Delivering Happiness Delivers!

I was honored and excited when the good folks at Zappos sent me free advanced copies of CEO Tony Hsieh’s new book Delivering Happiness – A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose to review.  I have been a completely satisfied customer of Zappos (major online shoe and clothing commerce company) for quite a few years.  I previously read of the uniquely people-pleasant, family culture that Hsieh creates for his employees and was curious about his philosophies.  Hsieh’s new book sets out to reveal how this young executive created such a phenomenal success – not only is the online retailer achieving over $1 billion in merchandise sales each year but it is one of Fortune magazine’s top companies to work for.  From my experience, the company’s success certainly shines through every single time I talk to a customer service representative . . . Zappos has the only service department in which patrons can actually hear representatives’ smiles over the phone.

Delivering Happiness is NOT another quick how-to-improve-your-business book.  This book reveals secrets and ideas about (as the sub-title hints) increasing profits, igniting passion, and identifying purpose in personal life as well as work.  Anyone looking to create or build upon current business or personal goals would benefit from this book.  Through Hsieh’s anecdotes and quirky thought-processes, the reader gets into the head of someone who’s been there, someone who’s taken a dream and turned it into reality.

Hsieh begins by illustrating his work experiences – from grade school worm selling to creating and selling study guides in college to his first major success with co-founding LinkExchange – an internet advertising cooperative.  He provides snippets from old letters, journal-like recollections and lists that illustrate the thinking behind the success.   

 You know you are in the right field when you go to work and it doesn’t feel like work; that’s the impression I get of the Zappos employees’ attitudes toward their jobs.  Hsieh intriguingly reveals how he brought the company from start-up to last year’s acquisition by Amazon valued at over $1.2 billion.  Some interesting strategies along the way include creating a company “culture” book, a very interactive weekly employee newsletter, and the WOW factor (a new verb part of the company’s everyday vocabulary!).    Read this book and some of that WOW factor just may rub off into your own way of thinking.  Indeed, the 10 core values of the Zappos culture apply to conducting life along with conducting a business . . . you may be surprised what some of those 10 values are! 

Delivering Happiness can be purchased on Amazon today as today is the official launch of the book!!! 

**These are my honest opinions after reading this book!!  Grading Girl gives Tony Hsieh an A+ for unabashedly honest thoughts, unique ways of looking at the world of work, and a frankly fun read!**

Delivering Happiness Challenge & Giveaway!

Watch for GG’s review of Delivering Happiness on its release date, June 7th 2010!!

I am honored to be selected to review the new, yet-to-be released book by Tony Hsieh, the successful, young CEO of Zappos.com!  The Zappos team generously sent me two advanced copies of Delivering Happiness – A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose.  I’m busy reading my first copy and can’t wait to post the review.  In the meantime, I’d like to give away the second copy to one lucky GG follower.

This book will not be released until June 7th.  I would like YOU to receive an advanced copy!

I’m almost halfway through the book and can tell you that Hsieh shares insightful, interesting and humorous anecdotes about his plight through entrepreneurship.  He doesn’t use a ghostwriter and writes authentically.  This read is useful for all in its illustration of how Hsieh uses happiness as a framework (imagine!!) to produce results in business and personal life.

So . . . here is my challenge to you.  Too many times people see the glass half empty instead of half full; too many times people don’t see the fun in life; too many times people don’t feel the joy in their journeys.  I challenge you to deliver happiness to someone and share just how you did it:

1.  Follow me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GradingGirl

2.  Perform an act of kindness to someone you know or to a complete stranger.  Your act of kindness can be as simple or elaborate as you like.

3.  Come back to this post and, in the comments, describe that act of kindness.  What did you do?  What was the reaction and result of your delivered happiness?

4.  Respond by Friday, May 14th 11:59pm.  You can post as many delivered happiness descriptions as you like.

5.  One winner will be chosen based on the genuineness of the delivered happiness.

6.  I will mail the book anywhere in the United States.  SPAM comments will be deleted if deemed appropriate.  Make sure you have a valid email address when commenting so I can contact you for a shipping address. (your email address will be kept private)

Enjoy delivering happiness!!!

**GG does NOT endorse or giveaway products I do not stand behind.  As an English teacher, a self-proclaimed reviewer of “all things worth grading,” and a life-long reader of many books, I can give this away with confidence that the recipient will not be disappointed.**