Dive

C-Store Center
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This is a podcast covering training topics and experiences related to new convenience store sales associates that others in your store don't have time to cover. So, dive right in and learn about your job and how things work in the industry.

  1. HACE 5 DÍAS

    THE STING (AGE RESTRICTED SALES)

    Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The Sting: Age Restricted Sales (Episode 74) Episode Description: "The register is not a slot machine. Don't gamble with your freedom." Selling alcohol or tobacco to a minor is the fastest way to lose your job, your money, and your clean record. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Police Sting" and how to survive it. What You Will Learn: The Sting Reality: How police operations actually work (they aren't trying to trick you; they are testing your process).The A-L-E-R-T System: A 5-step checklist to verify every ID perfectly.Refusal Skills: How to say "No" to a tough customer without getting punched.The "Kitchen Ladies" Story: Mike shares a personal story about losing a job opportunity because he refused to ignore the frontline employees—proving that Dive is built to support you, not just your boss.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the Refusal Script Card: Text the word CARD to 956-897-9192.🎧 Recommended Listen: Thrive: Episode 84 (Hear the Store Manager's perspective on compliance and license suspension).

    3 min

  2. 14 FEB

    THE GLASS CAGE (SAFETY & AWARENESS)

    Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The Glass Cage: Safety & Awareness (Episode 73) Episode Description: "You are the fish in the fishbowl." Working the counter—especially at night—can feel like being on display. And to a criminal, a distracted clerk is an open invitation. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to turn your visibility into your greatest defense. We discuss why "Aggressive Hospitality" scares away thieves, why your phone is your biggest safety risk, and how to use the "3-Second Rule" to control the energy in your store. What You Will Learn: The Glass Cage: Understanding that you are always being watched, and how to use that to your advantage.Aggressive Hospitality: Why a loud greeting is more effective than a security camera.The 3-Second Rule: The window of time you have to establish dominance when a customer walks in.The Lucas Plan: Mike shares his personal story of taking 25 years to earn his degree—proving that it's never too late to finish what you started.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the Robbery Deterrent Checklist: Text the word SAFE to 956-897-9192.

    3 min

  3. 7 FEB

    THE "GHOST" IN THE SYSTEM

    Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The "Ghost" in the System (Episode 72) Episode Description: "But the App says you have it!" Those are the most annoying words a Sales Associate can hear. But usually, the "Ghost" (Phantom Inventory) was created by the clerk standing at the register. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains how "Lazy Scanning" destroys your store's ability to order product. We discuss why scanning one flavor twice creates two problems, and how "hiding waste" ensures you will get yelled at by a customer later. What You Will Learn: Phantom Inventory: What it is and why it makes customers angry.The "Lazy Scan" Trap: Why scanning one item for a group of items destroys the automatic ordering system.Waste Management: Why you must record every broken bottle (so the computer knows it's gone).The Career Path: Mike explains the C-Store Center ecosystem—inviting you to listen to Survive (Assistant Managers) and Thrive (Store Managers) to understand the jobs above you.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the Ghost Hunter Checklist: Text the word GHOST to 956-897-9192.

    4 min

  4. 1 FEB

    THE COLD WAR (THE COOLER)

    Episode Title: The Cold War: Mastering the Cooler (Episode 71) Episode Description: It’s 34 degrees. The fan is blowing in your face. Your fingers are numb. Welcome to "The Cold War." For a Sales Associate, the cooler is the task everyone tries to avoid. It's the "Forbidden Zone." But the Vault is also where the highest profit items in the store live. If the customer sees a black hole where their energy drink should be, they walk away. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to conquer the cooler without freezing to death. We discuss "The Wall of Sales," why the "Lazy Front" is killing your shift, and the "2-Deep Rule" that separates the rookies from the Legends. What You Will Learn: The Forbidden Zone: Overcoming the physical dread of the cold vault.The Wall of Sales: Why "Fronting" is more important than "Filling."Power Rows: Identifying the items that actually matter (Energy, Water, Tea) vs. the ones you can ignore.The 2-Deep Rule: The visual trick that keeps the cooler looking full even during a rush.The Quest: Face the Freeze. Solo Quest: Implement the "2-Deep Rule." Next time you face the cooler, reach back. If a row has less than 2 bottles, it counts as "Empty." Pull it forward or fill it immediately.Team Quest: Challenge a coworker to "Face the Freeze." Pick the Energy Drink door. Who can front-face the entire door perfectly (labels out, no gaps) in the fastest time?Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 4 Cooler Checklist: Text the code word COLD to 956-897-9192.

    4 min

  5. 24 ENE

    THE CASH REGISTER CAGE MATCH

    Episode Title: The Cash Register Cage Match: Speed vs. Accuracy (Episode 70) Episode Description: The door chime rings. You look up and see six people in line. The guy in front is counting pennies, and the lady in back is sighing loudly. You can feel the sweat starting. For a Sales Associate, the register is a "Cage Match." On one side, the customer wants Speed. On the other side, your manager wants Accuracy. If you rush, you make mistakes. If you take your time, they get angry. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to control the chaos so the line doesn't control you. We are breaking down the "Smooth Operator" technique—a rhythm that eliminates friction and makes you faster without the panic. What You Will Learn: The Surgeon vs. The Flash: Why trying to move your hands faster actually slows you down.The Pre-Scan Stage: The 3-second habit that saves you 25 minutes a shift.Eliminating Friction: How to stop hunting for barcodes and start dominating the rush.Top 5 PLUs: The specific codes you need to memorize today to stop the "Price Check" delay.The Quest: Master the rhythm. Solo Quest: Memorize the Top 5 PLU codes (Ice, Bananas, Refills, etc.) so you never have to look them up again.Team Quest: Ask your manager to time you on the "10-Item Dash." Prove you are the fastest smooth operator in the store.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 3 Cheat Sheet: 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

    4 min

  6. 18 ENE

    THE 10-SECOND AUDITION

    Episode Title: The 10-Second Audition: Why Customers Drive By Your Store (Episode 69) 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

    4 min

  7. 13 ENE

    The 5 Levels of C-Store Mastery: From Dive to Arrive

    Episode Title: The 5 Levels of C-Store Mastery: From Dive to Arrive Episode Description: Retail training is broken. It’s passive, boring, and frankly, it doesn’t stick. Today, we are pausing the standard playbook to introduce the new reality of the industry: Sink or Swim. In this episode, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Old Way" of training versus the "New Era" of the Operator. We introduce the 5 stages of a convenience store career and the specific mindset shift required to master each one: Dive (Sales Associate): How to stop drowning in the details.Survive (Assistant Manager): Escaping the "purgatory" between peer and boss.Thrive (Store Manager): Moving from 70-hour weeks to operational excellence.Drive (District Manager): The shift from running a unit to leading a territory.Arrive (Independent Owner): Facing the hard truths about theft, inventory, and legacy.The era of the Passive Manager is over. It’s time to start keeping score. 🔗 GET THE VISUAL GUIDE: Don't just listen—execute. Go to www.cstorethrive.com to access the Members Only One-Pager breaking down all 5 levels and your first action item for the week. Connect with Mike: Website: C-Store ThriveProduction: C-Store Legends is a Sink or Swim Production.

    1 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Enhancing Store Operations - Your Guide to Continuous Improvement

    Dive from C-Store Center - Enhancing Store Operations: Your Guide to Continuous Improvement for Convenience Store Sales Associates Episode 67 Duration: 17 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for the final episode of the "Dive" series as he reveals how employee innovation drives 35% higher efficiency and significantly better customer satisfaction scores through continuous improvement practices. Learn comprehensive strategies for spotting customer flow bottlenecks (Store 185 coffee station 3-minute wait time reduction), implementing time management tracking (Rachel's hour-per-shift savings through mini-stock positioning), creating friction point checklists (Store 247's 15-minute shift change reduction), executing Five-Minute Finds team huddles (25% morning beverage speed improvement), organizing Morning Mission Carts (50% restocking time reduction), applying the 30-Second Scan quality check, launching Bright Idea Moments sharing sessions (30% faster restocking), building Win Wall success tracking systems, and transforming Store 247's storage area reorganization into a 40% restocking time cut that improved peak-hour customer service through seeing opportunities where others see routine. Episode Overview Master essential continuous improvement elements: Customer movement flow observationCoffee station bottleneck two-access-point solutionTime management walking time trackingMini-stock positioning near register creationFriction point 15-minute shift change reductionFive-Minute Finds team huddle implementationCoffee grinder 25% speed improvementCustomer input cooler layout consolidationPerformance analysis resource usage alignmentMorning Mission Cart night-before stockingMotion efficiency 50-steps-per-hour savings30-Second Scan quality verificationPicture Perfect visual guide postingWin Wall team success story trackingBright Idea Moments two-minute sessionsEmployee Innovation Impact Statistics Learn to implement: 35% higher efficiency with active employee innovation encouragementSignificantly better customer satisfaction scoresStore 247: 40% restocking time cut through storage reorganizationStore 185: 3-minute wait time reduction per customer during peakRachel: nearly one hour walking time saved per shiftStore 247: 15 minutes gained back in shift change processStore 392: 25% morning beverage service speed improvementStore 273: preparation time cut in halfStore 185: 50% restocking time cut with Morning Mission CartMike: nearly 50 steps per hour saved20-second average transaction time reductionStore 156: 75% missed task reduction30 minutes per shift saved in walking timeStore 185: 30% faster restocking through Jenny's ideaStore 392: coffee service time cut in halfCustomer Movement Flow Observation Develop approaches for: Store 185 morning rush noticingCoffee station customer clusteringEntire store flow affecting bottleneckCream and sugar station reorganizationTwo access points instead of one creation3-minute wait time reduction per customerPeak hour simple changeStore detective thinkingTime Management Walking Time Tracking Master techniques for: Rachel's top performer attention payingMost time away from register identifyingStorage room frequent trips discoveryCustomer service interruptingMini-stock positions near register creationCommonly needed items accessNearly one hour per shift savingIncredible opportunity revealingFriction Point Procedure Review Create systems for: More-complicated-than-necessary momentsStore 247 shift change 15-minute excessSimple handover checklist creationProcess streamliningPrecious minutes for customer service gainingWhat-we-call identificationUnnecessary complexity spottingEfficiency improvementFive-Minute Finds Team Huddles Implement strategies for: Store 392 starting practiceQuick team huddle everyone sharingOne thing could-work-better thinkingCoffee grinder placement struggle mentionCoffee station layout team reorganization25% morning beverage speed improvementTeam feedback goldCollaborative problem solvingCustomer Input Cooler Analysis Establish protocols for: Cold drink finding hot-day challenge mentionsStore 156 cooler layout analysisPopular items scattered across locationsHigh-demand product easy-accessible-spot consolidationCustomer satisfaction and sales improvementThings-we-might-miss highlightingInput value recognitionLayout optimizationPerformance Analysis Pattern Understanding Develop approaches for: Busiest time trackingResource usage customer demand misalignmentRestocking schedule quieter-period adjustmentEfficiency and customer service peak-time improvementNot-just-about-numbers understandingPattern comprehensionStrategic schedulingDemand alignmentMorning Sandwich Prep Measurement Create systems for: Store 273 common task time trackingTwice-as-long-as-should discoveryPrep station ingredients-within-reach reorganizationPreparation time half-cuttingQuality maintaining while improvingTask duration understandingOrganization impactEfficiency doublingMorning Mission Cart Night-Before Stocking Implement strategies for: Store 185 morning workflow solutionSix storage room trips during rush hourNight before with first-three-hours-operation stockingRestocking time half-cuttingCoffee station fully supplied peak keepingSimple change transformationProactive preparationRush hour efficiencyMotion Efficiency Movement Mapping Establish protocols for: Veteran Mike shift movement mappingBack-and-forth same-area repeated walkingRestocking routine same-area multi-task reorganizationNearly 50 steps per hour savingWorking smarter not harderTechnical-sounding practical applicationMovement optimizationEfficiency enhancementService Enhancement Pause Point Elimination Develop approaches for: Store 247 checkout process noticingToo many associate-or-customer wait momentsCommon item price memorizationBags readily accessible keeping20-second average transaction reductionAccuracy maintaining while speedingCustomer interaction point understandingStreamlining process30-Second Scan Quality Verification Create systems for: Store 392 developmentQuality-for-speed suffering avoidanceBefore finishing any task 30-second verificationDo-over and complaint prevention time savingQuick check effectivenessSpeed with qualityPrevention versus correctionSimple but powerful...

    17 min
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This is a podcast covering training topics and experiences related to new convenience store sales associates that others in your store don't have time to cover. So, dive right in and learn about your job and how things work in the industry.

Información

  • Creador
    C-Store Center
  • Años de actividad
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodios
    74
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2026 C-Store Center