Improve Operations

Spotlight on Safety & Security

By Michael Feiner|2023-05-05T20:04:41-04:00March 24th, 2020|

Spotlight on Safety & Security with Mike Feiner and Paul Feiner – part of a three-part series. You can be sure that shoplifter gave a lot of thought to how to get away with stealing; how much thought have you put into stopping it? How does your store organize its overall approach to loss prevention? Who’s tasked with your loss prevention, safety, and security responsibilities? Join us to discuss the component parts of a broad Loss Prevention Program, and how to start putting those in place.

Cultivating Awesome Marketing-Operations Communication

By Rebecca Torpie|2023-05-05T20:04:44-04:00March 21st, 2020|

Creating a harmonious working relationship requires buy-in, transparency, clear boundaries of accountability and an openness to having some fun!

Pro Merchandising Tips for Successful Holiday Sales

By Columinate|2023-05-05T20:04:45-04:00November 20th, 2019|

Make the most of your holiday merchandising space this season to delight shoppers, create a lush and generous ambiance and optimize sales.

Holiday Wine Sets 101

By Samuel Vandegrift|2023-05-05T20:04:45-04:00November 7th, 2019|

It’s not just you: building a successful wine program comes with a certain intimidation factor. The holiday season can amplify the pressure, and your co-op members probably feel it, too. “People who don’t purchase wine as often might want to buy wine for Thanksgiving, and not know where to start,” says Samuel Vandegrift, an industry veteran with two decades of experience.

Safety Matters

By Paul Feiner|2023-05-05T20:04:47-04:00October 23rd, 2019|

Is your store prepared for an emergency? “It feels like an intimidating, and not immediately gratifying topic,” admits Mike Feiner - Safety, Security, and Loss Prevention Consultant, ”and that’s precisely why it’s important.” Considering your operation’s safety doesn’t have to be intimidating. “Think of preparation as your fire extinguisher,” Feiner adds, “It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

Cross-Training to Achieve Operational Efficiencies

By Jeanie Wells|2023-05-05T20:05:00-04:00July 1st, 2019|

We’ve been in the “new normal” long enough to not call it “new” anymore. Despite pressure from competition and rising minimum and livable wages, co-ops continue to work to be the employer of choice in their communities and to offer great compensation packages. We all know efficiencies are the main way we can afford to stay competitive, but other than just asking staff to do more faster, or increasing accountability, what else can co-ops do?

Cross-Merchandising Wine & Beer

By Samuel Vandegrift|2023-05-05T20:25:47-04:00April 26th, 2019|

Everybody loves a great dinner party, especially when we take things outdoors and make it a picnic. Deliciousness needn’t be hard. Your member-owners are looking to make great food with excellent beverage pairings, so help raise basket totals while improving engagement!

Guiding the Fundamentals of Co-op Business

By Columinate|2023-05-05T20:25:48-04:00April 10th, 2019|

Ray Williams is Seward Community Co-op’s operations manager and recognizes that even though the co-op has achieved a lot over the years, especially in terms of growing its operations and diversifying staff and leadership, it is also an organization currently in transition. “The past few years have been very intense with opening the second store, increased competition and unionization.” Like many grocery cooperatives, Seward has felt the pressure to provide good wages, pay vendors a fair price, maintain high standards of service and remain sustainable and profitable.

Focus on Outreach During PR Crisis

By Patricia Cumbie|2023-05-05T20:25:55-04:00January 9th, 2019|

Nothing stings more than public criticism, and the longer it’s sustained, the more damaging it can be to an organization’s reputation. Especially when, despite everyone’s best intentions, something goes wrong, or people are upset about something. In today’s wired world, the opportunities for people to share their impressions online have grown exponentially, sometimes amplifying negative word of mouth. It can easily become a chronic [...]

Customers, Community, and Cost: A Pathway to Success

By Columinate|2023-05-05T20:26:00-04:00December 7th, 2018|

Michael Faber, General Manager at the Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene, NH, shares his top 3 areas of improvement and growth for the success of his co-op. These are: Customer Experience (CX), Pricing, and Community Involvement. Sit back and listen to Michael share the stories and lessons from his Co-op's struggles and successes since their rocky start in 2013 to their double-digit growth and [...]

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