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.

Grand Openings: Turning Opening Day into Long-Term Success Jul 06, 2026

Opening a new retail location is one of the most exciting milestones in business. Months—or even years—of planning, investment, construction, merchandising, and staffing finally come together as you p...

Continue Reading...
 
The High Cost of Turnover Jul 06, 2026

Turnover has a hidden cost to organizations.  In retail, turnover can be one big revolving door.

Creating a work environment for employees that keeps them around is a huge benefit - both in continuit...

Continue Reading...
 
Interim Management - Aligning Multiple Departments Jul 06, 2026

Having a wide-ranging corporate background enables Gray Cat to bring a breadth AND depth to any project and/or multiple projects for my clients.

In this podcast episode with Arif Moriya, we discuss t...

Continue Reading...
 
Communicate, Focus and Lead Effectively Jun 29, 2026

Shooting for targets - be it initiatives, projects or financial - puts a stake in the ground to focus the organization.

In this podcast episode with George Lowe, I talk about implementing a "Daily Sa...

Continue Reading...
 
What Attributes Make a Bad Leader? Jun 29, 2026

In this podcast episode with Bea Guzman, we talk about what makes a bad leader.

On the flip side, exhibiting leadership traits that allow the team to do their respective roles for a common goal - mak...

Continue Reading...
The Power of an Integrated Brand Message Jun 29, 2026

One of the hallmarks of successful brands is consistency. Whether a customer encounters your company online, in-store, through advertising, or at a community event, the experience and message should...

Continue Reading...
Labor Management Jun 25, 2026

Few responsibilities have a greater impact on profitability than labor management.

Schedule too few employees, and customer service suffers. Long lines, empty shelves, delayed orders, and poor expe...

Continue Reading...
Branded or Proprietary Foodservice? Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Convenience Store Jun 25, 2026

One of the most common questions I hear from convenience store operators is:

Should we partner with an established foodservice brand, or should we build our own?

The answer is simple:

Both strate...

Continue Reading...
Networking Isn’t About Collecting Contacts—It’s About Creating Connections Jun 25, 2026

Be honest.

You probably wish you were a better networker.

The good news? Networking isn’t a personality trait reserved for extroverts. It’s a skill that anyone can develop through consistency, cur...

Continue Reading...
In-Store Marketing: Your Most Powerful Salesperson Is Already on the Sales Floor Jun 25, 2026

Retailers spend significant time and money driving customers through the front door.

But what happens after they walk inside?

That’s where in-store marketing takes over—and it’s one of the most un...

Continue Reading...
Great Foodservice Marketing Begins with One Simple Goal: Get Customers to Take the First Bite Jun 25, 2026

One interview question has stayed with me throughout my career.

After spending nine exciting years as National Marketing Director for Little Caesars during one of the fastest growth periods in the ...

Continue Reading...
Running Out of Time? Jun 25, 2026

Try These Calendar Management Tips

If it feels like time management gets harder every year, you’re not imagining it.

Emails, text messages, instant messaging, video calls, project management platf...

Continue Reading...

THE GRAY CAT LEARNING SERIES

Want to improve your business-building skills but don’t know where to turn? 

Fifteen (15) hands-on, business training courses each ranging from 25-to-90 minutes in length.
SIGN UP TODAY!