Joanie Hales
TRAINER, ZINGTRAIN
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, Joanie Hales began working in the service industry shortly after graduating high school. She fell in love with restaurants and customer service and was soon attending college for Hospitality Management in Ann Arbor.
It seemed inevitable that she would start working at Zingerman’s Roadhouse while still in college. She was part of the opening crew in 2003 and spent the next two years at the Roadhouse as a server, host and bartender. In 2005 she became the Assistant Restaurant Manager, helping to manage 60+ front of house employees and finding a place for her passion for customer service to truly flourish. Joanie’s service leadership is recognized throughout the Zingermanās Community of Businesses and in 2007 she was honored with the first annual Zingermanās Hall of Fame Award for Customer Service.
Still at the Roadhouse in 2010, Joanie took on the role of Catering and Marketing Manager where she remained until she joined ZingTrain in 2016.
All the training she did as a manager at the Roadhouse led Joanie to realize that she had a passion for teaching. In 2008, while still at Zingermanās Roadhouse, Joanie came on board as an occasional trainer for ZingTrain, focusing on Zingermanās Customer Service and Leadership practices. Representing Zingermanās and sharing the company’s philosophies and best practices with clients all over the country remain, to this day, one of the greatest rewards Joanie has ever received.
In September 2016 Joanie took the leap to leave the Roadhouse and join ZingTrain full time as a Trainer. Her 19 years of experience putting Zingermanās business philosophies into day-to-day practice and her passion for the principles and culture of Zingermanās shine through in her training.
Q&A
How many Zingerman's businesses have you worked for?
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 Zingermanās business but I was also the Zingermanās Camp BaconĀ® Director for four years, which was always a blast to plan and host.
What is your favorite business book?
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.
What is your dream vacation?
My husband and our two boys on a lake somewhere. I love hearing the three of them laugh while they play together.
What is your favorite way to learn?
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.
What do you like best about working at Zingerman's?
Hands down the people. My co-workers have become some of my dearest friends and one became my husband!
What is your presentation style?
I like to think fun! I want the training to be informative and engaging, but I really want people to leave having had fun.
What is your "secret" skill - that skill you have that you don't have the ability to show off at work?
I am a pretty darn good Catchphrase player - I welcome anyone to a challenge.
Best menu item at any of the ZCoB Businesses?
Korean Fried Chicken with Soy Butter Rice at Miss Kim
Best (non-Zingerman's) restaurant in Ann Arbor?
Mani Osteria - try the pepperoni pizza and arancini!
Best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Plan the work and work the plan."
If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involveā¦
Being outside in the fall, lots of chocolate in many forms, and family coming together
If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?
Julia Child - her life and history is fascinating and I would love to learn more!
My most used emoji is...
*thumbs up emoji*
The song that always puts me in a good mood is...
"Happy" by Pharrell Williams
My favorite word in the English language is ...
mellifluous
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a [JOB/PROFESSION] when I grew up
Kindergarten Teacher, 'cause that was the only other adult I was around that wasn't my parents!
