Office comparison: 37signals vs Zappos • Hacker News Board

Re: Office comparison: 37signals vs Zappos

#71

Post by longarm » Fri, Feb 11, 2011, 8:13 AM UTC

frisco wrote: post #6

I wouldn't want to work in Zappos's office. It just doesn't look appealing to me at all. On the other hand, the 37s offices feel cool . The Zappos offices are Office Space-like cubicles covered in random crap. The 37s offices send a very different message; if you're going to work in an office (hopefully, not all the time), I'd much rather be in that environment. I think it comes down to this: the style of the 37s off…

I wouldn't either. Grant McCracken calls it "forced fun" and he's totally right. Zappos reminds me of those lame activities they'd make you do in college dorms or at camp.

http://cultureby.com/2010/01/zappos-and-the-problem-of-force...

Re: Office comparison: 37signals vs Zappos

#72

Post by hasenj » Fri, Feb 11, 2011, 9:14 AM UTC

I've worked in a zappos like office. The problem is not the mess on the cubicles -- I was ok with that. The problem: it was too noisy. You could hardly concentrate or think. And the work sucked. The technical infrastructure was horrible.

Re: Office comparison: 37signals vs Zappos

#73

Post by dereg » Fri, Feb 11, 2011, 11:18 AM UTC

petercooper wrote: post #13

The Pixar offices take an interesting middle ground. They have the flair and joy of Zappos but avoid the generic cube aesthetic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veerles-blog/461586084/ While I like 37signals, their sterile office would drive me nuts, but so would the extreme state of disarray at Zappos'. The Pixar model keeps the craziness slightly organized and not all in view at once.

I love these offices. They have the sophistication of the 37signals and yet without the sterility. There's warmth and inspiring comfort.