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Jeff Bezos is stepping down as CEO, here’s the best things I’ve learned from him.
// THREAD //
// THREAD //
1. To change your mind, be ready.
As Bezos famously said: "The complexity of the world we live in is dramatically underestimated by anyone who does not change their minds a lot."
As Bezos famously said: "The complexity of the world we live in is dramatically underestimated by anyone who does not change their minds a lot."
2. Two kinds of decisions occur.
One-way door choices are permanent, so be slow to make them. The reverse is two-way door choices. You can make them quickly because you can go back on them.
One-way door choices are permanent, so be slow to make them. The reverse is two-way door choices. You can make them quickly because you can go back on them.
3. Promotegood writing
At the beginning of significant meetings, Amazon developed a writing-first culture where workers review six-page memos. It takes longer to compose in the short term, but in the long term, it saves time.
Here's how.
At the beginning of significant meetings, Amazon developed a writing-first culture where workers review six-page memos. It takes longer to compose in the short term, but in the long term, it saves time.
Here's how.
4. Think in theoretical terms
Bezos was thinking about it analytically, including women. He took ballroom dance lessons early in his career to maximize his exposure to what he considered n + females. Later, he called this the "flow of women."
Bezos was thinking about it analytically, including women. He took ballroom dance lessons early in his career to maximize his exposure to what he considered n + females. Later, he called this the "flow of women."
5. Keep things simple, even when your ideas are grand.
Amazon's principles are crisp and repeated often. That’s why he worked in an office building called “Day 1." True to his belief in simplicity, here's his rough original vision for Amazon Web Services.
Source: Steve Yegge
Amazon's principles are crisp and repeated often. That’s why he worked in an office building called “Day 1." True to his belief in simplicity, here's his rough original vision for Amazon Web Services.
Source: Steve Yegge
6. Be customer-driven
There are negative book reviews on Amazon — even though publishers haven't historically wanted them because of Bezos' empathy for customers. He said: “We don’t make money when we sell something. We make money when we help someone make a purchase decision.”
There are negative book reviews on Amazon — even though publishers haven't historically wanted them because of Bezos' empathy for customers. He said: “We don’t make money when we sell something. We make money when we help someone make a purchase decision.”
7. Follow a long-term vision, but know that things are going to change
“At Amazon, we like things to work in five to seven years. We’re willing to plant seeds, let them grow and we’re very stubborn. We say we’re stubborn on vision and flexible on details.”
“At Amazon, we like things to work in five to seven years. We’re willing to plant seeds, let them grow and we’re very stubborn. We say we’re stubborn on vision and flexible on details.”
