We discuss with founder Fritz Trott about his business Zenjob, his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of building a strong brand when you aim to go global.

Fritz, could you tell us how you founded the company, why, and what made you decide to jump in and create the business?

The temp work market in Europe is huge and many companies have a high need for flexible staff. At the same time, people today have a high need for a flexible work-life. We are combining the needs of two worlds. For companies, we are offering an online booking tool. For our talents, we are offering an app to find and book jobs.

When we founded Zenjob, we recognized that the temporary staffing market is offline and highly fragmented. Traditional companies are using outdated processes and limited data to manage staffing. They fail to meet the requirements of the modern, digital economy. We have managed to attract prominent companies to our platform, as they see it as an easy and efficient way to flexibly hire staff.

How did you come up with the name Zenjob? Can you reveal some of the other alternative names and why Zenjob was your final choice?

Zenjob was the first name we came up with and we stuck with it. To us, “Zen” symbolizes the flexibility and easy-to-use process for our companies who need flexible staff in the short-term. At the same time, we are offering a flexible work-life for our talents.

Many app owners don’t think the domain name is important as the apps are on app stores. Why did it matter to you?

Our website is a showcase for our business- like a shop window. The domain name is connected to our brand name and our service. Using the right domain name, it’s not just a small detail, it’s a long-term asset.

You own both domains Zenjob.de and Zenjob.com. How has the exact brand match .com domain helped you to expand your brand globally?

Our ambition is to be a global player and hence a .com domain is important for us. Also, if you are starting your business and you are doing well, you need an international domain name. Globally, most people typing “.com” if they are searching for your website.

Do you think that buying the right domain name should be a priority for startups? Why having the exact brand match domain Zenjob.com has been so important to your business?

Buying the right domain is always a fine balancing act. If you buy something too abstract, then you have to really work on your brand to ensure consumers make the connection with what you offer to the domain name. On the other hand, if you buy something generic, then your brand equity will always be diluted. Most importantly, since the number of available domains keeps decreasing, most of the good ones are already taken! That’s why especially in the beginning startups should think about the right domain name.

What branding project has challenged you the most so far in your career? What did you learn from these challenges and what would you do differently from today’s perspective?

Branding is a process that evolves and goes on forever. It’s an “evergreen” and never stops. What I personally think, is that startups should focus on a strong set of core values. If you are considering new paths, make sure they are unshakeable and truly reflect what your business believes in. 

How do you define your brand values and why are they so important?

We believe that a business cannot solely rely on its technology or product for long-term success but needs to have a set of core values that are shared internally and externally.

Here at Zenjob, we take care that everyone in the company strongly believes in our Four “H” values:

Be humble: we show gratitude and respect for everyone we work with. We value modesty.

Be helpful: we leave no one behind and always offer our help, no matter what.

Be honest: we believe in a culture of trust and openness and feel empowered to tell the truth.

Be hungry: we always find new ways to challenge ourselves and exceed expectations.

Which marketing channels do you use to effectively reach your target audience? How many referrals do you get through word of mouth marketing?

We use a combination of online and offline marketing activities catered specifically to our target audience. Word-of-mouth-marketing (referrals by other talents) is our strongest channel and brings the most.

What would be your advice to entrepreneurs who are wondering whether to invest in the perfect domain match for their brand?

Take the time to find a domain name that resonates with you and the product you are offering. There is a fine balancing act between finding something that is not too abstract on one hand and not too generic on the other.

What are the company’s main objectives in the next year?

Today, we are offering our service in 8 further cities. This year, we are focusing on our nation-wide expansion in Germany.

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We hope this will be of use to you in the process of getting your perfect domain name. If you have any questions, need any help, or just want to chat with someone about the process, book a free consultation at MarkUpgrade, we are always happy to hear from you.

See more about Zenjob.

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