Published Online: October 1, 2010 | Published in Print: October 12, 2010, as 'Anyone?... Anyone?' | Vol. 04, Issue 01, Page 7

A recently released annual survey on student engagement has found that, in the grand American tradition, high school students continue to be bored.

The “2009 High School Survey of Student Engagement,” conducted by the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University, reveals that 66 percent of the students surveyed said they are bored at least on a daily basis in school, with 17 percent reporting that they are bored in every class. Two percent of the students said they are never bored in school, raising suspicions that they could be Russian spies. (Kidding about that last part.)

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Creative Tutors is a member of the International Franchsie Association and particpates in the Franchise Congress.

IFA Expresses Franchising's Concerns with Implementation of Health Care Reform Law at White House Meeting (reprinted from IFA website)

Steve Caldeira and Jason Straczewski met with Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director, White House Office of Health Reform and Yvette Fontenot with the White House Office of Health Reform, to outline the IFA members’ concerns with implementing the new health care law and its potential impact on their bottom lines. Caldeira reminded the White House of franchising’s profound economic impact and the tremendous opportunity we have to create jobs and significantly contribute to the nation’s economic recovery.  Caldeira also urged the Administration to keep in mind the unique challenges the franchise business community confronts as new federal regulations are developed, and stressed the need for flexibility as the new health care reform law’s rule making process continues to unfold.

Reprint:  Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine | October, 2010 issue IV:  By Lisa Wehr

Just the facts, ma'am--and how to use them

There are tweets and pokes, posts and check-ins, mayors, fans, friends, and likes. It seems as though every social media network has its own language and users--yet all of them are grouped together as the "shining light" of marketing for the year to come. Well, here's the truth. While social media is now a cornerstone for branding, sales growth, and PR, for multi-unit franchisees to successfully use social media to drive business into stores, you need to get the facts.
Facebook

The Facts:
Facebook has more than 400 million active users, 50 percent of whom log in to their account on any given day. More than 45 percent of Facebook's audience is over the age of 26. According to Quantcast analytics, 30 percent of the Facebook audience earns between $60,000 and $100,000, and nearly a third earn more than $100,000. And most important, a 2010 survey by Morpace found that 41 percent of Facebook users join fan pages to let their network know what products they support.

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We are pleased to announce that the Creative Tutors franchise opportunity is now listed at Entrepreneur.com!

Franchisors during the International Franchise Association(IFA) annual conference February 2010  found that social media continues to be a huge topic of interest to the franchising industry.  Not a surprise!  It seems like anyone in small business and big business alike are trying to find the social media formula that fits their business awareness plans.

Social media has been a growing subject interest over the past four IFA annual meetings.  I have been in all the sessions.... learning.... contributing to the conversation. In the beginning it appeared that most franchise systems were afraid of social media.  The lack of control that business owners had over it.  No matter how you sliced it, social media was something that was not going to be controlled.  In business you have to get comfortable with the ability to get involved in the conversation and learn how to engage with your consumer and build a network of people interested in what your business has to say.  Simple enough?  

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Congress Considers Bill To Help Veterans Own Franchises

Written by Resources for Entrepreneurs Staff Published: 3/17/2010

A new legislative effort backed by the International Franchise Association could make Franchises more affordable for veterans. Veterans, like many people looking for stability and profitability in new business ventures, often consider franchising. News for veterans is often daunting, with high unemployment rates, but Congress is considering a bill to help veterans make the investment to start a franchise. The bill, which is now sponsored by more than 30 members of Congress, was introduced by Representatives Aaron Schock of Illinois and Leonard Boswell of Iowa. It calls for a tax incentive to franchisers who allow qualified veterans to purchase franchises at lower fees. "Given the current economic climate," International Franchise Association vice president of government relations David French said in a statement, "many franchised businesses are finding it harder to access the capital they need to open new stores and recruit new investors. In order to encourage economic growth and make it easier for veterans to own their business, the IFA supports enactment of this tax credit for those franchise systems that choose to offer qualified veterans a discounted franchise fee." Columnist Joe Lindenmayer at Entrepreneur magazine has suggested that veterans are the perfect candidates for franchising, having extensive experience of both quick thinking and teamwork.

Learning challenges led Creative Tutors for Kids International Inc.’s founder to craft business based on individualized, one-on-one instruction.

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Creative Tutors is excited to announce that we will be participating in the International Franchise Association's, Franchise Opportunities for Women and Minorities Seminar. Please mark your calendar and plan to come out and meet with Creative Tutors International's CEO and Founder, Jan Van Blarcum. Detailed information on this event may be found here.

How to Be in Business for Yourself, But Not by Yourself

CHG Cityplace Conference Center | Dallas, Texas

Saturday, November 21, 2009 | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm