In our September Franchisor AMA, we had the honor of hosting Larisa Walega, Senior VP & Chief Growth Officer at Ziebart International, who shared invaluable insights into the franchise supplier process. Larisa emphasized the importance of building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships between franchisors and suppliers, highlighting what sets a great supplier apart and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Why a Franchisor AMA?

The Franchisor AMA is designed to create an educational and interactive environment where franchise suppliers can learn directly from industry leaders. Instead of focusing on sales pitches, the event emphasizes collaboration and best practices, offering an open platform to discuss real-world challenges and solutions. Here are some of the benefits of the monthly Franchisor AMA:

• Direct Access to Industry Experts: With franchisors like Larisa participating, attendees gain valuable first-hand insights into the franchising world, including current trends and pain points.
• Building Authentic Relationships: The no-pressure, non-sales environment allows suppliers and franchisors to connect organically, fostering trust and laying the foundation for long-term partnerships.
• Tailored Advice for Suppliers: Suppliers can ask specific questions, receiving feedback that is directly applicable to their approach and product offerings, improving their chances of building meaningful business relationships with franchisors.
• Real-World Case Studies: Attendees learn from real examples, as franchisors share the success stories and challenges of their brands, which offers a wealth of practical knowledge.

Larisa Walega’s Key Takeaways for Franchise Suppliers

One key takeaway? Successful suppliers are those who make franchisors feel truly valued, offering personalized support and solutions that align with the brand’s goals.

Building Trust with Franchise Suppliers

During the AMA, Larisa delved into what it takes for a supplier to become a trusted partner within a franchise network. She stressed the need for clear communication, tailored support, and a deep understanding of the franchisor’s unique challenges and growth goals. According to Larisa, the suppliers who thrive are the ones who don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather those who are adaptable and committed to the long-term success of their franchise partners.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

On the flip side, Larisa outlined several key mistakes suppliers should avoid. Chief among them is underestimating the importance of relationship-building. Suppliers that focus solely on selling a product or service, without fostering a genuine connection with the franchisor, often find themselves struggling to gain trust and longevity in the partnership. Larisa also warned against overpromising and underdelivering, advising suppliers to be upfront and transparent about their capabilities.

Ziebart’s Growth Approach

As a leader at Ziebart, a global brand specializing in automotive appearance and protection services, Larisa also shared some of the company’s growth strategies that have led to its success. She discussed the importance of innovation, strong support systems for franchisees, and aligning supplier partnerships with the company’s mission and values. By creating a culture of collaboration and prioritizing franchisee success, Ziebart has been able to build a robust network of suppliers and franchisees alike.

This Franchisor AMA event is part of Franchise Supplier Network’s ongoing mission to help the franchising industry develop a more effective, efficient supplier ecosystem. These monthly sessions offer an invaluable opportunity for suppliers to learn directly from franchisors, gaining insights that can help them improve their offerings and foster stronger relationships within the franchise community.

If you’re interested in attending future events or learning more about how Franchise Supplier Network can support your business, visit Franchise Supplier Network.

Stay tuned for our next AMA, and join us in building better franchise-supplier partnerships!

Back