Jeff Bezos is a master communicator. His shareholder letters provide valuable insights into effective business communication. Here is a lesson in communication from just one paragraph of a 1998 shareholder letter.
We predict the next three and a half years will be even more exciting. We are working to build a place where tens of millions of customers can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online. It is truly Day 1 for the Internet and, if we execute our business plan well, it remains Day 1 for Amazon.com. Given what’s happened, it may be difficult to conceive, but we think the opportunities and risks ahead of us are even greater than those behind us. We will have to make many conscious and deliberate choices, some of which will be bold and unconventional. Hopefully, some will turn out to be winners. Certainly, some will turn out to be mistakes.
You can analyze this paragraph in three layers.
Attention-grabbing writing: Bezos starts with a bold prediction that grabs your attention right away. Following the inverted pyramid structure, he supports this claim with details. Such a structure will help you communicate effectively in emails and blog posts.
Setting a long-term vision: Bezos describes Amazon's goal of creating a platform for millions of customers. He brings to mind the idea of building a cathedral, which takes decades, if not centuries, to complete. His long-term vision says he's creating history and invites everyone to be a part of it. It gives meaning to what you do every day. Giving meaning to the daily grind is a leader's task.
CEO decision making: Then he talks about the importance of bold bets in business. Bezos says some bets will fail. That's the nature of decision-making at the highest level. Not every decision will be great. Business leaders should be ok with it.
Bezos outlines three traits of successful CEOs in one paragraph: forward-thinking, taking risks, and communicating concisely.
Your writing will improve when you read and reread such letters.
Making a tradition of connection
https://blog.josh.tel/2023/01/11/making-a-tradition-of-connection/
Mathrubhumi English
jjude
Josh Simmons