Speakers
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Harish Babla, CFE Managing Director Franchise Mind Corporation |
A successful entrepreneur, a business visionary, an inspiring franchise leader, a growth strategist who has honed his franchise skills in various capacities since 1983. For over seven years he reigned as the largest franchisee world-wide for a 1200+ unit global print franchise and twice was selected as "Franchisee of the Year". He has run a successful Master License for the western United States for a diversified retail print imaging company. As Managing Director of Copy Club® a US$50 million division of a multi-brand global franchise company, Harish was responsible for huge sales growth and profitability of franchise units. Harish has founded Grins 2 Go®, a retail and mobile photography franchise that delivered a new vision to the photography industry. In 2008, he was awarded "Franchisor of the Year" by the Indus Business Journal. For many years, Harish has served on the Board of Directors of Kwik Kopy Printing® and The International Center for Entrepreneurial Development, both global franchise companies with over 1000 franchise units. Due to his belief and conviction that franchising is the most effective method for advancing entrepreneurship, he is dynamic and engaging in the classroom, turning his vast experience into understandable frameworks and practical lessons that will be meaningful and valuable to franchise executives at all levels. Harish is passionate about growing franchise companies and helping others achieve their dreams of building successful global franchise companies by ensuring the highest standards of franchise excellence with a strong focus on growth and operating results. Harish is a Certified Franchise Executive as designated by the International Franchise Association. Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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Lorelle Frazer Griffith University, Australia |
| Professor Lorelle Frazer is Director of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence at Griffith University, and has been actively involved in franchising research and sectoral policy initiatives for a decade. Lorelle is one of the world’s leading franchising researchers and co-author of the Franchising Australia surveys. She also lectures in Franchising and is a member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Franchising Consultative Panel. Her research is used to drive positive policy reform and her latest initiative – free, online pre-entry franchise education to better inform prospective franchisees – connects research outcomes with practical solutions for business. The first person in Australia to complete a PhD in franchising, Lorelle also mentors franchising PhD candidates, to enhance understanding of issues faced by the sector. In 2010 Lorelle was awarded the Franchise Council of Australia’s national Contribution to Franchising Award. Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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Vicki Heng Su Lin Partner Ravindran Associates |
Qualifications / Background Vicki graduated from the National University of Singapore with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1998. She was called to the Singapore Bar in 1999 and has been practising in the field of intellectual property law since. Areas of Practice Vicki specialises in the area of intellectual property law, and has represented both domestic and international clients in non-contentious and contentious matters, covering diverse industries such as luxury consumer goods, electronics, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and entertainment. In her work, Vicki assists her clients in the development, protection, exploitation and enforcement of their intellectual property rights, including copyright, trade marks, patents, designs and trade secrets. With a firm understanding of her clients' respective industries, she advises them on issues including brand clearance, brand protection, licensing, transfer of technology, prosecution of trade marks and patents, and intellectual property rights infringement. Vicki has appeared before the Registry of Trade Marks in opposition and invalidation proceedings. She has also prosecuted criminal offences for trade mark and copyright infringement in the Subordinate Courts under the authority of the Attorney-General's Chambers. She has also acted in various other civil matters in the Subordinate Court, High Court and Court of Appeal including matters involving trade mark infringement, trade mark revocation and invalidation, patent infringement and invalidation, breach of confidence and breach of licence. Vicki is a certified SCOPE IP consultant and is currently a member of the International Trade Mark Association (INTA), Franchising Licensing Association, Singapore (FLA) and Designers Association Singapore (DAS). Vicki also sits on the Intellectual Property Committee of the Law Society of Singapore. Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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Kuah Sok Khim Marketing Director Strategic Marketing Singapore Press Holdings |
Khim has more than 15 years of marketing experience, having started her career with Synovate as a regional researcher. She set up the marketing department of Clear Channel Singapore in 2002. Khim’s achievements in Outdoor advertising include co-developing ARMs (Audience Reach Measurement Study) together with Nielsen Media Research. She was recognised as one of the best Marketing Executives within the Clear Channel Group, having won several awards. In 2006, Khim rejoined Singapore Press Holdings and was tasked to set up the Beijing Office of TOM Outdoor Media Group in her capacity as General Manager. Upon her return to Singapore in 2008, she helped to manage SPH Newmedia Pte Ltd’s mobile advertising business. As one of the key members in setting up SPH’s integrated marketing arm – Strategic Marketing Department, her role was to help with cross-media integration across SPH’s On Print, Online, On Air, On Screen, On Mobile and On Ground media properties. After spending 18 months in SPH’s outdoor media arm, SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, to spearhead the marketing efforts, Khim rejoined Strategic Marketing Department in June 2011 as Marketing Director. She graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration from The National University of Singapore and holds a MBA (Marketing) from University Of Western Australia. Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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Rob Morton Business Programs, Consultant Disney Institute |
Professional Experience Rob joined the Walt Disney World® Cast in 1979 and has held a variety of leadership positions in Theme Park Attractions Operations, Bus & Monorail Transportation, Guest Relations, International Programs, and Disney Institute Youth and Professional Development Programs. Rob is DI’s most senior consultant. He has worked with more senior executives than any other Disney Institute facilitator. His clients have ranged from major airlines to top insurance companies and even large scale manufacturers. He also has been working at Disney for over 30 years so his breath of experience is broad at Disney as well. He is also DI’s most requested consultant and DI often engages him when DI has an all C-Level audience. A second-generation Floridian, Rob began his Walt Disney World® career in high school. His first role was as an attractions host at Pirates of the Caribbean. As a Jungle Cruise skipper, he proved to be “right fit” for the special brand of humor that was required. He has specific management experience in the areas of hiring, labor scheduling, budgeting, training, and as a member of several special event task force teams, including the opening of Disneyland® Paris in 1992 and Innoventions at Epcot® in 1994. As the area manager for Epcot® Guest Relations, Rob was responsible for implementing service recovery strategy and leading an inbound call center with two million annual call volume. Prior to joining the Disney Institute facilitation team, he was the senior financial analyst for program operations. In 2000, Rob was honored to receive the Partners in Excellence peer recognition award. Education Rob received his Bachelor of Science degree in professional management, with distinction, from Nova Southeastern University and his master of business administration degree, with honors, from Stetson University, and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Professional Affiliations American Management Association American Society for Training and Development Society for Human Resource Management Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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Bobby Ong Managing Director Autosaver |
| Bobby Ong, the Managing Director of Auto Saver Ptd Ltd, has been involved in the automotive industry since he was 23 years old. Through his 18 years of experience working across various roles and functions from Auto Mechanic to Franchise Manager to Auto Shop Manager, he came to understand the fragmented auto industry and the underlying forces of consumer needs. Bobby himself is involved conducting auto servicing workshop courses as a way to train inexperienced mechanics. Bobby models this continuous learning culture to his people and invests resources to help mechanics become more successful with the company. Bobby is a hard-working man who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves to get hands-on with any challenges. Even as Bobby’s focus has shifted to overall management and development of the business, his presence is felt in the personal attention he places on auditing, training and coaching mechanics on the job. Honesty and transparency is core to Bobby’s beliefs and he has used this to shape the company he founded. These values of honesty and transparency have set apart Autosaver from other workshop operators. Autosaver also thrives on being resourceful and innovative, another set of attributes Bobby has instilled in the company, which allows the business to continue to grow while offering quality services at a competitive price. Through Bobby’s direct personal actions and leadership as the Managing Director and the company’s investment in training and R&D, employees have come to understand that Autosaver is committed to innovation and raising industry standards. Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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Michael Sherlock Ex MD and Co-Founder Brumby’s (Australia) Co-author, Jumpshift! |
| Michael is a high-profile business leader who transformed an ailing set of bakery shops in the late 1990s to position Brumby’s as the 2nd-largest bakery franchise system in Australasia with over 320 bakeries by 2007. Under Michael’s leadership, Brumby’s share price rose from 56c to $3.40 in just over 3 years. In July 2007, Michael resigned as Managing Director of Brumby’s after ASX-listed company RFG purchased Brumby’s for $46M. Michael has appeared on current affairs, news and breakfast television programs as well as being featured in all leading newspapers and magazines in Australia and New Zealand on issues such as his innovative management techniques, business strategy and environmentally friendly, healthy (no preservatives) messages. Michael is a regular columnist in BRW’s Smart Talk. Currently, Michael is a sought-after public speaker and sits on a number of advisory boards as a strategist and mentor, drawing on his vast experience in food, retail, and franchising management at the top level. Michael has co- written Jumpshift! – Shift your business into hyperdrive: Create clear direction, real time feedback& an empowering culture that gives your TEAM “the owner’s eye” He is a contributor to the book, Top Franchisees CEO’s secrets revealed and, Millionaire Mentors. Michael is married to Jenny, has two adult children Justin and Tim and two younger children Adam and Estella. Michael lives in Brisbane. His interests include family, friends, travel (his aim is to keep his countries visited ahead of his age), AFL, music, cricket, reading and wine collection. Michael has a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and a Diploma of Education from La Trobe University. Back to International Conference & Workshop Programme |
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