Delivering Happiness

A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose

By: Tony Hsieh

Narrated by: Tony Hsieh

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In this, his first audiobook, Tony Hsieh - the widely admired CEO of Zappos, the online shoe retailer - explains how he created a unique culture and commitment to service that aims to improve the lives of employees, customers, vendors, and backers. Using anecdotes and stories from his own life experiences, and from other companies, Hsieh provides concrete ways that companies can achieve unprecedented success. Even better, he shows how creating happiness and record results go hand-in-hand.

He starts with the "Why" in a section where he narrates his quest to understand the science of happiness. Then he runs through the ten Zappos "Core Values" - such as "Deliver WOW through Service", "Create Fun and A Little Weirdness", and "Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit" - and explains how you and your colleagues should come up with your own.

Hsieh then details many of the unique practices at Zappos that have made it the success it is today, such as their philosphy of allocating marketing money into the customer experience, thereby allowing repeat customers and word-of-mouth be their true form of marketing. He also explains why Zappos's number-one priority is company culture and his belief that once you get the culture right, everything else - great customer service, long-term branding - will happen on its own.

Finally, Delivering Happiness explains how Zappos employees actually apply the Core Values to improving their lives outside of work - and to making a difference in their communities and the world.

©2010 Tony Hsieh (P)2010 Hachette

Everyone must pursue happiness

I have never realized how a company culture is important until I read this book, and just happened because I red the Scrum book from Jeff Sutherland. Thanks to Felipe Garcia who introduced me to Scrum. Now I just want to pursue my life goal, that is helping others through my work.

Fun, cultish (in a great way), depth and real

I really loved this audio book. Tony Hsieh expresses himself so well, his drive, humor, weirdness, lackadaisical side, brilliance and passion. This is a fantastic story for business owners, entrepreneurs, managers and wait... just every day people. I don't think you need to be a business professional to appreciate the philosophy and journey captures in Tony's authentic and very real book. Thanks, Tony.

interesting story well narrated

If you could sum up Delivering Happiness in three words, what would they be?

interesting well narrated

What about Tony Hsieh’s performance did you like?

it was well read. very authentic

Any additional comments?

overall its an interesting story. he gets very kitsch towards the end and you can feel how much he loves himself. he is not very humble, that being said the story is interesting and well narrated. Bottom line no matter what I say about the guy he's a rock star!

If only I read this few years ago.. Thanks Tony.

Where does Delivering Happiness rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best

What was one of the most memorable moments of Delivering Happiness?

Culture book and Core values

Have you listened to any of Tony Hsieh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

never

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

To build a brand, start with culture

Any additional comments?

after listening to this , i bought every manager in our company a copy of this book

Best Business Book Ever

I really liked this book and what made it even better was Tony himself read the book along with other Zappos employees. A great read.

Explains the importance of culture

If you could sum up Delivering Happiness in three words, what would they be?

Unexpected, inspirational, fun

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tony himself

Have you listened to any of Tony Hsieh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

People matter...no...really...

Any additional comments?

Started as a typical success story bio, describing an evolution of business, hardships of crash, perseverance. But then turned into something else, a story of not just building a business, but keeping it healthy and happy. The part about building company culture is of tremendous inspirational value.

Great stories told by a passionate leader!

Easy listen that just flew by while I captured so many insights and growth opportunities.

The best business book I've ever read...listened

Not only is Tony Hsieh an excellent narrator, he is an incredible, very forward thinking person. If all CEO's of corporations thought like him, the world would be a much better place to live in. This is a must read...er, listen for anyone in business.

Pleasantly surprised

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book to any friend or acquaintance, this book gives you an overall view of real struggles that probably any companies goes through, its down to earth, easy to listen, inspiring and relatable.

I was expecting another book with just incredible stories about how success finally reach Zappos doors, but instead I found a book that takes you to a journey step by step of how success is built: risks and hard really hard work.

Delivering extraordinary leadership

I'm a business and personal coach and this book, from my point of view, is the best book on leadership I've ever read. Don't miss Tony Hsieh and his ideas!!!