Grow Market Lead
CEO
profile:
Leading by Example
Catherine Monson shows the way at FastSigns
By Kerry Pipes
I
n the eyes of Catherine Monson,
the most important role of a CEO
is leading and inspiring. “It’s critical for the leader to communicate
a clear, compelling vision and align the
different departments or teams with the
company’s priorities,” says Monson, CEO
of FastSigns. “I set the vision, goals, and
standards and then work through my
team to achieve them.”
When Monson took over the 25-yearold brand in early 2009, she put this
approach right to work. First on her
agenda was clearing up a communication
gap between corporate and franchisees.
Some franchisees were unhappy with
the lack of support they felt they were
receiving from corporate, resulting in
stalled brand growth.
Monson created a sales incentive program and instituted monthly company
meetings for sales updates, program
developments, company announcements, and praise for departments on
their projects and efforts. She even
began making regular “Connect with
Catherine” calls with the franchise
system to provide updates and answer
questions. Since implementing these
programs, franchisee satisfaction has
improved and the company’s growth
has picked up.
It’s all part of the management and
leadership approach for the franchise
printing industry veteran. Before arriving at FastSigns, Monson spent more
than two decades with Sir Speedy and
PIP Printing in numerous leadership
positions. She has a history of inspiring,
transforming, and growing brands. But
perhaps most important is her dedication to leading by example.
LEADERSHIP
What is your role as CEO? If I had to
boil it down to the single most important role, it is to lead and inspire both
our corporate franchisor team as well
as our 540 franchise partners and their
team members.
There actually are several additional
skill sets I believe are required to be an
outstanding leader. The first is vision,
the strategic focus. It’s critical for the
leader to communicate a clear, compelling vision and align the different deName: Catherine Monson
Title: CEO
Company: FastSigns International
Units: 540
Family: Formerly married with no children.
I have several nieces and nephews I enjoy
spending time with.
Years in franchising: More than 20
Years in current position: 5 in January
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