The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Success ... - eLibrary

Passage 35Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.interested him. There were two answers: a good-looking female classmateand food. Lyons told his student to concentrate on the food!So Jimmy John decided to open up a sandwich shop, partially fundedby a loan from his father. For research, he ate in all the sandwich places hecould find within a five-state area. The sandwich aficionado soon becamean expert judge. His family evaluated his proposed creations, voting downhis favorite—liver sausage and mayonnaise.(4) The novice businessman had just completed high school whenhe opened a shop in a garage near Eastern Illinois University. Since hesold only two sandwiches the first day, (5) he was astute enough to try amarketing plan: distributing free sandwiches. Giving away food proved tobe a hit. People started streaming into the shop to buy lunch.Soon Jimmy John hired two helpers—and assigned them all the difficultjobs. Sensing his hypocrisy, both employees quit. Jimmy Johnlearned a valuable lesson: the boss must work hard. He is now affluent,but (6) he stoically continues to put in long hours.Starting in one store, Jimmy John developed a chain. He now hasshops in large cities throughout the Midwest and Southeast.There are many reasons for the success of the chain. The food and serviceare dependable and fast. There is no room for capriciousness inJimmy John’s stores. His motto is “Make a Deal, Keep a Deal.” All ingredientsare fresh. In fact, (7) the adroitly made sandwiches are often deliveredwithin seconds. The menu also accommodates different needs. People whoare concerned about their weight may order the “unwich,” ingredientswrapped in lettuce without the bread. The management of the shops is verysystematic. Employees get a detailed “to do” list, which includes such tasksas turning out the lights at closing time.But, like Jimmy John, the shops have their frivolous side. Signsposted on the wall give advice about life. One reads, “If you think yourteacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.” Guides to behavior are alsoposted. The DOs include “Say please and thank you,” “Disable dorky ringtones on your cell phone,” and “Remember to smile.” The DON’Ts contain:“Don’t play with your food” and “Don’t take stuff too seriously.”(8) Jimmy John also believes in cordiality. Staff members tell customersto, “Come back soon.” All employees, including office executives,wear T-shirts saying “Your mother wants you to eat at Jimmy John’s.” Thisgives a fraternal feeling to all parts of the business.Jimmy John also believes in listening to his employees. His earlystruggles taught him that (9) a dogmatic boss is a bad boss. So herequires all managers to hold weekly sessions that discuss employee complaintsand suggestions. Good pay helps to keep employees loyal, but sodoes Jimmy John’s concern for them. He named a sandwich for a managerwho was killed in an accident. Look for the “Billy Club” on the menu.Success has enabled Jimmy John to be altruistic. In 2008, he donateda million dollars to his former school for a new building. He insistedthat (10) the building must bear the name of the venerable deanof discipline who helped him: Jim Lyons. Today the Liautaud-Lyons uppergrade center stands on the campus of Elgin Academy, the high school