Episode Title: The Cold War: Mastering the Cooler (Episode 72)

Episode Description: "All done, boss."

Those are the three most dangerous words an Assistant Manager can hear. Because 90% of the time, "done" just means they pulled the front bottle forward and left the back empty.

For an Assistant Manager, the cooler is the "Lie Detector." If you don't check it, your team will "Ghost Stock" you every single shift, leaving you to refill the Powerade during the morning rush.

In this episode of Survive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to stop doing your team's work for them. We discuss "Ghost Stocking," why you must stop asking "Did you do it?", and how to use the "Push-Back Audit" to hold your clerks—and your vendors—accountable.

What You Will Learn:

• Ghost Stocking: The deceptive practice of facing-without-filling that kills your sales.
• The "Push-Back Audit": The physical test you must do before you let the previous shift clock out.
• Vendor Management: How to stop delivery drivers from hiding "Out of Stocks" behind other products.
• Shift Change Accountability: Why the cooler walk is the most important part of the handoff.

The Quest: Verify the work.

• Solo Quest: Perform the "Push-Back Audit" at every shift change this week. If you find air behind the front row, do not let them leave until it is filled.
• Team Quest: "Spot the Out" with your vendors. Don't sign the invoice until you have checked the shelves for hidden gaps.

Resources & Links:

• 📲 Unlock the Level 4 Audit Checklist: Text the code word COLD to 956-897-9192.