Using Acronyms to tell stories of life
My name is Dan Ziegler, and I’m the CEO of YCDB, a global consulting firm dedicated to coaching business owners with systems and solutions that improve your customers’ overall experience, leading to repeat sales. I have enjoyed decades as a business executive, strategic thinker, innovator and thought leader. With a 30-year track record of customer service and a love of service, growth, idea creation, sales, branding and product launch, I take great pride in leveraging “perspective.” As a passionate leader in both the service and hospitality industries, I’m also a former executive chef, Johnson & Wales graduate, multiple business owner, board member, and consummate customer advocate on the hunt for my next project. Over the decades I’ve developed proven methodologies for business owners and implemented best practices in dozens of unique industries leading to record setting revenue and a lasting tribal culture within service based ecosystems. Knowing that consistent improvement leads to a truly rewarding and robust guest and employee experience, my personal as well as our company’s mission stands for both You Can Do Better and You Can Dream Bigger. I engage companies with a proven process that educates staff, energizes owners and improves the level of service within any franchise or business operation that relies on the consumer for revenue. I have failed magnificently and succeeded beyond my expectations over my career and a consistent “do better” attitude and attention to detail is what sets my associates and me apart. The YCDB team of coaches are truth tellers offering high energy consulting in areas including: the consumer experience, team work, brand development, communication, customer service, social media engagement, process improvement, sales, brand or product launch, and overall business systems with proven strategies that resonate with employees as well as your consumers. This is the story of the R.I.P.E. Methodology for business, well; for life… Enjoy.
In the food service industry, Ripe is essential for success in culinary creation.
In life, Ripe means “Developed to the point of readiness for harvesting; fully matured; rich; intense.”
In life, as in business, we all strive for “readiness.”
What is the YCDB — R.I.P.E.™ method?

R — Respect. It’s the foundation for great leaders, managers, employees, owners and guests. Treating each other with respect is essential for learning, leverage, love, growth and commitment. As owners or partners in business, I highly recommend you bring this word back into the light. In the absence of RESPECT “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements,” you will struggle to convert energy into passion and the guest experience will suffer. R is also for Reputation, a leading indicator for Repeat business. We start with a deep respect for you and what you have already built.
I — Inspect. “To look at closely; to discover shortcomings.” At YCDB we see it all and train you and your team in the art of inspection. With over 2000 global dining experiences and 30 years of business and pleasure travel, Dan has developed the keen eye of a guest, customer, consumer, and CEO. We see it all and show you the Impact of where your guests are looking when you are not. I also stands for Inclusion and Instructive, two hallmarks of the YCDB coaching method.
P — Perspective. “A point of view or particular attitude toward something.” Most owners have a narrow perspective when the demands of day-to-day operations require 50, 60, even 80 hours a week on-site. Our perspective can provide a viewpoint that you simply cannot possess. P also stands for Pride, Process, Passion and Performance.
E — Expectation. “A strong belief that someone will or should achieve something.” We all have them. In the service industry, living up to and exceeding expectations is what sets leaders apart from the pack. I often challenge owners to tell me what they “sell” — most say food, massage, oil, pizza, haircuts, accounting services — and I challenge them to think of the Experience. Your guest is going to vote: Yes, this was an experience I want to repeat, or No, I don’t. E also stands for Energy, Encouraging, Esteem and Ego.
If you like what you've read, reach out to me for more Dan@YCDB.com
