Think Like Amazon: 50 1/2 Ideas to Become a Digital Leader

"In today's landscape, you're either competing with Amazon or figuring out how to leverage it. Either way, you'd better understand its mindset, which drives how it operates. Having worked at Amazon in its early years, I can attest that this book definitely captures the essence and unwavering principles that make Amazon like no other company."-- Kirk Beardsley , EVP of Digital at Nordstrom and former Director of Business Development at Amazon "Use the tools in this book to solve the seemingly impossible challenges your business faces today, and your customers will thank you with their loyalty and wallets."-- James Thomson , partner at Buy Box Experts and former head of Amazon Services "This book provides innovators with a powerful framework to lead in today's age of digital disruption and transformation. Whether your organization is a single-person start-up or a member of the Fortune 500, John Rossman's 50 1/2 ideas will empower executives and their teams to rethink their business, obsess over customers, and win in the digital era."-- Mark Bertolini , former Chairman and CEO of Aetna Inc. "Reading Think Like Amazon is like having Jeff Bezos advise me. This is the best strategy and tactics book I have read in a long time."-- Eric Martinez , Founder and CEO of Modjoul and former EVP at AIG "Rossman shares the deep insights only an Amazon insider with a front-row seat to Jeff Bezos could uncover. From culture, strategy, business, and technology, this is a bible for transforming any organization for the digital era. Think Like Amazon is a must-read for board members, executives, and the entire organization." -- R "Ray" Wang , Founder and Chairman of Constellation Research, Inc., and author of Disrupting Digital Business "John Rossman has once again made complex business topics approachable. In Think Like Amazon , he reveals an insider's perspective of the core operating principles of one of the world's most iconic and highly valued companies and translates them into 50 clear lessons that any business leader can use and immediately apply. Perhaps the most useful is the 1/2 idea with which he challenges the reader. Relevant, timely, and easy to consume." -- Gregg Garrett , CEO of CGS Advisors, former Chief Strategy Officer of Volkswagen North America, and author of Competing in the Connecting World " Think Like Amazon offers insights for companies faced with the challenge of crossing the innovation chasm. It offers a concrete and proven methodology that has been employed by Amazon to innovate in an effective way to overcome the rising antibodies in corporations that resist change. Highly recommended for anyone trying to understand disruptive technology and how it can change innovation with the right processes and strategy." -- Michael J.T. Steep , Executive Director of the Digital Cities Program at Stanford Global Projects and former SVP at Xerox PARC "An inspiring and thought-provoking book that provides a window into one of the great companies and one of the great leaders of our time. The 50 1/2 ideas are precious insights into the relentless pursuit of a frictionless customer experience that is fundamental to becoming a digital leader--and to be the disrupter instead of the disrupted!" -- Dick Hyatt , Founder and CEO of Decisiv "John Rossman has demonstrated his deep understanding of how Jeff Bezos and the Amazon team have curated a repeatable and methodical approach to becoming the preeminent customer-obsessed company to win in the digital era. In Think Like Amazon , John successfully outlines what business leaders can learn from Amazon's industry-leading model and how they can apply these learnings to digitally transform their own companies. First and foremost is a reluctance to rely on old business models and past successes to define the future road map. It also emphasizes how important a passion for embracing new ways of thinking is to succeed in today's highly disruptive and turbulent global economy. Necessary reading for all technology and business executives who are looking to propel their businesses forward in the next era of the digital economy."-- Hunter Muller, President and CEO of HMG Strategy "John Rossman's ability to take Amazon's extraordinary processes and translate them into strategies we can use is an extraordinary feat. Packed with actionable, clear ideas, chapter after chapter had me scribbling notes on habits I need to 'test adopt' immediately." -- Brendan McSheffrey, Chief Strategist at BMNT Partners " Think Like Amazon provides digestible and actionable ideas that are essential for operating, thriving, and winning customers in the digital economy. More important, these have been proven at Amazon and are applicable to all."-- Beth Devin , Head of Innovation Network and Emerging Technology at Citi Ventures "Packed with razor-sharp insights and simple but profound ideas. John blends experience, expertise, and wisdom to create a practical playbook for those of us who are obsessed, relentless, and couldn't care less about joining a country club."-- Nathan Robinson , CEO of The Leadership Network " In Think Like Amazon , John tells a compelling story of strong leadership with the benefit of an insider's perspective. CEOs and Boards can learn so much about how vital the digital tone at the top is to the future of business."-- Bob Zuki s, CEO of Digital Directors Network "John Rossman continues to explore fresh new ways and approaches to evolve businesses and whole industries as we plunge forward into the next decade. Think Like Amazon is a must-read."-- Bill Roberti , former CEO of Brooks Brothers and Managing Director of Alvarez and Marsal " Think Like Amazon should be on the must-read list of every entrepreneur and, frankly, anyone working for a business interested in staying relevant. John simply and eloquently highlights fundamental principles necessary to grow a digital business in today's rapidly evolving environment." -- Scott Drucker , DMD, MS, Cofounder and President of SupplyClinic "John Rossman presents a vital read for today's corporate leadership. This is especially true for those who wish to be relevant tomorrow. Commercial enterprises are subject to strong winds of change and only those operating with a clear mission and vision will survive. Rossman doesn't give the reader pat answers about how to do things. Rather, he leads the reader to think differently. He guides the reader into adopting a customer-obsessed culture, advocating responsibility and ownership to solve problems."-- Major General Charles R. Henry , (ret.), founder and former (1st) Commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency