The visionary CEO of Zappos explains how an emphasis on corporate culture can lead to unprecedented success. Pay new employees $2000 to quit. Make customer service the entire company, not just a department. Focus on company culture as the #1 priority. Apply research from the science of happiness to running a business. Help employees grow both personally and professionally. Seek to change the world. Oh, and make money too. Sound crazy? It's all standard operating procedure at Zappos.com, the online retailer that's doing over $1 billion in gross merchandise sales every year. In 1999, Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay) sold LinkExchange, the company he co-founded, to Microsoft for $265 million. He then joined Zappos as an adviser and investor, and eventually became CEO. In 2009, Zappos was listed as one of Fortune magazine's top 25 companies to work for, and was acquired by Amazon later that year in a deal valued at over $1.2 billion on the day of closing. In his first book, Tony shares the different business lessons he learned in life, from a lemonade stand and pizza business through LinkExchange, Zappos, and more. Ultimately, he shows how using happiness as a framework can produce profits, passion, and purpose both in business and in life. (edited by author)

Good Morning America correspondent Lara Spencer is a self-confessed frugalista with a passion for shopping at yard sales, thrift shops, and estate sales, and for decorating her home and friends’ homes with her fabulous finds. In I Brake for Yard Sales, Lara shares her secrets for bargain hunting and tells you where to shop, what to look for, how to pay for it, how to restore it, and finally, where to put it in your house. Looking for the newest arrivals at your local thrift shops? After busy Saturdays and no-pick-up Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the best days to shop for fresh items. Peppered with wisdom from world-renowned appraisers whom Lara knows from her previous work on Antiques Roadshow as well as contributions from well-known designers, this book also features the house of comedienne and good friend Kathy Griffin, which Spencer herself refurbished and decorated.

On a warm September night in 2002, former acquaintances Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis reconnected at a mixer for new students at Harvard Business School. Alexis had just ended a four-year run at eBay during the dotcom boom and bust. Alexandra had just spent three years as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Now they were entering the country’s top training ground for future titans of Wall Street and the Fortune 500.  Little did either suspect that five years later, they’d become famous not in finance or consulting or corporate management, but at the bleeding-edge intersection of fashion and technology. Gilt Groupe – launched by Alexis, Alexandra, and three colleagues in 2007 – is one of the most fascinating startups of recent years, with a valuation of more than $1 billion. And it all began with one bold idea: to bring sample sales online and change the way millions shop. As Alexis and Alexandra write about the day Gilt.com went live: “We had created a website that could potentially change the rules of retail, for both shoppers and brands. If shopping was traditionally a slow, leisurely activity that might consume an entire day, it would now be competitive, addictive, urgent, thrilling—a rush delivered at the same time each day. Shopping would become not just easier, but so much fun.” But turning that vision into reality wasn’t easy. Designers had long controlled their own sample sales by staging them in anonymous, makeshift locations and strictly limiting invitations. Those lucky enough to hear about a Marc Jacobs or Hermès sample sale would drop everything and run for dramatic, fleeting bargains. Why should elite brands support a new startup trying to replicate the experience online? And even if brands like Valentino, Christian Louboutin, and Zac Posen got on board, would shoppers embrace such a website? Would the kind of people who love high-end fashion really visit a new online sale each day? Was “accessible luxury” a breakthrough idea or an absurd oxymoron? Alexis and Alexandra share their perspective in this dramatic story of Gilt’s birth, rise, and evolution. They show how they juggled the conflicting needs of their suppliers, engineers, marketers, and potential investors. They explain how they blended their individual strengths and weaknesses and managed their rapidly growing team. They cover the growing pains of expanding into new categories like housewares, travel, and menswear. And they take us through the darkest moments of the recession when Gilt might easily have died. As you’ll learn from the true story of Gilt, anything is possible for those with the creativity to recognize a new opportunity and the perseverance to make it real.  

Praise for SMART CALLING"Finally, a sales book that makes sense! As a master sales trainer, Art nailed—no, obliterated—the number one fear of selling in this great book: cold calling! Let him teach you to stop cold calling and start Smart Calling!"—LARRY WINGET, television personality and New York Times bestselling author"Smart Calling is the benchmark as the highest professional standard for effective cold calling. Take the initiative to read and implement Art's rational principles and you will sell much more and develop a prospect base of potential customers who will call you when they are ready to purchase or graciously take your future calls. This is THE BEST sales text I have read in the past twenty years."—REX CASWELL, PhD, VP, LexisNexis Telephone Sales"You get only one chance to make the right impression in sales. If a top prospect gets a hundred calls a week, you want to be the one he remembers and buys from. Art's proven methods create a unique brand for you and position your offering as the best option. Art's advice isn't just smart, it's priceless."—BOB SILVY, VP, Corporate Marketing, American City Business Journals"Smart Calling effectively enables inside sales reps and organizations to accomplish a top priority—acquiring new customers. Art's pragmatic and actionable techniques will increase productivity, success, and professional satisfaction."—BILL McALISTER, SVP, Inside Sales, McAfee"A must-read, must-own book for anyone who wants to increase their sales right away with less effort and more fun. I'm so sure this book is a winner for anyone who needs to call prospects that I'll personally assure you that your results will increase noticeably after reading it, or I'll send you your money back."—MIKE FAITH, CEO&President, Headsets.com, Inc."If you need to make a first call to anyone, for whatever reason, this book is for you. More than common sense, it's a real-world, no-fluff, simple approach that anyone can use to be successful."—DARCI MAENPA, President, West Coast Chapter, American Teleservices Association; Director, Member Support, Toastmasters International

The guide to creating engaging web content and building a loyal following, revised and updatedBlogs, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other platforms are giving everyone a "voice," including organizations and their customers. So how do you create the stories, videos, and blog posts that cultivate fans, arouse passion for your products or services, and ignite your business? Content Rules equips you for online success as a one-stop source on the art and science of developing content that people care about. This coverage is interwoven with case studies of companies successfully spreading their ideas online—and using them to establish credibility and build a loyal customer base.• Find an authentic "voice" and craft bold content that will resonate with prospects and buyers and encourage them to share it with others• Leverage social media and social tools to get your content and ideas distributed as widely as possible• Understand why you are generating content—getting to the meat of your message in practical, commonsense language, and defining the goals of your content strategy• Write in a way that powerfully communicates your service, product, or message across various Web mediumsBoost your online presence and engage with customers and prospects like never before with Content Rules.

The food scene in Paris has changed dramatically since 2006, when Markets of Paris was first published. Yes, the same markets are held in the same locales as always—literally, for centuries—but many have undergone a remarkable transformation led by a young generation of purveyors focused, even more than their predecessors, on local and organic (“bio”) produce. Markets of Paris, 2nd Edition revisits and updates the entire market scene in Paris, with 12 new entries and 10 new sidebars, including Virtual Markets and Market Streets, Markets Open on Sunday, Artisan Bakers, Getting Along in the Food Markets, Brocante Fairs, and more. One of them, Cooking in Paris, gives information about lessons and workshops offered in home kitchens, bakeries, restaurants, and even wine stores.   Updates focus on the most interesting vendors and most unique and enticing offerings to be found at each locale, including prepared food that can be eaten on the spot. In keeping with growing interest in knowing where food comes from, the authors include profiles and photos of farmers and other artisanal suppliers behind the best food stalls.   One of the biggest changes in the Paris market scene in recent years has been the spike of interest in organic, reflected in the popularity of the Raspail organic market. At one time a fringe offshoot of the regular Raspail market, this Sunday market has fully come into its own. It attracts a large and loyal clientele; of three organic markets in the city, it’s certainly the largest and most widely known. Often it’s referred to as “Le Marché Bio,” and many claim it’s the crème de la crème of all Paris’s markets.   Restaurant listings have been updated, too, with 15 new additions that have been chosen because of their new-generation chefs’ approach to fresh ingredients or their proximity to featured markets. A new section titled If You Have Limited Time directs the visitor to the most interesting markets near his or her accommodations. Another section, Practical Suggestions, addresses common questions such where to get local currency, which map of Paris is the best and most convenient, and business hours for different kinds of shops, stalls, and restaurants. Finally, the book has been reorganized by arrondissement to be more user friendly, and it has a brand-new look with all new photos and a refreshed, modernized design.

If you are in business to sell consumer goods -- or you want to be -- you should be on Amazon.com.More than 90 million customers shop at Amazon. As its global business booms, Amazon is inviting all sorts of independent sellers -- large and small businesses, individuals, and mom-and-pop shops -- to sell their merchandise right on Amazon.Whether you're just starting or already in business, you can boost your sales and profits by showing your wares on Amazon, the world's biggest store. Everything you need to start converting your items into cash is in this book by Steve Weber, one of the most successful and highly rated sellers in Amazon history:How to set up shop on Amazon and generate worldwide sales volume with no up-front cost, risk or advertising.Run your Amazon store from home, a warehouse or a walk-in store-or outsource everything to Amazon's fulfillment center.Find bargain inventory; target niche markets for big profits.Get tax deductions and write-offs for business use of your home.Use Amazon as a stand-alone business or a lead generator for an existing busines.Pay lower sales commissions on Amazon.Sell your inventions, crafts or intellectual property on Amazon.Guard against scammers and rip-off artists.Automate your business with easy-to-use toolsFROM THE TABLE OF CONTENTS:GET STARTED ON AMAZONSEE THE FOUR DEGREES OF AMAZONLIST AN ITEM ON MARKETPLACEDESCRIBE YOUR ITEM'S CONDITIONRATE YOUR ITEMS' CONDITIONSET YOUR PRICESET SHIPPING LOCATIONS, OTHER OPTIONSSET QUANTITY AND SKUTAKE AMAZON PAYMENTSPAY FEES AND COMMISSIONSIDENTIFY YOUR PRODUCTSMANAGE INVENTORYSEARCH AND SORT YOUR LISTINGS REPRICE YOUR LISTINGSQ&A: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPRICE?EDIT YOUR LISTINGSRELIST YOUR ITEMSMANAGE INVENTORY THE SMART WAYRECONCILE YOUR INVENTORYUPLOAD INVENTORY FILES TO AMAZONUSE SKUSSECURE YOUR AMAZON ACCOUNTBEST PRACTICESVIEW AND SEARCH YOUR ORDERSCREATE A PRODUCT DETAIL PAGEAMAZON VELOCITY LIMITSBEST PRACTICESCONTACT AMAZON.COMGET HELP FROM OTHER SELLERSSTAY ON THE LAW'S RIGHT SIDEYOUR BUSINESS'S LEGAL STRUCTURELOCAL ORDINANCESSTAY ON AMAZON'S GOOD SIDEPROHIBITED ITEMSLISTING RULESPRODUCT DETAIL PAGE OFFENSESCONTENT PROHIBITED ON DETAIL PAGESSOFTWARE SALESAMAZON PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTCONDITION GUIDELINESKICK IT UP A NOTCHAUTOMATIONGET EFFICIENT WITH FULFILLMENT SOFTWAREDO-IT-YOURSELF BULK LISTINGWORKING WITH SPREADSHEETSREFINE YOUR TEMPLATEA WORD ABOUT SKUSA WORD ABOUT ISBNSSOURCE USED ITEMS FOR RESALELIVE AUCTIONSGET MERCHANDISE ON CONSIGNMENTEXPLORE SELLER CENTRALUSE SELLER CENTRALCUSTOMER COMMUNICATION GUIDELINESINDIRECT COMMUNICATIONSELLER DESKTOPUPLOAD PRODUCTS TO AMAZONAMAZON PRODUCT INFORMATIONHANDLE YOUR FULFILLMENTOTHER SHIPPING RESOURCESCHOOSE A SHIPPING COMPANYSHIPPING MATERIALSSHIPPING TIMEFRAMESBEST PRACTICESQ&A: IS DELIVERY CONFIRMATION WORTH IT?OUTSOURCE YOUR FULFILLMENTGET A LEG UP ON COMPETITIONTYPICAL COSTS OF FULFILLMENT BY AMAZONUSE FBA 'BASIC FULFILLMENT'COMPETING WITH FBADRAWBACKS OF FULFILLMENT BY AMAZONLOST OR DAMAGED FBA ITEMSFULFILLMENT BY AMAZON FACTSBEST PRACTICESSMART FBA SHIPPINGAMAZON EASYSELLUSE AMAZON AS A DROP-SHIPPERIMPORTS AND EXPORTSEXPORT ITEMSPREPARE ITEMS FOR SHIPMENTCOMPETE WITH FEEDBACKFEEDBACK GROUND RULESKEEP A HIGH FEEDBACK AVERAGESELLER PERFORMANCE TARGETSFEEDBACK REMOVALRESPOND TO NEGATIVE FEEDBACKQ&A: SHOULD I REFUND MY IRATE CUSTOMER?SEE YOUR FEEDBACK SUMMARYRETURNS AND RESTOCKING FEESQ&A: DO CANCELED ORDERS HURT SELLERS?CHARGEBACKS AND A-TO-Z CLAIMSQ&A: SHOULD I ASK BUYERS FOR FEEDBACK?EXPLORE THE SOCIAL JUNGLEGET CRAZY WITH LISTSSO YOU'D LIKE TO . . . GUIDESWRITE PRODUCT REVIEWSGET CREDIBLE WITH PEERSAMAZON TAGSTAG-BASED MARKETINGMAKE FRIENDS AT THE RIVERADVANCED AMAZON TOOLSBUY X, GET YPAY-PER-CLICK ADVERTISINGGOOGLE ADWORDSCLICKRIVER/AMAZON PRODUCT ADSAMAZON PRODUCT ADSYOUR OWN WEB SITEWEBSTORE FEATURESMANAGE YOUR WEBSTOREOTHER E-COMMERCE HOSTSAMAZON ASTORESAMAZON ADVANTAGEADVANTAGE VS. FULFILLMENT BY AMAZONMANAGE THE DETAILSADVANTAGE PROFESSIONAL

The rules have changed. The American Dream is no longer the "corner office". It's a successful business you can run from your home office, the beach, or wherever you desire. It is work you love that still allows you the freedom and income to live the life you truly want. Sound like a tall order? Well, thanks to the Internet, anyone can launch a business with little or no start-up capital or technical expertise. And in "Click Millionaires", e-commerce expert Scott Fox teaches weary corporate warriors and aspiring entrepreneurs how to trade the 9-5 job they hate for an online business they love. The book explains how to combine outsourcing, software, and automated online marketing to build recurring revenues, all while working less and making fewer of the lifestyle compromises that corporate "success" requires. Readers will learn how to: find a lucrative niche on the Internet that matches their interests and skills; choose an online business model: from blogs, noozles, and audience communities to digital delivery, online services, affiliate marketing-even physical products; position themselves as a experts; build their audience; design the lifestyle they want; and, balance passion and profits to realize their personal definition of success. Featuring stories of dozens of "regular folks" who have reinvented themselves as Click Millionaires, this inspiring and practical guide shows readers how to stop dreaming of a better life and start living it.

Stop pushing your message out and start pulling your customers inTraditional "outbound" marketing methods like cold-calling, email blasts, advertising, and direct mail are increasingly less effective. People are getting better at blocking these interruptions out using Caller ID, spam protection, TiVo, etc. People are now increasingly turning to Google, social media, and blogs to find products and services. Inbound Marketing helps you take advantage of this change by showing you how to get found by customers online.Inbound Marketing is a how-to guide to getting found via Google, the blogosphere, and social media sites.    • Improve your rankings in Google to get more traffic    • Build and promote a blog for your business    • Grow and nurture a community in Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.    • Measure what matters and do more of what works onlineThe rules of marketing have changed, and your business can benefit from this change. Inbound Marketing shows you how to get found by more prospects already looking for what you have to sell.

The small business guru behind Duct Tape Marketing shares his most valuable lesson: how to get your customers to do your best marketing for you. The power of glitzy advertising and elaborate marketing campaigns is on the wane; word- of-mouth referrals are what drive business today. People trust the recommendation of a friend, family member, colleague, or even stranger with similar tastes over anything thrust at them by a faceless company. Most business owners believe that whether customers refer them is entirely out of their hands. But science shows that people can't help recommending products and services to their friends-it's an instinct wired deep in the brain. And smart businesses can tap into that hardwired desire. Marketing expert John Jantsch offers practical techniques for harnessing the power of referrals to ensure a steady flow of new customers. Keep those customers happy, and they will refer your business to even more customers. Some of Jantsch's strategies include: -Talk with your customers, not at them. Thanks to social networking sites, companies of any size have the opportunity to engage with their customers on their home turf as never before-but the key is listening. -The sales team is the most important part of your marketing team. Salespeople are the company's main link to customers, who are the main source of referrals. Getting them on board with your referral strategy is critical. -Educate your customers. Referrals are only helpful if they're given to the right people. Educate your customers about whom they should be talking to. The secret to generating referrals lies in understanding the "Customer Referral Cycle"-the way customers refer others to your company who, in turn, generate even more referrals. Businesses can ensure a healthy referral cycle by moving customers and prospects along the path of Know, Like, Trust, Try, Buy, Repeat, and Refer. If everyone in an organization keeps this sequence in mind, Jantsch argues, your business will generate referrals like a well-oiled machine. This practical, smart, and original guide is essential reading for any company looking to grow without a fat marketing budget.