Mini Masters in Franchise Mgm’t program set

Roberto de Ocampo, president of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and named "Asian Finance of the Year" in 1996 and 1997 by Euromoney and Asiamoney magazines respectively, will welcome participants to the "Mini Masters in Franchise Management" program today at the AIM.

A first not only in the Philippines but in Asia, the program is being offered to local franchisors by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) under the sanction of the US-based Institute of Franchise Executives (ICFE). The ICFE offers a substantive mastery of franchising to successful candidates and confers the title of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE).

Among franchise leaders, the CFE has become known and appreciated. It is a mark of distribution and offers a wide range of benefits such as expanded knowledge that will help gain insights into every aspect of franchising; industry recognition; peer level networking; and professional standing.

There are four ways to earn the CFE designation. These are through core curriculum, elective curriculum, participation and experience. A minimum of 3,500 credits is required to earn the CFE designation. The AIM program is equivalent to 400 credits while attendance to the "10th International Franchise Conference" scheduled on Sept. 25 to 26 at the Westin Phil. Plaza is equivalent to 300 credits.

The CFE accreditation is just one of the many pursuits that the PFA is working on steadfastly through the years. PFA Chairman Samie Lim and president Bing Limjoco believe mini masters in franchise management, a first in Asia that given all the support and avenues to improve their knowhow, local franchisors can be one of the best in the world and that the Philippines can rise as the franchise hub of Asia.