Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association, shares his thoughtful and consistent approach to member engagement, both within his team and across his organization’s national network. From recognizing the power of elevating member voices through authentic storytelling, Matt shares how he positions people as the most valuable influencers.

Takeaways:

• Hire a Great Team and Empower Them: As a leader, it's important to hire a talented team and then give them the space to excel. Provide guidance but avoid micromanaging to foster creativity and independence within the team.
• Always Follow Up: Responsiveness and consistent follow-up are crucial, especially in a service-oriented organization. This promotes reliability and trust both internally with your team and externally with clients or members.
• Build a Unified Team: Ensure that everyone on your team understands the common goal. Different skills and styles are valuable, but alignment on what the organization is trying to achieve is essential for collective success.
• Make Clear and Direct Requests: When engaging with stakeholders, whether in advocacy or business, make sure to establish a connection and clearly articulate your ask. This enhances the effectiveness of your communication efforts.
• Use Challenges as Motivators: Leverage crises or significant policy issues as opportunities to galvanize your team and membership. This can help highlight the importance of engagement and shared goals.
• Tell Your Story: Authentic storytelling from members or stakeholders is highly effective. Personal stories resonate more and help build trust and influence in various audiences.
• Embrace Change and Innovation: Trade associations and organizations should be forward-thinking about utilizing technology and data. Embrace change and continuously look for ways to innovate and grow, whether through strategic acquisitions or other means.

Quote of the Show:

• “We have 800,000 of them in franchising...small businesses are the most trusted institutions in America.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller/
• Website: https://www.franchise.org/