Monthly Archives: August 2010

A degree of self-loathing

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

Ivey MBA leader circa 2010? I made it to a little over 2 minutes. Leslie James Stewart, U.W.O. MBA 1987

Posted in A Confidence Game | Tagged , | 5 Comments

The science of persuasion

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

Robert Cialdini‘s work is important to understand. His 6 Weapons of Influence: reciprocity, (giving a United Way pin) scarcity, (limited quantities available) authority, (basketball shoes) commitment, liking  (Tupperware example) and consensus (social proof). Understanding these techniques goes a long way … Continue reading →

Posted in Weapons of Influence | Tagged , | 3 Comments

It is the nature of mortals to kick a fallen man.

Posted on August 27, 2010 by

An excerpt from Professor Melvin J. Lerner’s book, The Belief in a Just World: A Fundamental Delusion. The central theme of the “Belief in a Just World” theory creates a rather chilling image of humanity. It begins by describing how … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief in a Just World, BJW, Independent Franchisee Association, IndFA | 2 Comments

Alex Konigsberg dead at 72

Posted on August 26, 2010 by

The Montreal Gazette reported this story on August 13th. One of Canada’s leading legal authorities on international franchising and a founding partner of one of Montreal’s largest independent business law firms died earlier this week. Alex Konigsberg, a founding partner … Continue reading →

Posted in Ontario Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Franchising is the drug and I need to score

Posted on August 25, 2010 by

To think a thought means something had to happen in your brain. Something jumped over a void; a synaptic cleft. The management of franchisees is largely producing a type of mental “drug” which keeps franchisees helpless. You’re a junkie and … Continue reading →

Posted in Addictive qualities | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lapdog, Watchdog & Network franchisee groups

Posted on August 24, 2010 by

Once a franchisee figures out he can’t do it on his own, they have 3 choices (2 are born losers): Advisory Councils: Financed and lead by franchisor. Illusion of meaningful input. Independent Franchisee Association: Financed by franchisees but lead by … Continue reading →

Posted in Attorneyless Franchisee Networks, AFN, Independent Franchisee Association, IndFA | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes

Posted on August 23, 2010 by

Franchising would be an okay investment… IF its business model risk profile didn’t change (ie. turns ugly) over the course of the contract. But it does. Like a lot. Don’t gamble with your life savings by buying a car with … Continue reading →

Posted in Unsafe at any Brand | Tagged , | Leave a comment

It’s a sin tethering your life savings to easily copied core products

Posted on August 22, 2010 by

Jamba Juice‘s response to McDonald’s getting into their core smoothie business is clever but ultimately futile. Problem with succeeding at 1. and 2.: create a new consumer niche, work to broaden appeal and watch as THE corporate ideology gobbles it … Continue reading →

Posted in Sunk Cost Reality | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Attentive presale due diligence is highly unreliable.

Posted on August 21, 2010 by

You maybe looking for one risk, be 100% accurate in quantifying it, sign but get totally blindsided by a hidden risk. Our brains evolved to look for certain types of risks. They suck with highly abstract risks. The breadth and … Continue reading →

Posted in Predictably Irrational: Humans making decisions, WikidFranchise.org | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Learned Helplessness: Induced franchisee depression

Posted on August 20, 2010 by

Why do franchisees seem so pathetic? How does their confidence get so beat up? Learned helplessness. Listen to Dr. Nixon.

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