What to Consider when Opening a New C-Store (2)
This is a continuation from my last writing.
After evaluating whether there is a market for your new C-Store location and determining how your C-Store is different, what else would you consider?
I would suggest FUN. Yes, FUN. Make your C-Store a fun place to do business.
The best analogy I can give you that Americans are familiar with is Goober’s Gas station in Mayberry. The gas station was a place to hang out on the Andy Griffith Show. The only other destination place in the town was Floyd’s Barber Shop.
Why were these places to hang out? I would suggest it was due to the relationship between the business owner and his customers (yes, this is a sexist statement – and NOT meant to be. It saves me time from writing all the pronouns that need to be there in a politically correct society).
How does one make their C-Store fun? It’s about the relationships.
I hired a person one time at my C-Store. He was rather off-the-wall, but in a very nice, friendly way. As a result, he built a following over the time he worked at my store because of his friendship with the customers. Always a good word, but more importantly, always a FUN person.
In fact, I would suggest that you strongly think about hiring your CSRs based on two things – are they a FUN person (a person you’d go with to enjoy an evening at the local baseball game or high school football game)? Are they friendly? Are they out-going? Do they continue to have a spark and joy about life, no matter what their chronological age is? Because your customers want to do business where it is fun!
During this person’s time under my employee, I had customers who came in and asked for him – daily!
I had an assistant manager who worked for me for a few years. He was ALWAYS full of enthusiasm and love for his customers. Always a smile. Always courteous. Always going above and beyond. In fact, after he left my employ, I had customers asking where he disappeared to for months!
Yes, there is work to be done. But having an employee base that “whistles while they work” becomes infectious to your customers.
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