in but your webinars are invaluable.
– Rose Vis, Co-founder, VIP Home Services

What can I say… brilliant. Thanks so much for your efforts.
– Hamish McCracken, National Franchise Manager, Express Travel Group

Thanks heaps for your excellent webinars – they’ve been very enjoyable and highly informative and I’m looking forward to the next weekly sessions!
– Mark Harris, Franchise Development Manager, Stroud Homes

It is a great call for you to do these webinars.
– Brendan Flanagan, Franchise Recruitment & Operations Manager, La Porchetta

Thank you Jason. Very informative!!
– Sarah Allen, Owner & GM, Appliance Tagging Services

These webinars have been great.
– Jamie Cooper, National Business Development Manager, SafetyQuip

Thanks again Jason. This has been very worthwhile.
– Matt Grech, Director, What Scratch?

Really enjoying the webinars and would certainly support them ongoing. Great topics and the tech works really well.
– Ian Peebles, General Manager, Smallprint

You rock. Thank you so much!
– Jasmine Kiihfuss, Director, Giggle Entertainment Network

No end of ideas from today. Thanks!
– Ann Richardson, Director, Old McDonald’s Travelling Farms

100 thanks – fabulous!
– Martin Rose, Director, Blue Wheelers

Thanks Jason, these have been a great help this week 🙂
– Robyn Mace, Director, Impressionable Kids