When we ask about the future, we’re asking the wrong question #bezos

“I very frequently get the question: ‘What’s going to change in the next 10 years?’ And that is a very interesting question; it’s a very common one. I almost never get the question: ‘What’s not going to change in the next 10 years?’ And I submit to you that that second question is actually the more important of the two — because you can build a business strategy around the things that are stable in time. 

[I]n our retail business, we know that customers want low prices, and I know that’s going to be true 10 years from now. They want fast delivery; they want vast selection. It’s impossible to imagine a future 10 years from now where a customer comes up and says, ‘Jeff I love Amazon; I just wish the prices were a little higher,’ [or] ‘I love Amazon; I just wish you’d deliver a little more slowly.’ Impossible. And so the effort we put into those things, spinning those things up, we know the energy we put into it today will still be paying off dividends for our customers 10 years from now.

When you have something that you know is true, even over the long term, you can afford to put a lot of energy into it.”

– Jeff Bezos

6 Comments

  1. simeon spearman on September 20, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    Great quote! Given my background, I wish more people asked me that question rather than only seeking out the “next big thing.” Innovation isn’t shiny objects, it’s often mundane improvements to the everyday.



  2. Jeff Hilimire on September 22, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    Yeah, I particularly am interested in exploring this as it pertains to mobile apps and games.



  3. Vlad Gorenshteyn on September 22, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    Agreed. Curious if these guys do to. You coming tomorrow? It’s like downstairs for you…



  4. Jeff Hilimire on September 23, 2013 at 10:04 am

    Well, it WAS downstairs from me, now I’m in Buckhead at ATV ;) I went to (co)lab yesterday, it was awesome. Gonna try to make it today but not sure if I can. Awesome event though if you can get there!



  5. Vlad Gorenshteyn on September 23, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    @jeffhilimire:disqus I was actually talking to @srspear:disqus ;) I’m going to try to do a quick summary on my blog and share with you guys. The most salient (to me) content came from David Butler and U.J. Other speakers were great too. See attached infographic summary…

    @Jeff, so when are you going to hold an open house so folks can see where the Dragon Army is quartered?



  6. Jeff Hilimire on September 23, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    Hm, good idea, we should do an open house one day!



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