Thinking about how the IT Dept can help the other businesses this holiday season… In years past it has been difficult to free up IT staff from the daily demands to do box packing and tray running and other things that would help the businesses. When we do it always feels like we’re not meeting folks needs with IT coverage.

So for this year we’re thinking that a service innovation is necessary. Tentatively named IT7, we’re thinking of offering IT staff coverage 7 days a week for the months of Nov and Dec.

With about 8 weeks to cover it would require each IT geek to come in for a weekend day twice during the month. We would have one person in for a full 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday. That person would be expected to be in the office working and monitoring phone and email and would include at least one ’round’ to each of the businesses sometime during the day.

The IT7 would not keep us from pitching in where needed around the businesses. Especially of interest for us would be focused events on specific dates.

Schedule:

• Sat 11/4: Joe and Billie, Sun 11/5: Brian and Billie
• Sat 11/11: Brian, Sun 11/12: Joe
• Sat 11/18: Elph and Billie, Sun 11/19: Craig and Billie
• Sat 11/25: Elph, Sun 11/26: Craig
• Sat 12/2: Brian, Sun 12/3: Craig
• Sat 12/9: Brian, Sun 12/10: Craig
• Sat 12/16: Joe, Sun 12/17: Joe
• Sat 12/23: Elph, Sun 12/24: Elph

The Teastick - very fufu*!

* yes, I made this word up. If you check out the picture, you’ll get what it signifies.

This kinda sucks. Google is the Micro**** of online video

http://news.com.com/2061-10812_3-6124053.html?tag=cnetfd.mt

4/Onsite

Each IT staff member commits to spending at least 4 hours at a Zingerman’s business. We rotate every week among five locations - Deli & Catering, ATS & ZHouse (ZingTrain, ZingNet, DSE), Roadhouse, Bakehouse & Creamery, Mail Order & Coffee. While out there we make ourselves available, we attend huddles, inspect and clean the machines, and offer direct on-the-spot technical support to anyone in the area. We ask questions, build relationships and trust, and get to know the routines of the businesses.

Bringing IT to the People: We realize that many staff members are very busy and may not be able to immediately email or phone IT when they encounter technical problems. Now there’s always an IT person in the area, so even the tiniest concerns get addressed. Just being around lets ‘cobbers know we’re here for them.

Report/Measure: We report on our on-sites during our weekly huddles. We share what we learned and document problems we’ve encountered and their solutions.

Better Interactions: The 4 on-sites let us give a higher level of service and a personal touch to our interactions with our customers. We found that our customers appreciate our presence and the full attention we are able to provide.