I'm excited to finally have the opportunity to chat with customer experience expert Dan Gingiss.

In our conversation, we explore the vital role that customer experience plays in today's business landscape. Dan's insightful book, *The Experience Maker*, serves as an excellent guide for anyone looking to create unforgettable customer interactions that set their business apart. This book is truly a treasure for those eager to enhance their strategies and make a unique mark in their industry.

During our podcast, Dan passionately emphasizes that customer experience isn’t just a part of marketing—it’s a powerful marketing tool in its own right! His valuable insights provide a fantastic blueprint for building loyalty and achieving success through extraordinary customer experiences.

Join us as we uncover how to cultivate meaningful connections that will drive your business forward!

To learn more about Dan visit www.dangingiss.com

Coach Hughes interviews TJ Schier, discussing leadership, employee recognition, and the evolution of workplace culture over two decades.

Highlights

• 🎙️ Coach Hughes welcomes TJ Schier, reminiscing about their 22-year friendship.
• 📚 Schier’s book “Send Flowers to the Living” emphasizes recognizing employees while they are still with the company.
• 🤝 Leadership involves creating a supportive culture and valuing employees’ contributions.
• 🌱 The importance of continuous learning and adapting in leadership roles is highlighted.
• 🏆 Recognition vs. appreciation: understanding the emotional impact on employees is crucial.
• 🏢 The restaurant industry must better communicate career paths to attract talent.
• 🔄 Personal growth comes from experiences, both successes and failures, in business.

Key Insights

• 🎯 Recognition vs. Appreciation: Recognizing employees with awards or bonuses is different from making them feel valued emotionally. Leaders need to balance both to foster loyalty.
• 🤔 Culture Matters: A strong workplace culture is essential for retaining employees and improving performance. Leaders must actively shape this culture rather than just focusing on incentives.
• 📈 Career Paths in Hospitality: The hospitality industry often fails to illustrate clear career advancement opportunities, leading to high turnover. Providing visible career paths can enhance recruitment and retention.
• 🧠 Learning from Experience: Personal and professional growth comes from experiences, including mistakes. Leaders should embrace their journeys as invaluable learning opportunities.
• 🔄 Listening as a Leader: Great leaders prioritize listening over speaking in meetings, allowing diverse opinions to shape decisions. This builds trust and promotes collaboration.
• 🌍 Generational Work Ethic: Today’s younger workforce is often misunderstood regarding their work ethic. Leaders should recognize their potential and value contributions to the company.
• 🔍 Consulting Value: Consultants can offer essential shortcuts and insights, helping companies avoid pitfalls and accelerate growth. Their experience can guide leaders in making informed decisions.

What a pleasure it was to have an amazing conversation with an incredible young lady that "WILL" be making a name for herself sooner than later. Watch Out. Thank You Jennifer!

SUMMARY:

Jennifer and I discuss her 1st book called Puzzle Progress where she "Maps Out" steps to become the best version of ourselves. Jennifer shares her journey from a young employee at Jersey Mike’s to becoming a marketing coordinator and author, inspiring others to find their career direction.

Wait til you hear her insight into how to Be BEST You. Look out world here comes Jennifer Kottman...WOW

KEY INSIGHTS:

• 🌱 Early Experience Matters: Starting young in the workforce can build essential skills and shape career aspirations. Jennifer’s journey highlights how initial roles can influence future opportunities.

• 🤔 Asking Questions is Key: Emphasizing curiosity and inquiry can lead to personal and professional growth, helping individuals find clarity in their goals and paths.

• 🎯 Intentional Career Direction: Setting clear intentions and goals is crucial for fulfillment, as it allows individuals to map their steps backward from their desired future.

• 🔄 Failure as Growth: Redefining failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback encourages individuals to take risks and explore new avenues.

• 📊 Holistic Approach: The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal goals, finances, and networking, creating a comprehensive guide for career preparation.

• 💬 Value of Connections: Building genuine relationships in professional settings enhances growth opportunities and creates a supportive network for career advancement.

• 🧩 Personalized Learning: The workbook format encourages readers to engage actively, making the process of career exploration manageable and less overwhelming.

Some Additional HIGHLIGHTS:

• 🌟 Jennifer began working at Jersey Mike’s at 15, fostering her passion for customer service.

• 📚 She created a workbook to help others navigate career uncertainties.

• 🔗 Networking is about genuine connections, not manipulation.

• 🧩 The book uses puzzles as a metaphor for building a fulfilling career.

• 💡 Mindset and self-efficacy are crucial for career success.

• 🎓 The book is designed to be user-friendly and actionable for readers.

• 🏷️ Available on Amazon, it aims to guide individuals through career preparation.