Once you pick a public company, (THE COMPANY IS AMAZON) tell me why you think some of the material in this class will be interesting to talk about with the company that you chose. Tell me which topics in this class that you think might interest you most that relate to your company. (BELOW ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS)
• Culture and Diversity; Self- Awareness, Personality, Emotions and Values; Perception and Attribution
• Managing Conflict and Negotiations; Decision Making
• Making a calculated decision using accounting concepts
• Corporate Finance and Operational Risk Management
• Organizational Strategy and Structure; Organizational Culture and Change
Full Answer Section
Organizational Strategy and Structure; Organizational Culture and Change: Amazon's organizational structure has evolved significantly over time. How does their current structure support their diverse business units and their overall strategy? How do they manage organizational change, especially given their constant expansion and innovation? Their culture has been both praised and criticized. How do they maintain their culture as they grow and expand into new markets? How do they adapt their culture to different regional contexts while retaining their core values? Understanding how they manage organizational culture and change is essential to understanding their long-term success.
These topics are of particular interest because they are directly linked to Amazon's continued success and its ability to navigate a complex and ever-changing business landscape. Understanding how Amazon addresses these issues can provide valuable insights for any organization, especially those striving for innovation and growth.
Sample Answer
Amazon, a global behemoth in e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital streaming, presents a fascinating case study for organizational behavior and management. Several topics from the provided list are particularly relevant and would be interesting to discuss with Amazon, given its scale and unique operational model.
Culture and Diversity; Self-Awareness, Personality, Emotions, and Values; Perception and Attribution: Amazon's leadership principles are a core part of its culture, emphasizing customer obsession, ownership, and bias for action. It would be intriguing to explore how these principles are instilled and maintained across such a vast and diverse workforce. How do they address challenges related to diversity and inclusion within a high-pressure, fast-paced environment? How do they foster self-awareness and manage the emotional landscape of their employees, especially given the intense scrutiny they face regarding working conditions? Understanding how Amazon manages perception and attribution, particularly in a world of instant feedback and social media, is also crucial. Do they have strategies for managing their public image and addressing misperceptions?
Managing Conflict and Negotiations; Decision Making: Amazon's rapid growth and diverse business interests mean conflict and negotiation are constant realities, both internally and externally. How does Amazon manage conflicts between different departments or teams? How do they approach negotiations with suppliers, partners, and even competitors? Their decision-making processes, especially for high-stakes ventures, would be a valuable area of discussion. How do they balance data-driven decision-making with intuition and risk-taking, particularly in innovative areas? Given the sheer volume of decisions made daily, what frameworks and tools do they use to ensure efficiency and consistency?