Anuj Khandelwal’s Post

I'm thrilled to have drafted my first Amazon document contribution! People might think what is the big deal? But for me, after leaving high school, I tried sixth form, but something just didn't feel right. So I decided to leave education and pursue a career in hospitality management, as I had enjoyed my part-time work so much. While I don't regret that decision, there were times when work was tough, and I thought about the "what ifs." Back then, I never dreamed of working in a corporate environment - it felt so far out of my reach. So to be drafting a contribution for an Amazon document today feels like a significant achievement. In my previous roles, formal writing was infrequent - the occasional email here and there, but nothing too intensive. Tackling an Amazon "doc write" has therefore felt really enjoyable for me. It's been great to receive feedback and have been actively incorporating it. What a difference from my old roles! The process of writing, getting input, and refining has been invaluable for strengthening my skills. This experience just goes to show that with determination and the right support, you can make a big career transition and take on new challenges. I'm excited to keep developing my writing abilities in this new environment. Onward and upward! #CareerGrowth #AmazonLife #LifelongLearning

The woman you see in this picture has a story to tell - one of resilience, determination, and perseverance. I once dreamed of becoming a journalist and literary critic, but life had other plans. At 18, I became a mother and my priorities shifted. I pursued three Master's Degrees, but my career path took a different turn. I failed exams, faced rejection from over 100 companies, and endured multiple interviews before landing my first compliance role at Amazon. But here's the thing: my journey taught me the value of grit and finishing what I start, no matter how long it takes. I learned to embrace failure and keep moving forward. And when I ventured into selling digital training and templates online, I discovered the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. My story isn't one of overnight success or luck. It's a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. And I'm not alone. Everyone has a story, with its own twists and turns. Let's share our stories, imperfections and all, and learn from each other's experiences. Let's inspire and uplift one another, because in the end, it's our struggles and triumphs that make us who we are today. 

Things I learnt in my first six months at Amazon Starting a new role at Amazon has been a whirlwind of challenges, learning opportunities, and growth. Among the most valuable insights I’ve gained is the importance of taking a step back to ask a deceptively simple question: What problem are we solving? Far too often, teams focus on executing tasks or implementing shiny new tools without clearly defining the problem they aim to address. It’s tempting to reach for the latest solution without fully grasping the challenge at hand. For instance, Introducing a new dashboard with a wealth of data but without ensuring stakeholders have the time, skills, or tools to act on the insights it provides. At Amazon, the role goes beyond delivering results for stakeholders—it’s about identifying, prioritizing, and solving the right problems. Here's what I’ve learned about this approach: 1. Ask the Right Questions Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to pause and ask: - What is the ultimate business goal? (Better customer experience? Increasing Profitability? Something else?) - What specific problem is hindering this goal? - How can this problem be addressed more effectively than with alternative approaches? 2. Work Backwards from the Desired Outcome Amazon’s hallmark principle of “Working Backwards” has reshaped how I approach challenges. Starting with the desired outcome, I trace back to identify bottlenecks and root causes. For example: If the goal is to improve X, is the issue with process Y, tool Z, or an entirely different factor? This method ensures that efforts are focused on what truly drives results. 3. Invest in Teaching Critical Thinking One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is empowering others to think critically about problem-solving. By teaching others to evaluate what problems are worth solving, I’ve learned to move beyond simply providing solutions to fostering strategic, independent thinking. 4. Over-communicate, Escalate Early Communication is the backbone of effective problem-solving. I've learned that it’s better to over-communicate than risk leaving key details unsaid. When progress stalls or expectations diverge, escalating concerns early is not only encouraged but vital to course correction. These four lessons have shaped my six month journey at Amazon and reinforced the importance of being intentional in tackling challenges. Whether you're deploying innovative solutions or addressing everyday operational issues, always start by asking: What problem are we solving? By focusing on this foundation, we ensure that every action, tool, and strategy is purposeful and impactful.

The reviews are starting to roll in for The Career Confidence Toolkit: Take Control of Your Career and Fulfil Your Potential. I am getting a real kick out of knowing people are actually taking action as a result of what they are reading. I am getting an even bigger kick from getting reviews from people that I don’t know!!! Gav1 - whoever you are, thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback!!!! You don’t know how much I appreciate it. If you haven’t got your copy yet, just search for The Career Confidence Toolkit on Amazon. And if you have read it and got value from it, please do take a few minutes to leave a review. I would so appreciate it!

It’s been a hectic week wrestling with a few high judgement one-way door decisions. At Amazon, we have a structured process for navigating these hotly debated topics. We craft concise, thoughtful documents that clarify our goals, provide context, evaluate options with their pros and cons, and propose recommendations for lively debate. Writing under time pressure is no easy feat - incorporating competing views, honing the arguments, focusing on the most relevant data. Getting better at writing is a learning process, at least for me. One of the biggest challenges is eliminating unnecessary words from our narrative, as if our minds instinctively resist the effort required for brevity. I’m continually inspired by my team, who expertly navigate this process in their non-native language. Yet, this honing process leads to clarity of thought and accelerates our ability to understand diverse perspectives or engage deeply in discussions, so we make better decisions. I thought the HBR article in the comments framed it well and emphasized the importance of curiosity: "People engaged in an inquiry process rigorously question proposals and the assumptions they rest on, so conflict may be intense—but it is seldom personal." For a well-written document, that’s exactly how the discussion should feel. I’d love to hear from you! How do you approach difficult decisions in your work? Or are there any ex-Amazon folks still using HDTs? #Writingwell #HDTs #DecisionMaking #Amazon #EmpatheticLeadership AltText No travelling this week - just a photo of me, walking past a fancy brick building on my way to buy a loaf of bread 😂. I’ve got to improve my selfies - my face is half in shadow.

Amazon started out as a platform for selling books. 📖 Today, it offers a vast array of products and is one of the largest companies in the world. 📈 It's an inspiring story in itself, and when we add the most important factor - the human factor - we have a formula for a very rewarding future. 🙌 And that's what our campaign 📊 "STEM - chart your future" 📊 is all about: telling you stories like Tomasz Szarzynski, MBA or Magdalena Koleśnicka that will help you decide what educational and professional path to take 🔑 , so that you can talk about what you do with satisfaction and joy. ▶ You can find a link to the whole interview in the comments below ⬇

From the moment we enter this world, we're guided by voices telling us how to act, think, and be. These well-intentioned guides shape us, but they don't always lead us down the path that's best for us. Our early programming sets the stage, but what if you could change the script? It's a journey that requires courage—to acknowledge the need for change and embrace it, even when it's challenging. The truth is, you can't change others, but you have the power to transform yourself. This realization is the first step towards unlocking your true potential. "Meet Your Boss" is not just a book; it's a mirror reflecting the changes we need to make within ourselves to lead a life of fulfillment and purpose. It's about recognizing those pre-programmed patterns and choosing a different path, one that leads to self-awareness, growth, and happiness. Dive into the journey of self-transformation and discover how to rewrite your script for the better. Grab your copy on Amazon now (link in bio) and begin the first chapter of a new, empowered you. It's time to be the boss of your own life. #SelfTransformation #PersonalGrowth #MeetYourBoss #ChangeYourLife #Empowerment #AmazonFind #728method

Amazon started out as a platform for selling books. 📖 Today, it offers a vast array of products and is one of the largest companies in the world. 📈 It's an inspiring story in itself, and when we add the most important factor - the human factor - we have a formula for a very rewarding future. 🙌 And that's what our campaign 📊 "STEM - chart your future" 📊 is all about: telling you stories like Tomasz Szarzynski, MBA or Magdalena Koleśnicka that will help you decide what educational and professional path to take 🔑 , so that you can talk about what you do with satisfaction and joy. ▶ You can find a link to the whole interview in the comments below ⬇

I can echo the importance of this, being involved in our yearly op1/op2 planning process has taught me the importance of clearly laid out plans and goals in the form of documentation