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GM Success Program

General Manager Development Program Instructor Spotlight: Audrey Griffin

By |2023-05-05T20:05:02-04:00August 11th, 2022|

Today, we are highlighting another one of our talented instructors of the General Manager Development Program, Audrey Griffin. Participants can still join Columinate’s General Manager Development Program for 2022. Through this program, new (or experienced) GMs develop the core grocery management skills they need to successfully lead their co-op. The program currently offers seven modules, covering topics ranging from financial metrics to marketing, all of which are taught by an experienced team of grocery retail experts. Audrey Griffin has been a Certified Public Accountant for nearly twenty years. Working primarily with cooperatives and nonprofit organizations, she offers services that include conducting assessments, delivering financial training for boards, preparing financial projects, and completing tax returns.

General Manager Development Program Instructor Spotlight: Rebecca Torpie

By |2023-05-05T20:05:06-04:00June 15th, 2022|

The General Manager Development Program works with both new and experienced general managers (GMs) to develop the core grocery management skills they need to successfully lead their co-op. The program currently offers seven modules, all of which are taught by an experienced team of grocery retail experts. Throughout this summer, we'll be introducing each of the instructors in the program. Today, we are highlighting retail grocery marketing expert Rebecca Torpie.

General Manager Development Program Supports New and Veteran GMs

By |2023-05-05T20:05:09-04:00May 26th, 2022|

Managing a food co-op takes a large and varied set of skills, some of which even a highly talented general manager might need help developing. With an updated curriculum and a roster of talented instructors, the GM Development Program provides both new and veteran GMs with the support and the tools they need to successfully manage and lead their food co-op.

Return on Investment of Columinate’s Management on Contract Services

By |2023-05-05T20:05:42-04:00March 21st, 2021|

When co-ops enter a time of transition, they can turn to Columinate's group of experts available for contract management services. These folks step in as Interim General Managers (IGMs) to work fast and smart, implementing lasting change for their clients. Ranging from a few months to a few years, IGM engagements are meant to bridge a co-op from Point A to Point B.

Hiring a General Manager

By |2023-05-05T20:04:58-04:00July 18th, 2019|

Updated in 2017-18, this manual is the result of a collaboration between Columinate and National Co+op Grocers. It guides boards of directors of food cooperatives through the steps needed to ensure a clear and professional process, resulting in the hiring of a well-qualified manager. Those steps are: Arrange for interim management Set up a committee to coordinate the hiring process (the Search Committee) Define [...]

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

By |2023-05-05T20:06:11-04:00September 1st, 2017|

The concept of emotional intelligence is now part of popular culture. Just as we each have an IQ or Intelligence Quotient that measures cognitive ability, some social scientists say we have an EQ or Emotional Quotient. Emotional intelligence (EI) can be defined as the ability to recognize your own and others’ emotions, and to manage your emotions and relationships effectively. You can see right [...]

Co-op General Manager Success Profile: GM Role Requires Core Competencies

By |2023-05-05T20:28:58-04:00March 30th, 2016|

By Carolee Colter, Lauren Olsen, Marilyn Scholl 183 Mar-Apr 2016 It takes a lot to manage a food co-op. Co-op general managers (GMs) are responsible not only for the retail operations but also for budgeting, financial analysis, marketing, information technology, and human resources—functions that are provided by corporate headquarters to managers of chain stores. Co-op GMs, in addition to the demands of the business, [...]

General Managers Speak About Value of Coaching

By |2023-05-05T20:29:09-04:00March 9th, 2016|

The to-do list is seemingly endless:  cash flow, team building, category management, board relations, reports, goal setting.  Many general managers report feeling pulled in many directions during a typical workday, and too soon it seems, another day comes to a close.  The feeling that nothing is ever quite finished can be disheartening. The flip side is that being successful in the job means that [...]

GM Success Profile

By |2023-05-05T20:29:15-04:00January 29th, 2016|

Increasingly intense and sustained competition in our market is shifting the landscape in which co-ops operate, putting a premium on certain key competencies and skills in management. At the same time, other factors are making the GM job more complex and demanding, including: pressure on prices and margin, increasing costs of real estate and development, and calls for a living wage at a time [...]

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