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Amazon CEO Andy Jassy speaks during a keynote address at AWS re:Invent 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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In a revealing shareholder letter, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently explained his reasons for staying for nearly three decades. When Jassy joined Amazon in 1997, he never imagined he'd still be there 28 years later. In fact, he used to tell friends that staying at one company for decades, like his father, who worked at the same place for 45 years, "would never be me."
Yet in his 2024 letter to shareholders, Jassy celebrates Amazon's impressive financial performance and offers a candid explanation of what has kept him at the e-commerce giant for so long. "I'm obviously a Superfan," Jassy writes before detailing three compelling reasons for his loyalty to Amazon—insights that provide valuable perspective for any business leader or professional contemplating their career path.
Amazon's "Why Culture"
Before diving into Jassy's motivations, it's important to understand Amazon's "Why Culture." This mindset forms the foundation of Amazon's approach to business and innovation. "Amazon is a Why company," Jassy explains. "We ask why, and why not, constantly. It helps us deconstruct problems, get to root causes, understand blockers, and unlock doors that might have previously seemed impenetrable." This persistent questioning has sparked many of Amazon's most transformative innovations—from expanding beyond books to creating the Kindle, launching AWS, developing Prime Video, and implementing Buy with Prime.
3 Compelling Reasons to Stay at Amazon
So, what keeps a talented executive at the same company for nearly three decades? Jassy shares three specific reasons:
1. Relentless Customer Obsession
"I’m not sure that any company prioritizes customers as relentlessly as we do," Jassy writes. "Lots of companies say they will; few follow through." This statement isn’t just corporate rhetoric. Amazon’s customer-centric approach has consistently earned it top rankings in customer satisfaction according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). A customer-first strategy also drives financial success. According to Accenture research, companies that focus their entire organization on delivering exceptional experiences for customers, employees and society grow their profitability year-over-year at rates at least six times higher than their industry peers.
Career development tip:
Consider how customer-centricity shows up in your organization. Companies that genuinely prioritize customer value creation offer more meaningful and sustainable career opportunities. When evaluating current or future employers, look beyond flashy mission statements to examine actual decision-making processes. Working where your daily efforts directly improve customers' lives creates a deeper sense of purpose and builds marketable skills that remain valuable across industries and roles.
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