Expertise
Joanie’s lengthy experience working at Zingerman’s has given her a unique view of our organization, putting the business philosophies and best practices she teaches into day-to-day practice. She loves sharing Zingerman’s philosophies with others because she knows they work and make a difference. Her specialties are Leadership, Service, and Open Book Management, and she excels at sharing real-life examples that can relate well to her client’s industry. Joanie’s passion for the principles and culture of Zingerman’s shines through in her training.
Strengths & Style
Joanie is an effective communicator with a casual, conversational presentation style. She learns best by doing—jumping in and trying something out, though she also appreciates a list of steps (like a Standard Operating Procedure!) when she gets stuck. Joanie makes training informative and engaging, so clients have fun while learning something new. She’s organized, focused, and a dependable team player. Clients appreciate that she’s easy to work with, meets deadlines, and can quickly gain a group’s trust, helping to establish a training environment where cultural change can happen. Joanie embodies the Zingerman’s Experience—she delights in creating connections, nurturing personal relationships, and providing experiences that make others feel good.
Experience
Joanie began working in the service industry shortly after graduating high school. She fell in love with restaurants and customer service, which led her to earn a degree in Hospitality Management. She started working at Zingerman’s Roadhouse in 2003, while she was still in college. Joanie gained experience in a variety of positions including opening crew, server, host, and bartender. In 2005, Joanie became Assistant Restaurant Manager, where she really found a place for her passion for customer service to truly flourish, and then became Catering and Marketing Manager in 2010. She joined ZingTrain as an occasional trainer in 2008, and then full-time in 2016. Joanie was also the Zingerman’s Camp Bacon® Director for four years, a (now retired) multi-day bacon-centric event, and has been a Tour Guide for Zingerman’s Food Tours. In 2007, she was honored with the first annual Zingerman’s Hall of Fame Award for Customer Service. She also teaches internal classes to fellow Zingerman’s staff, like our Leadership Development Program. Joanie loves getting to invest back into the organization, helping others hone their leadership skills, and pushing herself to deepen her own levels of learning through teaching.
I have worked for two businesses: the Roadhouse and now ZingTrain as a Trainer. I started at the Roadhouse as part of the opening crew and worked as a server, hostess, bartender, accounting assistant, assistant restaurant manager, catering manager and marketing manager. It is not an actual Zingerman’s business but I was also the Zingerman’s Camp Bacon® Director for four years, which was always a blast to plan and host.
Is it too obvious to say Ari's Being a Better Leader? But it's true, he writes about what we live everyday and it is always motivating and inspiring to read his books.
My husband and our two boys on a lake somewhere. I love hearing the three of them laugh while they play together.
Definitely a visual learner, enjoy reading instructions before being expected to do them. And I am a huge notetaker. I always like to take lots of notes to refer back to.
Hands down the people. My co-workers have become some of my dearest friends and one became my husband!
I like to think fun! I want the training to be informative and engaging, but I really want people to leave having had fun.
I am a pretty darn good Catchphrase player - I welcome anyone to a challenge.
Korean Fried Chicken with Soy Butter Rice at Miss Kim
Mani Osteria - try the pepperoni pizza and arancini!
"Plan the work and work the plan."
Being outside in the fall, lots of chocolate in many forms, and family coming together
Julia Child - her life and history is fascinating and I would love to learn more!
*thumbs up emoji*
"Happy" by Pharrell Williams
mellifluous
Kindergarten Teacher, 'cause that was the only other adult I was around that wasn't my parents!
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