I can recall the first time when I made an order online. It was a book, and, to be fair, I was nervous. Would it actually arrive? Would they sent even the right one? Online shopping was in those days like a gamble. Jump to the present time, we use a click, make a payment and have the packages delivered to our doorsteps in a day or two. What changed everything? Amazon.
Amazon did not simply create a web-based shop, but it has changed the way the world shops. It re-established convenience, trust and the whole customer experience. This paper will discuss how Amazon transformed the nature of how people shop in the world and why it is one of the most successful stories of our age.
A Simple Idea to International Power.
Amazon began in 1995, and Jeff Bezos began as an online bookstore in his small garage of his Seattle house. He had this wildest idea at that time: "What would it be like to buy books online rather than going to a bookstore?
The idea was revolutionary at the time, though it seems to be a self-evident fact now. Internet was new, individuals did not trust it and majority of businesses believed that internet selling was a joke. However, Bezos saw what was not evident to others and that is the fact that technology can transform the way people shop permanently.
The tiny bookstore expanded at a very high rate. In several years, Amazon was delivering articles such as electronics, clothes, toys, and even groceries. Bezos was not only creating a site but he was creating a platform that could reach all customers regardless of where they live.
Customer First: Winning Philosophy at Amazon.
Customers, in the event there is one thing that Amazon has never ceased to be obsessed with. Once Jeff Bezos remarked that they were not competitor-obsessed, they were customer-obsessed.
Such an attitude was the basis of all Amazon actions. It introduced:
- One-Click Ordering that made the purchase painless.
- Easy Returns, that people might have the fear to shop.
- Customer Review, to give the buyers confidence on what they were acquiring.
And then there was the Amazon Prime - the one that transformed it all. Customers were provided with free shipping over two days, movies, music etc at a small annual fee. It was not only a business move, but created loyalty. Amazon became the first store that people checked.
Amazon's success story is intriguing because it does not rely on the conventional contacts and connections traditionally found in business relationships.<|human|>The success story of Amazon is fascinating in that the company does not use the traditional contacts and connections that are common to business relationships.
The Birth of the "Convenience Culture
Consider it - in the past before Amazon, people had to decide to go shopping, get in queues, and hope that what they required was in stock. Nowadays you can make orders of groceries sitting on the couch and they will be delivered before breakfast the next day.
Convenience was a new measure by Amazon. The company made instant gratification a requirement. Its 24/7 and speedy delivery did not only save time but has transformed the way life is being led.
Today we are demanding speed, tracking, and options of returns and expect all brands to deliver fast, keep us updated, and provide flexible options of returning to us. All of this is because of Amazon.
Technology Pulling the Strings.
Success of Amazon is not only in selling stuff online. It's about how it sells them.
The website is backed by mighty technologies, which intelligently personalize the experience. Whenever you are presented with the recommended to you, it is a product of the Amazon algorithm that looks at your previous purchases and presents you with the next purchase.
Its AI and data are continually learning through millions of customers, anticipating demand, optimizing prices and enhancing logistics. Robots in fulfillment centers help to speed up the speed in which packages are shipped, so that your order is shipped within hours.
Even the cloud business of Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS) was initially created as an in-house solution to manage traffic and storage. It is used to drive Netflix, Airbnb and thousands of other companies across the globe today.
In case you are interested in in-depth details of the Amazon rise, use the following video:
The Rise of Amazon How Jeff Bezos Made his Empire (Business Insider Documentary)
Modifying Consumer Expectations across the Globe.
Amazon did not only win customers but it also made them to ask more.
Today, shoppers want:
- Free or fast shipping
- Easy refunds
- Transparent reviews
- 24/7 customer support
These used to be luxuries before Amazon. Now, they're the norm. All brands, big or small are at pressure to live up to these expectations. This is the extent to which Amazon has penetrated the world consumerism.
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Assistance to Small Businesses in Going International.
Although Amazon is sometimes regarded as a huge company, it has also been the entry point of small businesses. The even small sellers can access international buyers through their Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) program.
Amazon takes care of storage, packaging, and shipping, whereas the entrepreneurs are working on their products. It has enabled millions of sellers to have access to such a huge audience which would otherwise have been impossible.
Naturally, the level of rivalry within Amazon is high. But to most people, it is the only arena that provides a platform to them that results in fair opportunity to compete worldwide.
The Extensive Effect on Workforce and Economies.
The power of Amazon is much bigger than shopping. It has revolutionized whole industries:
- Jobs: Fulfillment centers, delivery networks, and tech teams have been staffed by millions of people.
- Technology: AWS drives businesses, startups and even government.
- Advertising: Amazon has turned into one of the largest online advertisement markets globally.
To put it in a nutshell, Amazon did not only transform our buying behavior but transformed our working behavior.
Not Without Controversy
Any company does not become such large without trouble. Amazon has come under fire regarding the working conditions of its warehouse, its effect on the environment and its dominance of small competitors.
The company is returning sustainability ambitions - investing in electric delivery vehicles, recycling efforts, a so-called Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon emission by 2040. No matter whether you recognize Amazon as a hero or a villain, one thing is evident, and it continues to evolve.
Amazon is already going over the computer screen. And with Amazon Go stores, individuals can walk into the stores, grab what they desire and walk out, without a check out. Voice shopping is made possible by smart speakers such as Alexa.
In the near future, the process of making purchases might be more dialogue than action. The aim of Amazon is no more complicated, making the process of shopping unnoticeable.
Summary: A Company That Changed Everything.
The mission when Jeff Bezos founded Amazon was to make it easily and accessible to all people to do some online shopping. That dream has changed the whole world decades afterwards.
Amazon has transformed the way we live and shop, not to mention it has transformed the nature of customer service and redefined delivery. The impact of Amazon is always close whether ordering a phone charger, groceries, or even streaming a movie.
There is one lesson on the way of Amazon and this is that it is necessary to keep innovating, to keep improving and always focus on the customer first.
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