In 1982, Ari Weinzweig and his business partner Paul Saginaw opened Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today, that institution has evolved into a collection of food specialty businesses (known as the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, or ZCoB) that includes a bakery, mail order operation, a coffee company, candy manufacturer, a barbeque restaurant, creamery, and a catering and event planning service. The decision to build new, independent businesses (instead of franchising the deli) proved to be an sustainable strategy for operating a business, an effective approach for establishing growth opportunities for employees, and a way to ultimately give back to their Ann Arbor community.

In March 2015, we are delighted to be hosting Ari and our friends from Zingerman’s here at The Factory in Florence. I’ve long been an admirer and student of Ari’s work, teachings, and books. (And as an introduction to Ari, you might want to check out this interview with him on our Journal.) His philosophies and approaches to running a business have helped me and the Alabama Chanin family create a better work environment here at The Factory. Our staff studied Ari’s latest book, Managing Ourselves, as part of a workplace enrichment program, and we each wrote visions of how we want to take ownership of our individual roles, while benefiting the team and helping the company grow as a whole.

ZingTrain, which shares the Zingerman’s business experience with organizations all over the world through seminars and workshops, is also a leading force within the ZCoB. Ari himself will be leading a private two-hour business workshop at The Factory on Friday, March 6^th. We hope you can join us.

“12 Natural Laws of Business – Raising Awareness of the ‘Other’ Energy Crisis”

9:00am – 11:00am

Cost: $250 (includes training materials, presentation from Ari, roundtable discussion, and lunch at The Factory Café)

During the workshop, Ari will share the approach to business that has led to Zingerman’s success, including their unique business model—as well as the challenges all business owners and organizations inevitably face. He will also interpret the natural laws of business (as introduced in his book Zingerman’s Guide to Good Leading: Part 1, A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Building a Great Business) and provide you with techniques to utilize the natural laws back into your business.

The Zingerman’s approach is applicable whether you’re running a law office, a library, a restaurant, a record label, a software firm, or an organic farm. I’ve personally found that these behind-the-scenes “secrets” are invaluable in building a special, sustainable business.

And the night before this workshop, The Factory Café kicks off our 2015 Friends of the Café | Makeshift Dinner series. The series continues our celebration of slow, sustainable, and inventive food—joined with our ongoing conversations on craft, design, food, making, and community. Ari and team will be creating the menu and serving up classic Zingerman’s recipes. Believe me, you do not want to miss the chance to experience this cuisine. To quote chef Mario Batali, “Ahh Zingerman’s…my temple of deliciousness…”. The Factory Café will also highlight some of our favorite products from Zingerman’s Deli and other businesses throughout the month.

Join us on Thursday, March 5^th for dinner, featuring special ingredients and recipes from Zingerman’s Delicatessen, Bakehouse, and Creamery.

6:30  Cocktails
7:30  Dinner

$98 per person (includes drinks and dinner)
Ari will be on hand to sign copies of his books during the cocktail hour. You can find all three volumes of the Management Principles from Zingerman’s series in our online store or for purchase at The Factory Store.