The best way to ensure cooperation is to have rules that make sense. by Mel Kleiman ____________________________________________ Every time I leave for a speaking or training engagement, I take the same route to the airport and, 98% of the time, in the same spot, parked on the same side of the freeway, I pass the [...]
More than 100 retail managers released into early retirement. Valero will be releasing more than 100 managers on the retail end of its operations. The released managers, if they worked above the store level, will be offered early retirement. There are a total of 130 candidates eligible for early retirement, according to Valero spokesman Bill [...]
VeraSun Energy Corp., the nation's second-largest ethanol producer, announced two additions to its management team. Bob Antoine willmove into his new role as senior vice president ofhuman resources, bringing more than 25 years ofexperience to the position. Peter Atkins alsojoins VeraSun as the new vice president of mergers and acquisitions. He will be responsible for [...]
The time to create a winning game plan for attracting and retaining top employees is right now. I’ve been talking with two friendsabout the possibility of running theChevron Houston Marathon together this January. We kicked the ideaaround for a couple of months, butdidn’t actually sign up. When I finally checked out the raceinformation online, our [...]
From small operators with space and labor limitations to larger chains with food at the forefront, the grab-and-go segment has these retailers turning tasty profits. Food has always been a cornerstone of the overall offering at Casey’s General Stores. The made-fromscratch pizza program has become the calling card across its 1,423 stores, which has evolved [...]
New imaging program transforms the forecourt with a colorful array of bright lights and warm, friendly graphics. Amateurs work until they get it right. Professionals work until they can’t get it wrong. It’s this philosophy that is driving Chevron to display its professional prowess as it prepares for the nationwide rollout of its Image Refresh [...]
Known for its fresh food and friendly service, the Pennsylvania chain is fast becoming a top fuel marketer in the mid-Atlantic. Though a regional operator with 556 sites in five mid-Atlantic states, Wawa’s reputation as a top operator spreads from coast to coast. The stores are noted for their freshly prepared hoagies, coffee, competitively priced [...]
Hiring the right employees from the get-go. By David Hyatt, Contributing Editor When turnover is reduced and retention is the norm, retail businesses thrive.If an operator can find a sure-fire way to identify job applicants who are ableto do the job and actually be happy on the job, many later attempts at increasingstaff retention will [...]
Remember “Blast from the Past,” the 1999 film starring Brendan Fraser? After a nuclear war scare in the 1960s, young Brendan lives in the family bomb shelter with his mom and dad for 30 years. When he finally ventures out into Los Angeles for food and a ” nonmutant” wife, it becomes a hilarious “fish [...]
Working with insurance companies, many convenience store chains are reducing accidents and other losses, while reaping savings on insurance costs. On days when rain or snow is forecast for the Texas panhandle region, the managers of all 66 Toot ‘n Totum convenience stores receive early-morning e-mails reminding them to put out “wet floor” signs, mop [...]
By Kate Quackenbush, Managing Editor While everyone talks a big game about livingand eating healthier, Don Hamberger knowsthat consumers still love to treat themselves.Candy represents the fourth most profitablecategory at La Platta, Md.-based Dash In Food Stores, behindcigarettes, foodservice and coffee. Confections are up 3.5%from last year, on top of 6% the year before, and [...]
With the labor pool shrinking sources of new hourly recruits are drying up. First impressions are lasting. Newly hired, hourly employees are not. Before they’ve been on the job just six months, more than 50% are gone. Some were probably not a good fit for the job in the first place, but some productive, dependable, [...]
Wayne Moser, Town Pump Food Stores Wayne Moser studied electrical technology with the hopes of gaining employment in the oil fields in Western North Dakota or Eastern Montana, where he had always dreamed of moving. Unfortunately, the oil boom era was slowing down just after his college years, which made it difficult to find employment [...]
From coast to coast, colleges and universities operate campus convenience stores, offering everything from entres to organics and, they say, theyre not in it for the money. Forget Ramen noodles and those little boxes of cereal that wouldnt satisfy a babys grumbling stomach. The college convenience store has evolved into much more. Consider Harvard University, [...]
How you present information determines how well training works. What Employers Are Doing More careful employee selection 57% Better compensation & benefits 50% Tuition reimbursement 47% Improved training programs 45% Better orientation programs 39% Casual dress code 38% Flexible hours & schedules 33% Providing health insurance 29% Conducting exit interviews 28% Profit-sharing 17% What Employees [...]