From Start-Up to Grown-Up #81: Colin Bryar, Co-Author of "Working Backwards;" former Chief of Staff to Jeff Bezos — How Amazon built its processes, the birth of the 6-page memo, and how to instill psychological safety in a competitive culture
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Dec 3, 2024 Colin Bryar, a former top executive at Amazon and co-author of 'Working Backwards,' shares invaluable insights from his time shadowing Jeff Bezos. He discusses how Amazon's unique six-page memo process transforms communication and decision-making. Colin highlights the importance of customer obsession and long-term thinking in the company's culture, offering gems about how resilience and mental well-being factor into leadership. He also details the intricate hiring processes that uphold Amazon's high standards, providing practical advice for startups looking to adopt similar frameworks.
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Being Amazonian
- Being Amazonian means being customer-obsessed, long-term focused, and embracing invention and failure.
- It also includes operational excellence, prioritizing meticulous execution.
Joining Amazon
- Colin Bryar joined Amazon in 1998, recognizing its potential despite the dot-com bust.
- He acknowledges the risk but saw something special in the company's trajectory.
Customer Obsession in Action
- Customer obsession at Amazon goes beyond lip service; it's ingrained in processes.
- It's reflected in metrics, the Working Backwards process, and daily actions.
