The Gray Cat Blog
A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators.
Excited to celebrate Gray Cat's 19th year!
John Matthews is the president and CEO of Gray Cat Enterprises and is responsible for the management of all consulting activities for the firm,...
Over the years, I have been fortunate to have held some pretty nice corporate roles. I was the National Marketing Director of Little Caesars back in their high-growth years; a VP of five...
Every retail operator starts with that first, single store. They hone their operational skills; develop a “how-to-go-to-market” strategy; and hopefully find success for years to...
I remember my first interview with a convenience store chain.
I had just spent 9 fast-paced years with Little Caesars Pizza as the National Marketing Director – we went from 1,300...
Below is an excerpt of a recent interview discusses the importance of connecting with the customer:
Q: Why are brands so important?
Matthews: Brands identify and establish an emotional...
When I started Gray Cat Enterprises in 2004, I was living in Chicago and for the first couple of years, all of my clients were based in Illinois. This was fine at the time, since I had a...
Employee peer recognition is often more influential among your workers than achieving actual prizes or monetary rewards. Developing ongoing peer recognition programs will keep your employees...
Running a small, start-up business has it share of ups and downs. When I launched my company nearly sixteen years ago, running my own small business has been both rewarding and challenging. It has...
In the convenience store marketplace, margins continue to tighten on core products such as candy, snacks and tobacco. Prudent operators are attempting to stem the tide by introducing foodservice...
What is your branding game plan?
Not the branding media schedule – that is just part of it – but rather, your overarching strategic decision-making game plan on all of your branding...
You own a bunch of stores all varying in size and age. Over the years, product assortments and sets have come and gone and you have ridden certain designs into the ground. Each of your stores needs...
“The nice thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression.”
— John Harvey-Jones
Truer...
