A lack of mentors is affecting the advancement of women and minorities to executive positions.

Even with the strain of oil prices and the reduction of in-store sales, convenience stores are a booming industry. But it has some work to do to continue reaching a profitable, untapped demographic: women. Women are a full 50% of the population, yet when looking at the history of the c-store industry it has been predominately operated by men and marketed to that core base.
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With all the volatility surrounding the fuel business, a more effective strategy may be found in focusing on in-store volume.

Any rookie baseball player knows you can’t win if you don’t score and that you can’t score if you don’t get on base.  In business, this veteran player feels strongly that you can’t win if you don’t keep your base—your critical customer base. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s a place at the table in the evolving convenience store industry.

By Tonya Brown

The issue of diversity and inclusion in corporate America has been a topic of conversation for a long time. First, the issues around the table were about achieving diversity. Then the role of inclusion came to be and the issue of how do we actually leverage that diversity once achieved took center stage.

I have been involved in the area of diversity and inclusion in talent acquisition and management for some time, both by sitting on panels and participating in racial dialogues. There have been many strides made in terms of the Fortune 50,100, and 500, but it is clear that while some convenience store operators have achieved some diversity at the lower levels, they are certainly still living in the dark ages. Read the rest of this entry »

Leaders need to modify their thinking and actions in order to truly unleash the human spirit in their store managers.

By Tonya Brown

Over the last 11 months, I have seen four District Managers (DM) take reign. Now of course, given that this is the retail industry, it was hardly a surprise. They came and went for a number of reasons; some overt and some covert. The retail industry has always had a sense of drama embracing it. It is often hit with high turnover, involves long hours, provides little praise, and comes with minimal pay; at least in comparison with salary averages of other industries.

With the revolving District Manager or DM door, come constant changes in management styles, attitudes, and COMMUNICATION. Differences in communication was always the most frustrating experience because in my view, open and direct communication is always prudent, but it became very clear, that some managers preferred to communicate via phone, some in person, and some preferred non-direct communication via the method of emailing. Read the rest of this entry »

The business of inclusion is as important as what’s sold on the shelves.

Tonya Brown

One might think that the convenience store industry is a microcosm of diversity. One would have to admit that the industry, at least from the lower operations level, would fit this mold. After all, the DNA at the lower level encompasses diverse talent from differing social, economic, educational, ethnic, sexual orientation, and of course gender backgrounds.

However, with the existing global landscape, comes the responsibility of creating a diverse environment and managing the complex dynamics that result in this achievement. More importantly, store managers must advocate, not just create and manage diversity, but design a strategy that accomplishes the goal of an inclusive environment. Read the rest of this entry »

With the U.S. consuming about 20% of the world’s fuel, it’s time to take matters into our own hands to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

By Jim Callahan

You may have noticed that fuel prices seem to be on the rise recently. Quite dramatically you say you’re really ticked off about it–you say it’s putting a crimp in your disposable income and starting to have an effect on your standard of living, threatening your business, and you want to know who’s responsible. Let’s examine those thoughts for a minute

I’m told that America comprises around 5% of the world’s population and yet consumes some 20% of the world’s fuel. Despite this obvious imbalance, consider these three facts: Read the rest of this entry »

Under attack from taxes, credit card fees and even some of our branded partners, retailers must continue to fight on.

by Jim Callahan, Convenience Store Solutions

In the days of old before crude was “liquid gold” and drive-offs were unheard of, we had low taxes and no faxes and just two blends to deal with.

We had clean air, grocery stores played fair, and few credit cards plagued us. We sold gas for 29.9 cents and made in the neighborhood of 8 cents per gallon. We were looked up to as pillars of the community and were considered good and fair businessmen and women by most all who came in contact with us. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently read a great quote attributed to a one time door-to-door sales person and lately more recognizable as founder of the billion-dollar company that bears her name, Mary Kay Cosmetics. Mary Kay Ash said, “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe you can achieve.” Read the rest of this entry »

Staying Alive: Planning to Thrive!

Staying Alive is both the title of an old disco tune, as well as a description of the challenge that today’s c-store operators face. C-store growth in numbers as well as quality continues unabated. I certainly don’t have all the answers about staying relevant, but I have some very interesting facts that indicate it is being done on a consistent basis in one of the very toughest markets. Read the rest of this entry »

The sweet science of obtaining a better deal than was offered!

To compete with the big chains more effectively, you’ve got to be able to buy better, which is obviously much more difficult for a smaller chain, even more so for the single store operator. But in reality it’s much easier than you might think Read the rest of this entry »