Comments on: What Zappos teaches us about business culture, character and nuance http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/ MIPRO Consulting on PeopleSoft, Business Intelligence and General Nerdery Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:50:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: lois paul http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/comment-page-1/#comment-12326 lois paul Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:24:45 +0000 http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/#comment-12326 I read your post and enjoyed it. I had just read the Inc. article on them. But I guess I'm really torn on this one. On the one hand, I personally like the Zappos brand and appreciate the approach they are taking to customer-facing communication over social media. But on the other hand, some of their approaches to interviewing people over drinks and forcing social interaction between managers and their team members seem very dangerous to me for any company. I am a firm believer in strong corporate culture that starts at the top. But there is just something about their extremism regarding culture that makes me uncomfortable. I read your post and enjoyed it. I had just read the Inc. article on them. But I guess I’m really torn on this one. On the one hand, I personally like the Zappos brand and appreciate the approach they are taking to customer-facing communication over social media. But on the other hand, some of their approaches to interviewing people over drinks and forcing social interaction between managers and their team members seem very dangerous to me for any company. I am a firm believer in strong corporate culture that starts at the top. But there is just something about their extremism regarding culture that makes me uncomfortable.

]]> By: Amy Garrett http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/comment-page-1/#comment-12325 Amy Garrett Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:07:03 +0000 http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/#comment-12325 Well said, Jeff. As a MiPro consultant, I work to balance these aspects in all my dealings with our clients. Sometimes it is about gently leading a client to a realization of their own role in a problem, and sometimes it is about bowing your head and saying, "all on me. Sorry." Luckily, with diligence, you can mostly hold your head up high and say, "I know I am giving you the best possible service. Ever. Period." And not only mean it, but have your clients laugh a little with you and say, "Yup. You are." --A Well said, Jeff. As a MiPro consultant, I work to balance these aspects in all my dealings with our clients. Sometimes it is about gently leading a client to a realization of their own role in a problem, and sometimes it is about bowing your head and saying, “all on me. Sorry.”

Luckily, with diligence, you can mostly hold your head up high and say, “I know I am giving you the best possible service. Ever. Period.” And not only mean it, but have your clients laugh a little with you and say, “Yup. You are.” –A

]]> By: Brandon Chesnutt http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/comment-page-1/#comment-12323 Brandon Chesnutt Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:54:46 +0000 http://www.miproconsulting.com/blog/2009/04/zappos/#comment-12323 Nice post, Jeff. Zappos is an excellent example of what can happen when employees love the brand they represent. On the other hand, we've also seen what happens when employees care little for their company (Domino's). Interesting times, indeed. Brandon @bchesnutt Nice post, Jeff.

Zappos is an excellent example of what can happen when employees love the brand they represent. On the other hand, we’ve also seen what happens when employees care little for their company (Domino’s).

Interesting times, indeed.

Brandon
@bchesnutt

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