amazon principles

Question 1

Customer Obssesion

Answer 1

Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers. “proactive engagement, tailored solutions, feedback integration”

Question 2

Ownership

Answer 2

Leaders are owners. They think long term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say “that’s not my job.” “issue resolution, goal achievement, client advocacy

Question 3

Invent and Simplify

Answer 3

Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here.” As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time. “Process improvement, creative solutions, user friendly communcations.”

Question 4

Are right, a lot

Answer 4

Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs. “data driven decision making, thorough research and preperation, seeking expertise and feedback”

Question 5

Learn and be curious

Answer 5

Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. “Continuous learning (growth opps, industry trends, new methodologies), explorting new avenues, feedback integration)

Question 6

Hire and develop the best

Answer 6

Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for development like Career Choice. “talent recognition, leadership development, performance benchmarking)

Question 7

Insist on the highest standards

Answer 7

Leaders have relentlessly high standards — many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and drive their teams to deliver high quality products, services, and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.

Question 8

Think Big

Answer 8

Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.

Question 9

Bias for action

Answer 9

Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking. (immediate response, rapid prototyping, empowered decision making)

Question 10

Frugality

Answer 10

Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size, or fixed expense.

Question 11

Earn Trust

Answer 11

Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team’s body odor smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best.

Question 12

Dive deep

Answer 12

Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them.

Question 13

Have backbone, disagree and commit

Answer 13

Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.

Question 14

Deliver results

Answer 14

Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle.

Question 15

Strive to be the earth’s best employer

Answer 15

Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher performing, more diverse, and more just work environment. They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what’s next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees’ personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere.

Question 16

Success and scale bring broad responsibility

Answer 16

We started in a garage, but we’re not there anymore. We are big, we impact the world, and we are far from perfect. We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions. Our local communities, planet, and future generations need us to be better every day. We must begin each day with a determination to make better, do better, and be better for our customers, our employees, our partners, and the world at large. And we must end every day knowing we can do even more tomorrow. Leaders create more than they consume and always leave things better than how they found them.

Question 17

Customer Obssesion - Job Description

Answer 17

As a Senior Customer Success Manager, your commitment to customer obsession manifests in identifying and executing strategies with vendors to improve the end-customer experience. For instance, by collaborating closely with a major home goods vendor, you might analyze customer feedback data to suggest product enhancements that align with customer preferences, thereby boosting sales and satisfaction.

Question 18

Ownership - Job Description

Answer 18

Taking ownership means being responsible for fostering strong relationships with vendors. For instance, taking charge of a critical vendor partnership, you initiate regular meetings, identify mutual growth opportunities, and ensure prompt resolution of any operational issues, showcasing accountability and dedication to success.

Question 19

Bias for Action - Job Descriptin

Answer 19

When facing a situation where a vendor is experiencing logistical challenges affecting customer delivery times, your proactive approach involves swiftly analyzing supply chain data, collaborating with internal teams, and proposing immediate solutions to ensure seamless order fulfillment, aligning with Amazon’s emphasis on prompt action.

Question 20

Invent and Simplify - Job Description

Answer 20

In your role, inventing and simplifying might involve introducing a new dashboard or system to streamline vendor communication and data sharing. By developing an easy-to-use interface that consolidates key metrics and insights, you simplify the process of understanding performance, aiding vendors in making informed decisions.

Question 21

Learn and Be Curious - Job Description

Answer 21

Demonstrating this principle, you might constantly seek new market trends and customer preferences. For example, by closely monitoring the changing preferences in the music/video category, you identify a shifting demand for a particular genre, advising vendors to capitalize on this trend for better sales.

Question 22

Earn Trust - Job Description

Answer 22

Building trust involves advocating for vendors within Amazon. For instance, by understanding a vendor’s concerns regarding inventory management, you act as their internal advocate, effectively communicating their needs to relevant teams, thus fostering trust and collaboration.

Question 23

Dilever Results - Job Description

Answer 23

A tangible example of delivering results might involve setting and achieving specific growth targets with a vendor. By strategizing and implementing joint business plans that result in a 20% increase in sales within a quarter, you showcase your commitment to achieving tangible outcomes.

Question 24

Frugality - Job Description

Answer 24

Being frugal while ensuring high operational standards could involve optimizing marketing spends for a vendor. By analyzing past campaigns’ ROI and suggesting cost-effective yet impactful strategies, you maintain high standards without overspending.

Question 25

Have Backbone - Job Description

Answer 25

Encouraging healthy debates with vendors might lead to disagreements on marketing strategies. However, after discussing differing viewpoints, you commit wholeheartedly to the agreed-upon plan, ensuring alignment and progress toward shared goals.