Jeff Bezos vs. Bailout CEOs
Jeff Bezos, chief executive officer and founder of Amazon, is a proponent of a Japanese philosophy called kaizen — which loosely translated means continuous improvement. As part of this belief, he has been working alongside folks at his company’s distribution centers in Lexington, Ky., perhaps to find out what else can he do to make Amazon better. This news was widely covered in blogs. What caught my eye was the comments in response to Saul Hansell’s piece in The New York Times blog.
Some of them pointed out the difference between Bezos and Bailout CEOs, who are good at offering excuses. Or others, like Auto Industry executives, who are often compared to lazy, brainless lumps. As someone points out, the bailout money is going to companies that are big, not necessarily the best. The best companies wouldn’t need to be bailed out because they would be good at what they do. Part of running a good company is knowing how each little part works and recognizing the importance of every person who contributes to the effort. Bezos clearly gets that. The bailout CEOs don’t.
(Source: GigaOm)
I totally agree. You made a comment that the best companies don’t need to be bailed out because they’re good at what they do. I think that is right on the money.
Yes, yes! Otherwise, what in the world are we supposed to be teaching our children with regard to how you get the goodies in life? Jeff Bezos is a good example. Also see the folks who started Kinko’s Copies with one copier on a sidewalk in Santa Barbara (I think it was there). Offer people something they need or want, make a quality product, offer outstanding service. If nobody wants what you are selling, do a better job or find another business; spend some time learning, researching. Persist. The goodies aren’t free! Even for these bailout recipients, in the end they won’t be free, either.