Do you remember being nervous on your first day of school because you didn't know who your teachers or your classmates were going to be? You were probably unsure about how your classroom would look, where it would be located, and how it would feel. Some classroom cultures (usually set by the teacher) were good, whereas others were not so much.

When you look at culture, you are looking at the customs, attitudes, and achievements of a particular group. Not every group has a good culture, whether past or present, and typically you would have to spend time in an environment to understand if its culture aligns with your lifestyle and values.

When investing in a franchise, the corporate brand culture is an important aspect to consider when going through due diligence as a potential investor. When conducting validation calls, ask franchisees how they feel about the culture at headquarters - and pay attention to the actions and words of the corporate staff as well.This is a simple example of how working with me as your certified franchise consultant (CFC) can help bring in specialized knowledge and understanding of how important blending cultures is, especially in the franchise world. As a CFC, I assist you through every part of your franchise search. I will guide you along every step of the way.

Originally written by Don Clayton (FDM October 2022) – revised by Cindy Charette