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Home>About Us>Elnian Gilbert

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Elnian Gilbert

Trainer & Keynote Speaker
Bio

Expertise

As the most tenured trainer at ZingTrain, Elnian has trained on absolutely every content area we offer! Her particular areas of specialty are Customer Service, Visioning, Employee Training, Open Book Management, Change Management, and Leadership. Elnian now shares Zingerman’s approach to business in ZingTrain’s public 2-day seminars and workshops as well as delivering customized training and facilitation for clients across the country (and world!) She’s also been leading vision facilitation sessions since 2012—an inspiring process that guides organizations to craft personalized long-term visions of success. And she gives a mean keynote! 

Strengths & Style

Elnian loves variety and is insatiably curious—two major strengths in a role that often finds her on the road, leading training at clients’ locations. As she says, “From church basements to cramped conference rooms to hotel meeting rooms to an open barn, it’s never the same twice, and I love it!” Elnian finds it exceptionally rewarding to figure out what a client needs and then tailor training to deliver it; providing examples relevant to their field and helping them adapt and apply the tools and techniques used at Zingerman’s for decades to great success. She’s adept at delivering an exceptional experience—by truly listening to clients, working hard to deliver on their expectations, and then exceeding them. 

Elnian’s style is engaging, humorous, and full of real-world stories. Her down-to-earth approach, thorough preparation, and extensive experience help her connect with participants from a wide array of industries (including libraries, information technology, dentists, specialty retail, and cooperative groceries). It’s also helped her grow and maintain long-term relationships with clients. As one past client said of her approach, “Elnian is great—the perfect mix of professional and knowledgeable with a dash of irreverence.”

Experience

Elnian first came to the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (ZCoB) in 2006, as seasonal holiday help at Zingerman’s Mail Order, then quickly became an integral part of the ZingTrain in 2007. Along with her many years of experience in the ZCoB, Elnian has a business degree and held several other customer service positions. She brings a breadth of experience to her role as a trainer.

 

 

Q&A


How many Zingerman's businesses have you worked for?

I’ve worked for two businesses. I started at Zingerman’s Mail Order’s Service center in the holiday season of 2006. And loved it! I wanted to stick around Zingerman’s when the holidays were done - luckily for me, ZingTrain hired me in February 2007 and I’ve been around ever since.


What is your favorite business book?

The Ultimate Question by Fred Reichheld


What is your dream vacation?

It totally depends on how I’m feeling - right now, I just want to go back to Vegas!


What is your favorite way to learn?

A mix, but primarily by doing. I learn best when the method of delivery is changed up as we go along.


What do you like best about working at Zingerman's?

I like the fact that you can go from being temporary, seasonal holiday staff to a full time consultant at ZingTrain - for nothing more, or less, than that you’re smart, willing to work hard, and know where you want to go.


What is your presentation style?

Spirited and full of humor (appropriate humor, of course!)


What is your "secret" skill - that skill you have that you don't have the ability to show off at work?

I’m a knitter! I really enjoy taking yarn and turning it into a hat, or scarf, or mitts - and being able to make unique gifts for friends and family.


Best menu item at any of the ZCoB Businesses?

Grilled scallops at Zingerman's Roadhouse


Best (non-Zingerman's) restaurant in Ann Arbor?

Aventura


Best piece of advice you've ever received?

"When you're feeling funky, to turn your attention outside yourself."


If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve…

Drinking champagne, eating amazing food, laughing, and wearing sparkles (required)


If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?

Douglas Adams, author of "The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and writer for "Doctor Who."


My most used emoji is...

heart


The song that always puts me in a good mood is...

"Come Along" by Cosmo Sheldrake


My favorite word in the English language is...

mellifluous


When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a [JOB/PROFESSION] when I grew up

I really didn't have one! A professional reader, maybe?

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Address 3728 Plaza Drive Suite 5, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone (734)930-1919
Email [email protected]

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Address
3728 Plaza Drive Suite 5
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone (734)930-1919
Email [email protected]

Training
In-Person Seminars
Virtual Workshops
For Your Team
Calendar
Keynotes
Books
Free Resources
About Us
Contact Us
Our Clients
Coming to Ann Arbor
Sitemap

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