Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose

As a person who really enjoys organizational effectiveness/morale books, I was pretty disappointed in this one.  Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh was a disjointed set of “how to's” and “hey, I’m rich, here’s my story” and “I’m arrogant too.”  Whenever an author would actually say in the forward, “as you read this book you’ll probably notice some sentences (how about complete thoughts and structure of the book too?) that aren’t the best English grammar…. I did this partly because I wanted the writing to reflect how I would normally talk”… then do a YouTube Video!  OK, I may get slammed for this as my blog is not “grammar proof” for sure, but hey, I’m not selling this for $23.99!!  What!? The jacket cover states this book will help “employees grow,” apply research from the “science of happiness” (what science is that???), and (listen to this one!) "seek to change the world!!!!"  Sorry, I’ll let it go.  Tony states he isn’t going to do a comprehensive history of Zappos (why not, you did one of the your early life and LinkExchange?), which unfortunately he didn’t.  This led me to think, ok you don’t give the history and now you present all of these lessons learned.  I’m sorry to be so critical on Tony, probably a great guy, but because you're rich you think you can provide a corporate value set that should be followed by others?  I was distracted throughout as I never knew where this book was actually going.  This held most true when he started adding these sections (actual letters of heartwarming moments from staff and customers of Zappos) without really providing the lead in to them.  It reminds me of the MTV generation.  Lack of fluidity and engagement with your reader.  Maybe because I had never heard of Zappos (what tree is my head under, oh it must be in all of these books I have been reading for the past few years), I felt even less connected to the “Zappos brand story”… I never had that amazing customer service engagement they are noted to have towards their clients.  Amazing concept created by Zappos, create that “WOW” customer service moment.  So overused.  I think I heard that first at Snowman’s Ice Cream when I was 4.  I certainly hope this book isn’t selling millions, if so, sign me up to do one, wait I need to create a trite and trendy “service related” adjective… “creating triumph for every customer!”  Listen, Tony you are a rich guy, go get someone to help organize and craft your message a bit more coherently, you have the billions to do so.  Good to Great has you beat with every clear message.  If you are to read a great management/org change book, read Collins' masterpiece, this one should be on the $1 rack on Strand soon. I’d take a pass.