Six things that have been critical to Amazon’s success and they ring true with many of the values of Steve Jobs at Apple and many other successful companies:
1. When you have a window of opportunity, go for the jugular – move quickly to solidify and extend the current position. This strategy requires serious investment and crisp execution against established franchise leaders.
2. Think long-term meaning 5 – 7 years, not 5 – 7 months.
The stronger our market leadership, the more powerful our economic model. Market leadership can translate directly to higher revenue, higher profitability, greater capital velocity, and correspondingly stronger returns on invested capital.
3. Long-term market share is more important than short-term profits because without long-term market share there will be no long-term profits
We will continue to make investment decisions in light of long-term market leadership considerations
4. It’s ok to make mistakes but it’s not ok to be timid
We will have learned another valuable lesson in either case.
5. Obsess over Customers
The best customer service experience is when they never have to contact you.
6. Be first in a big market
Bezos pushed for a land-grab of market share. As we’ve long said, online bookselling, and online commerce in general, should prove to be a very large market.