Up in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it's firmly on the ground. ZU stands for Zappos University but we're definitely having a lot of fun with the "Zoo" wordplay. Mark, our ZU Director is nicknamed the "ZU Keeper" and the entire team is also called the "ZU Crew."
About a week ago the ZU Crew assembled for their first ever group picture. It will be used in our new Employee Handbook which has a yearbook theme. I think the kids in the foreground are power napping. About a half hour earlier I saw them hammering away on the Dance Dance Revolution in the lobby. Missy had everything under control with our Easter recess visitors. The ZU crew will also be "shepherding" a yearbook for 2008. Yep, club and team pictures, a superlatives list (best/most likely to x, y, z), "letterhumans", a Prom Court, the whole 9 yards.
Now ZU also has a very serious purpose at Zappos. Our culture is not just about having a positive attitude. We know we also need the best possible training so we can develop and maintain top caliber skills. ZU will be rolling out 3 broad, overlapping initiatives soon:
PE - Professional Growth & Enrichment
O&A - Outreach & Assessment
Life Styles – Personal Growth & Enrichment
One of the first classes will be the inaugural session of “ZULE” which stands for Zappos University Leadership Essentials. It will be in the PE category and the first class will have many of our senior managers.
The feedback they give will be incorporated for following classes. We’ll let you know how it goes!
WEll said J.H.
I look forward to all of the educational opportunities that the ZU will provide