Inside Zappos : April 2009
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Last week, Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officials presented Zappos.com with SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) Certification from the US Department of Labor. Zappos became the 10th active SHARP’s company in Kentucky to attain the certification. The certification is good for two years, and then, can be renewed.
Zappos underwent a thorough assessment by Kentucky OSH consultants, in order to receive the SHARP certification. The assessment included ensuring that Zappos injury and illness rates fell below the national average, as well as Zappos exceeding OSHA standards for workplace health and safety.
"Zappos.com takes great pride in providing a safe and healthy work environment for our employees," stated Leah Morris, Safety and Risk Manager at Zappos.com. "Achieving the SHARP Certification acknowledges the dedication and commitment we have implemented in our constant quest to strive towards excellence."
Congratulations to all the Zappos employees at the Kentucky Fulfillment Center for all their hard work in making this happen. HOOPLA!
For our company picnic yesterday we hosted a cake-bake-off and the only rules were that it had to represent our theme 'beach' and not make our judges sick. Apparently we have quite a few bakers and cake decorators among us and all I can say is that I'm glad I didn't give it a go because my cake would have been drowned out by the rest - get it, drowned out!
Ok, I'll stop with the small talk and get to the good stuff. The winners and crowned champions of this years cake-bake-off are:
1st place- Chris Peake for his Octopus cake
2nd place- Katie Wilson for her shark cake
3rd place- Jessica Velazquez for her teddy graham beach cake
Winners in the Best-Tasting category:
1st place - Chris Peake because squid actually tastes great on cakes
2nd place - Jessica Velazquez, nice choice on the teddy grahams
3rd place - Katie Wilson because shark's a delicacy at the Zappos picnics
And high-fives go out to Ryan Quinn and Jennifer Pike for entering their tasty creations in our cake-bake-off.
All in all, the Zappos Picnic 2009 was a blast! This year's beach themed company picnic was split up into three different sections, Hawaii, Venice Beach, and Coney Island, and each area had food and drinks specific to that particular region. From fun carnival games to jumbo slides to trampolines to mudslides, there was something for everyone at the Zappos picnic.
And it wouldn't be a Zappos party without some form of extreme and over-the-top entertainment like a flaming baton twirler, a fire eater and the not-so-extreme, but still highly entertaining, hula dancers.
Thank you Jamie N. and all who helped organize this memorable event, and thank you to all the Zappos families who attended yesterday's picnic - it wouldn't have been a party without you.
You get to decide which description is the ultimate champion. Will it be the Tyrant of Text? Maybe the Wizard of Words? You decide! Just comment below and state which product you think is the winner. Remember though, two descriptions enter the ring but only one will become the Verbiage Victor.
Will Angela or Clay be the victor? You decide! Comment Below!
That's right, strap on them boots and hang on to your hats, because today is a Zappos Spirit Day unlike anything else! It really is quite shocking as to how many people in the Zappos headquarters own a pair of cowboy boots and a western button up.
And even though we don't hand out group awards or prizes, the blog team is giving koodos to HR for being the team with the most participants. Way to show your country western and Zappos pride HR!
The Product Description Smackdown!
You get to decide which description is the ultimate champion. Will it be the Tyrant of Text? Maybe the Wizard of Words? You decide! Just comment below and state which product you think is the winner. Remember though, two descriptions enter the ring but only one will become the Verbiage Victor. The Alife or the Fossil?
Will Kenny or Vanessa be the victor?
You decide! Comment Below!
The Corporate Challenge is well on its way, and it's not that Zappos isn't made up of a group of champions, it's just that we haven't received a gold medal in any Corporate Challenge event until now. That's right, our first gold medal was awarded to Scott S. in Finance for the Bowhunter Freestyle Limited B Division.
The only archery related thing that I know how to do is watch Men in Tights, so needless to say, I am very impressed. Congrats to Scott S. for his medal and an honorable mention to Meg M., JoAna F., and Frank Z., for representing Zappos Archery team. I'm not quite sure where you guy practice all year long or as to why all of you just so happen to have a bow and some arrows laying around in your garage - and quite frankly, I don't want to know - but I'm sure glad your obsessions with 50lb draw bows came in handy for the Corporate Challenge.
The Michigan AIDS Coalition asked 100 people to decorate a denim jacket that would be auctioned to raise money for their cause. In the last blog, "Denim Jackets Can Help Save Lives" we covered the main points behind this project, but here's a bit more behind the scenes information on Project Denim Jacket.
Zappos is trying to be more creative in the ways we give back and we thought this was a perfect project. Creative Services was the first to answer this call and they decided that instead of ruining the jacket they would donate it to a homeless shelter so someone in need could use it.
Like most things done within Zappos, they Executed this project with the Ten Core Values in mind. Core value #10, Be Humble. Instead of bedazzling the jacket with Zappos accessories they decided to put the coat to good use. Also, the team didn't just walk into the shelter with a denim jacket in hand, they all brought some of their own clothing to donate to the shelter - which is core value #7, Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit. Then, to represent Zappos in the challenge John F. made a replica of the denim jacket out of Zappos boxes - core value #8 Do More With Less.
If you or your department have any interest in helping with future projects, please let Jamie N. or Melissa R. know.
And a very special thanks to John F. and Sean C. for their help!
This Easter season, some very talented and creative Zapponians decided to put the influx of Peeps easter bunnies to good use by taking part in the first ever Zappos Peeps Challenge. Each team was challenged with creating a Peeps diorama of whatever theme they wanted.
The themes ranged from completely adorable (Brady Bunch Peeps) to downright creepy (Silence of the Peeps). In the end, it was Team Peeparazzi—Amy V., Shanda F., Bernadette T., and Jen B. (aka “JB”), and their fabulous rendition of “Peeps of Love”, that won the Challenge.
Their Peeps version of the hit reality show “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” completely showcased all the debauchery and guilty pleasures that the show is known for...complete with a puking Peep contestant! (see photo below)
Congratulations ladies! Looks like that obsession with reality TV has finally paid off!
As many know, at the 2009 South by Southwest Conference the Zappos crew marched into the Texas streets to hand out Zappos playing cards to the conference-goers and the residents of the wonderful city of Austin in a little game we called the Zappos 5.
The point of the game was to build a 5 of a kind hand with a particular number of cards from each day of the game. By day two, the response of people in the streets collecting cards had reached a frantic level of craziness. Cars were stopping in the streets when they saw a herd of Zappos shirts coming down the sidewalk – I kid you not!
We had a great response and received many submissions, but, there can be only one (a wise Highlander once said). So, the winner of the 4 days/3 nights trip to Las Vegas and a Tour of ths Zappos Headquarters is....
Gloria Bell!
We were so happy to see the response from the awesome people we met in the streets of Austin and in the SXSW conference and we appreciate all of the submissions, comments and participation.
If you win a backpack or a Monopoly game (2nd and 3rd prizes) you will receive an email Today, Friday, April 10th. For complete rules, please see http://www.zappos.com/zappos5.
Check out some of the videos made by Zappos 5 contestants!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2B3GFrm5VU
http://www.vimeo.com/3846115
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSrVuBZkT7A
For the second year in a row, Zappos.com employees got together for the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Bowl for Kids’ Sake. This is a major fund raiser for BBBS. Bowlers were required to raise $80 in pledges to participate. Zappos.com once again showed its commitment to the employees and community by pledging $60 to each employee that bowled. 34 employees turned out for the event raising $2,732. A Big shout out to Mi K. for being the top fundraiser with $180.
The day was a success! Professional bowlers and some not-so-professional bowlers alike bowled side by side. But, it wasn’t about the highest score; it was about raising money for the kids and having fun at the same time. While most of us barely broke triple digit scores, we all laughed until it hurt!
Pictures and Blog submitted by Sarah J!
Our Product Descriptions are painstakingly written by our fabulous Content Team here at Zappos.com. They are a rather competitive bunch...so, I present:
The Product Description Smackdown!
Where you decide which description is the ultimate champion. Will it be the Tyrant of Text? Maybe the Wizard of Words? You decide! Just comment below and state which product you think is the winner. Remember though, two descriptions enter the ring but only one will become the Verbiage Victor.
Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what the Girls' bathroom in the 2290 building is made of. The new super girly makeover in the girls' bathroom makes trips to the restroom fun and nostalgic. From little ponies to jump ropes to strawberry shortcake and childish graffiti, this bathroom is a haven for all things girly.
And the best part about this bathroom makeover are the baskets full of scents, hairspray and hairbands. I know what bathroom I'm going to when I'm having a bad hair day.
Here in the Zappos photo department, a friendly competition was brewing between two of our supervisors. Dan and Mike showed off their adventurous side with a bubble gum chewing contest. The competition started off with a few pieces of gum, but quickly moved to Olympic standards. Dan finished with a respectable 15 pieces of gum while Mike took the win with 40 pieces of gum! Even though Mike took the win, Dan entertained with some bubble tricks to wow everyone. Just out of curiosity we looked up the record to see if our local guys had a chance, but when they found out the record was 82, they threw their wrappers in!
Blog By Jessica A and Photos By Debbie A
At Zappos, we are always trying to come up with ways in which to Do More With Less, which is one of our Core Values, and we feel that Space is a valuable commodity. So, we have come up with a new way to fit more people into the offices here in Las Vegas, NV – Bunk-Desks.
The actual idea came from our CEO, Tony Hsieh, while he was thinking about ways to improve our office space situation. We have grown at such a rapid pace, that it’s easy to fill up to capacity before you even know there is a problem. Tony commissioned Warren and Associate Builders, here in Henderson, to build this innovation aimed at maximizing the office space available. After seeing the finished product, Tony actually requested that he be allowed to move his spot in the office to the top bunk.
Alfred Lin, COO of Zappos, after seeing Tony’s new toy, requested that we have another built with a bed on top so he can just crash out right here in the office when he works too late.
Tony is considering mass producing the Zappos BunkDesk and providing much needed space to office buildings around the world. Comment below and let us know what you think!
