Episode Title: The Cash Register Cage Match: Speed vs. Accuracy (Episode 71)

Episode Description: "Manager Override needed."

If you hear that phrase in your sleep, this episode is for you.

For an Assistant Manager, the register isn't just a place to ring up customers; it's the place where your productivity goes to die. If you spend your entire shift running back and forth with your key card to fix voids, error corrects, and price checks, you aren't managing—you are just a highly paid cashier.

In this episode of Survive, Mike Hernandez breaks down how to stop the bleeding. We are moving you from "The Fixer" to "The Trainer." Learn how to implement "The Pre-Scan Stage" and the "Smooth Operator" rhythm so your team stops calling your name every five minutes.

What You Will Learn:

• The Fixer Trap: Why rescuing your cashiers actually hurts your career.
• The Pre-Scan Stage: A simple visual habit that stops clerks from asking "How much is this?"
• Auditing Friction: How to identify the specific skills (like PLU memorization) that are causing the bottlenecks.
• The 10-Item Dash: A 20-second drill to fix your slowest cashier.

The Quest: Stop putting out fires. Start preventing them.

• Solo Quest: Audit your store's "Friction Killers." Quiz your team on the Top 5 PLU Codes. If they don't know them, they are costing you time.
• Team Quest: Run the "10-Item Dash" with your slowest cashier. Don't just time them—show them where their eyes should be.

Resources & Links:

• 📲 Unlock the Level 3 Cheat Sheet: Text the code word SPEED to 956-897-9192.
• 🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Johnny Mecuerdo Chapter 2 is here. The ships La Muerte and La Sancha are waiting. Join the story at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook.
• Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

Episode Title: The 10-Second Audition: Why Customers Drive By Your Store (Episode 70)

Episode Description: Stop me if you’ve done this: You drive past a restaurant because the sign is flickering or the parking lot looks dark. You didn't taste the food, but you judged the business instantly.

Your customers are doing the same thing to your store every single night.

In this episode of C-Store Legends, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Front Stage" concept. Most employees think their job starts when they clock in, but the sale is actually won or lost in the parking lot. We are moving beyond the basic "Trash Run" and teaching you the "Perimeter Sweep"—the 2-minute tactic that ensures you pass the customer's 10-second audition.

What You Will Learn:

• The Front Stage vs. Back Stage: Why the parking lot is the most critical sales floor in your building.
• The "Soccer Mom" Test: How to view your store through the eyes of your most safety-conscious customer.
• The Perimeter Sweep: A specific routine to replace lazy trash runs.
• Leadership Tactics: How to use the shift change to enforce exterior standards without being a nag.

The Quest: Pass the audition.

• Solo Quest: Walk to the curb. Find one piece of trash that isn't yours. Pick it up.
• Team Quest: Text a photo of your cleanest pump to the number below.

Resources & Links:

• 📲 Unlock the Level 2 Guide: Text the word CURB to 956-897-9192.
• 🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Join the crew at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook for the upcoming launch of the industry's most legendary gear.
• Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

Episode Title: The 5 Levels of C-Store Mastery: From Dive to Arrive

Episode Description: Retail training is broken. It’s passive, boring, and frankly, it doesn’t stick. Today, we are pausing the standard playbook to introduce the new reality of the industry: Sink or Swim.

In this episode, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Old Way" of training versus the "New Era" of the Operator. We introduce the 5 stages of a convenience store career and the specific mindset shift required to master each one:

• Dive (Sales Associate): How to stop drowning in the details.
• Survive (Assistant Manager): Escaping the "purgatory" between peer and boss.
• Thrive (Store Manager): Moving from 70-hour weeks to operational excellence.
• Drive (District Manager): The shift from running a unit to leading a territory.
• Arrive (Independent Owner): Facing the hard truths about theft, inventory, and legacy.

The era of the Passive Manager is over. It’s time to start keeping score.

🔗 GET THE VISUAL GUIDE: Don't just listen—execute. Go to www.cstorethrive.com to access the Members Only One-Pager breaking down all 5 levels and your first action item for the week.

Connect with Mike:

• Website: C-Store Thrive
• Production: C-Store Legends is a Sink or Swim Production.

SURVIVE Podcast - Episode 66 Notes

Episode Title: Making Every Minute Count: Time Management for Store Leaders

Host: Mike Hernandez

Episode Description: In this game-changing episode of Survive, host Mike Hernandez reveals how convenience store assistant managers can transform from working 60+ hours a week to efficient leaders who accomplish more in less time. Learn how Sarah cut her work week from 60 to 45 hours while improving customer satisfaction—through smart delegation, strategic planning, and effective systems. Discover practical time management techniques that help you control your day instead of letting your day control you.

Key Topics Covered:

• Conducting time audits to understand where your minutes really go
• Implementing priority systems that match customer needs with staff energy levels
• Creating efficient systems for rush hours, shift changes, and unexpected situations
• Developing delegation strategies that empower your team
• Building flexible routines that absorb daily surprises without disrupting operations

Episode Highlights:

• The "Energy Match" system for scheduling tasks according to natural energy levels
• The "Pre-Rush Power Moves" that transform chaos into clockwork during peak times
• The "Ten-Minute Transition" method for seamless shift changes
• The "Zone Defense" approach for managing deliveries efficiently
• The "Teach Once, Trust Twice" delegation system

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Complete a one-week time audit tracking activities in 30-minute blocks
2. Implement the "Now, Soon, or Later" priority classification system
3. Create your daily "Power Hour" for planning the next day
4. Develop "Pre-Rush Power Moves" specific to your store's busy periods
5. Start using "One-Page Protocols" for common tasks to streamline operations

Manager Challenge Question: How would you create a "Pre-Rush Power Moves" system for your store's unique characteristics, including specific task prioritization, staff assignments, and timing strategies for different days of the week?

Listen to this episode to discover how effective time management can transform you from a constantly overwhelmed assistant manager to an efficient leader who has time for strategic thinking and team development.

SURVIVE Podcast - Episode 65 Notes

Episode Title: Finding Real Solutions: Root Cause Analysis for Store Leaders

Host: Mike Hernandez

Episode Description: In this problem-solving episode of Survive, host Mike Hernandez explores how convenience store assistant managers can go beyond quick fixes to find and address the true causes of store challenges. Learn practical techniques for root cause analysis and innovative problem-solving that will help you develop permanent solutions instead of repeatedly dealing with the same issues—transforming you from a manager who fights fires to one who prevents them.

Key Topics Covered:

• Identifying the difference between symptoms and underlying causes of store problems
• Practical techniques for uncovering root causes in a convenience store environment
• Creative approaches to developing innovative solutions
• Methods for building a problem-solving culture with your team
• Implementing and measuring the effectiveness of your solutions

Episode Highlights:

• The revealing story of Marcus, who solved declining coffee sales by addressing a schedule issue rather than changing coffee brands
• The powerful "Five Whys" technique for digging deeper into problem causes
• The "What If" method for generating creative solutions to familiar challenges
• The "Solution Moments" approach for quick team problem-solving during slow periods
• The "Problem-Solution Journal" for tracking issues and building an effective reference guide

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Create a root cause analysis template incorporating the Five Whys technique
2. Schedule a 15-minute team problem-solving session focused on one specific store issue
3. Develop a solution tracking system to document problems, causes, and solution effectiveness
4. Implement the "Learn and Share" practice during shift changes
5. Start the "Small Steps Forward" approach for continuous improvement

Manager Challenge Question: How would you use the Five Whys technique to investigate high turnover in evening shift staff while morning shift retention remains strong?

Listen to this episode to develop the analytical skills that will help you solve problems permanently rather than temporarily, improve team engagement, and advance your management career.

SURVIVE Podcast – Episode 64 Notes

Episode Title: Critical Thinking for Store Leaders

Host: Mike Hernandez

Episode Description: In this transformative episode of Survive, host Mike Hernandez explores how convenience store assistant managers can develop critical thinking skills that solve problems at their root cause rather than just treating symptoms. Learn how to analyze situations more deeply, test your assumptions, and implement solutions that actually stick—turning daily operational challenges into opportunities to showcase your leadership abilities.

Key Topics Covered:

• Building a strong foundation of observation and analytical skills
• Implementing a systematic problem-solving process
• Turning critical thinking insights into effective action plans
• Developing your team's analytical abilities
• Measuring the success of your solutions

Episode Highlights:

• Success story of Rachel, who solved declining coffee sales by examining layout issues rather than changing products or prices
• The powerful "Why Chain" technique for uncovering root causes
• How questioning assumptions helped one store solve checkout lines without adding registers
• The "Progress Path" approach for breaking big changes into manageable weekly steps
• The "Success Signals" method for tracking multiple indicators beyond just numbers

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Create a critical thinking worksheet with key questions to guide your analysis of store challenges
2. Develop a team training plan to introduce analytical concepts during regular meetings
3. Establish an implementation strategy for tracking problems and solutions
4. Practice the "Why Chain" by asking deeper questions about recurring issues
5. Involve your team in the analysis process by asking them thought-provoking questions

Manager Challenge Question: How would you analyze a situation where snack aisle sales have decreased while overall store traffic has increased? What specific data would you gather and what assumptions would you question?

Listen to this episode to develop the analytical skills that will help you solve problems more effectively, make better decisions, and advance your management career.