This is one of the top leadership lessons that we can learn from Jeff Bezos. The owners of Amazon also own an online publishing company and have a strong belief in the value of eBooks and their ability to change the way people think about print. Their success has inspired many people to follow in their footsteps and become entrepreneurs as well.
Here are some of the things that he believes: First, we should not look at what someone does best and compare it with what we do best. His strategy for his online business is to create two separate sites (mobile and print) and treat them differently so that each attracts a different type of audience.
Second, when an author writes a book, he should do everything possible to publicize it to as many people as possible so that they will be aware of it when it comes time to buy his books. Finally, in his experience, customers appreciate getting free items and are more likely to come back if they know they can get something for nothing.
Here are some of the lessons that we can learn from Jeff Bezo’s business strategies.
First, you need to believe in your product or service. By taking the time to write a compelling, well-researched book, you are creating a higher quality product that will make people want to buy it again. People want information that makes sense and that they can count on. People want to feel safe buying from someone who is a trusted expert in his field.
Second, we must believe in ourselves enough to set clear goals and work toward achieving them. Sometimes this requires humility. Sometimes it requires that we step back and remind ourselves how valuable our skills and talents are. We can’t underestimate the value of the people who are working with us in our various capacities.
Third, we must be open to feedback – both positive and negative. Feedback is important because it helps us stay focused and it helps us identify areas in which we can improve. Most of us have been known to shoot off emails or comments to the wrong lists, so it’s important to make sure that we don’t do this too often. Criticizing others without having first thought of the feedback we are giving them helps to keep us from taking actions that could lose us money or our reputation.
Fourth, we must have a plan of action and not an idea of what should be done. Too many entrepreneurs think in terms of doing the “right thing” when really the only right thing is to make good business decisions. When we get caught up in being “right,” we sometimes miss out on doing what is right for the people we are helping – which leads us off course and into trouble. Without a plan, there is no direction to go.
Fifth, we must be humble. Leadership is about trust. When we trust others we will be more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt, and if we don’t, then we have shown a lack of integrity in regards to our fellow man. While integrity may be the most important quality in a leader, humility can be the greatest asset in a business model.
Sixth, we should learn from our mistakes and learn from our successes. This is an attitude that can be infectious – and once contagious, it cannot be prevented. If we are looking at opportunities and obstacles in our business, we should look at them and learn from them, even if they make us uncomfortable or embarrassed. We should learn how to move forward even when circumstances are not ideal – we might find a new path and take it.