Tony Hsieh kept business weird (in the best way possible)

INC. THIS MORNING Tony Hsieh kept business weird (in the best way possible) Note: Lindsay Blakely, managing editor of Inc., is stepping in for Cameron while he is away from the computer today. Good morning, Since his death on Nov. 27 at the age of 46, tributes to entrepreneur and former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh have poured out on social media. Reading a large swath of them, one thing is clear: He left as lasting a mark on everyone who knew him as he did on business more generally.   Jeff Bezos praised his “curiosity, vision, and relentless focus on customers.” Investor Chris Sacca called him “a beautifully weird and helpful person” and “the most original thinker” he’s ever been friends with. Basecamp founder and CEO Jason Fried remembers him as “an artist with a CEO title… a model for how to live. He was a wonder.” During his tenure at Zappos, which Hsieh helped build into one of the largest online shoe stores in the world and then sold to Amazon in 2009 for $1.2 billion, the entrepreneur changed the way the business world viewed customer service and company culture. Hsieh’s mantra was simple: Zappos wasn’t in the business of selling shoes; rather it aimed to “deliver happiness.”  That philosophy trickled down to every facet of Zappos’ operations. Read on for our complete coverage on how Hsieh’s unique ideas on company culture, customer service, and hiring became so influential. Why Tony Hsieh’s 2-Word Employment Policy at Zappos Was Absolute Genius Tony Hsieh on How to Shape Your Company Culture Tony Hsieh’s Biggest Management Experiment Is Evolving Again (in a Very Intriguing Way) How Tony Hsieh Attempted to Reinvent His City, Zappos-Style SPONSORED CONTENT The Michigan Advantage: Midwestern Work Ethic, Automotive Expertise--and So Much More Here's how Michigan roots contribute to this staffing company's national success. Inc.’s Best Workplaces. Apply today! Inc.’s Best Workplaces awards the company cultures that thrive in the face of adversity. Cultures that in response to a pandemic redefine the workplace and continue to enrich it. Cultures that foster employee growth and advancement at all levels. Apply today to be recognized as a place where people love to work, one that sets the standard for excellence in company culture. Early rate deadline: December 4, 2020. Apply Now. HERE'S WHAT ELSE I'M READING TODAY: Sign up now: Meet Square co-founder Jim McKelvey in an exclusive streaming event at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday. --Inc. The late Tony Hsieh turned public speaking into a superpower to build Zappos. Here’s how. --Inc. The U.S. Labor Department’s weekly unemployment data is flawed, potentially affecting federal Covid aid, according to a government watchdog group. --Reuters Facebook is reportedly acquiring 5-year-old chatbot startup Kustomer for more than $1 billion. --The Wall Street Journal A social media gaffe destroyed Sara Christensen's business. Learn from her mistake. --Inc. Who couldn’t use some more fun this year? Use these six gift ideas to put a smile on someone’s face. --Inc. --Lindsay Blakely Managing Editor, Inc. How are we doing? Send us ideas and feedback for Inc. This Morning at calbertdeitch@inc.com or on Twitter, and sign up for daily text messages from Cameron. Click here to forward to a friend. This email was sent by: Mansueto Ventures 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor New York, NY, 10007, Unsubscribe • Update Profile • View in Browser • Privacy Policy