Tilt-o-Whirl

Tilt-o-Whirl, noun: Half-day event during the Zingerman’s Annual Planning process in which representatives from each business meet to discuss overlapping points of their visions.

A week before the Tilt, everyone receives a packet that includes:
1. a very handy Tilt matrix that details who is meeting with whom at which table at what time,
2. worksheets for each meet-up with big spaces for “connections” and “next steps,” and
3. a starter set spreadsheet that lists names from every business in charge of key areas like purchasing, marketing, pricing, storage, green initiatives, etc.

14 businesses (includes ZingNet departments and incubating businesses) / 7 meeting tables * 15 minutes each business pair = a half day of exchanging ideas and identifying synergies!

This year’s general theme from our meetings was that they are ready to explore more forms of intentional technology like cloud computing, VOIP and social media.

It was also exciting to hear from the incubating businesses. There are three of them coming online this fiscal year! Bet you’d like to know what they are.

Scenes from the Tilt-o-whirl: