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SG Voices
Access expert insights and industry trends through articles from our trusted thought leaders. Stay informed with practical guidance, ideas, and strategies relevant to your business needs.
How Digital Experience Is Redefining Branded Dealer Relationships
In today’s competitive fuel distribution market, branded dealers expect more than reliable supply and competitive pricing; they expect frictionless access to information. For suppliers, that shift is significant. The companies that make it easiest for...
Setting Your New Credit Manager Up for Success
Hiring or promoting an internal candidate into the credit manager role is a critical step in strengthening your company’s financial health. To ensure they thrive in their role, it’s essential to establish clear, concise processes...
From AI Assistant to Agentic Commerce: What Convenience Retailers Need to Know
By Shyam Rao, Founder and CEO, Tote.ai If you read my last article in this newsletter, you walked away with a framework for evaluating AI claims in convenience retail. Five questions to ask vendors. Ways...
When Fuel Markets Move at War Speed
The call comes before most traders have finished their first coffee. Overnight, a drone strike on an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf hits the news. By the time U.S. futures markets open, Brent crude...
Enable Your Team to Perform Even When They’re Slammed: 5 Strategies to Stay Consistent Under Pressure
By David J. McClaskey, President, and Billy Schaefer, Vice-President If you lead a convenience store or manage fuel delivery operations, you know the feeling. Your best team member just called out sick, a delivery is...
The Store Is the Message
By John McCauley, Partner and Director of Brand Design, Paragon Solutions Two independent data sets landed on the same day recently, and together they tell a story that every convenience retailer should be paying attention...
SG Insights
SG Insights are monthly articles written by Study Groups’ thought leaders on industry trends, ideas, and strategies.
Across the Board, Here’s What SG Members Are Talking About
After every Study Groups meeting, participants are asked to reflect on where they found the most value during the two or more days spent together. Across groups of 8–15 industry peers, the feedback has been...
Change Management That Actually Works
Change is no longer periodic, but constant: new systems, re-organizations, acquisitions, pricing strategies, safety programs, technology rollouts, leadership transitions. Yet despite the best intentions, most change efforts still fail to deliver the results leaders expect....
How Did Study Groups Members Stack Up in 2025?
End-of-Year Performance Summary by SG Vertical Study Groups (SG) member performance in 2025 reflected steadiness in a year of uneven economic conditions. “Flat was the new up” in most of the industries our members participate...
The Economy in 2026
By Dr. David Nelson As we wrap up another year, our thoughts turn to the year ahead and what’s in store for the U.S. Economy. Will we see a continuation of economic growth? Will the...
Gratitude: A Path to True Joy
By Jed Brewer, CEO of Study Groups “It’s not joy that makes us grateful; it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.” My friend shared those words one night in a small group we were part of....
Strategic Planning & Leadership: Why Now Matters
As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. Strategic planning isn’t just about updating a spreadsheet, it’s about defining direction, setting goals, and aligning your team around a vision that...
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