Trish C., a Receiving Exceptions Coordinator, was recently recognized as the recipient of the MOQ (Merchandiser of the Quarter) award for Q4. It is given quarterly to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond what is asked to make everyone's life a little bit easier and a whole lot more awesome.  We caught up with Trish and she shared some thoughts on the award and her shrewd thrifting skills, among other things.  She has a big heart, a warm personality and is a real team player.  It's easy to see why Trish was recognized for the MOQ award!

Congratulations, Trish!  How does it feel to be recognized by your Content peeps?

TC: I love Content!  Each department at Zappos is entwined in some way or another, but I like to think of Content as being one of my closest siblings.  It is such an honor to have them say I’m a superstar!

You are part of a very unique team as a Receiving Exceptions Coordinator.  Can you briefly describe what you do and how it relates to the Content and Merch departments?

TC: Briefly?  Oy.  LOL!  Basically, I communicate very closely with our fulfillment centers to ensure that product that gets stuck in the system somewhere gets resolved as quickly and painlessly as possible.  Product comes in that either wasn’t ordered, doesn’t have a PO (purchase order) attached to it, is the wrong color or isn’t even in our system.  I work with both Content and Merchandising to figure out what it is, why we have it and where it goes.

Share with us the single most crazy-busy day you have experienced so far at Zappos and how you persevered, WOWing those around you.

TC: I am nothing without my Peeps... and the ZCafe!  These are the things that keep me sane.  Crazy-busy day?  With 333 unassigned tickets in our queue, every day is a crazy-busy day!  LOL!

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever acquired from a garage sale?

TC: Probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten at a garage sale would be an electrical insulator bought for $2 that I turned around and sold for $2500!  Wooohoooo!

As a fan of the written word, which book has offered the greatest impact in your life?

TC: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Finally, the big question!  NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, actress Alyson Hannigan and actor Steve McQueen all share a birthday with you.  Of these three, whom would you most like to meet and why?

TC: Steve McQueen would be my choice.  He was a great actor, he drove a motorcycle and he starred in epic films like The Blob (1958)!

Alex C., a Merchandising Assistant for the Athletic Performance Department, was recently recognized as the recipient of the MOQ (Merchandiser of the Quarter) award for Q3. It is given to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond what is asked to make everyone's life a little bit easier.  We caught up with Alex and he shared some thoughts on the award, as well as a glimpse into the windows of his soul.  Okay, it wasn't that dramatic.  We asked him some questions and he thoughtfully answered them!

Congratulations, Alex!  How does it feel to be recognized by your Content peeps?

AC: It feels amazing to be recognized by such an awesome team.

If you were mentoring a new Merchandising Assistant on your team, what one thing would you stress is important to a successful work relationship with Content?

AC: Appreciate, respect and understand your content team. Collectively, they are your right-hand man or woman.

Share with us the single most crazy-busy day you have experienced so far and how you persevered, WOWing those around you.

AC: My first day at Zappos was my craziest day here. Going from line showing to line showing, meeting to meeting and being introduced to so many new people that day, it was pretty overwhelming. I can honestly say though, without being cliché, staying calm and carrying on did get me through that day.

Having graduated from CSU-Fresno, you may or may not know Fresno is the fifth largest city in the state of California.  Can you name five of your most favorite places or things about Fresno?

AC:

 1) The Tower District! It's an awesome place to hangout, meet up with friends, grab a bite to eat, check out a show or have a drink at one of the awesome bars in the area.

2) The food! Fresno has great local spots that can't be beat! Not to mention the fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown in Fresno that go into the great local dishes.

3) Fresno also has great culture in both the art and music scenes. There are weekly and monthly art exhibits that rival those of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Fresno is also a destination for big music acts but is still rich in its great local music scene.

4) Being in the middle of California, Fresno is only a few hours away from destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite, the Central Coast and my favorite, Disneyland!

5) Lastly, you can't talk about Fresno without mentioning CSU Fresno or as we call it, Fresno State. It's a great university and home to the Fresno State Bulldogs. GO DOGS!

What is your favorite word in the Japanese language?

AC: Ganbatte - Good luck

Finally, the big question!  Rap luminary T-Pain, author Truman Capote and actor Tony Hale (Buster Bluth on TV's Arrested Development) all share a birthday with you.  Of these three, whom would you most like to meet and why?

AC: Truman Capote. I'm sure he would have some very interesting stories to share.

Mitch N., Merchandising Assistant for Zappos Merchandising, was recently recognized as the winner of the MOQ (Merchandiser of the Quarter) award, which goes to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond what is asked to make everyone's life a little bit easier.  Co-workers rave about his friendly, upbeat attitude, helpful demeanor, hard-working manner and welcoming ways each and every morning as he greets the entire Performance Content team.  We caught up with Mitch and asked him a few questions about being the recipient of this pretty stellar award.

Congratulations, Mitch!  How does it feel to be recognized by your Content peeps?

It feels great to be part of such an exclusive fraternity!

What do you believe are the three most important things you can do as an MA to work in tandem with Content?

Be clear, responsive, and appreciative.

Share with us the single most important piece of advice you have received and how it helps you WOW the people you work with.

Treat everyone with respect. Pretty self-explanatory.

Between the characters of Nico Toscani (Steven Seagal, Above the Law), John McClane (Bruce Willis, Die Hard) and Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson, Lethal Weapon), whom would you most want to be partnered with in a blockbuster action film?

John McClane. He walked on glass. Barefoot.

Being born and raised in Wisconsin, are you a connoisseur of exotic cheese?

Not a connoisseur, just a fan.

Finally, the big question!  Who is the best Packers QB of all-time?  Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre?

Brett who?

For All-time I am going with 5x NFL Champion Bart Starr. For my generation, Aaron Rodgers is pretty darn good.

Jeanne M., Director of Casual Lifestyle for Zappos Merchandising, was recently recognized as the winner of the MOQ (Merchandiser of the Quarter) award, which goes to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond what is asked to make everyone's life a little bit easier.  We caught up with Jeanne and asked her a few questions as she basks in the afterglow of this super-cool award.

Congratulations, Jeanne!  How does it feel to be recognized by your Content peeps?

It was definitely a *very* nice surprise, but honestly feel there are 100 people far more deserving than I.  We have an amazing Content Team at Zappos overall and lots of Merchandising people on all teams work with them very closely and diligently.  (I am of course partial to the Casual Lifestyle Content Peeps – they rock!!)

What do you believe are the three most important things you can do as a buyer to work in tandem with the writers in Content?

1)      Communication

2)      Communication

3)      Communication!!

The content team is one of most important components of our brands being successful, as they truly "sell" the product for us and help WOW our customers by giving them all the info they need to make shopping decisions.  It's essential that we are looping them in on all things that concern our brands – any changes whatsoever within the brands from personnel or manufacturing/styling standpoint, as well as making sure we are inviting them to all show appts and office meetings with brand reps so they can develop strong partnerships with our brand partners as well.  Deadlines and last minute projects change for all of us, so it's key we are working together successfully by being open about communicating our needs so we can accomplish our goals together as a team and can pitch in to help from both sides. As with every dept at Zappos, it's also tremendously important that we spend time bonding together and taking the culture to the next level- I don’t look at Content as a separate team but as a very important extension and part of our own team.

Share with us the single most important piece of advice you have received and how it helps you WOW the people you work with.

Building relationships with people on all different teams and departments – not only does it help build and strengthen our culture, but we have so much to learn from each other. 

If there were a movie based on your amazing relationship with Content titled, "The Fabulous Life and Times of Jeanne," which actress would play you?

Hmm, I'd love to go with Sandra Bullock – no resemblance looks-wise sadly, but she is pretty sarcastic in many of her roles and so am I!

Since you are a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, who is your all-time favorite Dodger?

I honestly can't narrow it down to a single player.  I would have to say it is the 1988 World Series Team. Not only due to this being the last time they won the series, but because virtually nobody gave them a chance.  Conventional wisdom was they would be swept in 4 by Oakland, they ended up taking the series in 5.  Who can forget the Kirk Gibson dramatics of game 1? (probably a lot of Zapponians actually, since many of you weren't even born back then!)

Finally, the big question!  Which do you prefer, Jeanne: Chocolate or cheese?

Cheese, of course – since it’s the perfect complement with a glass of wine.