Topics: Great Ideas

Illuminate Your Truckstop with Digital Media

I have written about digital signage before (and before) — it is one marketing tool that I am very passionate about. Retailers and food service providers and many other businesses around the world are committing to digital signage and you should too. While we have seen some truckstop operators move into this space, many have chosen not to or have entered into it only half willingly. They often put the digital media or some other form of TV based marketing equipment in, but don’t really implement a full program to help drive sales and profitability. During a recent weeklong trip to visit with members and nonmembers between Houston and New Orleans, I unfortunately saw many out-of-order display TVs. All is not lost in this space, however, as I have also seen a couple of great examples of digital media in locations like St. Rose Travel Center in New Orleans, La. and NOCO Express in Buffalo, N.Y. They are getting behind the medium and learning ways that it can help drive sales, profitability, reduce marketing costs in labor and in collateral costs, and really improve brand awareness. More

Illuminate Your Truckstop with Digital Media

I have written about digital signage before (and before) — it is one marketing tool that I am very passionate about. Retailers and food service providers and many other businesses around the world are committing to digital signage and you should too. While we have seen some truckstop operators move into this space, many have chosen not to or have entered into it only half willingly. They often put the digital media or some other form of TV based marketing equipment in, but don’t really implement a full program to help drive sales and profitability. During a recent weeklong trip to visit with members and nonmembers between Houston and New Orleans, I unfortunately saw many out-of-order display TVs. All is not lost in this space, however, as I have also seen a couple of great examples of digital media in locations like St. Rose Travel Center in New Orleans, La. and NOCO Express in Buffalo, N.Y. They are getting behind the medium and learning ways that it can help drive sales, profitability, reduce marketing costs in labor and in collateral costs, and really improve brand awareness. More

What Is Your Conversion Rate?

So, what is your conversion rate? At the National Retail Federation event in New York City in 2003 me and my mentor attempted to quickly figure out what type of currency the others around the round table discussion were going to use for their conversion from American dollars and why converting American sales dollars into a different currency was so darn important. Well, as goofy truck stop operators trying to learn fundamental retail practices, we soon discovered conversion rates in this conversation was about converting browsing customers into paying customers. In fact a recent article by Marianne Wilson discussed the importance of focusing on your conversion rates stating “traditional wisdom says that the quickest, surest and most cost-effective way to increase store sales is to improve each stores conversion rates." More

What Is Your Conversion Rate?

So, what is your conversion rate? At the National Retail Federation event in New York City in 2003 me and my mentor attempted to quickly figure out what type of currency the others around the round table discussion were going to use for their conversion from American dollars and why converting American sales dollars into a different currency was so darn important. Well, as goofy truck stop operators trying to learn fundamental retail practices, we soon discovered conversion rates in this conversation was about converting browsing customers into paying customers. In fact a recent article by Marianne Wilson discussed the importance of focusing on your conversion rates stating “traditional wisdom says that the quickest, surest and most cost-effective way to increase store sales is to improve each stores conversion rates." More

The NATSO Show Magazine: July Issue

The July issue of The NATSO Show magazine is out! For two and half days, the industry gathers to find knowledge, solutions and connections at The NATSO Show. Just like The NATSO Show, The NATSO Show Magazine is your source for solutions to improve your travel plaza business operations and for information on trends affecting the industry to help you make future-focused business decisions. Each month The NATSO Show magazine brings you exclusive interviews, great ideas, location highlights and tips for how best to best to take advantage of The NATSO Show. More

Nine Tips for Tradeshow Success

Tradeshows are a significant investment for attendees and exhibitors alike. When you’re investing both time and money, you want to make sure you make the most of the event. Throw in the fact that tradeshows are one of the only places you get to meet face-to-face with business owners, managers and buyers under one roof and maximizing your presence is key. More

15 Items Every Truckstop Operator Should Check Daily

With summer drive in full swing, I thought I would revisit one of our more popular blog posts and expand on it with some additional details. Outside store appearance is a large factor on how many customers move from the fuel islands to inside the store, thus giving you the potential to make a sale. Breaking it down further, you could say that besides your posted fuel price, it may be the reason someone pulls into your operation in the first place. We have all heard the phrase curb appeal. Practicing it is critical on all three shifts. Once the customer is inside your operation additional evaluation takes place as well. Restroom cleanliness, store clutter, team member friendliness and service as well as other sensory observations that impact smell, sight and hearing are rapidly taking place. Most experts believe that the average person coming into a fueling location is spending less than three minutes in your operation once they have fueled. It is tough to make a sale in so little time and thus, imperative that you get as many potential customers inside your operation as possible. Click Read More to learn 15 specific items to check DAILY during your managerial walk through. More

15 Items Every Truckstop Operator Should Check Daily

With summer drive in full swing, I thought I would revisit one of our more popular blog posts and expand on it with some additional details. Outside store appearance is a large factor on how many customers move from the fuel islands to inside the store, thus giving you the potential to make a sale. Breaking it down further, you could say that besides your posted fuel price, it may be the reason someone pulls into your operation in the first place. We have all heard the phrase curb appeal. Practicing it is critical on all three shifts. Once the customer is inside your operation additional evaluation takes place as well. Restroom cleanliness, store clutter, team member friendliness and service as well as other sensory observations that impact smell, sight and hearing are rapidly taking place. Most experts believe that the average person coming into a fueling location is spending less than three minutes in your operation once they have fueled. It is tough to make a sale in so little time and thus, imperative that you get as many potential customers inside your operation as possible. Click Read More to learn 15 specific items to check DAILY during your managerial walk through. More

Collaborating With NATSO And Your Peers

Sometimes in the rush of our day to day responsibilities, we forget that we can rely on each other for help. Are you aware that you have the best networking opportunities available to you by simply being a NATSO member? Learn and grow from what other NATSO operators have experienced. Ask questions, and don’t forget that the NATSO team is always here for you. NATSO is working every day to make sure you have a wealth of information at your finger tips. Take a look at these benefits and see what works for you by Read More below. More

Successful Coaching Improves Employee Development and Performance

Coaching is part of the corrective action process, which I’ve written about in the past. However if done correctly, coaching can lead to many less negative corrective action situations. Successful coaching should improve an employee’s: Development; and Performance. Both of these purposes should be done so that the team member, the manger/leader and the company benefit from the time and effort involved in the process. More

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