EMPOWERING people is the work of this internationally renowned, white collar, management training franchise. Through its specialist development courses Leadership Management® International (LMI), the parent company, unlocks the talents of individuals and businesses to improve performance and increase productivity.

LMI® is a global corporation operating in more than 60 countries, 23 languages and with 40 years' experience of people development. Donal Brady aims to develop Leadership Management® Ireland, established in 1999, into Ireland's premier leadership and management development resource and is looking for four more franchisees to come on board this year.

Maximising Potential

"Helping people grow is our business," Donal clarifies. "Business owners worldwide recognise that real competitive advantage is gained through people. We work with leaders and managers to help them think and behave more effectively and to secure long-term improvements in business results. Providing these services to clients of all sizes in all sectors is thoroughly enjoyable. It is exciting to see individuals in key positions of responsibility develop using LMI® concepts and products. Franchisees gain enormous satisfaction from seeing companies grow as a result of their employees' growth."

LMI®'s development programmes were developed by Paul J. Meyer, a motivated American known for his ability to transform ideas into goals and those goals into successes. Using a Total Person® concept, he designed materials to help people balance their lives in all areas: family and home, financial and career, mental and educational, physical and health, social and cultural, spiritual and ethical.

Donal adds: "We know that long seminars and lengthy lectures don't work so franchisees deliver regular, short, action-driven sessions focused on team dynamics and spaced repetition. Attendees then immediately apply what they have learned. This is the key to LMI®'s continued international success."

The company has achieved global expansion through its network of master franchisees, franchisees, and associates, and is currently developing its Irish network by recruiting franchisees with an interest in working with people and businesses to help clients achieve measurable results.

Seeking Self-motivators

Operating from a home-office or dedicated premises, franchisees market and deliver LMI® programmes to companies and individuals in their locality. "Shrewd individuals looking for a business opportunity will recognise the tremendous potential to be found in helping companies improve their performance," comments Donal. "We're seeking self-motivated, committed individuals who want to be leaders in the professional and organisational development industry. Franchisees typically have a background in management or are comfortable working with executives and business owners. Sales or business experience is not required as comprehensive training and support is provided."

Through an intensive classroom-based training programme delivered by expert practitioners, franchisees learn the LMI® business method. This includes planning and launching the business through to finding customers and developing personal motivation. This is complemented by a further ten days of in-the-field training during the first six months of business. Further back up includes technical support, personal development, an online feedback system, client information system, world, regional and local meetings, marketing literature and PR.

"There is enormous potential for franchisees to earn a six-figure income fairly quickly in Ireland's €1.5 billion marketplace," adds Donal. "If you want to be part of a globally recognised brand that is one of the leaders influencing people's growth and development, then carefully consider this very rewarding franchise opportunity."

Franchisee case study

Impressed by the product, Bob McCarthy bought the franchise

Empowered by LMI®'s 'Effective Personal Leadership' programme, Bob McCarthy invested in the Cork franchise. "I wanted to own my own business," he recalls. "Having researched other franchises I became interested in LMI®, which offered better value for money. I purchased one of the programmes myself and was very impressed."

As an ex-navy officer and the manager of a food manufacturing company Bob possessed the necessary management and leadership skills to become a franchisee. Five years later and he has invested in dedicated premises with training rooms and provides around 150 programmes a year with a turnover in the region of €350,000.

"During my first two years I was very pro-active in marketing the business, and after my initial successes referrals came in very quickly," he continues. "I have gained a number of contracts with large companies and the small business sector is gathering momentum all the time. I've only just scraped the surface in Cork and there are many more opportunities available.

"Initially I hadn't considered buying a franchise and was looking at setting up independently, but I liked the idea of being part of an international organisation with a product that works and is proven to work very well. I'm very happy with the support I receive both in Ireland and internationally and it's comforting to know that the backup is there to continue getting results. What people can achieve over a typical nine-week programme is quite dramatic and very gratifying. Being an LMI® franchisee is also conducive to a good lifestyle with plenty of time to spend with the family."