The Role Of Company Culture On Its Success: An Example Of Zappos
Zappos is an online shoe retailer started in the 2000s as a start-up and then being bought by Amazon in 2009 for $1. 2billion. Their CEO Tony Hsieh looks like an ordinary guy, sits together with all his employees in a cubicle, and has an annual salary of $36, 000, less then some of his customer care managers. Tony is completely down-to-earth, who wants to have the best company ever and is succeeding in it.
As I’ve watched a few videos on YouTube and read a couple of articles, I’ve concluded that Zappos really knows what to do and how to do it. While keeping track with all the shoes they sell, available in every style, color and size with premium and fast free shipping, Zappos has managed to create one of a kind company culture. They have managed to find a way of hiring the right people, the ones who fit, with asking one simple question- is this person someone I would like to grab a drink with even if we weren’t working together? I must say this approach is something different. Many companies want their employees focused purely on work, and the fun part must be put away in their personal lives. In Zappos, you get a feeling that all the employees and managers are one big happy family, they are close, they work well together, and they do their best because they want the best for their family. Zappos’ HR managers said that it is easier to get accepted to Harvard than to get a job in Zappos (Chartcourse, 2018). Zappos’ company culture is something they put huge pride in, and they are constantly working on it. Their staffing and hiring practices include several interviews with one person to see if they are a truly the Zappos fit. If they are a fit, they will be welcomed with positivity and acceptance, but if the person feels like they don’t belong here, Zappos offers them $2000 to leave, the source says that only 2% of those people take the money, and the others don’t, as they see that Zappos puts great efforts to keep all their employees happy and safe. While being focused on hard work and making the best service possible for their customers, Zappos wants to make sure their employees stay happy and positive, they all work hard and play hard with several parties and events throughput the month, or week. Every department has their own unique way of approaching tasks and having fun while doing it. Their positive work environment is keeping their employees happy and making their profits grow higher each year.
Zappos’ CEO Tony says that all that they have, all their logistics, customer service, warehouse, operations and finance practices is something everyone who wants, can copy and he is aware of that. But he also emphasizes that the only one thing they could never imitate, or copy is their company culture and that is why he is so proud of it. Tony has truly managed to create a working environment where his employees come and stay for more than just a paycheck. This is one of the few companies I have encountered that puts such a great value in their people, this is what makes Zappos a successful company and a best place to work for.
While making and sustaining a positive work environment, Zappos wants to make sure their employees are well trained and educated, to make sure their abilities are becoming broader and better. The company makes sure to hire the best but also puts great value in the development of their employees they have started offering several classes for their employees to make sure the employees further develop their soft skills, their communication skills, and leadership skills. With offering only 2 classes at the beginning, many departments requested more and more classes as this has begun to be something all the employees really enjoyed in. For all the classes, Zappos uses in house trainers rather than hiring external ones. This was shown as a best way for employees to connect to all the departments and the company as every class uses company’s examples to create one of a kind T&D experience.
This company really puts their best forward, their company culture has become one of a kind, and this is their competitive advantage on all the other similar companies. They have created a place where people are valued and respected, where their ideas are accepted and supported. A place where employees’ abilities are praised and developed. To be a successful company and to stay one is making sure you hire people who will bring you happiness and success, while you as an employer bring back that happiness and success to them. I hope there will be more companies like this, emphasizing people’s talents and abilities and working on them rather than looking at profits, profits come with great company culture as your people want to lead your company to higher success.
