Meet Your Board Candidate: Cat Bock
Cat Bock is the Store Manager at Parnassus Books. She has worked there since 2014 with a brief stint at Ingram Content Group and has held a variety of roles including Buyer and Inventory Manager and Special Sales Manager. She is passionate about providing exceptional customer service and supporting the greater bookselling community in general, but Southern indies in particular. During her time at Parnassus Books she has encouraged other staff members to get involved in the broader bookselling community and ensured that bookselling staff has had the opportunity to do so.
Interview:
Why do you want to serve on the SIBA Board?
I am excited about the opportunity to support the board in the work they do to advance the success of all Southern independent bookstores and build a strong network of readers and booksellers across the South. As I've worked in a bookstore from its earlier days of existence to become one that is fully entrenched in our community, I can appreciate the needs of members who are at varying stages of growth and look to the Board for support and guidance. I'd be honored to get to use my experience in a variety of bookstore roles to further the work the SIBA board does for its members.
What do you think are the most important challenges facing independent bookstores in the SIBA region?
As the bookselling landscape evolves to meet the challenges of the world around us I think a universal challenge is technology. From finding the perfect POS system, configuring your website, e-commerce, scheduling, staff communication, the conversations around AI, and always ensuring good customer service there is no shortage of ways technology impacts our day to day. I think that so many other issues we have tie back to technology and how we best use it. Addressing some of the technology-centered needs and questions that SIBA bookstores have would have impacts in nearly everything that we do.
What do you think are the most important priorities for the SIBA organization?
I think one of the most important things SIBA does is find ways to provide networking and education opportunities so member stores can always be learning from each other and our industry partners. Bookselling-specific knowledge along with general business best practices are crucial for uplifting Southern booksellers. I think SIBA has done amazing work over the years with the March Madness series, the Southern Bookseller Review, and the new website so information and programming can more easily be accessed by members (just to name a few goings-on!). I'd look forward to advancing these priorities further as a board member.