GeekWire Inside Amazon's strategic planning process; the state of the Seattle startup community
Jan 18, 2025
Marcelo Calbucci, a serial entrepreneur and Seattle startup leader with a background at Amazon and Microsoft, reveals the inner workings of Amazon's strategic planning. He discusses the PRFAQ process that fosters clarity and collaborative feedback in product development. The conversation also highlights the current climate of Seattle's startup scene post-COVID, identifying shifts in funding and opportunities within AI-driven startups. Calbucci encourages the importance of structured innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning in business.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
PR/FAQ Gimmick
- Todd Bishop wrote a PR/FAQ to convince Jeff Wilke to speak at the GeekWire Summit.
- The document was a success, but he received criticism for its lack of rigor from Amazon insiders.
Amazon's Writing Culture
- Amazon values precise language in PR/FAQs, avoiding vague terms.
- They discourage "weasel words" like "many" or "some," pushing for specific data.
AI and Writing
- Use AI for tasks like grammar checks or research, but not for deep thinking.
- Writing helps develop reasoning; avoid AI for tasks requiring critical thinking.