Delivering Happiness, Zappos Style

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for agreeing to review it. There were no restrictions on what I could or could not say. To read more about Delivering Happiness, go here. To order it off Amazon, go here.

We all have passion. Passion for life, passion for brands and passion for kicking ass on a daily basis. It’s why we are in the social/PR/marketing mash-up – we get to live awesome everyday.

Tony Hsieh of Zappos exemplifies that philosophy – not only for himself, but for a company, their employees and a family-like mentality of “we will do whatever it takes.” In his book, Delivering Happiness*, you can feel as if you’re in the room with every Zappos employee as they receive communications from Hsieh. The book is incredibly open, selfless and right on target with how true customer service is.

I was intrigued by the book after hearing Tony speak last year. That type of passion is rare in the business world – we talk constantly about believing in a brand, knowing it like the back of our hand, and pushing it out. The thing is? This guy and Zappos truly live it, on a daily basis. You only have to look at hteir customer service focused ads (Zappets, anyone?) to see it. The detail and way words flow help anyone understand how Zappos was started, how they succeeded, what didn’t work. Hsieh is completely open in admitting failure – and detailing how it shaped scope and helped to try new venues.

I have a copy of the book to give away to one of my readers. So, here’s how you can enter: Go to the comments section and tell me what YOU are passionate about in the biz world – and why. Winner will be chosen on Wednesday.

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Megan Cassidy

Treating people with respect. I get crazy phone calls at work from some really strange people, who won't get the time of day with anyone else and are trying to be heard. Sometimes I get the chance to respond, and they're floored that I'm still on the other end. Most of the time, the call doesn't materialize into anything significant, but just letting people have their perspective, and respect it, is what I really love.
Grace Boyle

So funny, tomorrow I have a post about Tony coming out on my blog and the culture he created at Zappos.

Onto the better part, what I'm passionate about in the biz world. My passion lies in an overarching umbrella but it's people. I'm deeply passionate about working with people whether it's co-workers to push through a project launch, clients by establishing a relationship that will last for years (no matter what company you move to) or with groups or organizations of people. People connecting with people exists, almost in every industry within business.

Creating an analogous, win-win relationship with people in the business world is ineffable for me - it's gratifying and never gets old. It is my backbone and structure, while it always helps businesses grow and succeed. Gotta get 'people' on your side ;)
Erik Florida

I am all about passion, it's one of the best sustaining motivators. Thanks for sharing this. I already looked forward to reading it, now you've just got me more excited! I just ordered Chris Brogan's Trust Agents, but this has moved up to next on my list to order!
emilyjasper

I'm passionate about the business machine, seeing the cogs and wheels, and doing what I can as the inventor/tinkerer/engineer to make it run smoothly. I also love when you get to change the machine, and it may be bumpy, but getting it to run smoothly again is so exciting.
cloverdew

Lauren,
My passion is very clearly the creative process. I've always been someone who "thinks outside the box" and I love to discuss the mechanics of everything the creative process involves, including everything from the inkling of an idea to the finished product, then monitoring results and reactions to innovate and improve. I covet criticism and collaboration. As I see it, business is an ever-changing art form. Asking all the right questions to get the cogs turning in others' heads and watching them deliver their own unique and precious perspectives is so satisfying. Making something from nothing... that's pretty cool. ;)
Sara
Becky Mochaface

Being genuine. People buy from other people. Not from a corporation. Do what you say you're going to do, be who you say you are and surprise and delight your customers with little acts of kindness. Those little things go a long way to building long-term loyalty.