Topic: Tony Hsieh

The Happiness Culture: Zappos Isn't a Company -- It's a Mission

Tony Hsieh sold earthworms, greeting cards, and slices of pizza. Along the way, he never considered that a failed business meant he was a failure. Then, the guy who wore the same pair of shoes founded Zappos. Today, Tony says it's all about Happiness, and he's got the business to prove it.READ»

Zappos' Tony Hsieh on Twitter, Phone Calls and the Pursuit of Happiness

It's not about shoes, it's about customer service. At least that was the gist of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh opening keynote at SXSW this year. Although the hoodie-wearing entrepreneur—#20 on the 2009 Fast Company 50—does sell about ...READ»

• The Fast Company 50 - #20 Zappos

Tony Hawk Talks Business in His New Book

Nobody has ridden skateboarding to moguldom like Tony Hawk, who traces his unlikely journey in a new book, How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO.READ»

• Now: October 2010
• Protect: Convention on Biological Diversity
• Veg Out: 100th Anniversary of the Cathode-Ray Tube

New Media Stars Dominate Fortune’s 40 Under 40

Recently, Fortune magazine released its annual list of 40 rising business stars under the age of 40. While there was sure to be a few media gurus in the mix, given today’s focus on social and digital media networks, 16 major players from areas of digital media and online technology are featured – making up 40 percent of the list. From Google and Hulu to Facebook and Twitter, some of business’ most...READ»

Did the Venture Capital Crunch Force Zappos-Amazon Deal? [Updated]

Amazon's purchase of online shoe retailer Zappos was surprising and interesting news all by itself, but now comes a twist: reports that this marriage made in e-commerce heaven may have been a shotgun wedding forced by Zappos' ...READ»

Happy employees get their own book

I recently came across another video with Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh, being interviewed informally by web entrepreneur Loic Le Meur. The interview, which is 20 minutes long and was recorded during the TED conference, can be found on ...READ»

Amazon Buys Zappos for $847 Million [updated]

In an unexpected--and quirky--video announcement, Amazon is acquiring the shoe-seller-turned-everything-seller Zappos for $807 Million in stock (that number from the press release rose to $880 million by the market's close, plus ...READ»

INTERVIEW: Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh

I recently saw a Tweet that caught my attention.  It was from Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos and it reminded me of my first day as a HR manager. I was brand new to the hotel.  Arrived at work all anxious and ready to start.  Someone ...READ»

Has Your Company Gone Mad?

If the normal 9-5 work atmosphere keeps giving you normal results then perhaps it’s time to go back to a simpler time. A time when employees gave it their all. READ»

Where to Start if Your Brand Wants to Build an Online Community

While it can be argued that social media is broadcast word of mouth marketing, to treat it as such is to overlook the key to social media success. Brands like Zappos, Starbucks, and Ford have large communities because they talk tirelessly to their fans or followers.READ»

Philanthropy Is the Gateway to Power

While catching up with old episodes of "Mad Men," I was brought up short by a show-stopping quote from Roger Sterling. Sterling, the senior partner at the Sterling Cooper Agency, tells Creative Director Don Draper that he's been ...READ»

Acts of Kindness: Recipe for Ugly Times?

Maybe we've been looking in wrong place as a way of dealing with the constant negative news about the economy. Our focus has been on business strategy, economic stimulus plans, and government policies. All things. And who is personally responsible? Perhaps the real answer lies in the human heart.READ»

If The Shoe Fits - A look at Zappos.com and the technology they use

Last week I wrote about several different companies using Twitter as a Business Intelligence tool. After I posted the article, I received a Twitter from Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh thanking me for writing about his company and their ...READ»

The Rise of Internal Evangelists

Transparency works really well for big companies too, not just for solo practitioners and small businesses. Corporations can use this concept to create what we call "internal evangelists." READ»

Social Media vs. Anti-Social CEO

It's difficult enough for CEOs to manage their companies and inspire their staff. Now they must add another role to that list--Chief Technology Adopter. For without the permission and example of a CEO, companies have almost no chance of building the online communities that will increasingly drive their profits in the future.READ»

Zappos' Marketing Chief: "Customer Service is the New Marketing!"

In this Brand Innovator Spotlight, Aaron Magness shares what brought him to Zappos, his five principles of marketing and how your company can improve its customer service right now.READ»

How to Monitor Your Brand 24/7

Reputations are created and destroyed online in the speed of 140 characters. Here are seven tools to earn you a thumbs-up.READ»

Did MySpace Botch Handling of Imeem Acquisition?

Imagine yourself sitting in front of a computer, happily listening to music from your favorite online streaming service. All of a sudden, the music stops, and the page refreshes to something you’ve never seen before, with an announcement that your favorite service is no longer available. Sound far-fetched? It shouldn’t. Earlier this week...READ»

Seven Wealth Builders That Most B2B Companies Ignore

Many firms are still smarting from a very tough recession, and feel like they are on life support. These seven criteria will help keep your company out of the emergency room.READ»

21 Twitter Tips From Socially Savvy Companies

Adapted from his book "Engage," Brian Solis presents his list of suggestions to help businesses learn how to engage customers on Twitter through the examples of those companies, from Dell to Zappos, already successfully building online communities.READ»

Will Twitter Become The Next Friendster In 2009?

Remember when Friendster was the bee’s knees? Then it was beaten out of the market by MySpace. Facebook and YouTube fever came next. Now it’s Twitter - the micro-blogging platform has revolutionized the way over 3 million monthly ...READ»