One day, as Becky Winkler was teaching the section of our ZingTrain MerchandiZing seminar that covers “Contrast, Composition, and Content, it suddenly struck me. Although the approach was created to address graphic design issues, it’s applicable to all the other “design work we do,” whether that’s designing a business, a product or anything else of […]
Editor’s Note: In Part One of a two-part series on how content, composition and contrast can help you sell product and build awareness, we look at the graphic design process and how it should be structured for maximum impact. You are probably familiar with this scenario. A person working the cheese counter runs up to […]
Any business would like to get more good press. A nice mention in the local newspaper, an enjoyable interview on a radio talk show, a quote in The New York Times or USA Today, a spot on a TV news piece about food—all generate positive exposure. Positive press is easier hoped for than actually accomplished. […]
We have thousands of products to promote at Zingerman’s. The better we merchandise them, the better sales will be. In my idealized world, we would have the time, money and people to merchandise all actively and equally. But that is not the reality of organizational life. Like most natural resources, those available for merchandising are—and […]
As we all know (and as I’ve covered in the last two articles in this series: Low-Cost Service Tips in High-Stress Times, and MORE Low-Cost Service Tips), great service is about getting the big and small things right. In this third installment of basic but useful service strategies that we put into practice at Zingerman’s, […]
Great service is about getting the big and small things right—and in this tough economy, keeping customers happy has even greater significance. Therefore, here is the second installment of basic but useful service strategies that we put into practice at Zingerman’s. Some of these can be implemented one at a time, starting tomorrow morning if […]
In part one of a three-part series, we learn about rules for greeting guests (and, yes, there are rules) and boosting the service skills of long-term employees. Low-Cost Customer Service Tips to Keep Customers Coming Back In light of the tough economic times, great service is an even more compelling area for focus than usual. […]
IN RECENT ISSUES, I’VE FOCUSED ON THE INFORMATION WE’VE GLEANED FROM THE ZINGERMAN’S EXPERIENCE INDICATOR (ZXI), or what others in the business world refer to as the Net Promoter Score. Part of me thinks I should switch to another topic but as the findings keep coming and continue to have a positive impact on our […]
Some time ago, I spoke at the Inc. 500 Conference in Savannah. The biggest perk was to hear the other presenters, such as former President Clinton. The presentation that had the greatest lasting impact on Zingerman’s was by Scott Cook of Intuit. Intuit makes Quickbooks, Quicken, TurboTax and other accounting software. Cook talked about the […]
High achievers, those focused on ways to improve an organization, may not be as appreciative as they should be. I’ve spent the past 15 years trying to turn my overachieving nature inside out and become good at appreciation. True appreciation can create an organizational culture in which appreciation and positive energy are the norms rather […]
Children are an ever-more-important element of our work in the food world. At the Deli, kids of all ages come in at all times of the day with parents and grandparents. At the Bakehouse and Creamery, which are located in an industrial park, parents show up with kids after school or around scheduled classes in […]
There are two specific areas where the one-customer-at-a-time approach can make a significant impact on organizational success. At Zingerman’s, we focus on both of them because either has the potential to take a customer experience from poor to great by simple, though often not intuitive, action by an owner, manager or associate. Breaking the Rules […]
This new 4-part workshop series combines one of ZingTrain’s longest-running workshops, Living Servant Leadership, with three newer offerings, all geared towards providing practical, immediately-applicable tools, techniques, and perspectives to support leaders in developing and evolving their skills.
This series will be offered both virtually and in-person at our training space in Ann Arbor, MI! Choose what will work best for you.
