Inside the Unique Company Culture of Amazon: Insights from Former Employees
Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, has catapulted to success in a relatively short time. But it’s not just its size that’s impressive—Amazon is also well-known for its unique company culture. In this article, we’ll dive into the insights of former Amazon employees to learn about the company’s culture, values, and management approach.
The Hiring Process
According to former employees, Amazon has a rigorous hiring process that focuses on finding the right cultural fit. The company values innovation, risk-taking, and customer obsession, and looks for these traits in potential employees. Candidates are put through multiple rounds of interviews, often conducted by teams who assess whether the prospective hire is a good cultural fit.
The Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making
Another key aspect of Amazon’s culture is its reliance on data. Jeff Bezos, the company’s founder and CEO, is famous for his emphasis on data-driven decision making. That approach is reflected in company culture, as managers at all levels are expected to use data to inform their decisions. Former employees report that this emphasis on data can sometimes lead to data overload or rigid adherence to metrics, but overall, it’s seen as a fundamental part of Amazon’s culture.
The ‘Bar Raiser’ Mentality
As an extension of its emphasis on hiring the best fit, Amazon has a concept called a ‘bar raiser’. These are employees who are trained to evaluate the cultural fit of candidates during the hiring process, and their opinions carry significant weight. In addition to hiring, the bar raiser mentality is infused throughout the entire company culture. Employees are expected to consistently raise the bar on their work, and hold their teammates to the same standard. This creates a sense of accountability and high expectations throughout Amazon’s workforce.
Employee Feedback and Development
Another unique aspect of Amazon’s culture is the focus on employee feedback and development. The company uses a system called ‘Anytime Feedback’ that allows employees to provide real-time feedback to their colleagues. This creates a culture of continuous improvement and self-evaluation. Additionally, Amazon invests heavily in employee development, with programs and initiatives designed to help employees take on new challenges and advance in their careers.
The Role of Leadership
Finally, former employees note that Amazon’s leadership has a significant impact on the company’s culture. Jeff Bezos sets the tone for the entire company, with his focus on innovation, long-term thinking, and customer obsession. However, leadership is also distributed throughout the company. Amazon places a strong emphasis on building leaders at all levels, from front-line managers to executives. This decentralization of leadership creates a sense of ownership and responsibility throughout the organization.
Conclusion
In summary, Amazon’s unique company culture is defined by its emphasis on innovation, customer obsession, data-driven decision making, and high standards. The company places a strong focus on finding the right cultural fit during the hiring process, and encourages employees to continuously raise the bar on their work. Through its emphasis on feedback and development, and its decentralized approach to leadership, Amazon has created a culture that values self-improvement and accountability at all levels of the organization.
