You are on page 1of 26

1

Amazon As An Employer

Ismail, Neha, Sabeeh, Zohaib


Golden Gate University
MBA in Business Analytics
May 10, 2023
2

Extract
In this case study, we analyzed the management and leadership styles of Jeff Bezos, the

founder, and former CEO of Amazon, and Andy Jassy, the current CEO. We found that Bezos

had a very hands-on management style, Jassy, on the other hand, is seen as more of a

collaborative leader who focuses on empowering his teams and building a positive culture.

One key difference between the two leaders is their approach to risk-taking. Bezos was

known for his willingness to take bold risks, which led to the creation of innovative products like

Amazon Prime and the Kindle. Jassy, however, is seen as more conservative in his approach,

prioritizing stability and sustainability over rapid growth. While Bezos was known for being a

demanding boss who pushed his employees to constantly improve, Jassy is focused on building a

culture of mentorship and coaching, where employees can learn from one another and grow in

their roles. Overall, both leaders have been successful in their respective roles, and their

management styles reflect their unique approaches to leadership.

Amazon Design

Amazon has functional organizational structure, with the company divided into various

departments such as Amazon Web Services, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon

Studios, and some other function-based groups are Office of the CEO, Worldwide Amazon

Stores, and International Consumer Business. Each department is led by a senior executive who

report to the CEO. The functional structure allows Amazon for specialization and in their

particular departments.
3

In terms of effectiveness, functional organizational structure has helped the company in

achieving growth and success and become one of the most successful company in the e-

commerce industry and also the retail industry surpassing Walmart. Amazon has been following

the same organizational structure for more 2 decades and it has been proven effective for the

company and creating dominance in the e-commerce industry. The functional structure allows

streamlined decision making, better communication, and increased efficiency.

Amazon can be considered an ambidextrous company in some respects. The company

has the ability to explore new opportunities for business while exploiting the existing strengths.

It has a culture that encourage experimentation and risk taking. Amazon expansion in Amazon

Web Services (AWS) is a new exploration, while it continued domination of the e-commerce

industry is exploitation of its existing strengths. AWS is responsible for developing new

technologies and business models that can help Amazon grow.

Critical Thinking and Decision making

Management and leadership at Amazon are characterized by a focus on innovation,

customer-centricity, and data-driven decision-making. Efficiencies, scalability, and alignment

with long-term goals are designed into the company's decision-making processes. In this section,

we analyse how Amazon makes decisions and what drives its processes:

1. Customer-Obsessed Culture: Amazon's key guiding principle is to start with the

customer and work backwards. This customer-centric approach influences decision making

throughout the organization. Amazon teams are encouraged to understand customer needs

deeply, anticipate future requirements, and make decisions that prioritize customer satisfaction.
4

2. Data-Driven Decision Making: Amazon places a high value on data and uses it

extensively to drive decision making. The company collects vast amounts of data from various

sources, including customer feedback, sales metrics, and operational performance. This data is

analysed rigorously, enabling Amazon to make informed decisions and optimize its operations.

3. Decentralized Decision Making: Amazon follows a decentralized organizational

structure, which empowers teams to make decisions independently. This approach fosters

innovation, agility, and ownership among employees. Decision-making authority is pushed down

to the lowest possible level, enabling faster execution and reducing bureaucracy.

4. Leadership Principles: Amazon has 16 leadership principles that serve as a framework

for decision making and guide employees' behaviour. These principles include customer

obsession, ownership, action bias, frugality, and long-term thinking. They act as a common

language across the organization, ensuring consistency and alignment in decision making.

5. Just-In-Time Decision Making: Amazon values speed and agility, and this is reflected

in its decision-making approach. Rather than striving for perfection or lengthy deliberations, the

company encourages making decisions quickly, learning from them, and iterating as necessary.

This allows Amazon to stay nimble and adapt to changing market conditions.

Amazon's decision making is characterized by customer focus, data analysis,

decentralization, and bias for action. This enables the company to stay ahead of the competition,

innovate rapidly, and respond to market dynamics effectively.

Here's how Amazon's management and leadership differ from Google's Oxygen Project:
5

The Oxygen Project at Google focused on identifying key characteristics of effective

managers within an organization to study and improve their effectiveness. Despite the fact that

the project's details are not publicly available, some aspects of Google's management and

leadership approach can be compared and contrasted with Amazon's:

1. Data-Driven Decision Making: Both Amazon and Google emphasize data-driven

decision making. Google, being a technology company, also places a strong emphasis on data

analysis to drive insights and inform decision making.

2. Employee Empowerment: Similar to Amazon's decentralized decision-making

approach, Google promotes employee empowerment and autonomy. Both companies encourage

employees to take ownership of their projects, foster a culture of innovation, and provide

opportunities for personal and professional growth.

3. Organizational Structure: Amazon and Google have different organizational structures.

Amazon is known for its customer-focused business units, while Google traditionally operates

under a flatter, more matrixed structure. However, both companies strive to create an

environment that encourages collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and information sharing.

4. Leadership Development: Google's Oxygen Project focuses on identifying key

behaviours and qualities of effective managers within their organization. Google invests in

leadership development programs and provides resources to help managers succeed in their

roles. While Amazon's leadership principles serve a similar purpose, the specific approaches to

leadership development may differ between the two companies.


6

Overall, both Amazon and Google emphasize data-driven decision making, employee

empowerment, and a culture of innovation, but their organizational structure and leadership

development may differ. Amazon has a decentralized structure with a focus on empowering

employees to make decisions. Google, on the other hand, has a more centralized structure, with a

focus on developing their leaders. Both companies, however, have a strong culture of innovation.

Situation Analysis

Situation analysis is typically conducted using tools like SWOT analysis, Porter's Five

Forces, and PEST analysis. These tools can help to identify a company's strengths and

weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and threats posed by the external environment. Using

these tools, businesses can make informed decisions on how to navigate the market and position

themselves for success.

We will use SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces to understand Amazon's current

situation. SWOT analysis will identify Amazon's internal strengths and weaknesses, while

Porter's Five Forces will examine the external factors affecting their competitive landscape.

Armed with this knowledge, Amazon will be in a better position to make intelligent decisions

about their future strategy. 

1. SWOT Analysis:

Strengths:

- Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty. The company has developed a strong

reputation for quality products and services which has led to customers developing a strong sense
7

of trust and loyalty. This has enabled the company to maintain a loyal customer base, even in

times of economic or industry turmoil.

- Wide product and service portfolio, including e-commerce, cloud computing

(Amazon Web Services), streaming services (Amazon Prime Video), and more. For instance,

when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Amazon was able to use its online presence to quickly become

a major player in the grocery delivery business, which was a lifeline for many customers in

lockdowns.

- Efficient supply chain management, leading to fast and reliable deliveries. Amazon

has achieved these feats by leveraging technology to optimize their operations and by having a

diverse portfolio of products and services. This allows them to quickly respond to changing

customer needs while also being able to offer competitive prices. Additionally, their efficient

supply chain management enables them to keep costs low while offering fast and reliable

deliveries.

- Continuous innovation and a focus on technology. By investing in technology-driven

solutions and continuously innovating, this company has been able to stay ahead of their

competitors by responding quickly to changing customer needs. This allows them to offer

competitive prices while keeping their supply chain efficient, which helps keep costs low and

enables fast and reliable deliveries.

- Extensive customer data for personalized marketing and recommendations. By

collecting customer data, companies can tailor their marketing messages to the individual

customer, making them more likely to purchase the product. They can also use the data to make
8

product recommendations, which increases the likelihood of sales. Additionally, companies can

use the data to fine-tune their supply chain and ensure that they have the right products at the

right time, keeping their costs low and enabling fast and reliable deliveries.  

Weaknesses:

- Controversies surrounding employee treatment and workplace conditions. Reports

of unfair wages, long working hours, and harsh working environments have raised questions

about how employees are treated. This has caused a public backlash, which has damaged the

company's reputation and caused some customers to boycott their products.

- Some concerns about counterfeit products and unauthorized third-party sellers.

Furthermore, customers are worried about the quality of the company's products since they can

not be sure if what they are buying is an authentic item or a counterfeit. Additionally, many

customers have expressed their concern about the lack of oversight of third-party sellers and the

potential for them to be selling products that are not of the same quality as those of the company.

- Dependency on third-party logistics providers for order fulfilment. This lack of

oversight makes it difficult for companies to ensure that the third-party seller is providing

products that meet the same standards of quality as the company's own products. This could lead

to customer dissatisfaction and damage the company's reputation.

- Increasing competition in the e-commerce and cloud computing industries. This

has pushed companies to look for innovative solutions to remain competitive and maximize their

profits. Companies now focus on cutting costs, optimizing customer experience, and utilizing

data-driven solutions. By leveraging data, they are able to gain insight and make decisions that
9

are faster and more accurate. They are also able to create personalized experiences for customers

and increase their satisfaction. 

Opportunities:

- Expansion into expanding markets and geographical regions. By expanding into

new markets and geographical regions, companies are able to tap into new customer bases and

find new sources of revenue. Additionally, they can benefit from access to new resources,

technologies, and talent pools, which can help them stay competitive in their industry.

- Growth potential in sectors like healthcare, entertainment, and advertising. By

expanding into these markets, companies have the potential to take advantage of the growing

demand for new products and services in these sectors. Additionally, they can capitalize on the

increasing availability of digital technology to create new innovative products and services.

Finally, they may be able to benefit from the increasing availability of skilled professionals in

these areas, which can help them stay ahead of the curve.

- The acquisition of Whole Foods Market offers an opportunity to enter the grocery

industry. The acquisition of Whole Foods Market provides an opportunity to enter the grocery

industry with a well-established and trusted brand. Furthermore, Whole Foods Market could be

leveraged to expand Amazon's online grocery delivery services, which is an area of growth in the

industry. Additionally, the acquisition provides access to a large customer base with a loyalty to

the Whole Foods brand and the potential to use their data to improve Amazon's services.
10

- Increasing demand for cloud computing services. For example, Amazon Web

Services (AWS) has increased its market share in the cloud computing market, surpassing

Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform in terms of market share.

- Advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of

Things (IoT), can be leveraged. Companies are turning to cloud computing services to handle

data storage, applications, and analytics processing due to its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and

reliability. Advancements in technology, such as AI and IoT, are making it easier for companies

to access cloud computing services, as they can be integrated into existing systems and help to

automate processes. 

Threats:

- Intense competition from Walmart, Alibaba, and Google. Walmart's e-commerce

sales were up globally and, in the U.S., and CEO Doug McMillon noted in the retailer's earnings

call that e-commerce now represents more than $80 billion in sales and over 13% of Walmart's

total sales.

- Regulatory challenges related to data privacy, antitrust concerns, and labor

practices. The competition from Walmart, Alibaba, and Google is a major challenge for many

companies, as these companies have the resources to offer lower prices, better customer service,

and a wider selection of products. Additionally, they are subject to regulations that can make it

difficult to operate in certain markets, and their practices can be subject to scrutiny from

governments and other organizations.


11

- Potential disruptions in the supply chain due to natural disasters, geopolitical

events, or pandemics. This can lead to a decrease in revenue, as well as a potential loss of

customers. It can also be difficult for a business to find alternate suppliers in order to keep

operations running.

- Public scrutiny and negative press related to labor practices and environmental

impact. These disruptions can damage a company's reputation, which can lead to a decrease in

customer demand and an overall decrease in revenue. It can also be difficult to recover from

public perception issues and negative press, as it takes time and money to rebuild trust with

customers and the public.

-There is an increase in consumer expectations for sustainability and ethical

business practices. This is because consumers are more aware of the environmental and social

impacts of companies and they want to ensure that their purchases are not supporting companies

that have a negative impact. Therefore, companies have to be more conscious about their

operations and how they are perceived in order to retain customer loyalty.
12

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Strong brand Controversies Expansion into Intense competition

recognition and surrounding expanding markets from Walmart,

customer loyalty employee treatment and geographical Alibaba, and Google

and workplace regions


Wide product and Regulatory
conditions
service portfolio, Growth potential in challenges related to

including e- Some concerns about sectors like data privacy, antitrust

commerce, cloud counterfeit products healthcare, concerns, and labor

computing (Amazon and unauthorized entertainment, and practices

Web Services), third-party sellers advertising


- Potential disruptions
streaming services
Dependency on third- The acquisition of in the supply chain
(Amazon Prime
party logistics Whole Foods Market due to natural
Video), and more
providers for order offers an opportunity disasters, geopolitical

Efficient supply chain fulfilment to enter the grocery events, or pandemics.

management, leading industry


Increasing Public scrutiny and
to fast and reliable
competition in the e- Increasing demand negative press related
deliveries
commerce and cloud for cloud computing to labor practices and

Continuous computing industries services environmental impact

innovation and a

focus on technology
13

2. Porter's Five Forces Analysis:

a. Threat of New Entrants: The threat of new entrants for Amazon is moderate to high.

While Amazon has established a significant market presence, new entrants can still enter specific

markets, such as e-commerce, cloud computing, and streaming services. However, barriers to

entry, such as economies of scale, brand recognition, and vast infrastructure, pose challenges for

potential competitors. The market presence of Amazon is similar to the strong fortifications of a

castle, while potential competitors are the brave knights looking to breach the walls. With strong

walls and a loyal following, even a valiant effort may not be enough to overtake Amazon's

stronghold.

b. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Amazon has relatively low bargaining power over its

suppliers due to its large scale and dominant market position. However, suppliers with unique

products or services may have more bargaining power. Amazon has a large number of suppliers

and can easily switch to another supplier if one supplier becomes too expensive. However,

suppliers with specialized products or services may be able to negotiate better terms due to the

knowledge that Amazon cannot easily switch to another supplier. Amazon has a large and

diverse supplier base, but the company has significant leverage over its suppliers due to its size

and market dominance.

c. Bargaining Power of Customers: Customers have significant bargaining power due

to the abundance of online options and the ease of switching to competitors Amazon's focus on
14

customer-centricity and competitive pricing helps maintain customer loyalty and mitigates this

power. Additionally, Amazon's brand recognition and customer loyalty programs are additional

ways to counteract customers' bargaining power by creating a sense of customer loyalty. 97% of

American consumers are loyal to at least one brand, and 56% of customers will stay loyal to a

brand that "gets them".

d. Threat of Substitutes: The threat of substitutes is high, especially in the e-commerce

and cloud computing industries. Amazon must continually innovate and differentiate its

offerings. Consumers have the option to purchase from other retailers and use other cloud

computing services, so Amazon must stay ahead of the competition by continuously offering

better products and services. This requires a significant amount of innovation and investment in

research and development.

e. Competitive Rivalry: Amazon's competitive rivalry is intense in its industries.

Walmart is a major competitor in the e-commerce space, while Google, Microsoft, and IBM

compete with Amazon Web Services. The company faces strong competition on multiple fronts,

requiring continuous investment in innovation and customer experience. For instance, Amazon

has invested heavily in its Prime service, which offers customers access to free shipping and

exclusive discounts to increase customer loyalty and fend off competitive pressure.

Amazon Resources and Capabilities

As per the Resource-Based View framework, used to determine the strategic resources a

firm can exploit to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. In case of Amazon, the
15

company’s resources include fulfillment centers and distribution network, technological

infrastructure, brand equity, customer loyalty, workforce.

Amazon has numerous fulfillment centers and its large distribution network all around

the world helps it for fast delivery of products to the customers. Amazon has partnership with

other delivery companies expanding Amazon’s reach. Amazon has spent a fortune on its

technology such as machine learning algorithm, cloud computing service, and voice operating

devices. Brand equity is leading strength of any technology company and Amazon has been able

to built strong brand equity over long period of time through its focus on customer service and

product quality. Since the beginning, Amazon focus remained on customer service. Strong focus

on customer service has resulted in higher sales and fast growth in popularity. Amazon’s

customer base is one of its most valuable resources. While Amazon has a great pricing strategy,

it also has focused on serving customers well, leading to higher customer loyalty. The company

has millions of customers worldwide, which allows them to generate a tremendous amount

revenue. Finally, Amazon workforce is a valuable resource. The company employs thousands of

people worldwide, from software engineers and data scientists to warehouse workers and

customer service representatives. Amazon's workforce is diverse, highly skilled, competitive, and

focused on company’s mission providing excellent work. When all these resources are combined

it makes Amazon an e-commerce company with diverse products to satisfy customer needs.

Resource allocation decisions at Amazon are made based on a data-driven approach. The

company uses algorithms and analytics to assess the potential return on investment for each

project and allocate resources accordingly. Amazon's current trajectory appears to be sustainable

in the short-term. The company has continued to grow its revenue and customer base in recent

years, and its dominant market position gives it a big advantage over its competitors. However,
16

there are some concerns about the long-term sustainability of Amazon's growth. However, the

company has faced increasing scrutiny from regulators and policymakers around the world,

criticism over its treatment of workers and the environmental impact of its operations. These

issues could pose challenges to Amazon's ongoing success in the future.

Business Rhythm

The term "rhythm" in a business setting describes the predictable pattern or pace of

actions and procedures carried out by a company. An organization can operate more effectively,

foster better employee communication and teamwork, and ultimately produce better results, with

the aid of a well-established rhythm.

After researching Amazon's 1997 shareholder letter, it's clear that the company places a

strong emphasis on maintaining a consistent rhythm in operating the business. From expanding

their employee base and distribution center capacity to increasing their inventory and cash

balances, Amazon has made strategic investments to support their growing customer base.

The company's dedication to hiring top talent is another example of their commitment to

maintaining a rhythm in their business operations. Although working at Amazon may not be

easy, the company is working to build something important that matters to their customers and

employees alike.

Looking forward to 1998, Amazon has set clear goals for continuing to solidify and

extend their brand and customer base. This requires sustained investment in systems and

infrastructure to support outstanding customer convenience, selection, and service while they

grow. They also plan to add music to their product offering and explore other potential

investment opportunities.
17

Despite the challenges they face, including aggressive competition and execution risk,

Amazon remains optimistic and committed to maintaining a sense of urgency. Overall, it's clear

that Amazon places a high value on consistency and discipline in their business operations, and

this dedication has contributed greatly to their success thus far.

Amazon's business rhythm appears to be a combination of formal and informal elements, which

makes it a unique approach to running a successful company. On the one hand, the company's

CEO, Jeff Bezos, has set clear goals for the organization and is constantly pushing for innovation

and growth. This formal structure is evident in the company's focus on setting targets and

measuring performance.

On the other hand, Amazon's culture is also characterized by an informal, experimental

approach to problem-solving. The company encourages employees to take risks and experiment

with new ideas, which has led to innovations such as Amazon Prime and the Echo. This informal

approach is evident in Bezos' own words, when he says that "setting the bar high in our approach

to hiring has been, and will continue to be, the single most important element of Amazon.com's

success."

Amazon's formalized business rhythm is also demonstrated by the company's focus on

setting high standards for its employees, as well as its emphasis on data-driven decision-making.

For example, Bezos has famously stated that at Amazon, "data trumps intuition," indicating the

company's reliance on quantifiable metrics to guide its operations.

Overall, Amazon's business rhythm has been highly effective in driving growth and

innovation. By setting ambitious goals, investing in infrastructure, and constantly experimenting

with new ideas, the company has been able to stay ahead of the competition and provide value to

its customers. Additionally, Amazon's focus on hiring and retaining top talent has been critical to
18

its success, as it has allowed the company to build a team of dedicated employees who are

passionate about the company's mission.

Alignment and Performance

Amazon has been successful in delivering on its mission of being Earth's most customer-

centric company. The company's focus on providing a superior customer experience has been a

key driver of its success, as demonstrated by its consistently high customer satisfaction ratings

and strong revenue growth.

To achieve alignment with its mission, Amazon has a number of strategies in place,

including investing heavily in technology and innovation, providing a wide range of products

and services, and prioritizing speed and convenience in its operations. The company has also

created a strong culture of customer service, which is reinforced through its leadership principles

and employee training programs.

Operational results at Amazon have been closely linked to the company's overall strategy.

For example, the company's investments in technology and innovation have helped to improve

its supply chain operations, reduce delivery times, and enhance the customer experience.

Amazon's expansion into new markets and product categories, such as cloud computing and

streaming media, has also driven growth and revenue diversification.

Metrics and Tracking

Amazon measures its successes across a range of financial and non-financial metrics.

Key financial metrics include net sales, operating income, and net income. According to the

company's financial reports, Amazon's net sales have increased consistently over the past several
19

years, reaching $386 billion in 2020, up from $232 billion in 2018. The company's operating

income has also grown, reaching $22.9 billion in 2020, up from $14.5 billion in 2018.

Non-financial metrics that Amazon tracks include customer satisfaction, order fulfillment

speed, and inventory turnover. According to a recent survey by the American Customer

Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Amazon has consistently ranked among the highest-rated retailers in

terms of customer satisfaction. The company's order fulfillment speed has also improved over

time, with the average delivery time for Amazon Prime orders now two days or less in many

regions. Finally, Amazon's inventory turnover has remained consistently high, indicating that the

company is effectively managing its supply chain operations.

Amazon has been successful in delivering on its mission by prioritizing customer service

and investing in technology and innovation. The company's operational results have been closely

linked to its overall strategy, and its success is reflected in both financial and non-financial

metrics. Amazon's strong performance across a range of metrics demonstrates the effectiveness

of its strategies and its ability to execute on its mission.

Change management

In terms of change management, both Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy have demonstrated their

abilities to manage change effectively in Amazon.Jeff Bezos has a track record of being a

disruptive innovator, constantly pushing the boundaries and challenging traditional ways of

doing things. He has been instrumental in transforming Amazon from an online bookstore into a

global e-commerce giant, expanding its product offerings and establishing new business models.

Bezos has shown a willingness to take calculated risks, such as investing heavily in infrastructure
20

and logistics to support the company's growth, and entering new markets like cloud computing

and AI.

Bezos, he has been willing to take risks and make big bets on new business initiatives,

even when there is no clear path to success. This willingness to experiment and push boundaries

has been a key driver of Amazon's success, as it has allowed the company to stay ahead of the

curve and continue to innovate in new areas. For example, Amazon's move into cloud computing

with Amazon Web Services was a major change that Bezos championed, and it has become one

of the company's most successful businesses.He has been able to keep Amazon ahead of the

curve by anticipating market trends and investing in new technologies and services, such as the

Kindle e-reader and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

One notable example of Bezos' effective change management is his "Day 1" philosophy,

which encourages Amazon employees to remain innovative and agile, as if it were their first day

on the job. This mindset has helped the company stay competitive and relevant in an ever-

changing business landscape. Additionally, Bezos has been able to successfully pivot the

company's focus when necessary, such as when he shifted Amazon's attention from books to

other retail categories, or when he transitioned the company's strategy from profitability to

growth.

Andy Jassy, on the other hand, has also demonstrated his ability to manage change

effectively in his role as CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS). Under his leadership, AWS has

grown into one of the largest cloud computing providers in the world, and has expanded its

offerings beyond basic infrastructure to include a range of innovative products and services.

Jassy is known for his customer-centric approach, and has prioritized the needs of AWS

customers above all else.


21

One example of Jassy's effective change management is his focus on diversifying AWS's

customer base. Rather than relying solely on large enterprise clients, Jassy has made a concerted

effort to attract small and medium-sized businesses to AWS by offering affordable and

customizable solutions. Additionally, Jassy has shown a willingness to pivot AWS's strategy

when necessary, such as when he shifted the company's focus from private data centers to the

public cloud.

Overall, both Bezos and Jassy have proven to be effective change managers in their

respective roles at Amazon. They have demonstrated a willingness to take calculated risks, pivot

their strategies when necessary, and prioritize the needs of their customers. Their ability to

manage change effectively has been a key factor in Amazon's success as a company. How

effectively have Bezos and Jassy each managed change? Support your conclusions with the

evidence gathered.

Summary

In conclusion, the analysis of the case study highlights several differences between Jeff

Bezos' and Andy Jassy's management and leadership styles. Bezos is known for his intense focus

on customer satisfaction, his relentless drive for innovation, and his hands-on approach to

leadership. He is a visionary leader who is willing to take risks and experiment with new ideas.

Jassy, on the other hand, is known for his expertise in cloud computing, his ability to build strong

relationships with customers, and his collaborative approach to leadership.

Both Bezos and Jassy have been effective in managing change at Amazon, but they have

different styles. Bezos is more of a "disruptive" leader who is willing to take risks and make bold

moves to shake up the status quo. Jassy, on the other hand, is more of a "transformational" leader
22

who works collaboratively with others to bring about change. Bezos was known for his focus on

innovation and long-term vision, while Jassy is more focused on maximizing profitability in the

short term.

Based on the analysis of Bezos’ and Jassy’s management and leadership styles, it is

evident that successful leadership requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic vision,

and effective communication skills. Both leaders have demonstrated their ability to drive

innovation and growth, but their styles differ in terms of their approach to change management

and communication.

To achieve organizational success, a leader must have a clear vision and the ability to

communicate it effectively to their team. They must also possess the technical expertise and

experience required to make informed decisions and manage complex operations. In addition, a

successful leader must be adaptable and capable of managing change effectively, whether that

change is driven by internal factors or external market conditions.

Effective communication skills are also essential for leadership success. A leader must be

able to articulate their vision clearly and inspire their team to work towards a common goal.

They must also be able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, including customers,

investors, and employees.

Successful leadership requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic vision,

effective communication skills, and the ability to manage change effectively. As businesses

continue to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions, it is critical that leaders possess

these skills to ensure long-term success. Effective leaders must possess a wide range of

competencies. These include strong communication skills, the ability to build and lead high-
23

performing teams, strategic thinking and decision-making skills, the ability to adapt to change,

and a strong sense of empathy and emotional intelligence.

Overall, successful leadership in a company like Amazon requires a combination of skills

and knowledge, including strategic thinking, innovation, the ability to manage change, and

effective communication and collaboration with a team. A leader must also have a deep

understanding of the industry and market trends, as well as the ability to adapt to new

technologies and business models. Ultimately, the success of a leader depends on their ability

to inspire and motivate their team, make tough decisions, and achieve the company's goals.

Team Management

 In order to improve as a team player, it's important to reflect on the experience of

working in a team, which may be both thrilling and hard. We encountered a number of

difficulties while working on this project, including competing deadlines and workloads, poor

interactions, and disagreements in viewpoints.

We used effective communication methods to address these issues, including periodic

team meetings, clear expectations, and open evaluation. We also made sure that each team

member knew their part in the project's success by clearly defining their roles and

responsibilities.

When disagreements and difficulties happened during the project, our team came together

to find solutions. To ensure that everyone is on the same page and that everyone's perspectives

are heard and valued, communication is essential.

Overall, working in this team taught us valuable lessons that would be helpful in our own

management careers. We learned that effective communication, clear roles and responsibilities,
24

and adaptability are essential to team success. Additionally, we learned the importance of

flexibility and the ability to adjust to unexpected changes while maintaining a positive attitude

and team spirit. 


25

Bibliography

1. Aten Jason. Inc.Co. https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/jeff-bezos-successor-at-amazon-

andy-jassy-is-different-from-his-former-boss-in-1-very-important-way-it-will-be-

crucial-to-his-success.html#:~:text=Most%20reports%20suggest%20that

%20Jassy,the%20way%20they%20view%20Amazon.

2. Amazon Business Model. Business Strategy Hub. https://bstrategyhub.com/how-does-

amazon-makes-money/#6_Key_Resources_of_Amazon .

3. F. Dieffenbacher Stefan (2023. 02.09). Ambidextrous Organization. Digital

Leadership. https://digitalleadership.com/blog/ambidextrous-organization/#:~:text=Amazon

%20is%20a%20retail%20company,on%20exploring%20new%20growth%20opportunities.

4. Management Study Guide. https://www.managementstudyguide.com/analysis-of-

amazon-corporate-strategy.htm

5. AIM-Blog https://aim-blog.com/amazon-resources-and-capabilities/

6. https://sasjabeslik.medium.com/how-sustainable-is-amazon-an-esg-analysis-of-the-

retail-giant-e8b07cc8a8eb

7. https://www.hivelr.com/2023/02/amazon-amzn-porters-five-forces-industry-and-

competition-analysis/

8. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/aws-to-double-down-on-

investments-in-specialist-programs-to-help-startups-scale-bullish-on-fintech-healthtech-gaming-

web-saas/articleshow/92742954.cms?from=mdr

9. https://www.analyticssteps.com/blogs/how-amazon-uses-big-data
26

10. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/business/dealbook/amazon-whole-foods.html

11. https://press.aboutamazon.com/2017/8/amazon-and-whole-foods-market-announce-

acquisition-to-close-this-monday-will-work-together-to-make-high-quality-natural-and-organic-

food-affordable-for-everyone

12. https://www.businessinsider.in
13. https://www2.deloitte.com
14. https://www.strategyzer.com
15. https://medium.com

You might also like