The Shipley family business has thrived for four generations because we are obsessed with making things better. We are never satisfied and, as a result, we are always looking for the next great way to serve our customers. Encouraging a continuous stream of new ideas can result in lots of winners and plenty of losers. But, we are willing to learn from these mistakes along the way in order to move forward on the path to success. Ultimately, we only need to be right 51 percent of the time.

For nearly two decades, the Shipley strategic planning process has focused on continuous improvement in five areas: safety, learning, teamwork, growth and fun (yes, fun!). To facilitate this progress, we reward bright individuals who are willing to share their unique ideas. Fresh perspectives give life and energy to our organization.

Shipley employees’ aside, we also need to look externally for inspiration. That’s where The Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) comes in. Learning, sharing and socializing are all valuable benefits of membership and result in something of immeasurable value: great ideas. Coincidentally, the articles in this issue of Independent Gasoline Marketing encompass the five principles we find so important at Shipley — safety, learning, teamwork, growth and fun. I hope you take away a new idea or two when you read it.

Safety
A safe work environment in a convenience store begins with robbery deterrence. Injury during a robbery is the biggest single threat to the personal safety of convenience- store employees. The security article in this issue highlights new technology that is available to convenience store operators who are committed to having a safer store.

Learning
The SIGMA 2005 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia promises to be the place for the most relevant, power-packed education available at any industry event. October 21-23 will be brimming with opportunities to learn how to succeed as a gasoline marketer. The game keeps changing. Read about the educational resources and learning venues that are planned for SIGMA in Philadelphia this October.

Teamwork
The Energy Policy Act was passed into law this past August, concluding five years of lively debate. A mixture of good and bad news for gasoline marketers, there are many implications of this new federal law and challenges that remain. For me, the most rewarding experience of advocating Congress for a reasonable national energy policy was the cooperation among industry trade groups. The petroleum business did not get everything we want, but we did generally speak as one to our legislators. This team effort will be called upon again to face future challenges in Washington.

Growth
Becoming better at fleet fueling is a great way to grow your gasoline business. In the article on page 22, Tom Osborne explores examples and options for serving commercial gasoline customers at your pumps.

Fun
Nobody embodies a healthy sense of fun more than Doug True. The cover story celebrates the career (thus far) of Doug True and his many accomplishments in the gasoline business and on behalf of gasoline marketers. His most amazing accomplishment has been to achieve success with a balance of family, personal and professional interests. Good decisions arise from this balanced perspective. Doug makes good decisions and, consequently, he knows how to have fun. He is an eminently worthy Distinguished Marketer.

The fuel for improvement is new and innovative ideas. This issue of Independent Gasoline Marketing is full of subtle and broad suggestions for making your business.