My conversation with Frank Fiume at the 2025 IFA Convention
I stopped by the Emerging Franchise Brands booth at the International Franchise Association Convention to have an insightful discussion with their CEO, Franke Fiume.
By
John Ohlwiler
6 min read
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Frank Fiume at the 2025 IFA Annual Convention for the Emerging Franchise Brands Podcast, and one thing became crystal clear: every business is a technology business today—whether they realize it or not.
The Technology Maturity Journey: Starting with Strong Foundations
Let me share something I've learned over my decade leading Sentry Technology Solutions: thinking about technology is a lot like thinking about mathematics. You wouldn't jump straight into calculus before mastering basic math, right?
During my conversation with Frank, I talked through our Technology Maturity Model. While everyone's excited to talk about AI and automation (that's our "calculus"), I've seen time and time again that many emerging businesses need to first nail their fundamental IT operations, cyber security, and compliance. These aren't just checkboxes—they're the essential building blocks for future growth.
Beyond the Basics: When Technology Becomes Strategic
Once you've got those fundamentals in place, that's when things get really interesting. In my experience, the next levels of technology maturity open up exciting possibilities:
- Connecting your various systems through smart business integrations
- Using data analysis to drive better decision-making
- Creating meaningful conversations between technology and other business areas
- Implementing AI and automation that actually moves the needle
A Wake-Up Call from the Field
I shared this story on the Podcast. We worked with an accounting franchise that had grown to 14 locations. They came to us when they realized their technology approach wouldn't scale, and worse—they weren't meeting crucial security and compliance requirements. Remember, this was a business handling sensitive financial data!
This situation taught me something crucial: in today's business environment, security and compliance aren't just IT issues—they're brand protection issues. Whether you're processing credit cards or handling healthcare data, these standards need to be more than just paperwork.
Small Steps, Big Impact
While at the IFA Convention, I had the opportunity to hear James Clear's keynote speech, and it reinforced something I've always believed in: the power of marginal gains. Rather than looking for silver bullet solutions, I've found that the most successful businesses focus on making consistent 1% improvements across their technology infrastructure.
This is exactly how we approach our partnerships at Sentry. We help businesses make steady, strategic improvements that compound over time to create significant competitive advantages.
Let's Talk About Your Technology Evolution
Whether you're focusing on getting those fundamentals right or ready to explore more advanced technologies, I've learned that having the right guide makes all the difference. At Sentry, my team and I help you:
- Understand exactly where you are in your technology maturity journey
- Identify the most impactful next steps for your business
- Implement improvements that scale with your growth
- Ensure compliance and security at every stage
Ready to start your technology evolution? Let's talk. Schedule a Discovery Call with our team today, and let's explore how we can turn technology into a growth engine for your business.
