The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multiunit operators.

Assessing a Team

Oct 08, 2026
 

Part of the challenge of being an Interim leader is quickly being able to assess a new team.

Generally, the situations that I am asked to lead are fraught with challenges and sorting through the good, the bad and the ugly is a large part of the puzzle.

In this podcast episode with Jada Willis, we discuss this.

John Matthews, President & CEO, Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc.

John Matthews is the Founder and President of Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc. a Raleigh, NC-based management consulting company. Gray Cat specializes in strategic project management and consulting for multi-unit operations; interim executive management; and strategic planning. Mr. Matthews has over 30 years of senior-level executive experience in the retail industry, involving three dynamic multi-unit companies. Mr. Matthews experience includes President of Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches; Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising, Corporate Communications, Facilities and Real Estate for Clark Retail Enterprises/White Hen Pantry; and National Marketing Director at Little Caesar's Pizza! Pizza!