By Tyrone Jay V. Samson

With reports from Krizaine Cordero and Donnabel Patangan (DMC Eximius staff)

To give its students further knowledge in the world of business, the DMC College Foundation Business Management Education (BME) department in partnership with the School of Hotel, Restaurant an Institution Management (SHRIM) held the “All About Franchising” Forum at the DMC Auditorium last November 10.

The speaker, Rudolf Kotik, is an Austrian entrepreneur and a multi-awarded expert with 31 years of Franchise Management experience in Europe, America and Asia. He is the founder of RK Franchise Consultancy and is also the author of the best-selling book titled “All About Franchising.” He is credited for developing more than 350 Filipino Companies into Franchise Systems.

His franchise consultancy firm here in the Philippines, the RK Franchise Consultancy, opened its doors in 1995. The types of companies that RK Franchise Consultancy has assisted includes everything from food and beverage companies, to personal care companies, to computer businesses, clothing and retail businesses, and even gas stations and pharmacies.

Kotik gave his thoughts on seminar topics that include Definition of Franchising, History of Franchising, Defining Franchising, Franchising 101, What does a Franchise provide, Benefits of buying a Franchise, How to select a Franchise, Advantages and Demands of Franchising, Mistakes by Franchise Buyers, Buying a Franchise, Franchising your business, Legal Franchise Requirements, Franchise Operations Manual, The Future of Franchising and Introduction to Franchise Opportunities.

On hand to listen to Kotik are nearly 200 students from the BME department, SHRIM and DMC Science High School.

Also present to witness such lecture are DMC vice president in External Affairs, Dr. Gerald Concha, assistant vice president for External Affairs Randy Iniego, and Moonyeen Tiu.

After this talk, Kotik will visit other cities all over the Philippines including stops in Cebu (November 12-13, Nov. 26-29, Dec. 20-27, and Dec 30, 2009 – January 3, 2010 ), Manila (November 14-17, Nov. 20-25, Nov. 20 – December 6, Dec. 12-19, and January 4, 2010), Legaspi City (Nov. 18-19), Butuan City (Dec. 7-8), Valencia, Bukidnon (Dec. 9), Davao (Dec. 10), General Santos City (Dec. 11), Dumaguete (Dec. 28-29), and Cagayan de Oro City (January 23, 2010).

After the seminar, Kotik took time to sit down with DMC Eximius staffers and talk about his passion and expertise in Franchising.

Here is our interview:

Eximius: Can you tell us a brief history on why you decided to put up a Franchise consultancy?

Rodulf: I put this up because when I graduated way back 1978, I was hired by McDonalds and they put me in the Franchise Division. So, I was six years in McDonalds Franchising and almost two years of holiday in hotel. I was three years with the Franchise Consultancy as well. So, I almost have 10 years experience in franchising. I gave my whole life into franchising, thus, it was somewhat logical for me to stand on my own comfortably. So that’s why I’m in a total of 31 years into franchising.

E: What are your keys to success?

R: My keys? Being the number Franchise Consultant in the Philippines we’ve made it through several different obstacles. And the keys to overcoming those are, first of all, we have to work hard. That simple. That’s the number one. Number two, you have to offer your prospective clients an attractive package and also a very good service. Those are the key.

E: In which country did you experienced your most memorable Franchising Management experience?

R: Actually, I experienced that here in the Philippines because compared to Europe or the United States, here we can really do a lot of what we really want to do. In Europe or the US, everything is very much regulated by the Franchise Law which we don’t have here. It gives me more freedom of developing more ideas.

E: In your 31 years with the Franchising Consultancy, Inc., did you ever encountered trials or challenges?

R: Not much actually. If you handle a business very professional, you won’t come into such challenges.

E: Why did you choose to be a Franchise Consultant rather than in another industry?

R: I choose this because of my experience, because I did this before. When I was employed, I was in franchising division.  So my whole life was spent on franchising.

E: Last message to the readers.

R: If you have money, invest it in the franchise. It is the safest way for your money to prosper. And on the other hand, if you have a business and you want it to grow, grow it through franchising. Safe way and fastest way to grow it is through OPM (Other People’s Money).