Transforming Home Helpers Home Care with Unwavering Dedication!
In a world where compassion and kindness hold immeasurable value, Emma’s unwavering commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need shines brightly. As the heart and soul behind Home Helpers Home Care, Emma’s passion for caring for others has become the driving force behind this remarkable journey.
Meet Emma Dickison, the visionary CEO & President of Home Helpers® Home Care, whose steadfast leadership has reshaped the landscape of the home care industry. Over 16 transformative years, Emma’s dedication and passion have propelled Home Helpers to extraordinary heights, touching the lives of countless individuals in need.
Under Emma’s guidance, Home Helpers® Home Care, has undergone a remarkable transformation, witnessing unprecedented growth from $37 million to an astounding $251 million. Her exceptional ability to lead and innovate has not only driven financial success but also fostered a culture of compassion and care that sets Home Helpers apart.
For Emma, Home Helpers Home Care is more than just a business—it is a platform to make a tangible difference in the lives of those seeking support and companionship. Her genuine concern for the well-being of others serves as the driving force behind her unwavering commitment to providing top-tier care to those who need it most.
Beyond her influential role at Home Helpers, Emma’s commitment to the home care industry reaches far and wide. As the past President of the Board of Directors for the Home Care Association of America, she has played a pivotal role in setting industry standards of care and safety.
Throughout the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emma and her colleagues worked tirelessly to meet the growing demands for care, ensuring that vulnerable individuals received the highest quality support.
Let us delve deeper into her journey!
Emma’s Trailblazing Journey in Franchise Leadership
Emma’s path to Home Helpers Home Care has been defined by remarkable accomplishments in various franchise organizations. Her strategic acumen and expertise proved pivotal during her tenure as Vice President of Franchise Services at Sylvan Learning Centers, where she played a significant role in the company’s success. Before that, she honed her leadership skills as the Director of Franchise Services for Blockbuster Video, gaining invaluable experience along the way.
Motivated by a profound sense of responsibility, Emma is deeply committed to giving back to the franchise community. Her extensive engagement with the International Franchise Association underscores her unwavering dedication to this cause. As an active member of the Women’s Franchise Committee, Emma strives to empower women within the industry. Moreover, she takes immense pride in co-founding the Women’s Franchise Network in Southwest Ohio, creating a supportive and connected platform for women in franchising.
From Teacher Aspirations to Empowering Entrepreneurs
During her college years, Emma’s focus was on education and history, and she aspired to become a teacher. The world of franchising was not on her radar at the time. However, as Emma ventured into her professional life, she witnessed the transformative power of franchising in the lives of aspiring entrepreneurs, sparking her interest in this dynamic industry.
As her career progressed, Emma discovered her passion for franchising’s rewarding nature, particularly in helping entrepreneurs achieve their personal goals. Her ability to develop efficient and scalable processes, along with implementing effective training programs, proved to be a valuable asset in her leadership roles.
Beyond her professional growth, Emma’s personal experience as a family caregiver led her to recognize the immense potential of joining the Home Helpers® Home Care team. The home care industry resonated deeply with her, aligning perfectly with her dedication to improving the lives of others.
Home care serves as a vital component in the healthcare continuum, enabling individuals to maintain their independence and stay in the comfort of their own homes for extended periods. The work Emma and her team engage in at Home Helpers Home Care brings immeasurable positive changes to clients’ lives and provides invaluable support to their families.
Leading the Way in Shaping Home Care Industry
Emma’s role as the leader of Home Helpers® Home Care is pivotal in charting the organization’s long-term strategy. Working closely with the executive leadership team, she actively contributes to defining a clear vision and implementing comprehensive programs to drive the business towards strong profitability and ensure a favorable return on franchisees’ investments. Drawing upon the collective expertise of the leadership team and the experienced staff at the Home Helpers National Support Center, the organization identifies and seizes opportunities efficiently while maintaining scalability.
Recognizing the importance of influencing the industry’s business climate, Emma dedicates her time to lobbying efforts alongside prominent organizations like the International Franchise Association and the Home Care Association of America.
Emma emphasizes the significance of franchise owners’ voices in shaping policies, stating, “Active participation in these lobbying efforts is crucial to creating a favorable environment for the franchise industry, fostering growth and prosperity for Home Helpers® Home Care and its franchisees.”
Through her strategic leadership and advocacy, Emma continues to make a significant impact in the home care industry, positioning Home Helpers® Home Care as a trailblazer in delivering exceptional care while advocating for the interests of franchise owners on a broader scale.
Emma’s Leadership Strategy
Emma’s leadership approach at Home Helpers® Home Care is centered on setting a clear vision and empowering her proven leadership team to drive the organization forward. Recognizing the expertise and capabilities of her team, she entrusts them to develop strategies that will propel Home Helpers® Home Care to become a market leader in the upcoming decade. Through collaborative efforts, they integrate innovative care practices, devise strategies to differentiate the brand and create programs that foster profitable businesses for franchisees.
Emma also expresses her heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional staff at the National Support Center, a team comprising some of the industry’s brightest minds and top talent. This dedicated team plays a crucial role in providing unwavering support to the franchisees, enabling them to operate more efficiently, seize opportunities in their respective markets, and ultimately enhance the exceptional care they deliver to clients.
With Emma’s visionary guidance and the collective efforts of her leadership team and National Support Center staff, Home Helpers® Home Care is poised to lead the way in delivering exceptional care services and elevating the standards of the home care industry. The organization’s commitment to innovation, differentiation, and unwavering support for franchisees will continue to drive its success in the years to come.
Journey of Impact in Franchising and Home Care
Emma’s path to her present executive position has been marked by a variety of experiences in numerous fields and jobs. Emma lists several pivotal instances in her career that have a special value for her.
Being named CEO & President of Home Helpers® Home Care was a turning point for Emma because it was her first time holding a CEO position. She has effectively managed Home Helpers Home Care’s significant expansion and sincerely cares about the company. With Emma’s help, Home Helpers’ tried-and-true model has been scaled up to support more than 1,500 communities across the nation.
Emma was given the IFA’s Crystal Compass Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and recognizes an individual’s contribution to the franchise industry. Her excellent leadership and contributions to the field are highlighted by this honor.
Emma takes great satisfaction in her role as President of the Board of Directors for the Home Care Association of America, where she and her colleagues have worked hard to enhance the status of carers as front-line, crucial professionals. Their initiatives have increased understanding of the value of caregivers’ labor and guaranteed that they receive the perks required by their status as vital employees.
These instances serve as a reminder of Emma’s noteworthy accomplishments and the substantial contributions she has made throughout her career in the home care and franchise industries.
Meeting Growing Demands
According to Emma, Home Helpers® Home Care faced a significant challenge in keeping up with the industry’s increasing demand, further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The recognition of home care’s numerous benefits in terms of health, finances, and emotional well-being has driven its popularity among consumers and policymakers, leading to a surge in demand.
To address this challenge head-on, Home Helpers® Home Care has taken strategic measures, such as opening job opportunities to a broader range of individuals and providing top-notch training for career changers. These efforts have resulted in the hiring of over 4,900 new Caregivers in 2023 alone. In addition, franchisees have strengthened retention programs to support the network of caregivers.
By effectively meeting the industry’s increasing demands, Home Helpers® Home Care franchisees can provide quality care while also offering valuable career opportunities to individuals seeking employment and looking to make a positive impact in their communities.
Embracing these principles of seizing opportunities, continuous learning, and taking calculated risks has allowed Home Helpers® Home Care to navigate challenges and continue its mission of providing exceptional care services. Aspiring leaders can draw inspiration from Home Helpers® Home Care’s proactive approach to overcoming challenges and carving a path to success.
Balancing Technology and Compassionate Care
In the fiercely competitive business landscape of today, having access to up-to-date and relevant data is crucial for success. Home Helpers® Home Care understands the significance of leveraging business intelligence to make well-informed decisions and support franchisees in optimizing their performance. The company’s adaptable business model allows for localization, where the team helps franchisees identify the specific factors that significantly impact their businesses.
While recognizing the growing role of technology, such as AI and chatbots, Emma emphasizes that Home Helpers® Home Care fundamentally operates as a “people business.” Its core purpose is to serve as an extended family when families are unable to provide care themselves. As a result, she believes that a well-integrated approach that combines technology with in-person care will remain vital for the organization in the years to come. Striking this balance ensures that Home Helpers® Home Care continues to offer compassionate and exceptional care services to its clients, fulfilling its mission of being a trusted and reliable support system for families in need.
The Power of Milestones and Focused Planning
Emma understands the critical role of setting milestones and actionable plans to achieve the organization’s long-term targets. With a clear 10-year goal in mind, she emphasizes the importance of establishing milestones at various intervals, including 3-year plans, 1-year plans, quarterly plans, and even weekly to-do lists. By breaking down the larger goal into manageable chunks, the organization stays focused and ensures that its efforts align with the desired outcomes.
Emma underscores the significance of staying committed to the established plans and keeping sight of both immediate and long-term objectives simultaneously. Prioritizing activities and tasks that contribute to the one-year plan is essential, as it ensures that the team’s efforts are aligned with the overarching goal. By avoiding distractions and focusing on activities that propel the business forward, Home Helpers® Home Care maintains its trajectory toward long-term success.
This strategic approach fosters a sense of purpose and cohesion within the organization, as every team member understands their role in achieving the collective vision. By consistently reaching milestones and adhering to well-defined plans, Home Helpers® Home Care sets itself up for sustained growth and prosperity in the dynamic and competitive industry it serves.
Inspirations for Leadership Success
Empowering Growth and Embracing Opportunities
Emma draws inspiration from various aspects of her life, including attending church, playing golf, running, and cherishing quality time with her family. These experiences enrich her personal growth and overall well-being, reflecting her belief in the importance of a balanced and fulfilling life.
Within the organization, Emma fosters a culture of inclusivity and open communication, encouraging team members to seek new experiences and share their valuable ideas. She firmly believes that every individual possesses unique insights, and by working collaboratively, they can uncover the most promising opportunities to pursue together.
When offering advice to aspiring leaders, Emma emphasizes the significance of seizing opportunities without hesitation, regardless of the timing or specific role. She urges individuals to embrace the present, saying “Yes” to opportunities that come their way. Learning from each experience is key to personal and professional development. Emma also champions boldness and taking calculated risks, recognizing that the most rewarding outcomes often involve stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
