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

by John Rossman (Author)

"Reading this book is like having Jeff Bezos advise me." --Eric Martinez, Founder and CEO of Modjoul

The former Amazon executive who launched and scaled Amazon Marketplace delivers the ultimate playbook on how to "think like Amazon" and succeed in the digital age.

"What would Jeff do?" Since leaving Amazon to advise start-ups and corporations, John Rossman has been asked this question countless times by executives who want to know "the secret" behind Amazon's historic success. In this step-by-step guide, he provides 50 1/2 answers drawn from his experience as an Amazon executive--and shows today's business leaders how to think like Amazon, strategize like Bezos, and beat the competition like nobody's business. Learn how to:

• Move forward to get back to Day 1--and change the status quo.
• Use the "working backwards" innovation and problem-solving approach to lead the way.
• Become a platform company--with the right platform strategy.
• Create customer obsession--and grant your customers superpowers.
• Experiment, fail, rinse, and repeat.
• Decentralize your way to digital greatness.
• Master the magic of small autonomous teams.
• Avoid the trap of past positions.
• Make better and faster decisions.
• Use metrics to create a culture of accountability and innovation
• Use AI and the Internet of Things to reinvent customer experiences.

In addition to these targeted strategies, you'll receive a rare inside glimpse into how Jeff Bezos and Amazon take a remarkably consistent approach to innovate, explore new markets, and spark new growth. You'll understand the unique mindset and inner workings that drive Amazon's operational excellence, from its ground-up approach to new digital markets to its out-of-the-box attitudes on innovation. Along the way, you'll learn specific game-changing strategies that made Amazon stand out in a crowded digital world. These include actionable ideas that you can use to transform your culture, expand your business into digital, and become the kind of platform company that customers obsess over. Rossman also offers invaluable insights into the latest technologies, e-commerce marketing, online culture, and IoT disruptions that only an Amazon insider would know.

If you want to compete and win in the digital era, you have to Think Like Amazon.

Back Jacket

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 Zukis, 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

Author Biography

John Rossman was an executive at Amazon, where he launched and scaled the Marketplace business, which now accounts for more than 50 percent of all units sold at Amazon.com. He also led the enterprise services business, with responsibilities for Target.com, NBA.com, Toys R Us, and other top brands. He now heads Rossman Partners, a niche business advisory firm that helps clients succeed and thrive in the digital era. Rossman has worked with The Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Target, Walmart, and many others. He is highly sought after for expert commentary regarding Amazon by global news media, such as the New York Times, CNBC, and Bloomberg, among others.