George Zimmer, founder and CEO of Men’s Wearhouse, was featured in an October 27, 2008 story in USA Today. The story, part of the paper’s “Executive Suite” series, details Zimmer’s and his company’s history, in much the same way you’d expect it to. In other words, it was PR, not news. So the reader should read it with that filter. Having said that, what I picked up on was how Zimmer talked about values, and the importance of his employees doing meaningful work.

“It became clear”, the story says, “that what Men’s Wearhouse values most are its employees. Happy employees who believe their work is appreciated and has meaning beyond their paychecks keep customers satisfied and loyal, which pleases investors, he says.”

Where have we heard that before?

Then, quoting Zimmer, “The way you get high service at more than 1,000 locations is that people actually have to be inspired themselves to do that.”

A good lesson for us all, especially in perilous economic times.