Company Blog

Non-Verbal Communication

by Adam Zack — August 14, 2024

You learn tone the hard way as a kid, when your mom said, “Don’t use that tone with me, mister!”

Non-verbal communication trumps the actual words every time. Every single time. Your tone may not exactly convey what you are trying to say, but it says everything to who you are talking to. Someone asks for your help, and you say “Sure, what can I help you with?” Sounds great on paper, right? Roll your eyes and sigh when you say it sounds like you are definitely not in for helping. “Your hair looks great today” sounds like a lovely compliment but say it with an emphasis on Your and a slight smirk on your face and you are just being sarcastic and untruthful. Do it the opposite way: “You’ve put on a couple pounds, haven’t you?” when said with a smile and a sincere handshake is sure to make the other person think “Wait…is he being serious?” You learn tone the hard way as a kid, when your mom said, “Don’t use that tone with me, mister!” and you tried to play semantics and replied “What?? I said excuse me.” when you said “Excuuuuusee meeeee” with the sarcasm of a 11-year-old. It’s especially complicated in today’s world where texting and social media are so prevalent in communication. Does ALL CAPS mean I am getting yelle...

by Adam Zack — August 7, 2024

We are actually in the people business.

My wife is always on the lookout for blog topics for me. Last week she told me about this one she came across.Sell emotions, not services McDonald’s doesn’t see hamburgers, they sell happinessFerrari doesn’t see cars, they sell statusAmazon doesn’t sell goods, they sell convenience Disney doesn’t sell rides, they sell memoriesNike doesn’t sell shoes, they sell motivationApple doesn’t sell computers, they sell trends And then she said, “You don’t sell groceries, you sell community.” And she was right on. The Vision Statement for our Jensen’s San Diego store is: “Working together to nourish our community, our families and each other.” I realized a long time ago that customers can go anywhere for groceries, but that can’t go anywhere for that feeling of community, friendship and caring that we work hard to curate. I’ve done some community public speaking in the past and I always explain that while we sell food, we are actually in the people business. Our employees, our ...

by Adam Zack — July 31, 2024

Famous people need groceries too.

Famous people go grocery shopping, too. Well, probably not the SUPER famous. I’m pretty sure you won’t see Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on the aisle looking for paper towels. Tom Cruise most likely has someone to shop for him and Barack and Michelle Obama probably use Instacart. Being in this business for so long, I have encountered many celebrities over the years. I was a grocery bagger when I saw Henry Winkler loading his groceries into his car. The Fonz saw me gawking and gave me an autographed photo. Robin Williams once held the door of a taxi for me, my brothers and dad in San Francisco (although I think we were just drunk and took his cab.) Barry Manilow was a regular shopper in Palm Springs, as was Suzanne Somers (who really had a thing for organic produce.) I once bagged groceries for Dick Clark, who was a very nice man. Bob Hope and Gerald Ford were regulars, and I’ve been in Barbara Sinatra’s house. There’s many more I can’t recall right now. But never did I think I would become friends with someone famous. Friends, as in I have his number and he has mine and we talk regularly. So who is this famous person? Well, if you’re under 40 you probably won’t know who Dennis Conner is. If you know...

by Adam Zack — July 24, 2024

I actually think some people ARE indispensable.

A very long time ago the key management personnel of my family’s small grocery chain planned a revolt. They schemed and organized, whispered and planned and spread terrible untrue rumors. Then came the ultimatum to my dad: “Sell us two of the stores or we walk! We’re out of here and you will die a miserable death.” So they thought. Mind you this was the general manager, a store manager, the grocery buyer, the accounting manager and the bakery production manager. Gulp. My dad gave me a call and said he needed me to move to the Palm Springs area and come to work for the company. I was living in San Diego, 24 years old, heading into summer and with a steady girlfriend for the first time in my life, so of course I thought of myself first. Move to the desert where it soon would be 110 degrees? No way. But I thought that for just for a minute. Blood is much thicker than seawater. I went to work for him and all the managers quit (except for one – the bakery production manager, thank you baby Jesus). We went to work figuring out what they all actually did and how they did it. It was scary and some things were hard, but you know what? Over 35 years later the company has grown, prospered and provide...

by Adam Zack — July 17, 2024

Non-verbal communication often says way more about you, or someone else, than what is actually said.

“Eye contact during a conversation is vital. It shows attentiveness and interest in what is being said. Eye contact is similar to a conversation; it goes back and forth between those individuals who are engaged in a discussion, dialogue, or chat.”– Jody Schulz, University of Michigan studyMany years ago I was introduced to the owner of a very prolific wine store. I had always heard that this guy was a full-on ass, but I was skeptical that it could be 100% true, as I had great respect for his store and his fantastic employees. As I was introduced I extended my hand to shake his and he barely grasped mine while at the same time looking away, effectively dismissing me as 100% unimportant and forgettable. Turns out he really was an ass, but it made an impression on me that I continue to remember to this day: Non-verbal communication often says way more about you, or someone else, than what is actually said.I was reminded of it again when I had a meeting with DW and some new potential customers. “Did you notice that that guy never made eye contact?’ said DW. Eye contact demonstrates interest and sincerit...

by Adam Zack — July 10, 2024

In our stores, we hear and see the vocals and guitar. Those are the parts that stand out, like the beautiful displays, the cleanliness and the perfectly arranged foods, the exceptional service.

With all that’s been going on in the world these days, I’ve been thinking a lot about music. That won’t surprise those that know me. I always have to have some kind of noise on, especially when I am driving or cooking. I don’t like doing things in silence. Well, except reading. So with all these thoughts of music bouncing around in my head, I have been comparing what’s going on in our world and our business with the layers in a great song. All of you have a favorite song. One that has a special meaning or just makes you feel good. It may bring you back to a different time in your life that you were happiest, or it may just be a band you loved. When we hear our music we think of the singer’s voice, the lyrics, the intricate guitar work. So in my deep exploration of the world and my music, I have concluded that it’s what’s underneath that really drives the song. I concentrate on hearing the bass line and the drum beats. It’s hard to do without really trying. You have to concentrate. To me, that’s what drives the song. Without the backbeat, it’s a lot of guitar no...

by Adam Zack — July 3, 2024

It’s okay to have favorites.

At the end of the movie The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says goodbye to each of her traveling partners – the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion (talk about a nickname you’d like to shake!). She tells each how she is going to miss them as she heads back to Kansas. When she gets to the Scarecrow, she tells him she’s going to miss him most of all. Right there in front of the other two! I don’t think her world was the politically correct one where you couldn’t say what you felt because you might hurt someone’s feelings or make them feel left out. She didn’t have to call him aside and whisper “Don’t tell those other two, but YOU are my favorite and I am going to miss you most.” It’s OK to have favorites. My brothers know that I am mom’s favorite. After all, she has great taste and judgment. My daughters know I have a favorite. We have favorite flavors, movies, colors and employees. Our favorites make us happy and comfortable. They bring us joy, amusement and love. They work hard to have our backs in any situation. So during this busy summer holiday season, it’s OK to express your favoritism. Life is not a sport where everyone who plays gets a participation trophy. Some people suck, and s...

by Adam Zack — June 25, 2024

Summers become memories of “the good old days”.

I know I’m not the only one who has a major problem with the passage of time. I just looked at the calendar and realized that we are almost SEVEN months into 2024. That’s right. Summer’s here, fall’s around the corner, football season is just a couple months away, Holy guacamole! Former L.A. Times columnist Chris Erskine put the value of time in a unique perspective. He likened his life to how many summers he has left. The best time of the year (unless you live in Palm Springs. Or Phoenix) goes by so fast. BBQs, beach, no school, cold beers on warm days. Summer is just the best. And how many do you actually get? Maybe 80 or 90 total in your life. Only about 40 or 50 that you really can savor and enjoy. I figure I have maybe 15 – 20 great summers left. When I think of it that way it’s humbling and scary. Don’t have wasted days that you can never get back because of feuds or grudges. Make the most of all you have left, because before you know it the kids are off to college and summers spent together turn into a few days each summer together. Knees start to wear out, hips get broken and then boom, no more summers for you. Summers become memories of “the good old days”. Even though ...

by Adam Zack — June 19, 2024

Authentic speaks of honesty, reliability, transparency and trustworthiness.

I’ve been thinking a lot about authenticity lately. I don’t know why, but in personal encounters I find myself thinking about not only my authenticity, but more closely about the person I am conversing with. Am I getting the truth about who this person really is and what their values are, or am I getting some kind of glossed over People magazine version of them telling me what they think I want to hear. Authentic speaks of honesty, reliability, transparency and trustworthiness. Authentic people display their true values in their actions and words. It’s the real thing and is verified by what we do everyday. But there are some people that are authentic a-holes. Their true character is one of deceit, selfishness and dishonesty. Keeping authenticity at the top of your mind will automatically direct you to relationships that share your values. Our relationships with the businesses we deal with share a similar authentic relationship. Once a store promises to deliver something you want, then fails repeatedly to deliver, you start to see that their authenticity is not what was initially represented. It’s like People Magazine or Instagram and Facebook, where only what you see is not...

by Adam Zack — June 12, 2024

Weird is youthful energy…

Weird: of strange or extraordinary character : ODD, FANTASTICI love weird. Weird is unique, interesting, funny, quirky, different. I have two daughters that have pretty much called me weird from the time they could talk. I think it was in the top 10 first words. I’m sure that when I was feeding Holly as an infant, and gave the dog a taste of her baby food, then back to her, she was thinking “This is weird. Am I getting the dog’s food or is the dog getting my food?”Being a weirdo is a badge of pride to me. I don’t want to be the boring old dad that just acts like every other dad. I don’t want to be the brother, son or husband that is predictable, with no spikes on the radar. Weird is fun, and I search out unique products that will leave an impression on people. The chain stores won’t do it. It’s a great opportunity for independent retailers to do something that will get people talking, taking photos and sharing with their friends. Weird is youthful energy that I want to maintain. Good weird isn’t creepy or gross. It may get some rolls of the eyes and Oh brothers, but it’s original. I’m already planning my headstone. Here Lies Adam Zack. Weird to the end.