Pushed to Think Differently

Nathan, President, Acee’s

What initially led you to join?

I was invited by a retired c-store executive from another company who thought I’d benefit from being part of a Study Group. I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made as a business leader.

What have you gained from being part of your group?

The relationships with industry peers have been incredibly valuable. We don’t just share ideas during meetings — the conversations continue all year long. The Study Groups model pushes us to exchange ideas that continually improve our businesses and challenge us to think differently.

Can you share a specific story or moment where your group made a real impact?

I used to think our company was best-in-class when it came to employee retention. Then I learned about another company with far better retention and lower turnover. We offered similar pay and benefits, but their training and onboarding program was far stronger. That insight led us to completely overhaul our own process — a change that’s made a major difference.

What would you tell someone who’s considering joining a Study Group?

It might seem a little expensive at first glance, but the ROI is absolutely worth it. Every meeting produces a few ideas that more than pay for the fees and time invested.

Is there a short quote or testimonial you’d share publicly?

“The ROI is well worth it. Every meeting delivers ideas that more than pay for themselves.”

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