It’s Business Time

Posted by Jack on 06.19.2008 at 5:52 pm

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or “Green House” as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.

“It’s business, it’s business tiiiime.”  OK, so we didn’t have Flight of the Conchords, but what we did have was some ideas that are going to blow your doors off, no question.  We’ve got great new moves happening with new ways to get books and new ways to get money for our partners.  Further we’ll be working on more ways to maximize your savings, getting you better books, cheaper.  More updates on those things as we roll them out (OK, I’ll tell you before anyone else, but sssshhhhh)

Yesterday we spent tons of time in department meetings and then had updates between departments and to suggest that people are excited really doesn’t scratch the surface.  However, fatigue after a week of meetings was setting in, so last night we had to unwind.  After checking out a new surprise (can’t tell you yet, I want to so bad but I can’t!) we rocked karaoke including a rousing “Under the Bridge” from founder Xavier, a dominant (and prize winning) performance from Brad, and most notably instead of “The Online Bookstore with a Soul” the Atlanta office made sure we were “The Online Bookstore with Soul.”  Perfect.  After I rocked a Jay-Z track (I’ve got 99 problems but a blog ain’t one…) we were off.

Today we had a day of service that was simply awesome.  I’ll let Rudy write about it and show you his photo taking prowess later in the week…

Have your say » | Tagged Dispatches from the Green House, great times, the green house

Sore Back-Back Home-Home Runs

Posted by Jack on 06.17.2008 at 7:57 am

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or “Green House” as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.

Sorry about the title, I think I’ve been watching too much “Wheel of Fortune” so the “Before and After” thing was in my head…  In any event, let me explain:

When I was hired, eons ago Abby Rae LaCombe (current Rocky Mountain + Canada RD) and I cruised to the Green House and were instructed in the ways of the force, errrr book acquisitions and company policies.  But also, to make sure we understood the challenges of working in the warehouse we spent a day scanning books (a monumental task, each person here scans 110-160 per hour!) and sorting heavy boxes, and let me tell you, I was sore afterwards.  Coming back and seeing “job sharing” on the schedule I was slightly concerned for how I’d feel like an old man tomorrow trying to get myself out of bed.

After getting out we were ready for fresh air and rolled over to the local park with refreshments and a grill, but most importantly, large red balls for KICKBALL!  The showdowns were fierce, the refreshments were cold and seeing everyone was fantastic.  After I was assaulted by a young assassin with a water gun and schooled on the kickball field (notice the picture below, who hurts their shoulder playing kickball???  I seriously must suck), I decided it was time to stick to the grill area and engage in Better World Books #1 out-of-work pastime, ultimate frisbee.

It feels good to be back “home,” if only for a week.  Burning the candle at both ends… commence!

(The Acquisitions Team (Atlanta, represent!) fresh off drinking the company kool-aid in the veritable “War Room,” emails and calls their contacts, furiously trying to get books in)

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, great times, the green house, yearly meetings

A Well Oiled Machine

Posted by Jack on 06.17.2008 at 7:33 am

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or “Green House” as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.

To see a well-oiled machine do its job is truly a marvel.  It sounds cliche, perhaps it sounds like a vacuous statement when were so inundated with machinery and technology in our own lives from iPhones to disposals to a little hot water in the shower, but the fact remains that there’s something about a fine tuned apparatus that catches the eye and the imagination.

The Green House presented two great versions of this to me today.  On one hand, I saw the packaging machine, which is pretty mesmerizing.  It takes thousands of orders each day and cranks them out under the careful supervision of a number of finely trained employees.  It’s definitely a unique sight (that I’ve included below for your enjoyment).

But more amazing is how we’ve created a system incorporating ideas from Toyota’s and Motorola’s plants referred to in the business world as “Six Sigma.”  I won’t get into the specifics but I have to say watching the whole warehouse work is amazing.  Hundreds of people working as the proverbial bees in the hive–and let me tell you the Green House buzzes–each with individual tasks all working together to get you your books, as fas as possible, as cheap as we can and in the best condition that we can offer.

West Coast Director, Natasha Harris, looking regal as per usual

Have your say » | Tagged Dispatches from the Green House, great times, six sigma, the green house

Better World Books Week!

Posted by Jack on 06.16.2008 at 10:13 am

Hey all, reporting here from BWB week in the lovely (and warm) South Bend, IN.  Today we outsiders will be getting tours of the revamped warehouse and doing some warehouse related work.  Pictures and stories coming throughout the week, it’s sure to be good.  Already, having played a bit of billiards last night with my amigos in acquisitions and a subsequent delicious breakfast at the pancake house, it’s good to be back and sure to only get better (especially at company kickball tonight when Team Gold owns Team Green!)

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, great times, the green house