Ronak spent over 9 years at Amazon, where he led large businesses across Fulfillment, Ultra-fast delivery, Real Estate, Process Improvement, and Last Mile Delivery. Ronak was also the youngest Regional Director in Amazon history, with placement into Amazon’s highest volume, most critical region of fulfillment. After nearly a decade with the company, Ronak left Amazon to join Odeko as Chief Supply Chain Officer. 

In this episode, Ronak shares how his career in operations leadership quickly unfolded and the leadership principles that helped him achieve success in the programs, centers, and regions he led. You’ll hear Ronak share how Deliver Results rounded out his perspective on maximizing the collective impact of Amazon’s leadership principles, how leadership transparency helped him turn around a 2,800-employee site, and how, with the right focus and motivation, leaders can help their teams operate at a high level, whether at Amazon or in any business arena. 

Ronak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronak-patel-nashville/

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Jennifer spent over 16 years at Amazon across various roles that included Financial Analyst, Product Manager, Head of Vendor Management, and Category Leader. During this time, Jennifer’s teams helped create new input metrics and ask questions to evolve Amazon’s use of data in the quest for operational excellence. Jennifer has since taken this ability to lead through data and questioning to launch a marketplace service for BuildDirect Technologies and consult various consumer brands in their Amazon and e-commerce negotiations and growth strategies. 

In this episode, Jennifer shares context behind her career journey and how she used preceding roles to prepare for later leadership roles as Amazon director and executive at Build Direct. She also shared practical examples from her experience asking questions and identifying data to improve business operations. 

You’ll also hear Jennifer share:

·        How increased transparency into variable product costs quickly clarified needed actions

·        Why Dive Deep is such a fundamental principle for managing a P&L and marketplace business

·        How listening to key customer anecdotes helped create a better assortment strategy in the Watches category

·        How leaders can apply the Dive Deep principle when moving to a completely new business

·        How to improve negotiations with the right use of questions and data

Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-arthur-460768/

Jennifer’s email: jennifer@jmaconsultingco.com

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In part two of this 2-episode special with Steve Frazier, a former 20-year Amazon VP, we pick up in talking about how to use data, focus on inputs, and exercise strong judgement in prioritizing your team’s attention in a scaling business.

You’ll hear Steve share: 

·        Why businesses should focus on operational performance reviews, even on day 1

·        The 2 magical metrics that helped Amazon stay focused on the right actions as it scaled

·        The litmus test for a leader to know they have their team focused on the right inputs

·        Why Amazon focuses on the smallest defects in performance

·        Learning from both successes and failures

·        How being a reporter for The Wall Street Journal helped shape Steve’s approach in business

Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sfrazier/

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