Want to know how to build an engaged community of raving fan clients who feel truly connected to your business? You're in the right place! Eric Thompson welcomes Michigan Ninja extraordinaire, Jon Zickert, and his Ninja Leadership Coach, Tracy Peterson-Nienaber, to the Ninja Selling Podcast. Jon shares the innovative strategies that have not only fueled impressive business growth (increasing volume by 38% in one year!) but have also fostered a vibrant team culture and a loyal client following.
Dive deep into the concept of the "Z Crew," Jon's exclusive client community designed to maintain connection and provide ongoing value long after the transaction closes. Learn how this initiative, born from a desire to reconnect with past clients, utilizes branded events, targeted communication (including two monthly postcards!), and exclusive perks to make clients feel special and valued. Jon details the structure, benefits, and reception of the Z Crew, offering a replicable model for building your own client tribe.
Beyond the Z Crew, Jon discusses the importance of team culture, starting meetings with gratitude, focusing on process over results, and the impact of consistent Ninja practices. He also shares takeaways from attending Ninja Now and the profound effect Ninja coaching with Tracy has had on making him feel truly "on purpose" in his business, leading to greater success and more personal time off.
Join the community of 16,000+ Ninjas on the Ninja Selling Podcast Facebook Group for more valuable insights, collaboration, and networking opportunities! Leave a voicemail at 208-MY-NINJA if you'd like to offer more direct feedback. Be sure to check out Ninja Selling Events for upcoming installations and other events, and if you'd like personalized help in achieving your goals, visit Ninja Coaching to connect with one of our fantastic coaches.
Episode Highlights:
Introducing Jon Zickert (Michigan Ninja) & Tracy Peterson-Nienaber (Ninja Leadership Coach)
Jon's Impressive Team Growth & Performance (120+ transactions, $55M+ volume)
Building Team Culture: Starting Weekly Meetings with Gratitude
The Core Question: How Will This Provide Value to the Recipient?
Introducing the "Z Crew": Creating an Exclusive Client Community
The Origin Story: Reconnecting with Past Clients Post-Installation
Z Crew Mechanics: Invites, Events, Branding, and Exclusivity
Benefits of Z Crew Membership: Gifts, Flow Plan (Email & 2x Postcards/Month), Events, Referrals, Vendor Access
The Power of Invitation & Connection (Even if Clients Can't Attend Events)
Jon's Ninja Now Takeaways: Doubling Down on the Ninja 9, Process Over Results
The Impact of Ninja Coaching: Feeling "On Purpose" and Achieving Work-Life Balance
Jon's "House" Analogy: Mindset (Foundation), Skillset/Ninja 9 (Roof), Action/Relationships (Framing)
Key Takeaways:
"...finished 24, serving 120 clients, but our volume went up 38% to 55 and a half million. So attribute a lot of that to the Ninja System."
"We started off each meeting with sharing one gratitude... it kind of just starts that meeting out on that great mindset."
"...anything we do with our business, we ask ourselves one question... how will it provide value to the recipient...?"
"We wanted to create a community where past clients, friends or neighbors... we can stay connected, feel part of the journey."
"...it's the thought of us inviting them to be part of something different and the ability for us to reach out to them..."
"It doesn't matter even if they come or not. We want them to come... but all the people that can't... they're still feeling very connected to you. And that was... the intent of the task."
"I don't need anything else, shiny or new... I just need to double down on the Ninja 9."
"...my team has always been process focused, not results focused."
"...for the first time in my career, I feel like I'm on purpose..."
"Mindset's the foundation, skill set are the Ninja 9... actions really are your interactions with your people..."
"Surround yourself with good people and good things are going to happen."
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