C-Store operators want store performance improvement strategies. Implementing new things can be a challenge. As such, they often ask should failure be encouraged? Sometimes we get improvement easily. Typically, most would agree change is needed to improve thing. Typically, we may ‘know’ that a certain change will produce a better result. However, we also know …

Everyone in a c-store operation can find comfort under accountability. Accountability is everyone’s friend. It provides the support that organizes, motivates, rewards and recognizes your work. Operation Accountability Blankets in Feedback Too often, in the rush to keep things moving we only take time to analyze problems or mistakes to fix them. A natural management …

If you were to hand one of your Store Managers your P&L Statement, they may be able to tell you if it is a good or bad. For example, if beer sales are down in their store on the P&L, their answer may  be, “I need to sell more beer next month.” Of course, there are …

There are 4 components of a balanced C-Store Performance Scorecard. It is common to measure revenue and let that information alone make the call on performance.  Success is rarely attributed to one thing in life. There are other areas to be monitored that will provide long term performance gain.  If you have been measuring by sales goals …

Results of c-store management accountability are sales, profits and time. Specific goals and clear expectations make work easy. Taking time to discuss work that is not good is needed. This approach applies to most situations. For example, work, athletics, academics, relationships; you name it. Nonetheless, many think firm oversight is scary or too tough. In …

Anyone with Gilbarco’s, Passport® has the ability to quickly start using analytic reports to improve store performance and grow their businesses. It takes a little help to use it fully. Of course, Passport transaction data has a lot of detail. In fact, everything regarding the POS transactions is recorded. Obviously, sorting through the details to …

Business intelligence (BI) for small c-store operators is complicated but necessary. Some argue that you have to have hundreds of stores to afford the staff and expertise needed to benefit. Processing, organizing, analyzing and sharing the data insights takes time, money and resources that are just too costly for small operators. C-store staff are busy. …

Define the power of the check list. Everyone loves to check off a job as done. Naturally, getting a job done is satisfying. Use the power well and everyone wines. For example, c-stores use checklists.  They have duty lists in the stores. Likewise IT backup lists in the IT departments. Just about anything that must …

Why grades matter for c-store performance. Just like school grades, assessment provides understanding and drives learning. Many innovative tools use simple grades to turn complex data into understanding, motivation and action. Many argue as to the validity of a single score showing anything meaningful. Others, however, believe it is one of the most effective ways …

C-Store owners challenge data geeks to do something useful for their sales results. For example, using tools to make your c-store data sell more snickers. They often argue that data cannot sell anything or help with the real work of providing convenience. Obviously, they are right in many ways. It is the c-store staff that …

If you read articles in the c-store industry journals or magazines it is hard to find an issue without some sort of mention on the value of analyzing your data and using it to drive your business.  A lot C-store operators feel like they have so much data it feels like a Big Data mountain to …

All employees of a c-store have responsibilities. Everyone is busy.  Whether work tasks or raising a family, people spend their time seeking objectives, solving problems and handling what comes to them each day.  This stress is normal life. Normal or not, the work load can sometimes become too much. At times, all staff experience burn …