Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon
by Colin Bryar, Bill Carr
Why It Matters for Leaders
"Working Backwards" provides Engineering Leaders with valuable insights into decision-making and leadership transitions at Amazon, helping them navigate complex challenges in their own organizations. An actionable takeaway is the emphasis on using a customer-centric approach to drive innovation and strategic thinking.
Who Should Read This
Leaders curious about Amazon's operating model. Engineering orgs considering PR/FAQs, single-threaded ownership, or bar raisers for their own processes.
What's Inside
1. Customer Obsession: Amazon's primary focus is on understanding and serving customer needs.
2. Press Release Method: Writing press releases before product development helps clarify objectives and align teams.
3. Working Backwards: The approach involves starting from the desired outcome and planning backward to ensure alignment with customer expectations.
4. Leadership Principles: The book details Amazon's leadership principles that guide employee behavior and decision-making.
5. Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasizes the importance of using data to inform strategies and evaluate success.
6. Cultural Insights: Offers anecdotes and stories that reflect Amazon's unique corporate culture and its impact on innovation.
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