We've been talking about the HR team's big game show outing for the past few weeks, and last Wednesday we had a viewing party. Here's a little video and interview we put together that we feel is an excellent representation of our culture, and Core Value #7.

http://www.cbs.com/daytime/lets_make_a_deal/video/?vs=Full%20Episodes

Remember when we told you our HR team participated in a game show? The episode of "Lets make a deal" aired yesterday and is on CBS.com all day today. Click the link above and watch Altovise and the rest of our HR team today! Altovise and the rest of our awesome Human "Resourcers" appear at the 15:00 minute mark!

Last week our HR team dressed up in costumes ranging in everything from Bananas to Hot Dogs. I insisted on taking their picture and found out immediately after that they were headed for a team outing. I could understand hanging out in the office dressed like that, but in Public? "No no, we're going to be on a game show, you're supposed to dress up" one of them said.

While I can't tell you which game show they were on, I can tell you who they are.

Back row (+Left to right+)Jacob P., Altovise M, Maritza L,
Jamie N, Eric V, Erica J, Hollie D, and Christa F.

Front Row(+Left to Right+) Rebecca R, Lindsay K, Cheryl H.

missing from photo:Brandis P, Drew K .

On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, it was a time for play. For those of you that missed out, our managers took the time to put together an employee appreciation day just for us. The managers not only participated in the activities on their shift, but also took the time to participate in the festivities of the opposite shift as well.

We were called to the zafe area a little after start-up, where Anthony V. announced we were going to have two hours of fun and games for the first employee appreciation day held at the new warehouse. We were then herded to the side door and greeted with chicken and pork chops. This was not only wonderful because it was such great food, but also because it was soup, salad and sandwich day.

There were plenty of activities to participate in. We had our blow-up obstacle course along with a blow-up rock wall. If you didn't want to play in either of them, you could participate in karaoke, dodge ball, limbo, sack races, shoe toss or the money box.

This was the first time I have witnessed an event held at Zappos in which everyone got together and got paid to play and have fun. It was a pretty amazing day at the fulfillment center. I definitely felt the positive team and family spirit. I, along with the rest of our team, would like to give a BIG thank you to all of our managers here at Zappos!

-Erin S.

KY Content sponsored the Safety Core Value activity in July with hosting the first Safety Idol at the Kentucky location. The focus was to incorporate fun and a little weirdness, and increase the awareness of safety in the fulfillment center.
To enter the contest, teams of up to four employees, were faced with the challenge of putting safety topics in the flow of a rap…...which had to include the word HOOPLA!

HOOPLA is:
H - Healthy work habits equal Healthy Employees!

O - Observing the Core Values!

O - Organization that empowers individuals to be an active part of Safety!

P - Personal Protective Equipment!

L - Learning about Safety is Fun!

A - Awareness is the key to Success!

With a unanimous vote, Andrew Kim, Jimmy Music and Nick Catt, won the Safety Idol and also appeared live and presented their new hit single HOOPLA at the all hands meeting in July. The room rocked and gave a standing ovation at the completion of the rap performance, which was the opening act for Tony, Alfred and Fred to then address the group.

Way to go, Fellas!


written by: Leah Morris

The Kentucky warehouse closed down completely for 2 hours on Wednesday June 24th, 2009, which is almost unheard of in Zappos-Land! Everyone gathered in Sheperdsville, KY for the the 10th Anniversary All Hands Meeting.

One of the hightlights of the meeting was the Time Capsule that was created especially for Zappos. All the departments brought a box filled with treasures to place in the huge metal box.

We watched a documentary created by the video department of team members sharing their stories on how Zappos.com has grown in such a short time. We had food and drinks for all, along with a performance of the winning “Spirit Week” cheer performed by the Photo Department.

All team members were paid to attend this meeting! What? Yep! Paid to party!
THE MOST AWESOME PLACE TO WORK!



written by: Rhonda F.
photographs by: Ashley P.

Blue hair spray and Face painting?... Spirit Sticks?... Cheer contests and fake tattoos?... Where are we, at summer camp?

No, this is spirit week at Zappos.com... didn't see that one coming did ya?



When I started here 2 years ago, I walked into an environment that I had never been around before. I was surrounded by people who enjoyed being at work. Within a month, I was hooked, not only on the culture, spirit, and values of Zappos, but on the happiness I felt when I went home. Still to this day I feel the same way. Spirit week to me isn't only a week out of the year.... it lasts the whole year. As of June 28th, I became B1 singles Lead.... I never would have been motivated enough to go for a lead position if it hadn't been for the spirit and culture of Zappos pulsing through me, and THAT'S A FACT!!!!

written by: Michael B.

The Zappos.com Fulfillment Center was recently honored for excellence at the Best Places to Work in Kentucky awards dinner! Thirty of our managers attended the awards ceremony in Lexington, KY where they anxiously awaited the ranking results. The award is based on an assessment of our employee policies and the results of the internal employee survey. Zappos.com was recognized as #22 on the list of best places to work in the “large companies” category. Hundreds of companies in Kentucky are assessed annually to compete for this honor and we’re very humbled to be on the list! It is because of our employees’ determination to drive our culture that we are truly one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky!

written by: Melissa L.
photos by: Michele K. and Betsy D.

Last Week our HR , Training and CLT departments hosted an Ice Cream Social to give our New Hires a chance to hang out with current Zappos.com Team members. The New Hire class received T-shirts which can be written on, which gave us the opportunity to say welcome to the team with Colored markers as well as conversation. The Ice Cream Social also allowed Current team members to eat all of the cookies and cream flavored ice cream in a matter of 10 minutes! Thank you to everyone who made this possible, we look forward to the next ice cream flavored event.

In order to keep Zappos a great place to work, employees continue to find ways to live our core values.One of our 10 core values is #7: "Build a positive team and family spirit." The Kentucky Fulfillment Center came up with a culture baton to represent this.

The objective of passing this CV #7 culture baton was to get to know some of our co-workers a little better. Split Shift was given the opportunity to invite another group in the KYFC to enjoy some good ol' hospitality! When you think of a family gathering, what comes to mind - FOOD! That's always my favorite part about 'em!

So, in the passing of our baton, and building a Team and Family Spirit, the group decided to bring in desserts to enjoy with the PM Part-timers. Cakes, cookies and more. Boy, they were super delicious, too!

We ended the gathering by inviting them into our family portrait, which is now posted on our "Important Stuff" board for all to see!



written by: Amber L.

In the Photo Dept in KYFC we have a team meeting once a month. It was my turn to shine and make a team building exercise and do something extraordinarily awesome. For my first time at a team building exercise, it went well. The best part was shoving some pies into a few of our supervisor’s faces. That alone, made everyone very happy.

It all started with a game I created called “Chain Letter.” The objective: Good communication. How it starts- Two supervisors on each end of a line with team members in between. The first supervisor relays a message down the line of people that had to be acted out by the supervisor at the end of that line. Out of four teams, only one was victorious. That team was the Queens. The winning team took a pie and put in the faces of all the supervisors that were on the not so lucky remaining teams. This was where the fun began!

We gave our Supervisors their attire, including shower caps and garbage bags, sat them down in a chair and took turns smashing whip cream pies in their faces. Everyone had a blast, even the ones who received the onslaught of warm whip cream gooeyness.

This just goes to show that no matter the situation, either winning or losing, it’s all about making it a fun and everlasting experience here at Zappos.

written by: Steven T.

The air was cold on our fingertips, the mood was cheerful and uplifting, people from all around were gathering, and the water was absolutely freezing. There were costumed heroes everywhere, from Nerds to Bumble Bees, all there for one cause. Raising money for Special Olympics Kentucky. This being the second year in a row that Zappos has participated, we had 32 Polar Bears take that icy dive this year, and raised a total of $5,785 winning us the Frigid Cup.

Since started in 1999, there have been thousands who have taken the plunge for Special Olympics. It's an amazing event that helps out so many people each year, giving Special Olympics athletes the chance to prove that they have the drive and passion to do great things. It's amazing to see how many people come out year around, to show support, and freeze their tails off after jumping into the frigid water. But it's all worth the outcome. With events taking place in Louisville, Newport, Lake Cumberland, Owensboro, and Lexington, they raised over $510,000.

If you have ever considered supporting, and even joining in on this event, don't hesitate. The atmosphere is exciting, and dressing up or not, you are are guaranteed to have a blast. Since this years Polar Bear Plunge is already over, you have a whole year to save money, and encourage people to take a gander at how exciting it can be to help out our Special Olympic athletes.


Blog by: Steven T.
Video by: Jordan S.
Photo by: Michele K.

Eric, our HR Generalist is always there to help out his fellow Zapponians. From interviewing new hires to offering his shoulder to cry on, to motivational interpretive dances, Eric does it all. And that, my friends, is why Eric V. is today's Zapponian of the Day.

Hollie has literally set the stage for the Tchotchkes of all Zappos employees to be admired upon! Tchotchkes are considered to be Knick Knacks or Small decorative collectibles with very little (or absolutely zero) dollar value. Every Week a new Tchotchke has the ability to shine on in the slpendid see-through box in the HR area. Please contact Hollie if you have a Tchotchke worthy of this great honor!

You may have heard the news, but our beloved benefits goddess, Sarah, is officially off the "market". She married her man, Brandon, a picking lead here in the Kentucky Fulfillment Center. Naturally, I had to get to the bottom of this... so I asked her a few nosey, but imporant questions. Please read on as I uncovered this mystery.

How did you and your husband meet?

We actually met through mutual friends a very long time ago. He dated one of my good friends when we were 14 and I even chaperoned a date for him with another girl during the first 3 or 4 years that we were friends. i was asked out on a date with him on a note on a white board by my room-mate, who he had asked to ask me out for him. ( are you confused yet? )

Where did you get married, and why didn't you have it at Zappos so we could all attend?

We got married in Shelbyville, only because we can't have alcohol on the premisis here, the dress code AND you can't have a shotgun wedding without a shot-gun, and guns are also a no-no at our warehouse. However, I will totally consider having our anniversary party here next year for everyone.

Was your cake shaped like a shoe?

Actually no, it was a 3 tier white cake with black branches and cherry blossoms on it.

If you had to wear a brand from Zappos to be married in, what would you have chosen?

He would probably wear Affliction, and I would choose Betsy Johnson.

If you and your husband were animals, what do you think you would be?

I would want to be a basset hound, they are so cute and lovable, and he would definitely be a cat. I could see him being perfectly happy sleeping all day and just getting up to eat and poop.

Do you guys have nicknames for each other, and what are they?

His is, baba and mine is booger bear.

What were your something "new, old, borrowed & blue" items?

The oldest thing I had on was my underwear. I had new shoes. I borrowed make-up because I forgot mine, and I wore my Zappos sweatsuit to set up and break down the whole wedding AND I wore it for my rehearsal dinner.

So as you can see by these answers, it looks like the rumors are true. They really are headed for happily ever after. Another Zappos union for the history books. The picture is truly worth a million words.