Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue I, 2015 | Page 8

Chairman’
sNote

MUFC 2015: Shaping the Future

T

o those familiar with the old proverb,
“Man plans; God laughs,” it may smack
of hubris to believe that any one or
more of us can actually shape future
events. However, there is a way to chart your
course through the future and greatly increase
your probability of success, even in the face of
unplanned challenges: intensive preparation.
Preparation consists of many elements, but
perhaps the most important are becoming educated and marshaling adequate resources. The theme of this
year’s Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC)—“Shaping the Future”—aims to provide opportunities
for these very things.
Attending the MUFC over the past
several years has better prepared many
multi-unit franchisees and franchisors
to overcome obstacles our industry
has faced. Whether as a result of attending the
educational sessions offered on talent recognition
and management, nuances in financing arrangements, or simply meeting and getting to know
franchise leaders who have provided sage advice,
attending the MUFC has become a staple in preparedness.
I don’t believe there is a problem I have faced
that at least one of the friends I’ve made at this
conference has not already conquered—and who
was willing to share their story with me. Franchisees have also discovered innovations in products and services from vendor partners that have
helped to protect and expand our enterprises.
To further assist franchisees in preparing
to face the coming headwinds in our space,
we have added a new element to the conference this year: Meet the Speakers. This roundtable event will make many of the conference’s
most successful multi-unit franchisees available for informal discussions