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Delivering Happiness
253 pages, 2010
The visionary CEO of Zappos explains how an emphasis on corporate culture can lead to unprecedented success.
Pay new employees $2000 to quit. Make customer service the entire company, not just a department. Focus on company culture as the #1 priority. Apply research from the science of happiness to running a business. Help employees grow both personally and professionally. Seek to change the world. Oh, and make money too.
Sound crazy? It's all standard operating procedure at Zappos.com, the online retailer that's doing over $1 billion in gross merchandise sales every year.
In 1999, Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay) sold LinkExchange, the company he co-founded, to Microsoft for $265 million. He then joined Zappos as an adviser and investor and eventually became CEO.
In 2009, Zappos was listed as one of Fortune magazine's top 25 companies to work for and was acquired by Amazon later that year in a deal valued at over $1.2 billion on the day of closing.
In his first book, Tony shares the different business lessons he learned in life, from a lemonade stand and pizza business through LinkExchange, Zappos, and more. Ultimately, he shows how using happiness as a framework can produce profits, passion, and purpose both in business and in life.
In Delivering Happiness, Tony Hsieh emphasizes that happiness should be the ultimate goal in life and business. He believes that if you focus on making yourself and others happy, success will naturally follow. So, take a look at your own life and see if you're truly happy with what you're doing.
Hsieh stresses the importance of a strong company culture. He believes that a positive and inclusive culture can drive a company to success. So, if you're running a business, take some time to research and develop a culture that reflects your values and goals.
One of the main points in Delivering Happiness is the importance of excellent customer service. Hsieh shares how he made customer service the heart of his company, Zappos. So, check your own business and see if you're truly delivering happiness to your customers.
Hsieh encourages readers to embrace change and learn from their mistakes. He shares his own experiences of failure and how he used them to grow and improve. So, don't be afraid to make mistakes, but make sure you learn from them.
In Delivering Happiness, Hsieh argues that passion and purpose should come before profit. He believes that if you're passionate about what you do and have a clear purpose, the profits will follow. So, take a moment to explore your own passions and find your purpose.
Quotes 5
Tony's book is a wake-up call to the business world, reminding us that our ultimate goal is to serve and enrich the lives of others.
Mark Cuban - Entrepreneur, InvestorDelivering Happiness is a roadmap to success, but not the kind that involves shortcuts and quick fixes. It's about a holistic, sustainable form of success that values happiness and purpose.
Seth Godin - Author, MarketerTony Hsieh is a shining example of how when you treat employees and customers right, amazing things can happen.
Guy Kawasaki - Marketing SpecialistDelivering Happiness is a testament to the power of company culture. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to build a business that's not just profitable, but also joyful.
Marshall Goldsmith - Leadership CoachTony Hsieh's Delivering Happiness is a compelling reminder of the power of unconventional thinking. It's a masterclass in building a company that values creativity, innovation, and, above all, its people.
Tim Ferriss - Author, Entrepreneur
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