Stick to your word and honor your promises and commitments even if you take a loss in the process.
Abraham Zaiderman is the founder and CEO of Abraham Zaiderman Consulting. With over 30 years of experience, Abraham Zaiderman has helped companies start, grow and expand their restaurant business with expertise in concept development, market research, business strategy, marketing, equipment leasing/finance, franchising, real estate and sales improvement.
Where did the idea for Abraham Zaiderman Consulting come from?
I have been blessed to have a successful career in the restaurant business and I want to share my experience with others, helping restaurant entrepreneurs find success by avoiding some of the mistakes I made along the way and learn from the many smart decisions I made with my partners.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is usually driving to one of my stores making sure operations are running smoothly. I typically have three conference calls a day. I believe successful management requires a visible, in-person presence, but you also have to trust and rely on your management team to execute your plan.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I really try to listen to customers and employees which allow me to gain new ideas. It is important not to take criticism or feedback personally, but to try and learn from every experience. We value our clients and customers and want to try and make everyone happy.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Automation in restaurants. There is a tremendous amount of waste and inefficiency in the modern restaurant business, automation through technology and innovation is the answer to solving many of these issues.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I would say there are three habits that make me more productive as an entrepreneur. Hard work, Willing to sacrifice myself for others, and developing strong interpersonal relationships with family, friends and coworkers.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I owned a junkyard for many years. It wasn’t the junk that botehered me, but being outdoors in the winter was extremely difficult for me.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have focused on real estate investing earlier in my career.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Stick to your word and honor your promises and commitments even if you take a loss in the process. Take the long-term view with your partners and vendors and value trust and loyalty.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
The Internet has had a profound impact on business, it is the most effective way to grow and promote a business today.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
My first attempt at business was a failure. I was young and inexperienced. I grew quickly from that. I realized the importance of careful planning and surrounding yourself with smart people who help strengthen your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I spent $100 recently on taking my beautiful wife out for dinner. This had a calming effect on me and is always money very well spent!
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
I may be in the minority but I have been very with Comcast. Comcast provides email and TV service. Two things I don’t think I could ever live without!
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I think the most important lessons for life and business can be learned from reading the Bible. I would recommend learning with someone who already has expertise in the Bible.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
My father. My father was a Holocaust survivor and kept a positive outlook on life, even in the darkest moments. Nothing held him back from putting one step in front of the other no matter how difficult life was.
Connect:
Abraham Zaiderman on Twitter: @abezaiderman
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Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.