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of Your Training

Leadership Development

Zingerman’s 12 Natural Laws of Business

The creation of the 12 Natural Laws of Business is a lot like the story they tell about gravity. Apples had been falling off trees and hitting the ground long before Sir Isaac Newton figured out how, and why, and how fast. Similarly, somewhere along the way in our over almost 38-year-long existence, Ari Weinzweig […]

Organizational Culture

The Best Swag for Your Event

It’s October. So naturally, we’re looking nine months out and thinking about our annual symposium, aptly named ZingPosium. Determining the content we’ll share and theme of the event are important, but something else we’ll be spending a lot of time thinking about is the Swag we’ll give to attendees.

Training & Business Systems

The Manager’s Role in Staff Training

My formal education was first in German literature and then later in business administration.  What I know about training design, development and delivery I’ve learned through on-the-job practice and self study.  I’ve gone to lots of training seminars, designed hundreds of classes and workshops, and helped to implement effective training here at Zingerman’s.  Along the […]

Customer Service

Strong Systems to Greet Customers: Celebrate 10-4 Day with ZingTrain

The 10-4 tool is when employees acknowledge customers with eye contact and a smile when they are within 10 feet and verbally greet them when they are within 4 feet, creating a welcoming environment. 10-4 Day is an opportunity to celebrate this effective customer service tool and have some fun! Learn about how Zingerman’s Community […]

Customer Service

7 Common Customer Service Mistakes

Over the years that I’ve been a Trainer and Speaker with ZingTrain, sharing how Zingerman’s builds a culture of great service, I’m sure you can imagine how my awareness of the way that different companies deliver customer service has only increased.  Of course, there’s a wide range out there – I personally try to patronize […]

Business Visioning

Why Write a Company Vision and How to Get Started

It’s January 1, 2030 and your business has been quite successful.  What do you see, hear, smell and feel going on around you that is evidence of that success?  If you can describe that scene, you’ll have a vision of greatness for your organization – an incredibly powerful tool to get everyone working together and […]

Customer Service

How to Give Great Customer Service Over the Phone

You’ve probably spent some statistically significant portion of your life on the phone. You know how to pick up the phone, basic phone manners, and how to hang up. We’re all, most likely, perfectly capable of picking up a phone and talking into it… But we also need to learn to take the art of […]

Business Visioning

New to Visioning? Read This First

Dear Vision Novice, You’ve made a wise decision to learn how to write a vision. Back in 2006, I attended the Creating a Vision of Greatness 2-day seminar.  It has had a profound impact on my life ever since.  At the time, of course, I couldn’t have predicted this.  In fact, I had doubts. Yes, […]