When we think of superheroes, plenty of images and traits come to mind. Capes, masks, extreme capabilities, strength, skills, and resilience. Crime-fighting figures scaling buildings and serving justice while instilling a sense of safety and peace within their communities. We get lost in stories of the defeat and success of our favorite superheroes and then break our way back into reality. After all, superheroes are not real… or are they?
If our history as a nation has taught us anything it is that heroes are all around us. Whether it is the nurse healing the sick, the soldier fighting the battle, or the 8-year-old standing up for a friend on the playground – we all have the ability to be someone’s superhero. C-stores are no different. As an industry, we are heroes to one another, to our customers, and to our communities. There are so many ways that C-stores come to the rescue.
Restoring the Labor Market: Hiring, Retention, and Team Building
From “The Great Recession” to “The Great Resignation,” our economy and labor markets have fallen into vast valleys and climbed high mountains. Currently, our labor market is struggling, and notable changes have occurred surrounding the expectations and priorities of the incoming workforce. To fill the labor market gap and boost the economy, businesses are changing the way they hire and retain employees. Focusing on the Gen Z population who are recovering the quickest from the employment effect of Covid-19, marketing directly to them is a strategic move when hiring. However, we must consider what is important to them when obtaining a job. According to SHRM, Gen Z’s top 10 priorities when choosing a job are:
- Flexibility
- Peer Coaching
- Teamwork
- Diversity
- Work-Life Balance
- Development
- Growth
- Social Awareness
- Mentorships
- Job Rotation
With Flexibility being at the top of this list, C-Stores can bridge the gap by offering a flexible work schedule considering days and hours one needs or can work and honoring that upon hiring.
Hourly employees are coming back into the workforce and looking for sustainable employment with more than just flexibility, they are also looking for a positive work culture that fits their needs. This particular group is looking for a “work family” and an environment to not only grow and flourish but also to enjoy. Building this environment requires research on your end too and one way to accomplish this is performing stay interviews. Much like exit interviews, stay interviews are a touch base with the employee. However, they are tailored to what they like about their jobs, not why they are leaving. Touching base and establishing clear communication with your team will help to continue good practices and re-think ones that may not be working as well.
Natural Disaster and Pandemic Problem Solving
C-Stores have the unique opportunity to be real superheroes and serve their consumers in times of crisis. During the Covid-19 Pandemic (prior and ongoing), C-stores remained an essential business, continuing to employ front-line workers and serve the consumer. Despite stay-at-home and quarantine orders, convenience stores kept their doors and pumps open offering essentials needed for individuals to sustain and survive. This is something that should be worn as a badge of honor during critical and concerning times. The C-store industry provided a quick and uncomplicated way for families, businesses, and individuals to obtain household essentials, food, and over-the-counter medications to make it through some dark times. With innovative thinking, some C-stores took convenience to the next level by offering curbside pickup, delivery app, and online ordering to help manage social distancing and contactless delivery.
Additionally, in a dire situation, convenience stores provide much-needed fuel and food to residents as well as first responders. NACS developed a C-Store emergency planning and job aids document to help establish security and protocols when an emergency occurs. This was created to recognize and strengthen how C-Stores can solidify their resiliency and plan recovery from natural or man-made disasters.
Quantum Services to Your Rescue
As C-Stores play a vital role within our communities and across our nation, Quantum Services offers a different kind of rescue. Our goal is to be a superhero for the C-Store industry by doing what we do best, inventory auditing. We only count C-Stores and offer the expertise and accuracy that will make the C-Store run smoothly, efficiently, and successfully. Operating with integrity, adaptability, appreciation, and continuous improvement, Quantum Services promises quality counts, friendly service, and accurate data. After half a century of auditing services, advanced technology, and company growth, this is our superpower. Let us work together to establish successful, organized, and beneficial C-Stores across the nation.
We’d love to hear from you, contact us to start a conversation.