BELIEFS IN BUSINESS
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But if you haven ’ t already picked up on my theme , it ’ s worth recognizing that particular beliefs underlie them all . I ’ ve come to the conclusion that belief needs to be an area of focus unto itself .
All too often , we aren ’ t cognizant of what we believe . Our beliefs will be at work regardless , but unless we pay attention , they remain a mystery to us and we lose the magic . I believe that reflection , understanding , and increased consciousness can change all that . I believe that if we raise awareness of the role beliefs play in our lives , we can make a whole lot of good things happen for ourselves and for everyone around us . It has certainly worked well for me .
Thinking agriculturally ( as I want to do , given our work with food ), I ’ ve come to see that beliefs are basically the root systems of our organizations . What shows up above the surface , in “ real life ,” is a reflection of what ’ s already been going on below ground . As anarchist Alexander Berkman writes , “ You can ’ t grow a rose from a cactus seed .” This statement is so obvious that it seems almost silly to say it aloud . Unfortunately , many of us try to do exactly what Berkman poetically points out won ’ t work . Our beliefs are , all too often , out of alignment with what we ’ re trying to attain . Yet we ’ re still surprised each time the “ wrong ” plant sprouts from the soil . We get angry , frustrated , and depressed . We feel defeated . In response , many of us go out to cut the offender off at the root line . But you know what happens then , right ? The same darned plant soon pops up again . +
Ari Weinzweig is CEO and co-founding partner of Zingerman ’ s Community of Businesses , which includes Zingerman ’ s Delicatessen , Bakehouse , Creamery , Catering , Mail Order , ZingTrain , Coffee Company , Roadhouse , Candy Manufactory , Events at Cornman Farms , and the newest business , Miss Kim , which serves great tasting Korean fare . Zingerman ’ s produces and sells all sorts of full flavored , traditional foods in its home of Ann Arbor , Michigan to the tune of $ 60,000,000 a year in annual sales . Ari was recognized as one of the “ Who ’ s Who of Food & Beverage in America ” by the 2006 James Beard Foundation and was awarded a Bon Appetit Lifetime Achievement Award among many recognitions .
Ari is the author of a number of articles and books , including Zingerman ’ s Guide to Better Bacon ( Zingerman ’ s Press ), Zingerman ’ s Guide to Giving Great Service , Zingerman ’ s Guide to Good Eating ( Houghton Mifflin ), Zingerman ’ s Guide to Good Leading , Part 1 : A Lapsed Anarchist ’ s Approach to Building a Great Business , and Zingerman ’ s Guide to Good Leading , Part 2 : A Lapsed Anarchist ’ s Approach to Being a Better Leader . Zingerman ’ s Guide to Good Leading , Part 3 ; A Lapsed Anarchist ’ s Approach to Managing Ourselves , was released in December of 2013 . Zingerman ’ s Guide to Good Leading , Part 4 ; A Lapsed Anarchist ’ s Approach to the Power of Beliefs in Business was released in summer of 2016 . In 2017 Ari was named one of “ The World ’ s 10 Top CEOs ( They Lead in a Totally Unique Way )” by Inc . Magazine .
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