A graduating student sent this e-mail from one of the universities in the South. I shall call her Elizabeth.
Hi Sir Bartolome,
I was reading a copy of the Business Mirror and I was surprised to recognize you. I did not know you write a column too. Anyway, I am Elizabeth a graduating student from the University of XXXXX. You may not remember me, Sir. You spoke before our forum on Entrepreneurship. The school organized it.
What I clearly recalled were those encouraging words you shared. You said to think of the many benefits Franchising has to offer even for students.
Now that I am about to reach the finish line, I still do not know what lies ahead of me. I read your blog too and you can certainly be a great motivational speaker. Literally, you made us realize the vast opportunities only we put our heart and passion to search for. Is there a Career in Franchising?
Please help me
Just Me
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for recalling me. When I got your e-mail, I was trying to recall the time when I gave a talk at your university. I certainly did! This was a huge crowd of about 800 students. Standing on stage, I could hardly see the audience due to the glaring floodlights! I did not even know if there were people as you were all silent. One could hear a pin drop!
Anyway, yes there is a career in franchising. Did you know there are now over 2,000 businesses, which are now franchising? This is a combination of Food and Retail categories. The country continues to enjoy the investment upgrade rating, and so too are more investments coming in.
We do not have formal schools that are offering Franchise Management Courses! Thus those with experience in handling and working in a franchise company can easily get another job. It is sad though as what they learn is only based on that particular company.
In other countries like the US, there are schools offering franchise courses. Thus Elizabeth, if you are serious about chartering your future, think of franchising.
You may begin reading articles and studying different companies that are offering franchises. The other way is to even apply to one of the many companies and learn how it works. Soon you will gain knowledge and experience.
You may also establish a connection with the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI).
Their website is located at www.affi.com.ph. There are seminars given by no less than entrepreneurs who are franchisors themselves. This group is composed of homegrown Filipino entrepreneurs.
I have been knocking on the doors of the academe in the hope of having formal Franchise Management studies. Until then we can just rely on materials.
Keep me abreast Elizabeth!
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You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.
By email: aob@gmb.ph
FB Page: Armando Bartolome
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franguru/
Website: https://www.gmb.ph
