For this week’s Zapponian Spotlight, we’re getting to know Joey M., a proud member of the US Army Reserves. Joey is one of our awesome ZCLT reps who left on a tour of duty for Afghanistan and rejoined the Zappos Family when he returned home.

We asked Joey a few questions to get to know him a little bit more:

What led you to join the Army Reserves?

J: I didn't want to wake up one day when I was old and say, "I wish I would have served."

What is greatest thing you have learned while in the Army?

J:  I've learned to excel in stressful environments, and that nothing really bothers me anymore.

What 3 words describe your personality?

J:  Determined, loyal, sarcastic.

What do you like to do for fun?

J:  Travel, watch sports, and work on my Nissan 350z

What is your favorite core value and why?

J:  #5. Pursue Growth and Learning - I love working at a place that allows us to learn so many things and pursue anything you have interests in.

What is your most embarrasing moment?

J:  I truly try very hard to not embarrass myself or let others embarrass me.  So I can't actually think of anything right now.  However, I'll leave you with  a great quote:  "A person always doing his or her best becomes a natural leader, just by example." - Joe DiMaggio

 Group pic with the awesome HR team.

The Work Abroad Program allows one person from one department to swap desk with another person from a different department for a week.  Last week, I swapped desks with Lyndsey A. from our HR team. Of course, I still did my daily tech duties while sitting among our HR department.

Sitting in the middle of HR was tons of fun! I got a better understanding of who HR is, and what they do.  HR has its own very unique culture indeed! 

During my week sitting at Lyndsey’s desk, I made new friends, learned new jokes, new communication techniques and got to check out all the crazy desk décor in their area.

Zappos.com HR team decorate their area for Halloween.

Also, I got to witness the Halloween decoration extravaganza, wore a tutu for a day and took a photo with a fake mustache. I guess it’s all in a week’s work! I’m so glad I got to experience office life from a different perspective! I recommend that everyone try it out at least once! 

To raise some money for the 3rd annual Zalloween "Zolf" Bash, our Zappos Merchandising team held a really awesome sample sale yesterday.

All proceeds from the sample sale are going to the Two Ten Foundation.

This week’s Zapponian Spotlight is on hockey fanatic Ashley P. Ashley is part of our Pipeline team as a new hire apprentice, this means she gets to help train all of our amazing new Zapponians.

Read on to learn more about this die-hard Vancouver Cannucks fan!

Pick 3 words to describe your personal style.

A: Confused, Sleek, Accessorized. I struggle with my two sides. I am a punk girl at heart, but am emerging with style and class. Usually I give up and it manifests into a Zappos shirt, jeans, and chucks. My hair and makeup are always flawless, or close to it!

Who is your favorite musician or band?

A: Currently, it is Cage the Elephant.  However, I have loved the Foo Fighters since I was a grunge kid in the mid 90s.

Name 3 things you never leave home without?

A:  A sense of adventure, chapstick, and my cell phone.

If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be? 

A: I would love to have dinner with Wayne Gretzky, in a private box, filled with single Canadian hockey players overlooking a Canucks vs. Sabres game in Buffalo, NY. That would be all of my dreams come true in one!

What’s the weirdest thing to ever happen to you?

A: I contracted the H1N1 virus, twice.

What’s your favorite part about working at Zappos?

A: The energy of the people. I’ve met people who are so like me in so many different ways. I can be myself and am encouraged to do so!. The parties, meetings, and day to day activities energize me constantly. They’re my fuel. And as if those weren’t enough…the nachos (in the Zappos Bistro) are truly spectacular!

This week's Zapponian Spotlight, Rose R., is a ZCLT rep on the graveyard team. So if you happen to call our customer service lines at night, you just might get Rose helping you on the other line!

We decided to get to know Rose a little bit by asking her a couple of questions:

If you could be a mixed drink what drink would you be and why?

 R: Strawberry Daiquiri, because it is fruity and sweet.  I was once told that describes my personality!

If you had a plane ticket to go anywhere in the world where would you go?

R: To Paris and Italy.

Tell us an embarrassing moment you can remember.

R: I went to a party to watch my son DJ and he stopped the music to introduced me to the about 800 people in the audience!

So, your son is a DJ and you are his manager? what is the best part about working with your son?

R: I have been managing his career since he was 15 years old and enjoy working as his manager. I get the opportunity to meet celebrities and I enjoy the VIP treatment when I’m at his events!

Clockwise: Holly from ZCLT smiles for the camera, Steven AKA Superman, Zappos Hero marshmallow pops (yum!), Rob, Director of ZCLT, fights ghosts with the Stay Puft marshmallow man!

To say thanks our wonderful Zappos Customer Loyalty Team (ZCLT), the Zappos family has been celebrating Customer Service Week all week long. Our wonderful PEACE team planned tons of fun events throughout the week, including a photo booth, hero parades, goodie giveaways, cash cube, free lunch day, root beer float day, and more!

Birthday pranks are awesome, which is why they are such a common occurrence around here.

By the looks of it, Mauricio had an awesome and messy birthday!

Building strong working relationships among team members starts with a fun and dynamic work environment. When people are encouraged to be themselves and have fun at work, like they are at Zappos, the result is a stronger, more unified team.

Check out my book, The Zappos Experience, for an in-depth look at work-and-play integration within Zappos.