CEO Q&A: How Do You Measure Success?

In each issue of Franchise Update magazine we profile franchise CEOs and presidents, asking each the same set of questions. Throughout the year, we'll be selecting one of those questions - and providing answers from those profiles. Want to learn more about these franchise leaders and their thoughts on other topics? Easy - click the links we've included with their responses to read their full profile.

This week's question: How do you measure success?

Rob Price, CEO and President, School of Rock
By the number of people whose lives are enriched through my effort. This applies to my family, my team, and my community. I have found that sufficient material success is achievable with this guiding principle, although it isn't the fastest route to a buck. Read the full profile here.

Bette Fetter, CEO and Founder, Young Rembrandts
I measure success with my heart and with numbers. You must have both. First, I consider our mission. Are the kids and teachers doing well? Are my franchisees happy and enjoying their work? Are they prospering and feeling effective? Then, as a business, I look at numbers to confirm that success is reflected in our growth and profitability. Read the full profile here.

Tammy Whitworth, Chair and CEO, Window World
By the lives we've changed. Window World gives people the opportunity to own their own business and change their entire family's lives for the better. A major part of our success is also making a difference with a child, family, or veteran through our philanthropic partnerships with St. Jude and the Veterans Airlift Command. Read the full profile here.

Brian Petranick, CEO and President, RiseMark Brands
We certainly measure success by the lives we touch and affect every day. We also measure success by ensuring that we are moving the needle on several key focus areas throughout the year. I have a saying that I have borrowed (and changed a little bit) from Bill Gates: "We overestimate what we can do in a month and underestimate what we can accomplish in a year." Our whole organization hears me say that frequently. We keep that in mind and have never been disappointed when we look back over a year and take an inventory on what we have been able to accomplish. We could be disappointed if we did that each month. Keeping that perspective is really critical. Read the full profile here.

Nicole Ossenfort, CEO and President, Liberty Tax
We are a franchise business because we want to share this opportunity with others. So I measure success by our franchisees meeting their goals. Read the full profile here.

Shannon Hudson, CEO and Co-Founder, 9Round Franchising
Is the company good at delivering on its promises? Do we have integrity? If so we are very successful. Read the full profile here.

Jon Nobis, CEO, Two Men and a Truck
Through the number of people who have moved forward to the next step in their lives because of the brand. This includes customers moving into new homes, employees moving into new roles, or our scholarship winners opening their own businesses, just to name a few. Read the full profile here.

Larry Oberly, CEO and President, SpeedPro Imaging
It's never done, right? Success is in degrees. Personal fulfillment is most important. I think the best measure of success is seeing it through the eyes of others. I love when my wife, son, and team all succeed. It makes me a proud husband, father, and team leader. Read the full profile here.