Some Prime Lessons from Amazon

Did you read the headlines this morning, which included the announcement that Amazon is set to launch its first grocery store in California next year? The company is ditching Amazon Go technology in favor of a more conventional checkout system and says this new grocery store will be “distinct" from Amazon-owned Whole Foods.

Whether you're an Amazon fan or you hate the idea of this behemoth company growing even larger, you have to admit; there are a many lessons we can all learn from Amazon. Here are a few.

If you're not failing, you're not trying. My mentor, Alan Weiss, always reminds me of this, when I try something that doesn't work as planned.

Amazon is a prime example (pun intended). The idea of Amazon Go, which allows shoppers to bypass register lines, sounded like a breakthrough idea. Amazon gave this a try, but for some reason, made the decision not to include this technology in their new store.

What are you not trying, because you fear that you might fail? Are you not asking for that promotion or a raise because you might not get a yes? Well, here's some news for you. The answer will be no if you never ask.

Reinvent or die. We can all agree that Amazon is one of the most successful companies in recent history. So why do they keep messing with success?

Here's something to consider. Sears used to be a breakthrough company. Now, look at them, while they still have some stores. Sears introduced the Sears catalog, which changed the way people shopped. They also introduced the idea of being able to buy a home through the catalog and assemble it yourself. Those were some wild and crazy ideas back then.

And then one day, Sears stopped innovating. We have a pretty good idea of how this story will end.

What are you doing to reinvent yourself? Or have you become complacent?

Have you taken any courses lately to keep your skills up to date? Have you considered moving into another position that will challenge everything you thought you knew about yourself? Are you ready to let go of that cushy job that bores you to death and try something new?

Less Talk. More Action. I don't recall hearing much talk about Amazon starting a supermarket chain. I imagine this is because they weighed the pros and cons, made a decision, and went into implementation mode.

• Can you say the same in terms of moving your decisions forward?
• Or are you still in meetings discussing the same things you talked about in Q1?
• What did you vow to do this year that you still haven't done?

We've got about six weeks left until the end of the year. Take action today, and you'll primed for great things to happen in the New Year.

© Matuson Consulting, 2019.

Ready to stop talking and start doing? Let's talk. Email me at Roberta@matusonconsulting to schedule a call.