LEAD.300.C1 Management and Leadership

Week 8 Final Project Milestone #2

please answer

Instruction:

Summary of Amazon's Current Leadership, Culture, Decision Making, and Management Essentials

In week 8, your team is to submit a two to three-pagebullet pointsummary of the research you have done to date on Amazon's current leadership, culture, decision making, and management essentials.

Below is what we and our group team 1 did for the project milestone. all you have to do is follow the instructions above. it needs to be edit formatting, summarized, and include a conclusion.

I hope there is a generous tutor who will perfectly work on our project milestone. You're a blessing! :)

>Team 1 Final Project Milestone #2

Breakdown of Amazon's Current Leadership Structure

• CEO: Andy Jassy (since July 2021)
• Andy Jassy took over as CEO of Amazon from Jeff Bezos, who stepped down from the role in July 2021.
• Jassy was previously the CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company's highly successful cloud computing division.
• Jeff Bezos: Founder and Executive Chairman
• Although Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO, he continues to be involved with Amazon as the Executive Chairman.
• Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 and played a pivotal role in shaping the company into the global e-commerce giant it is today.

Key Executives:

• Brian Olsavsky: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Olsavsky has been serving as Amazon's CFO since 2015 and oversees the company's financial operations and strategies.
• Dave Clark: Senior Vice President (SVP) of Worldwide Operations
  • Clark is responsible for Amazon's worldwide operations, including fulfillment, transportation, and customer service.
• Jeff Wilke: Former CEO of Worldwide Consumer
  • Jeff Wilke, who had been with Amazon since 1999, retired as the CEO of Worldwide Consumer in 2020.

Overall Leadership Structure at Amazon:

• Amazon follows a multi-tiered leadership structure, with various senior vice presidents overseeing different business divisions, such as AWS, retail operations, and devices.
• The company places a strong emphasis on customer obsession, innovation, and operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion at Amazon:

• Amazon has made efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within its leadership team, aiming for increased representation of women and underrepresented minorities.
• In recent years, the company has implemented programs to support the advancement and leadership development of diverse employees.

A look at Jeff Bezos' Leadership Style

• Visionary: Jeff Bezos is known for his ability to see the bigger picture and envision the future. He has a clear vision for Amazon and has expanded the company into various industries beyond just e-commerce.
• Innovator: Bezos has a relentless drive for innovation. He is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology and exploring new ideas. This mindset has enabled Amazon to introduce groundbreaking services like Amazon Prime, Kindle, and Amazon Web Services.
• Customer-centric: Bezos strongly believes in putting the customer first. He has built Amazon's success by focusing on delivering exceptional customer experiences and consistently exceeding their expectations.
• Long-term thinking: Bezos has a long-term orientation when it comes to decision-making. He is willing to make bold bets and invest in projects with a longer time horizon, even if they may not yield immediate results. This strategic approach has allowed Amazon to pursue ambitious initiatives like space exploration through Blue Origin.
• Data-driven: Bezos emphasizes the importance of using data to drive decision-making. He is known for his analytical approach and attention to detail, relying on data-driven insights to make informed choices and drive business growth.
• Resilience: Bezos has demonstrated resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks. He has weathered criticism, adapted to market changes, and remained committed to his long-term vision for Amazon, overcoming obstacles along the way.
• Boldness: Bezos is not afraid to take risks and make unconventional moves. He has a willingness to challenge the status quo and disrupt traditional industries, which has propelled Amazon to become one of the world's most valuable companies.
• Relentless work ethic: Bezos is known for his intense work ethic and high standards. He sets ambitious goals and expects the same level of commitment from his employees. This drive and determination have been instrumental in Amazon's rapid growth and success.
• Strong communicator: Bezos possesses strong communication skills, which he utilizes to articulate his vision, inspire his employees, and engage with stakeholders. He is adept at simplifying complex ideas and presenting them in a compelling manner.
• Adaptability: Bezos understands the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape. He has been able to steer Amazon through various market shifts and technological advancements by embracing change and being open to new opportunities.

A look at Andy Jassy's Leadership Style

• Strategic thinker: Andy Jassy demonstrates strong strategic thinking skills, allowing him to navigate complex business landscapes and make informed decisions for the long-term success of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Customer-focused: Like Jeff Bezos, Jassy places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. He understands the importance of delivering value to customers and ensuring their needs are met through innovative and reliable cloud computing services.
• Strong communicator: Jassy possesses excellent communication skills, enabling him to effectively convey ideas, strategies, and visions to both internal teams and external stakeholders. His ability to articulate complex technical concepts in a clear and understandable manner is an asset in leading AWS.
• Results-oriented: Jassy has a track record of driving results. He sets ambitious goals and works tirelessly to achieve them. Under his leadership, AWS has experienced significant growth, solidifying its position as a market leader in cloud computing.
• Decisive: Jassy is known for making timely and decisive decisions. He analyzes information and data, weighs the pros and cons, and acts swiftly to move the organization forward. This decisiveness contributes to the agility and responsiveness of AWS.
• Innovation-driven: Jassy fosters a culture of innovation within AWS. He encourages experimentation and supports the development of cutting-edge technologies and services. This focus on innovation helps AWS stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving cloud industry.
• Collaborative: Jassy promotes collaboration and teamwork within AWS. He values diverse perspectives and encourages employees to share ideas and contribute to the company's success. This collaborative approach creates a positive work environment and promotes innovation.
• Resilience: Jassy demonstrates resilience in the face of challenges. He has successfully navigated through various market disruptions and competitive pressures, adapting AWS's strategies to maintain its market position.
• Empowering leader: Jassy believes in empowering his teams and fostering a culture of ownership and accountability. He provides his employees with the resources and support they need to excel and encourages them to take risks and think big.
• Ethical leadership: Jassy upholds high ethical standards and promotes a culture of integrity within AWS. He emphasizes the importance of trust and transparency, both internally and externally, ensuring that the company operates ethically and responsibly.

Decision Making

The success of Amazon's decision-making is largely due to its very data-driven approach to decision-making. The use of measurements and data to guide decision-making is highly valued by the organization. Amazon uses data to support assumptions and spur innovation, ensuring that choices are supported by objective facts rather than subjective judgments.

The decentralized nature of Amazon's decision-making methodology is one noteworthy aspect. The business gives teams and people the freedom to decide on their own, giving them the ability and duty to act in the projects' best interests. Faster decision-making is made possible by this decentralized structure since it does away with the requirement for hierarchical approval procedures that often stifle innovation. Moreover, since people are directly accountable for the results of their choices, it promotes a culture of ownership and responsibility.

Amazon commonly uses the "working backwards" strategy to direct decision-making and keep a customer-centric emphasis. Starting with the end in mind and outlining the ideal customer experience is the starting point for this technique. Teams start by carefully examining client preferences and wants, and then work backward to create the product or service that satisfies those demands. This strategy helps in prioritizing customer demands and guarantees that decision-making is in line with the overarching objective of improving the customer experience.

Amazon intends to improve its decision-making processes by using a data-driven approach, supporting decentralized decision-making, and using the "working backwards" technique. These tactics allow the business to successfully innovate, adapt swiftly to consumer needs, and have a sharp customer-centric focus across all phases of product development and service delivery.

Management Essentials

Management is essential for an organization's success, and as Amazon, is one of the world's largest and most influential companies, has placed great emphasis on solid management practices. The management essentials at Amazon revolve around critical principles that drive the company's culture, decision-making processes, and overall success. Here are some of the management essentials vital to Amazon's approach.

Customer Obsession: Leaders start with the customer and work backward. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers. Amazon's primary focus is on its customers. Managers at Amazon are expected to understand customer needs, preferences, and expectations deeply. They continuously strive to exceed customer expectations and deliver exceptional experiences. This customer-centric approach influences all aspects of decision-making and resource allocation within the company.

Ownership and Accountability: Amazon managers are empowered with rights and are held accountable for their decisions and outcomes. They have the autonomy to make decisions and are expected to take responsibility for their team's performance. This ownership mindset fosters a culture of initiative, innovation, and problem-solving.

Bias for Action:Amazon values action and agility. Managers are encouraged to act quickly, make data-driven decisions, and execute plans efficiently. Understand that speed and the ability to adapt are critical in a rapidly evolving business environment. Amazon's management philosophy emphasizes taking calculated risks and learning from successes and failures.

Learn and be Curious: Amazon leaders are never done learning and consistently seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them with relentless pursuits of excellence. Managers are expected to set high standards for themselves and their teams. They constantly seek to raise the bar and drive continuous improvement. This commitment to excellence extends to all aspects of the business, including product quality, customer services, operational efficiency, and employee development.

Dive Deep:Amazon's management approach encourages managers to dive deep into the details. They are expected to comprehensively understand their business area and the factors that drive success. This analytical mindset enables managers to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and solve complex problems effectively.

Hire and Develop the Best:Being considered the best place to work, Amazon places great importance on hiring top talent and investing in their development. Managers are involved in the hiring process and are responsible for building high-performing teams. They prioritize developing their employee's skills, fostering a learning culture, and providing opportunities for growth and advancement.

Think Long-Term: Amazon has a long-term orientation in its decision-making. Managers are encouraged to think beyond short-term gains and build sustainable strategies and solutions. They are expected to consider the long-term impact of their decisions on customers, employees, shareholders, and society.

Frugality: despite its size and success, Amazon maintains a culture of frugality. Managers are encouraged to find ways to optimize resources, eliminate waste, and deliver value efficiently. This mindset helps drive innovation and resourcefulness across the organization.

Earn Trust:Trust is a fundamental element of Amazon's management philosophy. Managers must build trust with their teams, customers, and stakeholders through transparent communication, fairness, and integrity. Trust forms the foundation of effective collaboration, innovation, and long-term relationships.

Amazon's management essentials reflect the company's unique leadership approach and relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction, innovation, and operational excellence. By embracing these principles, Amazon has established itself as a global leader in e-commerce, cloud computing, and various other industries.

References

Palmer, A. R. (2021, July 2). Amazon sets a new tone as Jeff Bezos era comes to an end. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/01/amazon-adds-leadership-principles-to-prepare-for-post-jeff-bezos-era.html

Quallmalz, R. (2021, October 5). Jeff Bezos' leadership style at Amazon. Topic Insights. https://topicinsights.com/leadership-management/jeff-bezos-leadership/

Zetlin, M. (2021, November 2). Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Just Taught Every CEO a Powerful Leadership Lesson. Here's What You Can Learn From Him. Inc. https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/amazon-third-quarter-profits-down-andy-jassey-customers.html

"Leadership Principles." US About Amazon, 29 Sept. 2020, www.aboutamazon.com/about-us/leadership-principles.

14 Amazon interview questions on leadership principles to prepare in 2023. Kraftshala. (n.d.). https://www.kraftshala.com/blog/amazon-interview-questions/