In today’s competitive job market, first impressions matter – a lot. The way we treat job applicants sets an example of our entire workplace culture. By showing candidates respect, kindness, and clear communication, we not only make them feel valued but also demonstrate the standard for how we treat customers. Regardless of whether they get the job, […]
Kneading and Leading gives kids who love baking a taste of servant leadership A compelling vision can bring an organization’s goals to life and give employees from all levels of the organization a North Star to follow. A vision is also a source of inspiration, helping employees see how their work matters while finding opportunities […]
Erika began working at Outdoor Sylvania in 2000 and has been the Executive Director for the last decade. Outdoor Sylvania is a government-funded organization that manages recreational parks in Sylvania, Ohio. She considers great service to the community her main responsibility and that of all employees. Growing up in Toledo, “Ann Arbor was synonymous with Zingerman’s”, but it […]
Looking to make your seasonal staff shine? Watch this fun, insightful webinar designed to help you set your team up for success during a busy season. Whether you’re gearing up for a holiday rush or preparing for summer crowds, this webinar will show you how to create an environment where seasonal employees can deliver standout service with […]
Keynote speakers draw people to events and have a massive impact on the overall energy and experience of attendees. Keynote speakers are also an investment, and there are ways to maximize the impact of your speakers at an event. Through managing Zingerman’s keynotes at hundreds of events over the last decade, I have seen my […]
It may sound silly, but workplace games have proven to be effective! Games can help your team hit its goals, improve your organization’s results, boost energy, and encourage creative thinking. Any organizational issue you’d like to make improvement on is a great candidate around which to design a game. We’ve played workplace games to highlight and fix chronic […]
In 2002, Zingerman’s decided to adopt open book management, a system where everyone in the organization takes responsibility for the effective operation of the business – financial and otherwise. At that time, we were a community of five businesses in various stages of development. Zingerman’s Delicatessen was 20 years old, while the Creamery was only […]
My first Staff Training column in Gourmet Retailer was published in January 2000 – 14 years ago! It’s hard for me to remember how different things were back then, both in my personal life and at ZingTrain. What I do remember is how I was both honored and scared to death to have been asked […]
Over the past ten years, there’s been increasing support for sustainable agriculture in North America. While there’s a long way to go to get that approach to become an accepted day-to-day reality, many organizations are working in consciously and ecologically sound ways. Sustainability, though, exists in a broader sense, one that’s not limited to agriculture […]
Join us for a special conversation with ZingTrain Founder, Maggie Bayless, and Managing Partner, Katie Frank, two women who have carried ZingTrain for 30 years with their vision and leadership. The very idea of ZingTrain came to Maggie when reading Zingerman’s first organizational vision! She wisely foresaw that a growing organization would need training for consistency […]
Do you like handling customer complaints? Why or why not?
Here at Zingerman’s, we’re keen on servant leadership. The theory was developed and coined by Robert Greenleaf in his 1970 essay “The Servant as Leader”. Paul Saginaw & Ari Weinzweig discovered his compelling ideas in the late 80s. Ever since crossing paths, Greenleaf’s ideas have become deeply embedded into how we train and develop leaders […]
