Mobil Oil New Zealand employee presentation tops the world

ExxonMobil Vice President, Retail Sales, Mark Shores and Global Retail Network Advisor Russ Ritenour congratulate Tim Fulton (centre) on his win in Chicago.

9 November 2011

Mobil Oil New Zealand Retail Territory Manager, Tim Fulton, has won an international prize for his strategic retail thinking.

After winning the Peter Jowett Award from the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS) for Best Presentation by a Retailer, he travelled to Chicago in October to represent New Zealand in a global competition organised in conjunction with the National Association of Convenience Retailers (NACS) Show.

He was up against the retail winners from countries such as Australia, the UK and Canada. His research and presentation on the topic “Present a business plan to implement ideas that will generate greater sales, community profile and profits for the Convenience Store” was declared the winner.

Tim was inspired to participate in the NZACS competition, which is run annually for company representatives aged 21 to 36, after attending the competition about two years ago as a spectator and realising that Mobil had never entered before.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to be involved to highlight that we in Mobil have some really good retail ideas too,” he said.

Tim’s presentation covered how the use of technology could help businesses grow sales, such as through the use of social media to research and understand customers.

He explained how unique Quick Response (QR) codes on receipts could be used for research and promotions, and how costs could be reduced with specific focus on labour scheduling and the use of technology such as LED lighting.

He also highlighted the importance of consistency and “walking the talk” as a brand, and of thinking as a global ‘brand’ but acting locally to engage with the community.

Tim said his involvement in the competitions had helped him with his ideas.

“It has helped me think about the bigger retail picture and where we could potentially head in the future, and how we can give the customer a better experience whilst also reducing costs to grow profit,” he said.

Mobil Oil New Zealand Acting Managing Director, Wayne Ellary, said that the company was extremely proud of Tim’s achievements in securing this coveted award.

“The award demonstrates Tim’s passion for improving the business through strategic thinking,” he said.