Technical Leaders - Working with the Management Team
Zappos Insights 2009-07-14 Growth
1. Insights on GrowthAlfred Lin – COO/CFOalfred@zappos.comFollow me on Twitter: twitter.com/zappos_alfredZappos InsightsJuly 14-15, 2009
2. Want to be in the know? Knowledge is power. - Sir Francis Bacon http://www.flickr.com/photos/92306213@N00/2597802533/
3. Actually we should strive for…understanding & wisdom (insights) All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickwebb/3262584707/
24. BUILD YOUR TEAM “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” (Al Gore quoting African proverb) Hire slowly / Fire quickly Insight #3: Get the Right People on the Bus“First Who…Then What”
27. VISION “Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger.” Does the vision have meaning? Chase the vision, not the money… Insight #4: Grow Your VisionExpand your Vision over Time
28. Evolution of Zappos Brand / Vision 1999 Selection “The World’s Largest Shoe Store” 2003 Service & Selection Stopped drop shipping forgoing 25% of sales at the time 2005 Culture & Core Values as a platform “Zappos is a service company that just happens to sell shoes...” 2007 Personal Emotional Connection “Powered by Service” 2009 Delivering Happiness
29. Insight #5: Make Sure to Focus on the CorePassion / Uniquely Good At / Profit What you are deeply passionate about? What drives your economic engine? What you can be the best in the world at?
31. Insight #6: Get AlignmentGet Everyone to Row in the Same Direction “Companies with an adaptive culture that is aligned to their business goals routinely outperform their competitors.” “Company Culture: What It Is And How To Change It” by F. John Reh “When you are in alignment with the people around you, you are much more likely to travel in the same direction and avoid hidden agendas.” "The Attention Deficit Workplace" by Mitch Thrower “Companies that have created a collaborative culture are far more likely to achieve their alignment goals, while those whose communication is poor and governance model fractured are often destined for failure.” Ellen Pearlman, Editor-in-Chief of CIO Insight
34. “Every life needs a purpose to which it can give the energies of its mind and the enthusiasm of its heart. Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
36. Alignment Assignment:Putting It Into Practice Insight #1: Pursue Growth & Learning What am I going to do to grow personally? What am I going to do to grow professionally? Insight #2: Add Company Culture to Growth Planning Process How do I plan for my growth? How does my company plan for growth? How will I & my company grow the company culture? Insight #3: Get the Right People on the Bus? Does my company have the right people on the bus? Who are the visionary? Who are the artists? Who are the scientists? How well do we work together?
37. Alignment Assignment:Putting It Into Practice Insight #4: Grow Your Vision What is my personal vision? What is my company’s vision? How do I expand both visions? Insight #5: Make Sure to Focus on the Core What am I (is my company) passionate about? What am I (is my company) uniquely good at? How am I (is my company) able to make good money? Insight #6: Get Alignment Does everyone understand the vision? Does everyone understand the goals? Does everyone understand their role & responsibilities?
38. Alignment Assignment:Putting It Into Practice Insight #7: Have a Higher Purpose What is my higher purpose? What is the company’s higher purpose? Are we making the world a better place?
