A Brave New Workplace

Even though the phrase "work/life balance" is used very liberally these days, life can often seem more like a juggling act than a balancing one. Whether your life includes work and children, work and caring for older parents, work and time for yourself or any combination thereof, work is almost always

a part of the equation, and a large part at that. With work being a place where people spend so much time and expend so much energy, it is important for employees to feel they are valued by the organization not only for the contribution they will make from the work hours 9-to-5, but for who they are outside the office. Today's top talent still value competitive wages and standard benefits like health insurance and 401Ks, but advantages like flex scheduling are ever more important to the leaders of tomorrow.

Becoming More Employee-Friendly

On Feb. 9, the International Franchise Association's Women's Franchise Committee will host its Ninth Annual Leadership Conference, in Orlando. Spherion Corp. will keynote this year's event, highlighting research that the organization has been on the forefront of focusing on regarding innovative work environments and what types of benefits organizations, big and small, are extending to their workforce to recruit and retain the market's top talent. Spherion Vice President Sandy Mazur will lead the informative keynote and moderate the panel discussion. Mazur will come equipped with practical examples of how companies across America are making their workplaces more employee-friendly and how those companies are gaining competitive advantage because of their employee-centric focus. To support the stories of application will be facts and figures drawn from the research Spherion has facilitated with Harris Research.

Many companies have been offering flex scheduling or maybe even work-from-home options for some time, but the companies being showcased at this event will discuss benefits they are offering to their employees. Benefits such as paid sabbatical leave, on-site day care, Webinar training and entire offices working from home on Fridays in the summer will be discussed in detail. Panelists will give examples of their decision-making process on how they came to offer the benefits they currently provide, the results they've derived from offering such advantages and the stumbling blocks they encountered on the road to innovation.

The panel will consist of Two Men And A Truck Pres. Brig Sorber, CFE; TSS Photography Pres. Joe Lindenmayer; Decor & You CEO and Founder Karen Powell, CFE, and YUM! Brands, Inc. Global Diversity Officer Terrian Barnes.

The conference will be beneficial for anyone in a leadership role looking to enhance his organization through its most valuable resource, people. The keynote address and panel discussion will offer information both from the employee and employer perspectives because as all who are involved in making decisions regarding benefits know, there are costs associated with each new benefit offered. Those attending will gain knowledge about benefits franchise companies are offering to their staffs and the types of perquisites that panelists could implement.

Recognition and Networking

The day's programming starts with a luncheon where the Women's Franchise Committee will honor its Crystal Compass recipient. The honor recognizes members of the franchising industry who exemplify leadership. It was established to recognize women and men who have made significant contributions through leadership within their franchise organization, the franchise community or the community in which they live.

"The luncheon gets better and better every year," said John Francis, owner, PostNet of Minnesota and Wisconsin and past conference roundtable facilitator. He will soon join the IFA board of directors as chairman of the IFA Franchisee Forum.

"There is a real inspirational component to this event," said Francis. "I enjoy listening to how the speakers have dealt with challenges and overcome adversities. During this day I always learn something new, and isn't learning from others' experiences what franchising is all about?"

The WFC will also welcome Jim Rogers, chairman and CEO of Kampgrounds of America, as the featured luncheon speaker who will discuss the innovative environment he has advocated for employees and franchisees of KOA. He is a dynamic speaker who has more than 30 years of experience.

In addition to the outstanding content being offered at the conference, the opportunity to network with people who have similar perspectives is second to none.

Over the past five years, IFA convention attendance has increased from 1,232 in 2002 and is expected to exceed 3,000 in 2008. With all these new faces, it can be somewhat daunting to know how to start meeting people. Since the conference is scheduled for the Saturday before the convention officially kicks off, it will be a perfect place to meet people and begin networking. The conference luncheon, program and wine and cheese reception will allow numerous opportunities to continue building relationships and networking.

While this event is organized by the Women's Franchise Committee, anyone who is attending the IFA annual convention is encouraged to participate. Understanding today's new workplace is universal to men and women, franchisors, franchisees and suppliers alike.

Attendees enrolled in the Certified Franchise Executives program will receive 150 credits for participating in the conference. The event is open to all full-registration convention attendees for $50. To register, check the appropriate box on the convention registration form.

Susan E. Black-Beth, CFE, is senior vice president and director of franchising for Super Wash, Inc. She can be reached at 815-772-2111 or sasan.black@superwash.com.