“Everything I Know” by Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his home roughly fifteen years ago. This successful CEO knows four things.
- Obsess Over Customers. When given a choice between obsessing over competitors and obsessing over customers, always choose customers.
- Invent. You can invent your way out of any box if you believe that you can. Amazon Web Services was created because Amazon has an inventive culture.
- Think Long Term. Many of the ideas you invent on behalf of your customers will take years to yield benefits. During that time you may be criticized. Critics have teased Amazon.com as “Amazon.toast” and “Amazon.con”
- It’s Always Day One. There are always new ways to obsess over customers. There are always new things to invent.
Watch Bezos elaborate on what he knows in this 8-minute video:
Why Zappos?
Why did Amazon acquire Zappos? In Bezos’ words: “Zappos has a customer obsession that is so easy for me to admire.” It will be interesting to see how the new relationship affects the culture of both companies.