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A review by alyssajcori
The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone
4.0
“Amazon.com.” That is what Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO, insisted on calling what most simply refer to as “Amazon.” His motivation? He wanted his company to forever be associated in its rightful place as a driving force in the rise of the internet and online shopping. But how did Amazon come to dominate e-commerce, and who was the man who has made the vision of building a store that stocks nearly any item imaginable, possible? These are the questions Brad Stone’s The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon seeks to answer.
This book explores the life and success of both the man and the store, which become indistinguishable as you learn of the bordering maniacal drive of Bezos to revolutionize retailing. As the culture of Amazon had been under examination recently due to the critical New York Times article on the subject, it is useful to understand the origins of Amazon and its influence on the current culture. At the beginning, Amazon and Bezos had to fight tooth and nail for every advantage, inspiring a culture of frugality and relentless improvement of the customer experience. While some view the competitive nature inside the organization as stressful and uninspiring, those who are suited to it thrive and bring great value to the company. Amazonians are willing to question everyone and everything, as well as engage in combative debates if it will mean finding the best solution.
The book delivers a comprehensive analysis of what has made Amazon an unprecedented success. With unparalleled access to Amazon employees, Bezos, and his family, Stone has shared the exhilarating story of a modest bookseller turned internet behemoth; what he calls “the most beguiling company that ever existed.” Learning about the management practices and strategic decisions of Amazon is useful for students, professors, and professionals alike. The company that is both “missionary and mercenary” shows that having diverse abilities, and knowing when to utilize them, is key to being a success. While the actions of Amazon are sometimes questionable (just wait until you read about the events preceding the release of the Kindle), there can be no doubt that their methods work. Reading The Everything Store will shed light on the company that permeates businesses everywhere and shook the very foundation of retailing; accomplishing exactly what Bezos set out to do with Amazon.com.
This book explores the life and success of both the man and the store, which become indistinguishable as you learn of the bordering maniacal drive of Bezos to revolutionize retailing. As the culture of Amazon had been under examination recently due to the critical New York Times article on the subject, it is useful to understand the origins of Amazon and its influence on the current culture. At the beginning, Amazon and Bezos had to fight tooth and nail for every advantage, inspiring a culture of frugality and relentless improvement of the customer experience. While some view the competitive nature inside the organization as stressful and uninspiring, those who are suited to it thrive and bring great value to the company. Amazonians are willing to question everyone and everything, as well as engage in combative debates if it will mean finding the best solution.
The book delivers a comprehensive analysis of what has made Amazon an unprecedented success. With unparalleled access to Amazon employees, Bezos, and his family, Stone has shared the exhilarating story of a modest bookseller turned internet behemoth; what he calls “the most beguiling company that ever existed.” Learning about the management practices and strategic decisions of Amazon is useful for students, professors, and professionals alike. The company that is both “missionary and mercenary” shows that having diverse abilities, and knowing when to utilize them, is key to being a success. While the actions of Amazon are sometimes questionable (just wait until you read about the events preceding the release of the Kindle), there can be no doubt that their methods work. Reading The Everything Store will shed light on the company that permeates businesses everywhere and shook the very foundation of retailing; accomplishing exactly what Bezos set out to do with Amazon.com.