Lessons from Jeff Bezos’s Memo-Based Approach

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 and led the company as CEO until 2021. Throughout his leadership, Bezos ensured Amazon was not just the most customer-centric company in the world but also made speed a core part of its culture.

One method he used to foster this was the practice of writing memos before meetings. Instead of using presentations made on PowerPoint, Bezos required a written memo, usually six pages long, to outline the agenda. This memo had to be concise but comprehensive, forcing the writer to think deeply and clearly.

This method cuts through distractions that visuals might introduce, like making a presentation look impressive without clear substance. Written memos keep the focus sharp, allowing ideas to shine based on their merit alone. To this day, Amazon continues this practice, which helps make meetings more productive.

Here are a few lessons we can all take from this subtle but powerful practice:

Written memos are more accurate than PowerPoint presentations

Written memos have a unique power: they encourage deeper consideration that presentations often miss. Memos require the writer to express their thoughts in a detailed and precise way, showcasing their understanding and clarity of ideas. In contrast to presentations, memos are better at revealing flaws or weaknesses in ideas. This allows for critical evaluation and refinement before sharing with others. Bezos has noted that this approach has cultivated a work culture at Amazon that promotes thoughtful and clear thinking while preventing the tendency to overcomplicate straightforward concepts.

Value of Clarity in Thinking

The main benefit of a written memo is not only to communicate ideas to others but also to help the writer organize their own thoughts. Writing a memo encourages you to review and reassess your ideas, which significantly enhances the quality of your thinking before sharing it with colleagues.

Starting with a Memo-Based Approach

When introducing change or proposing new ideas, a memo-based approach can simplify decision-making and improve understanding among team members. This 6-page rule for memos helps ensure they are concise enough to highlight key ideas and analyses. This approach keeps memos clear and effective. The process begins by writing the memo before scheduling a meeting!

So, what’s in these memos exactly?

Here’s a simple structure for it:

1. Abstract / TL;DR: Briefly explain what the memo is about and why it's important. What outcomes do you seek?

2. Background: Share essential information your team needs to understand the idea. What data supports it? What problem does it address? This context is crucial for clarity.

3. The Idea and Implementation: Clearly state your proposal and explain how you plan to implement it.

4. Conclusion: Summarize the key points you’ve covered in the memo.

5. The Ask: Clearly outline what you expect from each participant in the meeting.

Remember, a memo reflects your thought process, so seek feedback on its clarity and communication before the meeting. Having someone else read it can help ensure its effectiveness.

Hope you enjoyed this read and learned something new!

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