The Million Dollar Greeting

Interviews with innovative business leaders and compelling case studies reveal today's best practices for customer and employee loyalty, high profits and sustainability, and a fulfilling work culture in businesses of all sizes. Dan Sachs guides established and emerging businesses as they strengthen employee morale, customer retention, and profits. In The Million Dollar Greeting, he interviews cutting-edge leaders from large and small companies that are consistently profitable with their success directly tied to exceptional customer satisfaction and employees who rank their company among the top places to work. The original words of the business owners, including their practices, are shared and analyzed by Sachs and instructional takeaways are written for the business world as it exists today and with consideration for expected changes over the coming years. Topics covered include answering the question of what modern-day customer service is and why it matters in the digital age; what interpersonal practices lead to brand loyalty, high financial rewards, and the retention of top employees; how to create a dynamic work culture and the best ways to support employees of different age groups; and what practices will grow increasingly critical for businesses to implement over the coming years. Among the business leaders interviewed in the book and companies given as case examples are: Rob Siefker of Zappos Mark Hoplamazian of Hyatt Hotels Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s Delicatessen Steve Hindy of Brooklyn Brewery Mike McDerment of FreshBooks Richard Coraine of Union Square Hospitality Group Paul Speigelman of BerylHealth Jerrod Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Nick Sarillo of Nick’s Pizza & Pub For all entrepreneurs, managers, and employees eager to see their company thrive, this insightful volume reveals how to make your business stand out from competitive companies, how to be effective in your position, and how to make sure fulfillment and success define your business in today’s competitive climate and for years to come.

Interviews and case studies with nine top business leaders reveal how extraordinary customer service brings high profit, brand loyalty, and a vibrant workplace, and show how you can implement their techniques in your own business. For more than twenty years, Dan Sachs has helped established and emerging businesses use hospitality practices to strengthen employee moral, customer retention, and profits. In The Million Dollar Greeting, readers accompany Sachs as he travels across the United States and Canada, interviewing leaders from both large and small companies, including: Ari Weinzweig (Zingerman's Delicatessen) Rob Siefker (Zappos) Mike McDerment (FreshBooks) Steve Hindy (Brooklyn Brewery) Richard Coraine (Union Square Hospitality Group) Mark Hoplamazian (Hyatt Hotels) Paul Speigelman (BerylHealth) Jerrod Melman (Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises) Nick Sarillo (Nick's Pizza & Pub) Each of the companies featured is consistently profitable with its success directly tied to its exceptional customer satisfaction and employees who rank their organization in the top places to work in North America. The original words of the business owners, including their practices, are shared and analyzed by Sachs. Instructional takeaways are written for the business world as it exists today and with consideration for expected changes over the coming years. Topics covered include answering the question of what modern-day hospitality is and why it matters in the digital age; what interpersonal practices, such as the use of empathy, lead to brand loyalty, high financial rewards, and the retention of top employees; how to create a dynamic work culture and the best ways to support employees of different age groups, from baby boomers to millennials; and what practices will grow increasingly critical for businesses to implement over the coming years.

The Million Dollar Handshake is about more than making money - it is also about helping you feel a million dollars. First impressions do count - and few have as much impact as your handshake. A handshake can let the other person know if we are nervous, over-excited, confident or interested in them, and it can tell us so much about that person too, once we learn the signs. A great handshake can lead to a positive outcome, help secure a deal and result in an ongoing relationship. We can make a good or bad impression within just seven seconds of meeting someone. This book shows you how to create a great first impression; offers advice on how to let the other person see that you are interested in them, that they can trust and depend on you; and delves into what you do and don't want your handshake to convey. The Million Dollar Handshake will teach you how to communicate better in all parts of your life, starting with those crucial first seven seconds. But the skills you'll learn won't stop there, because as you realise how your handshake reveals who you are, you'll be inspired to make the positive changes that will result in better first-time and ongoing communication with others. Includes access to exclusive online content featuring interactive training, worksheets an videos.

This is the story of our lives, and the drama surrounding our restaurant and bar. We spent years engrossed in laying the groundwork, which led to our ambition getting off the ground. We opened Bob’s Gridiron Grille and the Pigskin Pub in Lincoln, Nebraska, known worldwide as Cornhusker country. Totally convinced my one-of-a-kind collection of Nebraska football memorabilia would be a draw, I was dead wrong. This is not a how-to-book. How could it be? We failed. We’re not qualified to tell anybody anything, other than what we experienced. Nothing turned out the way we designed; instead, our dream turned into something out of a horror story. In telling this cautionary tale, our intent is not to rain on anyone’s parade, only to point out a few obstacles. Our sincere hope is what we have shared serves a purpose. We welcome you inside our old establishment, opening the doors one final time.

So you are probably wondering - did the guy win a million dollars? The answer cannot be revealed yet, but the outcome will be worth the wait. Just like the actual requirements of the Hershey Million Dollar Kick, there are many paths that need to be traveled to reach the eventual outcome. As you read this real life story, you will experience the following stages of Dan Kaler's journey; a) the dream of participating in a "big time" athletic event, b) the surprise of actually being selected to compete in the Hershey Million Dollar Kick, c) the joy of becoming the contest finalist to kick for the one million dollar prize, d) the dilemma of considering how to spend a million dollars, and e) the reality of questioning the greater purpose in life. "We are all allotted fifteen minutes of fame - Dan Kaler has taken the fifteen minutes of fame into a lifetime of thoughts and observations. Enjoy!" Chris Berman, ESPN "Dan Kaler's journey is a most-interesting story. He found out that his spiritual growth and praising God far outweighed financial gain." Bob Harlan, Green Bay Packer President and CEO "The Million Dollar Kick is a realistic example of life's ups and downs. But in the end, there is peace in realizing God's work is the bigger picture in our lives." Wayne Larrivee, Sports Broadcaster "An inspiring story about a man and his dream - putting life into perspective and determining what is really valuable. We all have hopes and ambitions - for some it's fame and fortune, and for others it's a much bigger picture." Spike O'Dell, WGN Radio Proceeds from this book will be contributed to the following organizations; Make-A-Wish Foundation, Rawhide Boys Ranch, Shults Lewis Child & Family Services, and St. Jude Children's Hospital. www.milliondollarkick.faithweb.com

What's the Secret? gives you an inside look at the world-class customer service strategies of some of today's best companies. You'll learn how companies like Disney, Nordstrom, and The Ritz-Carlton get 50,000 employees to deliver world-class customer service on a consistent basis- and how your company can too. Packed with insider knowledge and a wealth of proven best practices, author John DiJulius will show you how your company can emulate the world's best customer service providers.

This book covers a large variety of subjects, ranging from personal stories, to anecdotes of eight American presidents, to the investigation of the death of four NASA astronauts, to an encounter with a Russian Prime Minister, to inspirational subjects, to exploring why we are on this planet. There are inspiring discussions of Gods existence, dreams that forecast the future, stories of a haunted house, prayers that are answered, how we fit in the universe, a chapter on addictions, and much, much more.