STAGE 1: Introduction to Social Franchising & Self-Assessment

Objective:  In this Stage you will gain an understanding of what social franchising for health is, both within IPPF and across the sector as a whole, and assess whether it is suitable for your organization and target population. If you already have an existing franchising model, use this stage to better gauge your existing franchise network performance.

Suggested time-frame: Stage 1 should be completed within two weeks to one month.

Recommended Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Executive Director: Undergo self-paced introductory training and franchising readiness assessment to check for alignment of the organization’s strategic objectives with IPPF’s social franchising model.
  • Program staff / Franchise Project Manager: Undergo self-paced introductory training and franchising readiness assessment to check for alignment of the organization’s strategic objectives with IPPF’s social franchising model. Lead on executing the external evaluation exercise to be presented to executive team for evaluation in step four.
Please follow these three Steps to complete Stage 1:

Undergo the self-paced training, Introduction to Social Franchising, to learn the basics of social franchising at IPPF. It is recommended that your MA’s Executive Director, Franchise Manager (if exists), and Program staff each individually undergo the training. Once you have completed the training, review the guidance provided in the toolbox, Talking Points for Generating Buy-in, for tips on how to develop buy-in from key internal and external stakeholders. You can begin these conversations with stakeholders in Stage 1, although we also suggest that you make formalized presentations to generate buy-in during Stage 2. Visit the toolbox on the right for additional resources to help orient you to the topic of social franchising, including this Case Study from R-FPAP Pakistan and a general training on Social Franchising for Health.

Once you have a strong understanding of Social Franchising at IPPF and within the sector, you will undergo a brief Social Franchising Readiness Self-Assessment. Working your way through the questionnaire will help you to assess whether it is worth embarking on what is a resource-intensive and challenging undertaking. Each question is worth considering in depth and may require further thought and work before continuing to the next Stages and Steps of this process. The questionnaire will help you determine whether your organization is ready to work on franchising, whether you are aligned with IPPF’s social franchising objectives, and whether the preconditions exist in your market for establishing a social franchise network. If you already implement a franchising model, use the test to identify any gaps or areas for improvement that this process and toolkit can support in bolstering.

Based on the readiness assessment, analyze with your Executive Team whether your Member Association should pursue franchising, guided by the IPPF process. If a franchising model exists, evaluate next steps for the network (i.e. reduce size of network, expand size of network). If you establish that you are ready to embark on social franchising for health, please continue to Stage 2, Preparing to Franchise!