This month seems to be a "give back" kind of month for Zappos. The Finance team jumped right on that train and volunteered their services to help clean books for Spread the Word Nevada.

The goal of Spread the Word Nevada, is to promote literacy and to make it possible for all of Nevada's children to experience the magic of books. Its flagship program, Kids to Kids distributes books to elementary schools throughout Southern Nevada and has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of children in Nevada schools.

The Finance team had a blast cleaning books and catching up on their elementary reading. The team made the day a true team bonding event and spent most of the two hours laughing and scrubbing.

Some of the books that were donated weren't always directed at children and we made sure to pull those and giggle about them later.

Like to leave your computer unlocked? Leave your Badge in the Break Room? Tim hasn't been here a month and has learned the hard way that leaving his computer unlocked while away is a BIG No-No! Tim sits in a somewhat crazy section of Finance so leaving his guard up is a must ecspecially being the "New Guy".

He has accidentally left his computer unlocked and was given a new and very strange background along with an email sent to the Department from "Tim" that read "One time at Zappos I left my computer unlocked." Just today he mistakenly left his Badge in the break room. Good thing someone was nice enough to return it back to his desk, well, not exactly on his desk, but close enough!

Becky Case!!!



1) What is your fashion statement?
Dress everyday like you’re on a runway. People will scrutinize you everyday so might as well look fabulous and make a good impression.

2) Give me 1 Core Value that you think best represents your fashion statement?
Be Passionate & Determined. I get a lot of ribbing in Development that software engineers aren’t supposed to be fashionable and that I should dress like everyone else. I love getting dressed up, but it takes a lot of effort and there are some mornings when I truly hate getting ready. It’d be easier to throw on a t-shirt and some jeans, but that doesn’t represent who I am as a person.

3) What has been your favorite fashion Expo so far of 2008?
As far as the items presented, I loved the Fashion Expo. There were some great shoes for fall that I’m already coveting. However I had the most fun at the outdoor expo. I participated in the sleeping bag challenge (lie on the pavement in 117 degree weather inside a sleeping bag for 10 minutes and win a free $200 sleeping bag). A lot of people didn’t think I’d make it, but I had the advantage: I wore a dress that day; everyone else had jeans on.

Introducing Finance Fashion Fridays!! Where you, the Zappos employee AKA: Fashion Patrol, can submit pictures, videos, or names of fashionable Zapponians.

Submissions are due every Wednesday beginning September 3rd for the kick off. Winners announced every Friday!

Judges:



ELENI D.

a.) What is your fashion statement?

My fashion statement I would say is Urban/Ghetto fabulous!

b.) Give me 1 Core value that you think best represents your fashion statement?

The Core value that represents my fashion statement would be "Do More With Less(I'll put a shirt on, wrap a belt around it, put on my heels(Dereon's) and I'm set)!"

c.) What has been your favorite Zappos fashion Expo so far of 2008?

The "Athletic Performance &Rideshop/Urban!"

RACHEL M.

1) What is your fashion statement?

I usually don't make "loud" fashion statements. When I shop, I try to stay away from super trendy items, and try to buy more classic pieces. I think that one of the best compliments that I get is when people tell me that I look like Jackie O! She is the epitome of classic style!

2) Give me 1 Core value that you think best represents your fashion statement?

Do More With Less! By buying clothing items that will stay in style for more than just one season, I am able to stretch my wardrobe. Typically, whenever I buy something new, I ask myself what in my existing wardrobe can be mixed and matched with the new item. I love it when I come home from a shopping trip and realize that the new top I just bought will look great with the skirt hanging in my closet or the cute flats I bought a few months ago.

3) What has been your favorite Zappos Fashion Expo so far of 2008?

The Fashion Team Expo. The shoes featured at this Expo were right up my alley. I loved checking out the designers new colors, interesting materials and beautiful styles.

GERALD M.

1.) Q: What is your fashion statement?

Beauty knows no pain or budget

2.) Give me 1 Core value that you think best represents your fashion statement?

Do more with Less. I hate spending a lot with the exception of my car payment and pony
hair boots!! Sometimes you gotta have something

3.) What has been your favorite Zappos fashion Expo so far of 2008

I haven’t been to one yet, but looking forward to it!! !

MICHELLE F.

a.) What is your fashion statement? Sophisticated fashionista

b.) Give me 1 Core value that you think best represents your fashion statement? Do more with less (money)

We are begging you to help us find this crazy chicken. More valuable employees have been gobbled up by what is now known as “El Pollo Grande.“

Devlyn T. had thought she smelled a Chicken pot pie when El Pollo Grande came up behind her and bit her on the shoulder. Luckily she got away and managed to alert the authorities. “I just love Chicken Pot Pie; I couldn’t help but be curious.”



Marcie A. said she smelled Fried Chicken before the large fowl attacked her. “It could have been Chicken fried steak, I wasn’t sure.” Almondia got away with a missing toe and her life.



Johnny P. actually set feed out for the chicken. We are not sure if he wants to capture the chicken for the huge $100 Zollar reward or because he just loves the taste of Chicken Alfredo.

John is very brave because the large fowl has been recorded at being over 8 ft tall and clocked at 25 miles an hour which is extremely fast for a chicken. Warning: Once again, the following pictures may be too graphic for the weak of heart

Beware! A crazy giant chicken has gotten loose from the nearby nuclear power plant and has come to eat tasty Zapponians. We have already lost some valuable employees and we do not want to lose any more. Thank goodness a random photographer caught a shot of the chicken so we can now identify it. Warning: The following pictures may be too graphic for young viewers. Hopefully we can bring in a temp to process payroll. Poor Deb.

As you may know, the Finance department recently moved locations. They are still in the 2300 building but now call home, suite #190. With this new suite came 6 new conference rooms. The rooms were split among the teams to decorate and decorate they did! The creative juices flowed and flowed and leaked all over the floor. With six rooms we have the Moroccan room, the Wall Street room, the Backyard Bliss room, the War room, Happi Hotel room and the Spa room. Everyone slaved away and put their heart and soul into their rooms. A judging was held and the winner was the Backyard room! Come and visit when you can and take a peak.

Poor Scott Schaeffer. Treasury Analyst in the Finance department has a deep and sincere love for all things Harry Potter. He even has a wand. This month Scott is in CLT training and somone has decided to kidnap his Harry Potter wand. They didn't just kidnap it though. They have replaced it everyday with something new. The first day was a twig.



The next day it was a Starbucks Straw, and the next a toothpick. All imprinted with "Harry Potter" Today it was a paintbrush.


Scott wants the wandnappers to know that he misses his wand very much and hopes it is safe and not scared.

Decked out in Jammies and nightgowns, the Finance department rocked out breakfast with a cereal buffet. They don't just pay the bills; they pay the bills in PJ's. They also enjoyed cookies and milk for an afternoon snack. With day of sugar like that, the staff had to be peeled off of the wall to get some work done. The only thing missing from the day was The Smurfs and Bugs Bunny on a continuous loop playing on a TV for them to veg out to.

Our wonderful Finance team greets unsuspecting employees each Thursday with the "Random Acts of Kindness" award. They gather the entire team and parade through the office buildings spreading joy (and gift cards!!) to employees across all departments.

I caught up with Michelle S., one of the lucky recipients, to see how the "Random Act of Kindness" inspired joy in her life.



Question: What is your favorite Random Act of kindness that you do for others?

Michelle: " If you walk in or out a door while I’m around, I’ll hold the door open for you."

Question: What "Random Act of Kindess" do you think could change the world if everyone did it?

Michelle: "If everyone covered their mouth after sneezing it would change the world."

Question: What is your favorite core value?

Michelle: "Do more with less."

Question: How did you feel when you received the award?

Michelle: "Amazing!"

Question: Did you wear the hat around all week?

Michelle: "No. I actually gave the hat to someone else
to wear. She loved it!"

Question: Name 5 things that make you happy

Michelle: "Pancakes, Rain, Traveling, Wi-Fi and Dry Humor."

Core Value #7: Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
And thats one thing these sisters do best. Not only does Katie and Sarah work for the same awesome company they work in the same crazy department! When they arent jumping around or hanging out with random statues, you can find them working hard in our Finance Dept. I was lucky enough to catch up with them and ask them a few random questions!

What was your favorite childhood show/book?

Sarah: Popples or the Care Bears! We owned everything they made!

Katie: My Little Pony forever and ever!

What do you like about working at Zappos?