PODCAST · business
Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates
by C-Store Center
This podcast provides practical training for convenience store sales associates. Each episode covers real situations that new employees face during a shift, including customer service, merchandising, inventory, safety, and day-to-day store operations.Many stores do not have time to train employees properly. Dive helps close that gap by explaining how convenience stores actually work and how associates can become more confident and effective on the job.If you are new to the convenience store industry or want to improve your skills behind the counter, this podcast will help you understand the work, the expectations, and the small habits that lead to success in a busy store.
Episodes
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THE "LEGEND" STATUS (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The "Legend" Status: The Sales Associate's Legacy of Excellence (Episode 121) Episode Description: "You are an associate who is failing to realize that your legacy is being written in every interaction, every shift, and every system you touch." In this...
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GOAL SETTING (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S PERSONAL PROFITABILITY PLAN)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Goal Setting: The Sales Associate's Personal Profitability Plan (Episode 120) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is failing to realize that you are the CEO of your own career." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why Sales...
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THE YEAR IN REVIEW (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S SELF-AUDIT OF GROWTH)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Year in Review: The Sales Associate's Self-Audit of Growth (Episode 119) Episode Description: "You are an associate who has spent a year working without ever auditing your own professional evolution." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains…
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THE EXIT STRATEGY (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S ROLE IN SYSTEMIC INDEPENDENCE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Exit Strategy: The Sales Associate's Role in Systemic Independence (Episode 118) Episode Description: "You are an associate who is actively choosing to remain dependent, and in doing so, you are preventing the store from ever reaching a state of true...
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THE TECHNOLOGY CURVE (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S ROLE IN THE DIGITAL FRONTIER)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Technology Curve: The Sales Associate's Role in the Digital Frontier (Episode 117) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is failing to leverage the biggest opportunity of your career." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why...
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MARKETING YOUR BRAND (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S ROLE IN COMMUNITY ADVOCACY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Marketing Your Brand: The Sales Associate's Role in Community Advocacy (Episode 116) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is failing to capture the most powerful marketing channel the store possesses: your own personality." In this episode…
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D EP 115: MONTHLY INVENTORY PREP
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Year-End Inventory Prep: The Sales Associate's Role in Audit Integrity (Episode 115) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is actively creating the discrepancies that will turn your manager’s monthly audit into a nightmare." In this episode…
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HOLIDAY MERCHANDISING (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S ROLE IN IMPULSE CAPTURE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Holiday Merchandising: The Sales Associate's Role in Impulse Capture (Episode 114) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is failing to leverage the highest-margin season of the year." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why Sales...
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THE "ARRIVE" MINDSET (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S OWNERSHIP PATHWAY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The "Arrive" Mindset: The Sales Associate's Ownership Pathway (Episode 113) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is actively choosing to remain a commodity, interchangeable with anyone else who can press buttons on a register." In this…
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LABOR COST KILLERS (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S ROLE IN SCHEDULING DISCIPLINE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Labor Cost Killers: The Sales Associate's Role in Scheduling Discipline (Episode 112) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is actively fueling the 'Labor Cost Killers' that bleed a store’s budget dry." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez...
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THE REBATE GAME (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S HIDDEN VALUE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Rebate Game: The Sales Associate's Hidden Value (Episode 111) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is ignoring the single most important way your store funds its operations." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why Sales...
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SHRINK IS THE ENEMY (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S ROLE IN PROFIT PROTECTION)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Shrink is the Enemy: The Sales Associate's Role in Profit Protection (Episode 110) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is actively enabling the silent killer of your store’s success." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why…
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THE P&L AUTOPSY (THE SALES ASSOCIATE'S GUIDE TO PROFIT)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The P&L Autopsy: The Sales Associate's Guide to Profit (Episode 109) Episode Description: "You are a Sales Associate who is disconnected from the very scoreboard that determines if your store stays open or closes." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez...
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Q3 RECAP & THE "DRIVE" PREVIEW (THE MID-YEAR PERFORMANCE AUDIT)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Q3 Recap & The "Drive" Preview: The Mid-Year Performance Audit (Episode 108) Episode Description: "You are a participant in a business cycle that you are choosing to ignore." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why high-performing sales...
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BUILDING THE BENCH (THE ART OF IDENTIFYING FUTURE LEADERS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Building the Bench: The Art of Identifying Future Leaders (Episode 107) Episode Description: "You are a bottleneck, ensuring that you can never be promoted because you have made yourself the only person who can do your current job." In this episode of…
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THE COMPETITOR SCOUT (TRANSFORMING FIELD OBSERVATION INTO OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Competitor Scout: Transforming Field Observation into Operational Advantage (Episode 106) Episode Description: "You are watching a masterclass in market capture, and you are missing every single lesson because you are busy making excuses." In this...
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DISTRICT MANAGER THINKING (VIEWING THE STORE AS A P&L, NOT JUST A BUILDING)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: District Manager Thinking: Viewing the Store as a P&L, Not Just a Building (Episode 105) Episode Description: "You are actively damaging the store's financial health because you don't understand the P&L—you don't see that your failure to provide a fresh,...
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MANAGERIAL ROLE EVOLUTION (TRANSITIONING FROM INDIVIDUAL EXECUTION TO TEAM-BASED IMPACT)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Managerial Role Evolution: Transitioning from Individual Execution to Team-Based Impact (Episode 104) Episode Description: "You caused this stagnation because you prioritized your own individual output over the team's total capacity, actively choosing to…
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STRATEGIC TASK DELEGATION (EXECUTING STRUCTURED ASSIGNMENT VERSUS OPERATIONAL ABANDONMENT)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Strategic Task Delegation: Executing Structured Assignment versus Operational Abandonment (Episode 103) Episode Description: "You caused immediate friction because you disguised your own operational laziness as a task assignment, actively dumping your...
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OPERATIONAL SHIFT ALIGNMENT (EXECUTING HIGH-IMPACT PRE-SHIFT BRIEFINGS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Operational Shift Alignment: Executing High-Impact Pre-Shift Briefings (Episode 102) Episode Description: "You caused this operational meltdown because you treated the pre-shift briefing as an optional social hour instead of a critical tactical alignment,...
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INTERNAL ASSET PROTECTION (DISMANTLING THE THEFT TRIANGLE THROUGH OPERATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Internal Asset Protection: Dismantling the Theft Triangle Through Operational Accountability (Episode 101) Episode Description: "You caused this massive breach in operational security because your silence validated Jason's decision to steal, actively...
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OBJECTIVE BEHAVIORAL CORRECTION (EXECUTING FEED-FORWARD DIRECTIVES TO ELIMINATE OPERATIONAL FRICTION)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Objective Behavioral Correction: Executing Feed-Forward Directives to Eliminate Operational Friction (Episode 100) Episode Description: "You caused this operational collapse because you utilized an emotional, personal attack to address a simple procedural...
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ABSENTEEISM MITIGATION (ENFORCING STRICT ATTENDANCE PROTOCOLS AND OBJECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Absenteeism Mitigation: Enforcing Strict Attendance Protocols and Objective Accountability (Episode 99) Episode Description: "You caused this miserable shift because you treated your attendance as optional, forcing your coworker to absorb the physical…
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LABOR MATRIX OPTIMIZATION (ALIGNING PAYROLL ALLOCATIONS WITH OPERATIONAL SHIFT STABILITY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Labor Matrix Optimization: Aligning Payroll Allocations With Operational Shift Stability (Episode 98) Episode Description: "You failed because you explicitly violated your baseline operational contract, and you actively inflicted massive cognitive trauma…
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STRUCTURED ONBOARDING EXECUTION (REPLACING PASSIVE OBSERVATION WITH ACTIVE PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Structured Onboarding Execution: Replacing Passive Observation with Active Procedural Instruction (Episode 97) Episode Description: "You failed because you evaluated passive observation as active training, and you completely neglected to transfer the...
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RAPID APPLICANT EVALUATION (IDENTIFYING OPERATIONAL APTITUDE DURING INITIAL INTERACTIONS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Rapid Applicant Evaluation: Identifying Operational Aptitude During Initial Interactions (Episode 96) Episode Description: "You failed because you permitted an individual with zero spatial awareness and zero respect for the consumer transaction process to...
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MID-YEAR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (REALIGNING OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR THE REMAINING FISCAL PERIODS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Mid-Year Performance Evaluation: Realigning Operational Objectives for the Remaining Fiscal Periods (Episode 95) Episode Description: "You failed because you evaluated a structured operational correction as a personal insult, and you actively refused to...
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SEASONAL TRANSACTION VOLUME INCREASE (EXECUTING PREPARATIONS FOR THE PEAK SUMMER OPERATING PERIOD)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Seasonal Transaction Volume Increase: Executing Preparations for the Peak Summer Operating Period (Episode 94) Episode Description: "You failed because you attempted to operate a peak summer operating period utilizing the exact same physical preparation...
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ASSISTANT MANAGER EXHAUSTION (TRANSITIONING FROM PHYSICAL TASK EXECUTION TO SUPERVISORY DELEGATION)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Assistant Manager Exhaustion: Transitioning From Physical Task Execution to Supervisory Delegation (Episode 93) Episode Description: "You failed because you operated as a passive observer, and you actively allowed your direct supervisor to execute basic...
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PHYSICAL EQUIPMENT TROUBLESHOOTING (VERIFYING PRIMARY POWER CONNECTIONS BEFORE DISPATCHING REPAIR TECHNICIANS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Physical Equipment Troubleshooting: Verifying Primary Power Connections Before Dispatching Repair Technicians (Episode 92) Episode Description: "You failed because you immediately assumed a catastrophic mechanical failure instead of executing a basic...
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CUSTOMER CONFLICT RESOLUTION (DE-ESCALATING VERBALLY AGGRESSIVE CONSUMERS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Customer Conflict Resolution: De-escalating Verbally Aggressive Consumers (Episode 91) Episode Description: "You failed because you engaged in an emotional verbal argument instead of utilizing strict operational de-escalation protocols, and you directly...
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RETAIL MERCHANDISING EXECUTION (MAXIMIZING REVENUE THROUGH EYE-LEVEL PRODUCT PLACEMENT)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Retail Merchandising Execution: Maximizing Revenue Through Eye-Level Product Placement (Episode 90) Episode Description: "By placing the highest-demand product outside the immediate visual field of the customer, you guaranteed that the facility lost the...
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INVENTORY AVAILABILITY (DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN HIGH SALES VOLUME AND INACCURATE VENDOR ORDERS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Inventory Availability: Differentiating Between High Sales Volume and Inaccurate Vendor Orders (Episode 89) Episode Description: "The item has been completely out of stock for four consecutive days because the vendor failed to deliver the correct quantity,...
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FOOD SERVICE EXECUTION (MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE PROTOCOLS AND DISCARD TIMERS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Food Service Execution: Maintaining Temperature Protocols and Discard Timers (Episode 88) Episode Description: "By selling an expired product, you completely violated standard health protocols, you permanently destroyed the physical quality of the food…
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EXTERIOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT (MAINTAINING THE FUEL PUMPS AND EXTERIOR PATHWAY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Exterior Facility Management: Maintaining the Fuel Pumps and Exterior Pathway (Episode 87) Episode Description: "You just lost a highly profitable interior transaction because you failed to manage the physical exterior of your facility." In this episode of...
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THE OPERATIONAL INSPECTION (EVALUATING THE FACILITY FROM THE CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Operational Inspection: Evaluating the Facility from the Customer Perspective (Episode 86) Episode Description: "Because you only evaluated the three feet of space surrounding your cash register, you missed a severe operational failure." In this…
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INVENTORY DISCREPANCIES (MAINTAINING PHYSICAL COUNT ACCURACY)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Inventory Discrepancies: Maintaining Physical Count Accuracy (Episode 85) Episode Description: "By scanning one barcode to represent three different items, you just destroyed the accuracy of your store's physical inventory system." In this episode of Dive,...
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THE OPERATIONAL UPSELL (SUGGESTING ITEMS WITH NATURAL PHRASING)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Operational Upsell: Suggesting Items with Natural Phrasing (Episode 84) Episode Description: "You failed to increase the transaction amount because you relied on a mechanical script instead of using situational awareness." In this episode of Dive, Mike...
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THE MORNING RUSH COMMAND CENTER (PREPARING FOR PEAK VOLUME)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The Morning Rush Command Center: Preparing for Peak Volume (Episode 83) Episode Description: "You just lost a massive amount of high-margin revenue because you failed to prepare the physical station before the customer volume arrived." In this episode of...
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EPISODE 82: Q1 RECAP & THE "SURVIVE" PREVIEW (REVIEWING THE SCOREBOARD)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: Q1 Recap & The "Survive" Preview: Reviewing the Scoreboard (Episode 82) Episode Description: "Your physical labor on the sales floor was excellent, but your operational data is heavily flawed." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains why sales...
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THE "DIVE" GRADUATION (MASTERING THE BASICS)
SHOW NOTES (DIVE VERSION) Episode Title: The "Dive" Graduation: Mastering the Basics (Episode 81) Episode Description: "Doing your job quickly simply means you are a proficient sales associate. It does not mean you are a leader." In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains the critical...
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Dive Resource Intro: Building Your Portfolio
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode 80 Title: Dive Resource Intro: Building Your Portfolio (Episode 80) Episode Description: "By doing this, you are showing that, 'Hey, I didn't just listen to something. I didn't just read something. I actually went out and I applied it.'" In this special episode…
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WASTE NOT, WANT NOT (THE SPOILAGE LOG)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: Waste Not, Want Not: The Spoilage Log (Episode 79) Episode Description: You must document the loss before you throw it away. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains the absolute necessity of writing down every discarded food item on the store's...
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D Ep 78: SALES ASSOCIATE? START HERE FIRST (C-STORE TRAINING)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: Sales Associate? Start Here First (C-Store Training) (Episode 78) Episode Description: "I never had any intentions of staying in the convenience store industry." In this special episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez officially announces the launch of the...
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THE VENDOR DANCE (THE PHYSICAL COUNT)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The Vendor Dance: The Physical Count (Episode 77) Episode Description: You must count every case. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains the absolute necessity of physically verifying vendor deliveries before signing invoices. What You Will…
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SHIFT CHANGE WARFARE (THE TOXIC HANDOFF)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: Shift Change Warfare: The Toxic Handoff (Episode 76) Episode Description: "Leaving an empty cooler and full trash cans isn't just lazy; it is a direct insult to the person taking over." The 3:00 PM shift change is the most dangerous time for store morale.…
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THE BATHROOM TEST (WHY CLEAN RESTROOMS SELL MORE FOOD)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The Bathroom Test: Why Clean Restrooms Sell More Food (Episode 75) Episode Description: "They are deciding if your hot dogs are safe to eat based on the smell of your restroom." In the convenience store business, the bathroom is not a side project; it is…
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THE STING (AGE RESTRICTED SALES)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The Sting: Age Restricted Sales (Episode 74) Episode Description: "The register is not a slot machine. Don't gamble with your freedom." Selling alcohol or tobacco to a minor is the fastest way to lose your job, your money, and your clean record. In this...
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THE GLASS CAGE (SAFETY & AWARENESS)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The Glass Cage: Safety & Awareness (Episode 73) Episode Description: "You are the fish in the fishbowl." Working the counter—especially at night—can feel like being on display. And to a criminal, a distracted clerk is an open invitation. In this episode of...
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THE "GHOST" IN THE SYSTEM
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: The "Ghost" in the System (Episode 72) Episode Description: "But the App says you have it!" Those are the most annoying words a Sales Associate can hear. But usually, the "Ghost" (Phantom Inventory) was created by the clerk standing at the register. In…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast provides practical training for convenience store sales associates. Each episode covers real situations that new employees face during a shift, including customer service, merchandising, inventory, safety, and day-to-day store operations.Many stores do not have time to train employees properly. Dive helps close that gap by explaining how convenience stores actually work and how associates can become more confident and effective on the job.If you are new to the convenience store industry or want to improve your skills behind the counter, this podcast will help you understand the work, the expectations, and the small habits that lead to success in a busy store.
HOSTED BY
C-Store Center
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates have?
Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates currently has 121 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates about?
This podcast provides practical training for convenience store sales associates. Each episode covers real situations that new employees face during a shift, including customer service, merchandising, inventory, safety, and day-to-day store operations.Many stores do not have time to train employees...
How often does Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates release new episodes?
Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates publishes regularly with 121 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates?
You can listen to Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates?
Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates is created and hosted by C-Store Center.
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