Arrive

C-Store Center

This podcast is for multi-unit managers and independent owners striving to scale their success and widen the scope of their success and impact. Together we will strive to get you to the top of the mountain.

  1. 17시간 전

    THE GLASS CAGE (ASSET PROTECTION)

    Show Notes (Arrive Version) Episode Title: The Glass Cage: Asset Protection & Liability (Episode 84) Episode Description: "A dark parking lot is a lawsuit waiting to happen." For a Store Owner, safety isn't just about protecting people; it's about protecting the asset from "Negligent Security" claims. One incident can spike your insurance premiums or lead to a settlement that wipes out your annual profit. In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez breaks down the legal concept of Foreseeability and how to build an "Audit Trail" that defends you in court. Plus, a special welcome to Kristin (Member #1)! We also share the story of "The Lucas Plan"—Mike's 25-year journey to his degree—as a reminder that resilience is the owner's most valuable asset. What You Will Learn: Negligent Security: Why you can be sued for crimes committed by other people on your property.The Audit Trail: How to document your repairs and training so you have proof of "Due Diligence."Insurance ROI: How security upgrades (cameras, lighting) can directly lower your premiums.The "Lucas Plan": Mike shares his personal story of persistence—taking 25 years to earn his degree—proving that it's never too late to achieve your goals.Community Shout-Out: Welcoming Kristin (Member #1) to the Ownership circle.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the Owner's Liability Shield: Text the word SHIELD to 956-897-9192.🎧 Recommended Listen: Drive: Episode 74 (Hear how the District Manager audits the territory for these specific risks).

    3분
  2. 2월 1일

    THE COLD WAR (THE COOLER)

    Episode Title: The Cold War: Mastering the Cooler (Episode 82) Episode Description: It eats 50% of your electricity bill. Is it paying its rent? For an Independent Owner, the walk-in cooler is a massive financial engine. It generates high-margin sales, but it also burns cash through utilities and maintenance. More importantly, it is the center of your Exclusive Distribution Agreements (EDA). In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez treats the cooler like a commercial real estate investment. We discuss "Contract Compliance," why losing shelf share to rogue products can kill your quarterly rebate checks, and how to perform an "Energy Sweep" to stop profit from leaking out of your door seals. What You Will Learn: The Rent Rule: Treating shelf space as leased property. If the vendor doesn't pay (via margin or rebate), they don't get the spot.Rebate Compliance: How "SKU Creep" can accidentally disqualify you from your beverage contract bonuses.Energy ROI: The hidden cost of bad gaskets and old lighting, and how to fix it cheaply.The Dollar Bill Test: A 5-second trick to check if your cooler doors are wasting electricity.The Quest: Audit the Asset. Solo Quest: Perform a "Rebate Audit." Review your Coke/Pepsi/Dr. Pepper contract. Verify that your physical shelf layout matches the percentage required to hit your maximum rebate tier.Team Quest: The "Dollar Bill Test." Check the gaskets on every door. If the seal is loose, order replacements immediately. Stop cooling the sales floor.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 4 Contract Guide: Text the code word COLD to 956-897-9192.

    4분
  3. 1월 24일

    THE CASH REGISTER CAGE MATCH

    Episode Title: The Cash Register Cage Match: Speed vs. Accuracy (Episode 81) Episode Description: A customer walks in, sees a line of five people, turns around, and walks out. That isn't just a lost sale; that is money leaving your building. For an Independent Owner, the register is the single biggest bottleneck in your investment. It is your Checkout Funnel. If your team takes 90 seconds to ring a transaction instead of 45, they have literally cut your maximum revenue potential in half during the morning rush. In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez moves beyond "customer service" and talks about Asset Optimization. We analyze the cost of "Friction" vs. "Flow," calculate the lifetime value of a lost customer, and give you the tools to widen the funnel so you can bank more of the traffic you are already paying to get. What You Will Learn: The Checkout Funnel: Why the register is the "lid" on your store's revenue growth.Speed = Capacity: How increasing transaction speed instantly increases your sales ceiling.Friction vs. Flow: Why an employee hunting for a PLU code is actually lowering your business valuation.The Walk-Out Audit: A simple way to calculate exactly how much money a slow line is costing you every morning.The Quest: Widen the funnel. Solo Quest: Conduct a "Walk-Out Audit." Review your security footage from 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM. Count the customers who entered but left without buying because of the line. Multiply that number by your average ticket ($7.00) to see your daily loss.Team Quest: Audit your Managers. Demand the results of the "10-Item Dash." Don't ask if they are fast; ask who is dragging down the average. Make them own the speed of their team.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 3 Optimization Guide: Text the code word SPEED to 956-897-9192.🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Johnny Mecuerdo Chapter 2 is here. The ships La Muerte and La Sancha are waiting. Join the story at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook.Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

    4분
  4. 1월 18일

    THE 10-SECOND AUDITION

    Episode Title: The 10-Second Audition: Why Customers Drive By Your Store (Episode 80) Episode Description: Stop me if you’ve done this: You drive past a restaurant because the sign is flickering or the parking lot looks dark. You didn't taste the food, but you judged the business instantly. Your customers are doing the same thing to your store every single night. In this episode of C-Store Legends, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Front Stage" concept. Most employees think their job starts when they clock in, but the sale is actually won or lost in the parking lot. We are moving beyond the basic "Trash Run" and teaching you the "Perimeter Sweep"—the 2-minute tactic that ensures you pass the customer's 10-second audition. What You Will Learn: The Front Stage vs. Back Stage: Why the parking lot is the most critical sales floor in your building.The "Soccer Mom" Test: How to view your store through the eyes of your most safety-conscious customer.The Perimeter Sweep: A specific routine to replace lazy trash runs.Leadership Tactics: How to use the shift change to enforce exterior standards without being a nag.The Quest: Pass the audition. Solo Quest: Walk to the curb. Find one piece of trash that isn't yours. Pick it up.Team Quest: Text a photo of your cleanest pump to the number below.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 2 Guide: Text the word CURB to 956-897-9192.🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Join the crew at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook for the upcoming launch of the industry's most legendary gear.Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

    4분
  5. 2025. 05. 18.

    Smart Priorities: Managing Multiple Demands Successfully

    Episode 78 Show Notes:  Smart Priorities - Managing Multiple Demands Successfully Episode Description In this final episode of the "Arrive" series from C-Store Center, host Mike Hernandez tackles the challenge every convenience store owner faces - managing competing demands and setting smart priorities when everything feels urgent. Discover how Rachel Torres transformed her store operations and increased profit margins by 15% without working more hours or hiring additional staff. Her "Power Priority System" revolutionized how she decides what deserves her attention, reducing stress and creating a more independent team. 📚 What You'll Learn: The "Value Velocity" method for evaluating what truly deserves your timeCreating your "Power Start Protocol" for the first 15 minutes of your dayImplementing the "Split Shift Strategy" to balance customer service and operationsBuilding your "Priority Power Matrix" for almost automatic decision-makingProtecting your focus with the "Buffer Zone Defense" against interruptionsUsing the "50-30-20 Rule" to allocate time across immediate priorities, improvement, and growthReal Success Stories: How one owner discovered they were spending 70% of time on low-value tasksThe store that reduced spoilage costs by $200 weekly with a simple closing checklistAn owner whose team handled 80% of issues independently after dedicated training timeThe 60% reduction in emergency repair costs through scheduled maintenanceSarah in Boston who transformed her business with a clear time allocation frameworkKey Insights: ✅ Training staff just one hour daily enabled 80% independent problem-solving ✅ The "Block and Buffer" method creates space for unexpected issues ✅ The "Two-Then-Me" rule reduced interruptions by 70% ✅ Proper prioritization leads to more accomplishment in 4 hours than previously in 8 ✅ Success isn't about doing everything—it's doing the right things at the right time Target Audience Independent convenience store owners seeking practical strategies for managing multiple demands, setting effective priorities, and focusing on what truly moves their business forward Episode Key Points 1. Understanding Task Categories  Value Velocity assessment methodProfit Priority List for revenue-generating activitiesSavings Spotter system for cost reductionCustomer Value Matrix evaluationTraining ROI Tracker for staff developmentEmergency Filter for true urgency evaluationTimeline Triage for deadline managementPrevention Priority checklistFuture Focus Time for growth opportunities2. Prioritization Systems  Power Start Protocol for daily structureQuick Sort System with impact and urgency scoresBlock and Buffer method for realistic schedulingShift and Adapt rules for flexibilityPriority Power Matrix for decision-makingReturn on Time calculator for value analysisResource Reality Check for realistic planningRipple Effect Review for system-wide impactProgress Pipeline for visual tracking3. Managing Competing Demands  Split Shift Strategy for customer needs vs. operationsDevelopment Defense system for business growthNow and Later Grid for short vs. long-term balanceCrisis Criteria Checklist for interruption managementEnergy Matching Method for peak performanceCapability Map for staff utilizationROI Ranking system for financial decisionsEnergy Preservation Protocol for sustainability50-30-20 Rule for time allocation framework4. Maintaining Focus  Focus Lock technique for boundariesBuffer Zone Defense against interruptionsPriority Shield method for top goalsVictory Log for progress trackingFlexible Focus Framework for course correctionReality Checks for weekly reassessmentResource Reset method for reallocationBetter-By-Degree system for continuous improvement5. Action Items  Create your Priority Power Matrix tomorrow morningSchedule three one-hour Focus Lock blocks this weekStart your Victory Log to track completions and impactResources Mentioned Essential Tools: Priority Power Matrix for decision makingBlock and Buffer scheduling methodTwo-Then-Me rule for interruption managementCrisis Criteria Checklist for emergency evaluationFocus Lock technique for protected time50-30-20 Rule for time allocationAvailable Resources: Priority setting templatesDecision matrix toolsTask tracking guidesImplementation checklistsConnect With Us For Quick Daily Tips: Smoke Break Store Owners - 4-7 minute episodes perfect for busy store owners Join Our Community: Visit cstorethrive.com for articles, activities, and resources Assessment Questions for Practice: Priority conflict resolution between competing high-impact tasksFocus protection strategy that balances staff needsResource optimization for balancing operations and strategyAdaptation strategy for unexpected opportunitiesImplementation planning for a balanced weekly scheduleProduction Credits Arrive from C-Store Center is a Sink or Swim Production Host: Mike Hernandez Special Note: This concludes the "Arrive" series! Continue your professional development journey with our "Smoke Break" episodes and resources at cstorethrive.com. Episode Tags: Time Management, Priority Setting, Decision Making, Focus Techniques, Business Growth, Store Owner Development, Productivity, Strategic Planning

    24분
  6. 2025. 05. 11.

    Time Well Spent: Effective Management for Store Owners

    Episode 77 Show Notes:  Time Well Spent - Effective Management for Store Owners Episode Description In this game-changing episode of "Arrive from C-Store Center," host Mike Hernandez reveals how smart time management can transform your store operations and reclaim your life. Discover how Mike Reynolds cut his 80-hour work weeks down to 45 hours while increasing profits by 20% - all through small, strategic changes in how he used his time. Learn why being busy isn't the same as being productive, and how spending 15 hours weekly on tasks your staff could handle might be costing you both money and life experiences. 📚 What You'll Learn: The "15-Minute Rule" to discover where your time really goesCreating your "Power Hour" system for maximum morning productivityThe "Energy Map" technique to match tasks with your peak performance timesBuilding "Focus Blocks" that double your productivityThe "Interruption Log" that cuts disruptions by 50%Developing "Freedom Frameworks" that let your team make decisionsReal-World Success Stories: Mike Reynolds' journey from 80-hour weeks to 45 hours with 20% profit increaseHow one owner saved 90 minutes daily on inventory counts through delegationThe owner who cut vendor management time in half with simple time blocksLisa's "Freedom System" that enabled her first vacation in five yearsKey Insights: ✅ 70% of most owners' daily tasks could be delegated with proper training ✅ The "25% Rule" - Leave 25% of your day open for inevitable surprises ✅ Every hour spent on staff training returns triple the value of routine tasks ✅ Morning "Power Hour" eliminates most daily firefighting ✅ Two-minute tasks done immediately prevent hour-long pile-ups Target Audience Independent convenience store owners seeking practical time management strategies to work smarter, not harder, while building sustainable business systems Episode Key Points 1. Understanding Your Time (5:00-15:00) Time tracking methods and the "15-Minute Rule"Creating your Time Log with four critical columnsIdentifying interruption patterns and time wastersDiscovering peak productivity hoursEnergy mapping for optimal task schedulingUrgent vs. Important Matrix for priorities2. Strategic Time Planning (15:00-25:00) The "Power Hour" morning systemFocus Blocks for 90-minute productivity chunksBuffer time management with the "25% Rule"Energy-based task planning strategiesWeekly organization techniquesMonthly planning frameworks3. Delegation and Systems (25:00-35:00) The "Independence Training Ladder"Creating "Ownership Matrix" for clear responsibilitiesBuilding standard operating procedures as "Freedom Frameworks"Automation opportunities with the "Repetition Radar"Quality control through "Quick Checks"Technology integration that actually saves time4. Managing Interruptions (35:00-40:00) The Interruption Log tracking system"Predictable Problem Map" for pattern recognitionCommunication channels for different issuesCrisis Response Playbook development"Decision Zones" for staff empowermentBounce Back Plans for quick recovery5. Action Items (40:00-45:00) Start your Time Log for one day tomorrowCreate your morning "Power Hour" routineDevelop your Interruption Log to identify patternsResources Mentioned Essential Tools: Time tracking templatesDaily planning worksheetsDelegation guidesProcess optimization checklistsPower Hour plannerInterruption trackerEnergy level monitorKey Frameworks: 15-Minute Rule for time trackingPower Hour morning systemFocus Blocks scheduling25% Rule for buffer timeEnergy Map alignmentOwnership MatrixFreedom FrameworksConnect With Us For Quick Daily Tips: Smoke Break Store Owners - 4-7 minute episodes perfect for busy owners Join Our Community: Visit cstorethrive.com for more store owner resources Assessment Questions for Practice: Time audit analysis and optimization planningEnergy management and task restructuringInterruption pattern resolution systemsCrisis management protocol developmentStrategic time investment allocationProduction Credits Arrive from C-Store Center is a Sink or Swim Production Host: Mike Hernandez Note: All examples and case studies are fictional, created for educational purposes Episode Tags: Time Management, Store Owner Development, Business Efficiency, Delegation Strategies, Work-Life Balance, Productivity Systems, Small Business Management

    22분

소개

This podcast is for multi-unit managers and independent owners striving to scale their success and widen the scope of their success and impact. Together we will strive to get you to the top of the mountain.