Cut the fluff
Assessing new ideas and maximising efficiency, a lesson in getting things done from Amazon.
Corporate communications are plagued by buzzwords, meetings that could have been emails, and presentations that skim the surface but seldom delve deep.
In this noise, Amazon's unique approach to communication and decision-making offers valuable lessons on fostering clarity, efficiency, and robust evaluation of ideas.
The narrative memo
Jeff Bezos' ban on PowerPoint presentations in favor of narrative memos at Amazon is not just an eccentric preference but a calculated strategy to enforce clear thinking. The narrative memo format centers around six key elements:
Intro: Sets the stage for what will be discussed.
Goals: Specifies the metrics for success.
Tenets: Establishes the guiding principles for the plan.
State of the Business: Details the current situation, providing context.
Lessons Learned: Analyzes past data to inform future action.
Strategic Priorities: Outlines the execution plan, aligned with stated goals.
The structure closely parallels storytelling with its Hook (Intro), Stakes (Goals and Tenets), Setting and Backstory (State), and Plot (Lessons and Strategic Priorities).
Why it works
Prioritise Clear Thinking: A well-written narrative memo eliminates ambiguity, pushing the author to crystallize their thoughts. The detailed structure forces a comprehensive evaluation of every aspect of the plan, from guiding principles to strategic execution steps.
Facilitate Idea Generation: The format demands a deep dive into the problem or opportunity at hand, effectively putting the onus of idea generation on the individual. This enables a level of rigor that group brainstorming sessions often lack.
Ease of Knowledge Transfer: Because the memo requires a deep understanding of the subject, it subsequently becomes an effective tool for transferring that understanding to others.
Implementation
Amazon employs a "silent meeting" strategy where participants spend the first 20 minutes of the meeting reading the memo. What follows is a rigorous discussion dissecting the narrative. This method serves dual purposes:
It ensures that everyone is on the same page—literally and figuratively.
It uses the collective intelligence of the room to spot errors or gaps in the proposal.
Taking cues
Preparation: Adopt a narrative memo format for your crucial meetings. Even if you don't employ all six sections, focusing on clear Goals, Tenets, and Strategic Priorities can provide much-needed clarity.
Discipline in Reading: Enforce a silent reading period at the start of key meetings, even if it’s just 10 minutes, to ensure everyone is aligned.
Critical Evaluation: Don’t shy away from tearing the memo apart. The aim is to find flaws before they find you in the real world. This is the true essence of 'getting shit done' without inefficiency.
Remote and Asynchronous Benefits: In a remote or hybrid environment, this method proves even more useful. A well-crafted memo can serve as a standalone document for team members in different time zones, thereby reducing the need for multiple catch-up meetings and emails.
The genius of Amazon's narrative memos lies in their forced simplicity. The format requires you to understand the nuances of your proposal deeply enough to explain them simply. This, in turn, equips everyone else to understand them just as deeply, setting the stage for informed discussions, quicker decisions, and effective implementation.