IFA ADVOCACY: DELIVERING RESULTS FOR YOUR FRANCHISE
By Catherine Monson, CFE, IFA Chair, Propelled Brands (holding company of FASTSIGNS International and NerdsToGo)
You can help make a difference when you engage with IFA.
It’s no secret that I encourage everyone to get involved in IFA’s advocacy work. The reason why is simple: it is an incredible return on investment for your business. Engagement in the Franchise Action Network (FAN), FranPAC, and the government relations team’s lobbying and communications projects yields dividends for your business. And, politics is a contact sport — people with the opposite views you hold are actively talking with, emailing and calling your elected representatives sharing their (opposite) story. Too often, small business owners feel they are “too busy” to take the few minutes to send an email or make a call to members of Congress. This is one area where we all need to “make” the time! IFA has been in the middle of every important business-related relief conversation in Washington, DC over the past year. Involvement in the Franchise Action Network, or FAN, means that your voice is heard. FAN members — franchisors, franchisees and suppliers — regularly meet via Zoom with high-ranking policymakers, testify before Congress, speak to the media and lead efforts on pro-franchising initiatives in their communities. Joining is easy and free: two things we don’t often get as business professionals! You can join online at www.franchiseactionnetwork.org or you can text FAN21 to 52886.
The IFA staff is there for you every step along the way. You’ll be kept in the loop and provided with one-click, templated emails (that you can easily customize) to send to your legislators on issues that affect your bottom line.
your legislators on issues that affect your bottom line. I encourage you to take a look at all the work that IFA has done for you on the next page and join FAN. It’s the easiest thing you can do to protect and grow your business.
Catherine Monson, CFE, is the IFA Chair and CEO of Propelled Brands, the holding company of FASTSIGNS International and NerdsToGo. For more information about International Franchise Association (IFA) franchisor member FASTSIGNS, visit www.franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/fastsigns.