PRESENTED BY:

Hello!

This is the second edition of Always Be Convenient, a newsletter for the c-store industry that holds convenience above everything else.

I’ll probably stop numbering each issue over time, but we’ll see. 🤓

Last week was out of pattern for me, as I spent three days at CSP’s Outlook Leadership conference at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. More on that in a bit though.

The first official week of being live with this newsletter has been a blast. Many friends, colleagues, and contacts have already subscribed — looking to show support for my efforts (thank you!) as well as to follow what I have to share.

If you’ve ever launched something new in your organization, you can probably imagine the feelings I’m experiencing right now. As I’ve gone from the idea stage and collecting my thoughts to publicizing the concept and recruiting an audience, it’s been a whirlwind of different emotions.

Curiosity. Excitement. Wonder. Fear. Anxiety. And more.

Launching new initiatives — especially when rooted in some sort of innovation — can bring on those very same feelings.

Are we sure this will work? Will anyone use it? What if it fails miserably?

There’s really only one mindset you can have: listen and learn. 👂🏻🧠

And that’s exactly what I’m doing. If you have any feedback to share about this newsletter, please reply to this email and let me know!

Conveniently,
Mike

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An outlook on what we need to lead

The Outlook Leadership Conference by CSP is one of my favorite events. It’s got keynotes, breakouts, and networking time – plus the last several years it has been hosted cliffside at the Terranea Resort in California.

It was described as “The Event for Convenience Influencers and Innovators.” With around 400 attendees from retailers, suppliers, and technology companies, it felt like just the right size.

It was expansive, yet intimate. It was informative, yet inspiring.

CSP brought many to the stage, from economists to an ex-apparel CMO to the all-time NFL sack leader, and so many more.

As Amanda Boehner, CSP’s SVP of Media and Events shared on LinkedIn, we were focused on “the outlook of our industry.”

There were several key themes throughout, including inflation, value, artificial intelligence, loyalty, and retail media. None were new to the industry. But it was the dialogue fostered amongst attendees that makes events like this so impactful.

Although many may have come to the conference looking for answers, what they were really looking for was confidence. Confidence that they are making the right decision. Picking the appropriate path. Investing in the best direction.

Yes, there’s a need for education. Everyone has the capacity to learn. The true unlock, however, comes from finding the confidence to commit to action.

The same is true inside our companies. New challenges arise on what seems like a daily basis. And often we do not feel equipped to tackle them, especially when the issue feels foreign to us.

But when we take the time to examine the situation, understand our customers’ needs, and talk with colleagues or partners about potential options, we can come up with great solutions.

On the stage and in the panels were real-life people. They each had different experiences and life circumstances. Then from the stage they shared their perspective. They described what it took to tackle the problem at hand, including real-life settings from across the industry.

Then people started talking amongst themselves.

When you surround yourself with good people, good things can happen.

Outlook brought many good people together to discuss the future of the industry, but it also inspired them to head back home and put the future into action.

And what’s a timeless strategy for the future of the industry? Always be convenient.