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Hello!

Welcome to the 13th edition of Always Be Convenient, coming to you on the road from the Chicago area with insights on how to navigate today’s digitized world. All previous issues are available in the archives.

This week I’m in Schaumburg, IL, for several days attending two brand-new events for the convenience industry. In total these will be a fraction of the size of the industry’s largest event just weeks ago, but the smaller more intimate setting allows for a slightly slower pace and deeper conversations with industry leaders.

I love getting out to these types of events, though not for the reason you may suspect. Yes, I get a brief escape from life’s daily hustle, have every meal practically catered, and enjoy time out with good friends. It’s all very convenient. But in reality it’s the focus and intentional thinking that this time creates that is sometimes most meaningful to me.

Next time you’ll get a full report from me on this week’s Retail Media Network Forum and C-StoreTEC events. Until then, enjoy some of my latest finds and thinking.

Conveniently,
Mike

P.S. Consider taking my one-question survey to help shape the future of this newsletter. Your thoughts and feedback mean a lot to me.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARTNER

Connecting the convenience technology community

As Always Be Convenient readers know, now is the time to accelerate technology adoption to compete with adjacent channels and move the industry forward.

The C-StoreTEC initiative, founded by CSP, was designed to bring the industry together to drive conversation and motivate action to meet this critical challenge.

This comprehensive program includes an active C-StoreTEC advisory board and retailer-driven committees, ongoing education provided through webinars and podcasts, and the annual C-StoreTEC Conference happening this week.

As you look to lean into the technology shaping your relationship with customers, employees, and stakeholders, C-StoreTEC is where leaders come together to connect.

Learn more about the C-StoreTEC initiative and get involved today.

Pick a place to begin

As a business leader in convenience, there’s no shortage of demand for your time. It doesn’t matter what functional area you represent. We always have plenty to do.

Looking at technology and how pervasive it has become in our world, there is no department, team, or individual that’s been shielded from its influence either.

Compare that also with the demands of your customers, and it all may feel a little bit overwhelming. Especially in a retail environment that prides itself on an experience that can be delivered in minutes alone.

An encouragement I shared this week was to start small and then expand.

Regardless of the topic, no matter how daunting it may seem, you have to start somewhere. A building is built brick-by-brick.

Don’t be consumed by constant competitive comparison.

Avoid taking on the weight of ever-present increasing expectations.

There is an easy way forward if you allow yourself to take it: start small.

Examine your particular area of focus, break it down, set a goal, and get started.

Start with this simple process. Then stack wins on top of wins. Soon you’ll find you’ve gotten much farther than you might have expected.

This can be difficult when you’re working with ideas or areas you’re less familiar with. It can be hard if you’re working with others who have different backgrounds or skillsets than you do. Education and understanding can be a huge barrier inside businesses.

But it’s also easy to dismiss our own intellect or experience, especially if we don’t feel it’s applicable to the specific task at hand.

In whatever topic or challenge you’re tackling, ensure you’ve given yourself clarity on what must happen. Map your efforts to a higher-level goal to be certain you’re clear about why you’re doing what you’re doing.

You do not have to be ready for everything right now. You just need to take the first step.