Northern Lights Consultants Corp.

07/20/2020

Franchise Law in Ontario is finally getting a facelift!

Friends and colleagues in franchising: In response to a detailed submission I provided in November 2019 to the Business Law Modernization and Burden Reduction Council, reporting to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services of the Province of Ontario, I have been advised this afternoon that s

04/30/2020

Feeling pretty chuffed about a write-up about me on the Canadian Association of Management Consultants!

Take a look on

Get inspiration and insights on how to get started in management consulting by reading these featured profiles of CMC-Canada members.

03/21/2020

07/29/2019

I have always loved stories! I have always found them to be a powerful medium for learning. What my economics friends would say is a "transfer of knowledge". I will make a point of cross-posting these articles on both my personal LinkedIn profile as well as my Northern Lights page.

I am feeling the need - some might say a compulsion - at this stage of my career to finally write about my experiences and anecdotes in franchising. I have often been amazed by the fact that this phenomenon we refer to as "franchising" is so widespread and yet so poorly understood outside of the com

07/25/2019

I have always loved this painting by Anne Hopkins entitled "Shooting the Rapids". It reminds me of the entrepreneur's journey - especially in franchising. The metaphor for me is clear:

The "canoe de maitre" symbolizes the business. The franchise system or brand.

The voyageurs paddling furiously represent the owner-managers or franchisees operating each retail location; each pulling hard to propel the canoe – the Brand or System - forward.

The pilot steering the canoe from the back is the Head Office or franchisor. He has the weight of everyone's livelihoods on his shoulders to dodge the rocks and steer the canoe through dangerous waters.

The couple sitting precariously in the middle represent the customers of the business. They are relying on – and trust the Pilot and the voyageurs to shoot the rapids and deliver them safely to their destination.

Of course, the rapids themselves represent the dynamic and competitive marketplace. Full of rocks, dead-heads and other dangers ever present to trip up the unwary.

And so, the painting “Shooting the Rapids” in many ways symbolizes the best that franchising has to offer: Back-to-back, shoulder-to-shoulder franchisors and franchisees work together towards a common goal of providing the best products and services possible to our customers at the best possible value. Indeed, the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.

01/21/2019

We are very excited to be joining Michael Melvin of McInnes Cooper in a sweep of major cities in the Maritime and Atlantic provinces this February. This is a great opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs that to explore franchising as a means to grow their businesses. Many thanks to Michael and the team at McInnes Cooper for facilitating these conferences. If you are I the neighbourhood, come and join us!

Join McInnes Cooper Partner, Michael Melvin, and Northern Lights Consultants' Perry Maisonneuve, in a city near you as they tour the Maritime's for "How to Franchise Your Business." This seminar designed for anyone interested in learning more about the "ins" and "outs" of starting and building a fra...

07/31/2017

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