Catherine Monson
Named IFA Chair sees get into business for themselves − but not by themselves − and benefit from the power of the brand, along with the brand’s marketing, advertising, training, and support. The greatest compliments I have been given are from franchisees thanking me for helping them become millionaires!
The Franchise Woman is excited to congratulate Catherine Monson on being named chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Catherine was gracious enough to answer a few questions about what this role means to her and what she sees for the IFA going forward. What does being named IFA chair mean to you both personally and professionally? It is an incredible honor to be elected to the position of IFA Chair. While getting into franchising was unplanned − I was looking for a job in sales or marketing just a few years after graduating college--once in franchising, I fell in love with it. Being in franchising, I have had the opportunity to make a positive difference in many people’s lives. I have helped hundreds of franchi-
52 The Franchise Woman
Being elected Chair of the IFA is truly an honor, both personally and professionally. I look forward to serving the franchising community and doing my part to protect, promote and enhance franchising. What are your goals for the IFA under your leadership? I have had the honor of being a member of the Board of Directors of the IFA since 2007. Throughout that time, I have focused on teaching and promoting franchising best practices, which include improving franchisee profitability, building positive franchisee-franchisor relationships, and franchisee involvement and engagement. I am passionate about these best practices, especially focusing on franchisee profitability. I have also been committed to protecting, promoting and enhancing the franchise business model, especially through positive and strong government relations and advocacy.
My goals for the IFA in 2020 will be to continue the focus on promoting and teaching franchising best practices, continuing with the IFA’s strong Government Relations (GR) outreach and increasing the membership of the IFA. I am committed to increasing franchisee involvement in advocacy/GR, including increasing Franchise Action Network membership and finding more ways to mobilize franchisees in advocacy. I also want to increase CEO/C-Level franchisor engagement in advocacy/GR, resulting in them motivating and engaging their franchisees to do the same. What advice do you have for women business owners or women seeking to own a business? I believe there are five common characteristics of all highly successful people and that these characteristics are learned skills, so we can all improve in each of them. These common characteristics are not based on or limited by gender. These common characteristics of highly successful people are Positive Mental Attitude, Goal Directed behavior, Self-Motivation, a Sense of Urgency, and Never Stopping Learning. One of my great pleasures is to teach these skills to young people. My advice to women business owners or women seeking to own a business is to continue to increase your skill in each of these five areas.
