The Gray Cat Blog
A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators.
Developing a store attributes predictive model is one of the most important initiatives a growing chain can implement. With a finite number of resources and investment capital, companies need to ensu...
Recently, I had a terrific session with one of my clients on business planning. I have written articles before on the importance of business planning, but this session resonated with me. What was rein...
I would like to think that every marketing strategy that I have set in motion was a smashing success.
Far from it.
Here is a short clip with Ashur Eliot on his Elite Growth Partners podcast that out...
Breaking out on your own can be very rewarding but on some complex projects, you have to surround yourself with expertise.
In this episode of Founders Future podcast with Jae Encarnacion, we discuss ...
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..”
Ah yes…..the annual business planning cycle is upon us.
The time of the year to huddle all of your business colleagues in a room to hash out the key ini...
Longevity of an entrepreneur is a rare commodity.
Often entrepreneurs are conflicted with adding staff or staying solo.
My approach at Gray Cat has been fairly focused in this area.
On a recent podcast with Ashur Elliot, we discuss this.
Everyone wants to grow. Â But growth for the sake of growth may not always be the best roadmap.
Operational excellence is a retail buzzword that often gets glossed over. Retailers talk the talk, but often miss on walking the walk. Operational excellence has a singular focus: the customer. The cu...
I was fortunate. Â I was involved in three high-growth companies:
- Little Caesars (went from 1,300 stores to 5,000 stores in 5 years)
- Clark Retail Enterprises (added 600 stores in 3 years)
- Jimm...
One of my favorite parts of managing a team is developing people. Give me the understated employee or the overachiever and my desire is the same – how can I make them better for the team and better f...
“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
If you get in a car in Chicago wi...
