Q&A with Catherine Monson

Catherine Monson Named IFA Chair

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 franchisees 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!

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.

How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you use that style to motivate people to action?

I have worked to develop a mentoring leadership style, focusing on people on both a business and a personal level. I strive to be thoughtful, considerate and approachable. Because of that, I have upheld an open-door policy, providing all employees the opportunity to visit with thoughts, questions or concerns.

I seek to develop personal relationships with our franchisees in over 725 FASTSIGNS® locations worldwide, as well as the 130 employees that comprise the FASTSIGNS International corporate team. I involved my team in creating the company’s value statement, which includes Being Open and Positive, Acting with Passion, Doing the Right Thing, Doing What You Say, and Making It Great. Because we are in the signage and visual graphics business, a street sign design is used to bring the values statement to life. In addition, I involve my team in creating the company’s business plan annually.

It has been one of my goals to create an engaging and positive work culture, with integrity from the top down. I believe strongly in the power of positive thinking and goal-directed behavior, encouraging this in my employees, including with visual displays such as our “Inspiration Hall,” at the corporate office with quotes that inspire and motivate employees and visitors to the office. I truly have an attitude of gratitude for my employees, eagerly welcoming new employees aboard and celebrating milestones and anniversaries. In our corporate offices, we celebrate with banners, cards and public appreciation. FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is a hard-working family of individuals that work to maximize the success of every franchisee.

I have continually worked to enhance my leadership skills and think any leader worth their salt is doing the same. What are your thoughts on the importance of the representation of women (and other groups) in leadership roles?

Every company and organization has a diverse set of customers and prospects. Having diversity in leadership, including diversity gender, ethnicity and diversity of thought will more likely lead to greater success for the organization. And, soft skills and emotional intelligence come a bit more naturally to women; a study by the global consulting firm Hay Group found that women outperform men in 11 of 12 key emotional intelligence competencies. In addition, people who differ from one another in gender, ethnicity, or other identities bring a diversity of perspectives and views to an organization, which enhances creativity and evaluating challenges and situations more thoroughly. This leads to better decision-making and greater success for the organization.