If you're giving out the "dedication to quality" award and branded awards to your employees (think pens and cups), you're lame and sure to be mocked behind closed doors by your talent base. Like Lumburgh, do you decide to hold a stand up meeting encouraging your employees to ask, "is it good for the customer"?
Mugs and branded sticky notes follow to all employees.
Groan..
On Monday, I told you that each year we do a customer conference called "Reach", where we bring in our customers and provide sessions not only on how to get more out of our software, but we also expose them to other things that will help them run their organizations better - including the people side of the business.
Last year, that included a panel on hiring better that included representatives from Whole Foods, Southwest Airlines and Chick-fil-A. This year we brought in Zappos, featuring Jamie Naughton, Cruise Ship Director at the oft-cited online retailer.
When most of us think about Zappos, we think about culture. A natural byproduct of culture is "fun", so in this segment of the interview, I asked Jamie what the hot items were, from the supply closet, that they handed out to team members with the Zappos brand. As you might expect, the normal answer (is it good for the customer?) was nowhere to be found. Be prepared to feel lame as Jamie breaks down the answer for us:
Zappos Interview - Bathrobes and Flasks! from DAXKO on Vimeo.
I'll take some video of me sitting at my cube in the Zappos bathrobe if Jamie sends me one...
Thanks for Jamie and Zappos for participating in our customer conference. DAXKO and our customers learned tons from you, and we're looking forward to seeing you again!
Kris, great post- love Zappos culture, love that you bring in these firms to exchange best practices- !
Posted by: Debbie Brown | September 16, 2009 at 07:50 AM
Sounds like a great conference, and great way to invest in your clients, deepening the connection.
Posted by: robyn collins | September 16, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Since you own company is known for their people development and culture do you share yourown best practices at these conference? If so, how has that worked?
Posted by: Michelle | September 17, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Great post!
What an excellent way to invest in clients!
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Posted by: Aloke Saha | October 22, 2009 at 02:12 AM
Step back and brighter!
Posted by: Jordan Flipsyde | July 08, 2010 at 03:10 AM