In this episode, I dive into Working Backwards: Inside Stories and Secrets from Amazon by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr, focusing on two of Amazon's most influential management ideas.

First, I explore the Working Backwards process—Amazon's practice of starting with a future press release and FAQ before building a product. Instead of asking, "What can we build?" the process forces teams to answer, "What would customers actually be excited about?" I discuss why writing clarifies thinking, how the PR/FAQ uncovers weak ideas early, and why this framework can be useful far beyond large tech companies.

I also talk about input vs. output metrics, one of Amazon's core operating principles. While most businesses obsess over outcomes like revenue or profit, Amazon emphasizes the controllable inputs that actually drive those results. We discuss how identifying the right input metrics can lead to better decisions, faster learning, and more consistent long-term execution.

Whether you're building a startup, launching a product, or simply looking for a better way to make decisions, this episode explores practical lessons from one of the world's most influential companies—and how you can apply them to your own life + work.

Buy the book (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3SydyqF