The Gray Cat Blog
A growing library of practical business articles and insights created to help entrepreneurs, small business owners, franchisees, and multi-unit operators strengthen leadership, improve operations, drive growth, and build more profitable organizations.
In the convenience store marketplace, margins continue to tighten on core products such as candy, snacks, and tobacco. Forward-thinking operators are attempting to stem the tide by introducing foodser...
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 come.Â
Then they ge...
Recently, I appeared on the C-Suite Sherpa's podcast with fellow Chicagoan Brian Marshall where we discussed the differences between a consultant that provides vaporware versus on that produces result...
Amazingly, many companies do not think about communications – both internally and externally – until it is a necessity. A crisis occurs, a reaction follows, and, in many cases, they do not necessarily...
Looking for ways to improve your business?
If you’re willing to implement some of the ideas contained in any of these three Gray Cat books, you may find some answers.
In this radio interview with Joe ...
Recently, I appeared on the John Lofstock podcast where we discussed retail basics.
While I like to chase the shiny penny on occasion, there is no substitute for simple blocking and tackling to creat...
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 boatload of ...
I am living proof that by using LinkedIn, you can create a broader network of working professionals to foster relationships with and begin to build up an impenetrable circle of contacts that are exclu...
Change has been with us throughout time, but the worldwide pandemic seemed to put change on hyperdrive. Every timeline became compressed and long-term trends seemingly happened overnight. It was and...
Proactive networking is critical to stay top-of-mind.
Here is a short clip where I discuss this topic.
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Sometimes you need to make the quantum leap and go all the way there.Â
I am living proof that by using LinkedIn, you can create a broader network of working professionals to foster relationships with and begin to build up an impenetrable circle of contacts that are exclu...