Exploring the Unique and Innovative Zappos Culture: What Makes Them Stand Out?
Zappos, the online shoe and clothing retailer, has garnered a reputation for being unique and innovative in its approach to corporate culture. From offering new hires $2,000 to quit to creating a customer service philosophy centered on happiness, Zappos has been successful in creating a brand that customers and employees love.
But what exactly makes Zappos stand out? Let’s take a closer look.
The 10 Core Values of the Zappos Culture
Zappos has developed 10 core values that guide every aspect of their culture. These include:
1. Deliver WOW Through Service
2. Embrace and Drive Change
3. Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
4. Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
5. Pursue Growth and Learning
6. Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
7. Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
8. Do More With Less
9. Be Passionate and Determined
10. Be Humble
These values have created a culture that is centered on the customer and encourages employees to have fun while providing excellent service. Employees are encouraged to be themselves, and weirdness is celebrated.
The Customer Service Philosophy of Zappos
Zappos’ customer service philosophy is centered on happiness. They believe that by making customers happy, they will create loyal customers who will return again and again. To achieve this, Zappos empowers its employees to make decisions, give gifts, and even send flowers to customers when needed.
Zappos also focuses on building relationships with its customers. They want to create an emotional connection with each customer, so they go the extra mile to make sure customers feel valued and appreciated.
Zappos’ Innovative Recruitment Process
Zappos’ recruitment process is all about finding people who align with their core values. They use a 4-week training program to ensure that new hires understand the culture and values of the company. At the end of this training, Zappos offers each new hire $2,000 to quit if they feel that the culture is not a good fit for them. This ensures that only people who truly believe in the company’s core values stay on as employees.
Zappos’ Employee Empowerment
Zappos empowers its employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work. They have eliminated traditional management structures, allowing employees to work in self-organizing teams. This approach has led to happier employees who feel that they are making a difference in the company.
In Conclusion
Zappos’ unique and innovative culture has allowed them to stand out in the crowded online retail space. By focusing on core values, customer happiness, and employee empowerment, Zappos has created a brand that customers and employees love and respect. Their approach to recruitment and management has been emulated by other companies looking to create a similar culture of innovation and success.
