Headsets.com
 | |
| Web address | headsets.com |
|---|---|
Type of site | Headset Retailer |
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Mike Faith |
| Current status | Active |
Headsets.com is a San Francisco based ecommerce business founded by Mike Faith in 1997.[1][2] The website specializes in wireless and corded office headsets, and has been listed among the Inc. 5000 since 2004.[3]
History
Headsets.com was founded by Mike Faith in 1997 after Faith had trouble shopping for headsets for the company he was with at the time.[4][5] By 2000, the company's revenue was at $3 million, which grew to $11 million in 2003, and $32 million in 2005.[6] During this time the company purchased the domain name Headsets.com and the phone number 1(800) HEADSETS.[6] Today Headsets.com generates over $30 million in sales annually with over 700,000 customers.[7][8]
Culture and daily operations
Headsets.com has a turnover rate of 15% in an industry where the average is over 50%.[2] Faith attributes this to incentives he implemented including a $1,500 annual training stipend, a one-month paid sabbatical after three years of service, and a free trip to Sydney—in which employees are sent to vacation to work with a voice coach.[2][7][8] Employees also frequently visit other innovative online companies, such as Zappos, StubHub, and others to inspire new ideas.[9]
The company's strategy uses customer service as their competitive advantage.[9] The company employs voice coaches and psychologist to train their call center representatives.[6][7][9] In 2006 Headsets.com won the Stevie Award for "Best Customer Service Team."[10] According to the company, Headsets.com representatives do not use scripts to encourage genuine conversations.[9][10]
Headsets.com has an employee turnover rate of 15% in an industry where the average is over 50%.[2][7] Faith contributes this to incentives he implemented including a $1,500 annual training stipend, a one-month paid sabbatical after three years of service, employee trips to the Ritz Carlton,
The company was named among San Francisco Business Times’ “100 Best Companies to Work for in the Bay Area”[10]
Promotions
Headsets.com has earned media attention through marketing tactics and stunts.[7][11] In 2009, as a response to new hands-free cell phone laws in California, offered a headset giveaway for anyone who was ticketed under the new laws.[12] Faith offered a free cellular headset to anyone who sent the company proof of their ticket.[12] That same year, the company offered free headsets for life to anyone who tattooed the company's name on their body.[7]
In 2012, Headsets.com won the rights to legally change the last name of entrepreneur Jason Sadler to "Jason HeadsetsDotCom."[7] The investment generated $250,000 in new sales and over $6 million in media coverage according to a study by Universal Information Services.[13][14]
The company later received praise for including handfuls of Tootsie Rolls with orders, highlighting their emphasis on word of mouth marketing.[15][16]
References
- ↑ Zimmerman, Eilene. "Real-Life Lessons in the Delicate Art of Setting Prices". The New York Times.
- 1 2 3 4 Tharasook, Ingrid. "Headsets.com's recipe for happy customers". CNN Money.
- ↑ "Company Profile: Headsets.com". Inc.
- ↑ "Mike Faith, Headsets.com". BBC. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ↑ Campanelli, Melissa. Open an Online Business in 10 Days. Entrepreneur Magazine. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Headsets.com: Online retailer calls up huge revenue growth". San Francisco Business Times.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kavilanz, Parija. "For $45,500, he's Jason HeadsetsDotCom". CNN Money.
- 1 2 "Mike Faith - Headsets.com". The Business Makers.
- 1 2 3 4 Spragins, Ellyn. "No Mumblers!". Fortune.
- 1 2 3 "How to get a Headsets.com Start on the Competition". Small Business News. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ↑ Demery, Paul. "How Headsets.com tunes into customers". Internet Retailer.
- 1 2 Wuorio, Jeff. "Ramp Up Marketing in a Downturn". Entrepreneur.
- ↑ Horgan, Richard (February 11, 2013). "Bay Area Firm Claims Last Laugh with Jason Headsets.com Gambit". Fishbowl LA.
- ↑ "How a Guy's Last Name Generated $250,000 in Sales and $6,000,000 in Media Impressions for One Lucky San Francisco Company". The Sacramento Bee.
- ↑ Goldman, Jon. "A Love Letter I Didn’t Expect". Jewish Times.
- ↑ Baker, Clare. "Word-of-Mouth Marketing on a Budget". Patch.