Flickr’s New ‘Wallet Assaulting Tentacles’

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“Old Skool” Flickr members are being forced to switch to/merge with Yahoo! IDs to access the popular photo sharing site (Read their rants here). I think the issue here is summarized perfectly by ScrewDriver, a representative from Flick Off, an anti-Yahoo Flickr User Group.

Here’s what Screw had to say:

The dissension here in part is a resistance to change and a deep-rooted distrust of mega-corporations possessed with wallet assaulting tentacles. (from BBC)

I am an avid Flickr user. I check my account countless times throughout the day, and every image I post to this blog is hosted on Flickr. I use Flickr to share logo ideas as well as photos from my digital camera. I would consider myself a Flickr early adopter, but I joined post-Yahoo-acquistion, so I just used my Yahoo ID to sign in. Therefore, I don’t have such an issue with the change, plus I really like Yahoo (and Yahoo mail). I can, however, completely related to the uproar because of something I keep in my wallet.

I have a Disney credit card that earns Disney Dream Dollars that I can use towards Disney vacations. I’m a big fan of Disney and I like the card for that, but I also like the card because it says “Charter Member” on it. Charter means that I was one of the first to get a Disney credit card, and that’s something special to me. Credit cards have come and gone from my wallet, but Disney will stay there because [1] I want to keep earning Disney dollars and [2] again there’s something special about being a charter member. I get no extra benefits, in fact nothing extra, but that’s ok.

I am sure Old Skool Flickr users are feeling the same thing. They are losing their home, it would be interesting to have someone else come along and offer them a new place to roost.

My Top 10 WOW’s about Zappos

372574082_672bc71180_m.jpgBlake and I recently had the great privilege of touring the offices of Zappos.com, the web’s largest shoe store. It was one of the most impressive and inspirational experiences of my entrepreneurial life. I believe in the power of corporate culture, and the impact it can have on the success of an organization. In my career I have been part of a company that was enthusiastic and energetic as well as a company thats culture could be described as complacent and and uninspiring. The first company was successful and fun to be a part of, the second failed.

Zappos is a company that exudes a positive, energetic and fun culture. Our tour guide and friend, Meghan Boyd, described the dedication to the culture that the employees exhibit as almost cult-like. Founder Nick Swinmurn and CEO Tony Hsieh have instilled their internally-famous 10 core values throughout the organization.

One of the words you first hear when you walk into Zappos is WOW. The monthly “Master of WOW” gets the Bob Hope (best) parking spot. Their goal is to WOW the customer at every turn. Below is a list of the WOW’s I experienced at Zappos.

  1. Everybody (literally every person we saw) smiles and waves to visitors.
  2. There is a employee library with recommended reading. These are books the employees can take home and keep at no charge. Clearly a great focus on continuing education. Examples are Good to Great, Purple Cow, The World is Flat, The Tipping Point.
  3. Zappos has a full time life coach who we sat down with. He helps “Zapponians” to set growth goals and build balance into their life. He snapped our picture in the King’s Throne for his “wall of fame”.
  4. Free employee meals.
  5. Every employee knows the company history and is conversant about fashion trends and customer loyalty
  6. During the hiring process, potential employees are screened to make sure their values mesh with the Zappos 10 Core Values. This is a major part of the hiring process.
  7. There is a “chill out room” where stressed out employees can recharge as well as a game room to blow off steam
  8. Zappos is clearly a fun place to work as Halloween decorations still were all over and we heard stories of the legendary haunted house.
  9. The CEO, CFO and entire management team sit in the middle of everyone in an open workspace. No closed-door corner offices around here.
  10. Everybody has fun working there. Meghan says she can’t wait to get into work every morning.

I’m currently reading the book Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win by William C. Taylor & Polly G. LaBarre. I highly recommend the book to all entrepreneurs looking to create a powerful and unique corporate culture. Zappos has clearly done that, and I couldn’t have been more impressed with their energy. I told Blake as we were leaving that the visit was inspiring and gave us a glimpse of what we are working to create with Voodoo Ventures in action at the next level. Kudos to Zappos and thanks for letting us get a peak inside your world.

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