Milam Hall

The Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series

Building a Brand that Matters

Alfred Lin COO, CFO and Chairman, Zappos.com

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 7-8:30 p.m.

Milam Hall, Room 026

Alfred Lin is responsible for all financial, administrative, and warehouse operations of Zappos.com. Since 2005, he has brought focus, strategy, and financial discipline to help grow the business efficiently and profitably. In less than ten years, Zappos.com has matured from an upstart to the top Internet shoe seller that is forecasted to generate $1 billion in gross merchandise sales in 2008. The e-tailer stocks 3 million pairs of shoes, handbags, apparel, and accessories, specializing in some 1,000 brands that are difficult to find in mainstream shopping malls. Using an interactive Q&A format, Alfred will discuss the ingredients to building a brand, culture, and company that matters. He will share his top ten lessons learned while growing the business over the last decade as well as key insights on e-commerce and entrepreneurship.