THIRD time lucky inspirational businesswoman and
CHOOKS fresh & tasty General Manager Ms Linda Steele has put the 2008 MYOB “WA Franchise Woman of the Year” award under her belt for the third year running, continuing to prove the value of women in franchising.
But Ms Steele said her win came about through hard work not luck, having been in the franchising industry for the past 21 years, and expressed gladness that her win would highlight franchising as an excellent career path for women.
“I have been involved in franchising throughout my career and have seen the industry grow, mature and provide great opportunities for women over the years,” she said.
“I began my career at the early age of 18 working for a major real estate agency chain Mair & Co and my passion for business and understanding of franchise needs eventually led me to launching my own marketing and printing company – High Toned Printing.
“This company provided advice to more than 200 clients regarding print media, image needs and marketing. CHOOKS fresh & tasty, which was River Rooster then, was one of my regular clients.”
After several years Ms Steele sold her business and became a full-time consultant for CHOOKS
fast food franchise and within a few years was offered the position of General Manager.
“Working with CHOOKS has been an important and valued time in my career as the business has undergone massive changes during this time including a full re-branding from River Rooster to CHOOKS fresh & tasty.
“This change helped drive our growth to 37 stores, and while our base is in Perth we have been able to expand into Queensland with four new stores. Our goal is to have opened 40 stores by mid 2009 throughout Australia.”
Ms Steele’s input at CHOOKS
food and beverage fanchise has been key to improving the company’s operational systems such as running team member development and training, creating and implementing an intranet system and other internal communication systems, instituting a franchisee awards program, and surveying customer perceptions.
“Franchisees are successful as a result of the processes and systems they implement. I have worked with the CHOOKS Encouragement Centre team – what was head office – to refine these and ensure they are aligned with the strategic goals our company wants to achieve.
“My personal success has been in part due to the opportunity I had to understand CHOOKS from a grass roots level when I helped my husband manage a CHOOKS store in Fremantle. The experience helped me to reinforce my knowledge, understanding and the value I placed on franchising.”
Ms Steele said she could not have achieved her award success without her Encouragement Centre team.
“It is wonderful that I have been acknowledged for my work and I am honoured, but I must say that in a company no one can achieve great results alone as it takes cooperation and dedication from a whole team to fulfil an organisational goal.
“CHOOKS has a great team which I am privileged to work with, especially company founder and Chief Chook Steve Hansen.”
Ms Steele said as the franchising industry continued to grow it was important for women to get out and network to increase their knowledge and capacity.
“I try to support women in franchising as much as possible through my involvement in my local Business Expansion Club – which uses Hubbard Management Technology and Jugglers – a local networking group of busy female professionals in Perth who are interested in further developing their professional careers and my role as Western Australia Representative on the Franchise Council of Australia Women in Franchising Committee.
“All these groups and events are a great way to network and I encourage women to make themselves known to other business women and the general business community.
“I have worked all my adult life and have managed to raise a happy, healthy family while interacting with the community and I hope my example will show other women that they can achieve and be successful in all three areas.”
12-Sep-2008