The Gray Cat Blog
A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators.
For decades, convenience stores built their business around fuel, cigarettes, beverages, and packaged snacks. While these categories remain important, shrinking margins and changing consumer expecta...
“Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”
When it comes to foodservice and retail, there are few sales strategies more powerful than group orders. One large catering order can generate the same reve...
The conversation usually starts like this:
“Do you know your customers?”
“Absolutely. I know many of them by name.”
“Great. How are you going to tell them about your sale this weekend?”
…Silence...
I’ve always enjoyed technology. I was an early adopter of laptops, mobile phones, and social media. I joined LinkedIn when it had only a couple million users—long before it became the professional n...
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with several high-growth companies. Some expanded organically by opening new locations, while others accelerated growth through acquisitions. Both s...
Recently, I appeared on Derek Colin's Growth Xperts Podcast where we discussed how Gray Cat's approach to consulting takes it to another level.
Being an Operational Consultant means that Gray Cat del...
Your lease is expiring. A newer shopping center has opened nearby. A better location with improved visibility and traffic has become available.
The opportunity is exciting—but so is the risk.
Every ...
 Most successful businesses begin with a simple idea—and an entrepreneur determined to make it work.
Whether the company starts in a garage, a spare bedroom, or around a kitchen table, entrepreneurs ...
More than a decade ago, I began writing a monthly blog focused on helping small businesses improve their operations, marketing, leadership, and strategic planning. Much of the content was inspired b...
Being an Operational Consultant means that Gray Cat needs to prove to new clients and in particular the top management, that we deliver results. Â
Not vaporware, real trackable and verifiable results...
In this podcast clip, I speak with Bea Guzman about the key to happiness through a balanced lifestyle. Â
Yes, I view my life in 24/7 terms and because of that, can extract happiness from a number of ...
Is that your corporate communications strategy?
For many organizations, it certainly looks that way. A customer issue erupts, a competitor makes an announcement, a social media post gains traction,...
