bezos letters to shareholders

Bezos letters to shareholders are a masterclass in leadership

Jeff Bezos has been writing a letter to shareholders since 1997 and looking at all of them gives an insight to the organisation and a masterclass in leadership. This is a series of short blogs that gives you a snap shot / key takes outs of each letter, along with links to them all.

Andrew is Managing Partner at NorthBailey : after nearly two decades in data driven insight and marketing leadership roles at UK grocers , he’s using his experience and network to help NorthBailey clients.

R&D should pervade every department

“And while many of our systems are based on the latest in computer science research, this often hasn’t been sufficient: our architects … Continue reading “R&D should pervade every department”

June 9, 2021May 26, 2021

Focus on inputs – the outputs will take care of themselves

“Senior leaders that are new to Amazon are often surprised by how little time we spend discussing actual financial results or debating … Continue reading “Focus on inputs – the outputs will take care of themselves”

June 2, 2021May 26, 2021

Work backwards from customers needs vs skills forwards approach

Takeaway “’Working backwards’ from customer needs can be contrasted with a ‘skills-forward’ approach where existing skills and competencies are used to drive … Continue reading “Work backwards from customers needs vs skills forwards approach”

May 26, 2021May 14, 2021

Missionaries build better products- the kindle story

“We started by setting ourselves the admittedly audacious goal of improving upon the physical book. We did not choose that goal lightly. … Continue reading “Missionaries build better products- the kindle story”

May 19, 2021April 30, 2021

Nurture your seedlings to build big lines of business

“In some large companies, it might be difficult to grow new businesses from tiny seeds because of the patience and nurturing required. … Continue reading “Nurture your seedlings to build big lines of business”

May 12, 2021April 30, 2021

look to CX improvements to tip business decisions

“Math-based decisions command wide agreement, whereas judgment-based decisions are rightly debated and often controversial, at least until put into practice and demonstrated. … Continue reading “look to CX improvements to tip business decisions”

May 5, 2021April 30, 2021

Focus on free cash flow to enable more innovation

“Our ultimate financial measure, and the one we most want to drive over the long-term, is free cash flow per share.Why not … Continue reading “Focus on free cash flow to enable more innovation”

April 28, 2021April 26, 2021

design your organisation with long term goals

“Long-term thinking is both a requirement and an outcome of true ownership. Owners are different from tenants. I know of a couple … Continue reading “design your organisation with long term goals”

April 21, 2021May 26, 2021

create more than you consume

Bezos last letter to shareholders with a simple message: To all of you: be kind, be original, create more than you consume, and never, never, never let the universe smooth you into your surroundings. It remains Day 1.

April 17, 2021April 16, 2021

Build your business on your fixed costs

Build your business on your fixed costs Jeff Bezos letter to shareholders 2001 6/22 Takeaway Companies driven by technology have an incredible … Continue reading “Build your business on your fixed costs”

April 14, 2021April 16, 2021

Bezos measures amazon by free cash flow

Measure your company by your free cash flow 2001 : “Why focus on cash flows? Because a share of stock is a … Continue reading “Bezos measures amazon by free cash flow”

March 31, 2021March 30, 2021

Build platforms on infrastructure that’s continually improving

“The current online shopping experience is the worst it will ever be. It’s good enough today to attract 17 million customers, but … Continue reading “Build platforms on infrastructure that’s continually improving”

March 24, 2021April 16, 2021

prioritise cash flow

“The year 2001 will be an important one in our development. Like 2000, this year will be a year of focus and … Continue reading “prioritise cash flow”

March 24, 2021March 23, 2021

Stay terrified of your customers

If you don’t do everything in your power to align with customers’ shifting needs, and instead allow yourself to be distracted by competitors, … Continue reading “Stay terrified of your customers”

March 17, 2021March 12, 2021

amazon strength lies in scale

“We first measure ourselves in terms of the metrics most indicative of our market leadership: customer and revenue growth, the degree to … Continue reading “amazon strength lies in scale”

March 10, 2021March 19, 2021

Wandering is an essential counterbalance to efficiency

“Wandering” isn’t an efficient practice for a business, but it isn’t random. It requires a culture of builders. It requires a deep … Continue reading “Wandering is an essential counterbalance to efficiency”

August 5, 2020February 15, 2021

Move fast and focus on outcomes

“Day 2 is stasis. Followed by irrelevance. Followed by excruciating, painful decline. Followed by death. And that is why it is always … Continue reading “Move fast and focus on outcomes”

July 29, 2020February 15, 2021

Build high standards into company culture

Build high standards into company culture Jeff Bezos letter to shareholders 2017 KEY MESSAGE 20/22 “How do you stay ahead of ever-rising … Continue reading “Build high standards into company culture”

July 22, 2020January 29, 2021

Don’t deliberate over easily reversible decisions

Bezos recognised failure and invention are inseperable twins: to remain innovative as you grow, you need to understand which decisions are reversible and should be executed quickly and which have lasting consequences and should thereful be mulled over more slowly.

July 15, 2020January 29, 2021