Inspirational Leaders Who Have Changed Some Organizational Cultures: Jeff Bezos - Case Study Example

Running head: Inspirational Leaders Who Have changed Some Organizational Cultures: Jeff Bezos Insert         Insert Grade Insert Name 20 March 2012 Inspirational Leaders who have changed Some Organizational Cultures: Jeff Bezos Introduction Jeff Bezos is one of the existing inspirational leaders. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964 and attended school in Miami Palmetto. After graduating from Princeton University, with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, he worked in several jobs (Inc. 2009). In 1994, the internet was fresh in the market, and it did not incorporate commerce in its operations. As a result, he saw an opportunity for a new business network, and after doing research, he made a decision of creating a space in the internet where books could be viewed by the public. This led to the creation of Amazon in 1995. Today, Amazon is the most successful industry due to transformation, and Jeff has contributed to the organizational change in Amazon. Jeff Bezos is the founder of e-commerce, and a success in the internet business (Inc, 2009).This paper will discuss how the culture of Amazon has changed as a result of Jeff Bezos presence; today, the public can view full book lists on Amazon, a mission that was impossible before the early 1990s. Organizational Culture Organizational culture can be related to how an organization organizes itself based on its rules and beliefs; therefore, culture gives an organization an identity. The behavioral patterns of an organization are represented in their norms; according to Kratschmer (2011, p.2), organizational culture includes values that are shared among the members of an organization. Needless to say, organizational culture can be changed. Kratschmer (2011, p.3) adds that, organizational culture can be changed and lead to success, only if well managed. In addition, resistance to change is expected in any organization mainly because the employees are already attached to the existing culture; hence, they may resist change for fear of the unknown. Needless to say, changes in organizational culture can be of great benefit, for instance, it may contribute to new knowledge and skills for the employees, and productivity is achieved through motivating employees. Finally, as employees adapt to change, flexibility is achieved, which leads to improvement. However, for organizational culture to be successful, effective leaders must be in place. Culture is very important, as it promotes healthy competition at the place of work by motivation employees to perform. A healthy culture promotes employees’ interaction at the place of work, therefore uniting them despite their different backgrounds. Providing employees with a favorable working place increases their productivity. Schein (2010, p.80) adds that, the shared values and beliefs in an organization are important, as they determine how goals are met. Moreover, a strong culture retains talents, engages employees, creates energy, changes how work is viewed, and contributes towards cooperation at the place of work. Jeff Bezos is one of the few inspirational leaders who have contributed to change of culture in Amazon, leading to the success of the business. Amazon and change in organizational culture When Jeff Bezos discovered the potential of the internet in 1994, nothing held him back from introducing commerce in the system; he abandoned a well paying job and concentrated on Amazon. Today, amazon.com is one of the internet giants, fostering online retail and an e-reader. Indeed, he is among the founders of e-commerce (Inc, 2009). Within 30 days, he had sold books in all the American states and in 45 countries, with sales worth $20,000 weekly. Since then, the growth of Amazon continuously accelerated, but it 1997, he announced that the company would be unprofitable for some time. However, in 2003, Amazon made its first annual profit, contributing to revenue of $4billion by 2008 (Inc, 2009). The company has embraced e-commerce, and Bezos’ will to start an online bookstore has yielded to a diverse selection of books. Today, he is the founder and chief executive officer of Amazon.com. According to Katzenbach (2008, p.6), Jeff Bezos insists on fostering positive motivation, which does not involve money. Employees are likely to be motivated on performing their tasks if they are committed and disciplined. In addition, ensuring that respect is fostered among employees will create a conducive working environment. Amazon.com recognizes employees’ effort by giving a specific employee an award on monthly basis for the capability of making significant savings. Amazon’s culture includes an informal, but effective environment, one that involves fun; this company is obsessed with customers. Therefore, it continuously improves its website and its systems with an aim of serving customers quickly and reliably. It also strives to maintain its culture, which includes talented personnel, who are creative and innovative in finding solutions to challenges (Lussier, 2011, p.56). Therefore, it is evident that a strong culture is influenced by effective leadership. According to Dubrin (2011, p.291), the strong organizational culture fosters quality, productivity and morale; such a culture values human dignity, and therefore, it fosters job satisfaction and increases employee motivation. Jeff Bezos has noted that a culture that involves experimentation is crucial in the continuously changing world. Invention may lead one to paths that are considered weird by the world (Dubrin, 2011, p.291). Before the existence of Amazon, click shopping did not exist; these are some of the changes brought about by Amazon. The company also deals with online shopping for electronics, computers movies, games, music, as well as books. Amazon, being one of the web giants, implies that an effective leader must have being behind such a company that started very small and transformed into a giant. Bezos is regarded as visionary, but he is keen that his employees meet the demanding schedules; weekly management meetings are set with his managers. In addition, he encourages his employees to be innovative, and a reward programme has been implemented that rewards innovative employees (Zakomurnaya, 2007). Moreover, the company hires intelligent and innovative personnel; indeed, Bezos would rather not hire anyone rather than hire the wrong person. Bezos is also approachable and easy -going, which makes him an effective leader. In 2007, Amazon introduced a hand-held electronic book reader, which uses E-ink to bring out a print-like appearance and has no strain on the eyes. In addition, the introduction of I-pad to the world was a competition for Amazon, therefore, Jeff introduced Kindle Fire, which consists of the same features as I-pad, and is cheaper. The Amazon kindle fire is an e-book reader, which is a small hand-held device; this is as a result of technological advances. Nevertheless, these e-book devices are expensive, but advantageous compared to paper copy; indeed, technology has changed in the digital reading world. Another advantage is that these e-readers can be borrowed from libraries. According to Mc Graw Hill (N.d, p.3), kindle fire is competitive compared to other e-book readers. In 2007, Amazon.com created a successful e-bookstore that allowed client access from any computer or from e-book reader model. Amazon has therefore made book reading easier, and the kindle e-book can be referred to as published. Amazon.com offers a collection of above two million free e-books with titles; therefore, Amazon has succeeded in improving the digital world by providing e-book readers, which assist online clients in accessing digital e-books. For instance, the kindle e-Book reader has a rechargeable battery, which is built in and has a wide internal storage that can fit 1000 full-length books (Mc Graw Hill, N.d, p.5). Another advantage of owning kindle fire e-book reader is that, the kindler-formatted e-books are easily accessed. In addition, kindle fire can be used as a form of an entertainment device, which allows one to surf the web, send, and receive emails, among other functions. Therefore, Amazon’s Kindle fire is a device of many functions, which is a competition for I-pad among other devices. Amazon prime is a membership program, which enables individuals to receive unlimited fast shipping. Therefore, members enjoy a variety of services, which include unlimited and instant streaming of above 10,000 movies and television shows. Amazon prime offers a wide variety of kindle books through the kindle lending library; members who own kindle devices benefit more from reading and borrowing books for free. In addition, members of Amazon prime enjoy free shipping for orders that are above $25, a relatively good deal for customers. Moreover, Amazon prime enables one to try free shipping for one month, and ensures that customers save by spending less, and save time by guaranteeing two day shipping. It also provides unlimited deliveries, hence guaranteeing convenience. Big online shoppers benefit the most, and this is because of the unlimited deliveries that guarantee quality of members’ money. With a range of affordable entertainment, free movies, free kindle e- books, and a two-day shipping for only $75, Amazon prime is a friendly programme. Therefore, Jeff Bezos’ intervention has led to a variety of services and products that blow the clients’ minds away. It is this transformation from a small enterprise to an internet giant that has led to a change in culture at Amazon. Conclusion Amazon.Com is currently among the successful businesses, which started small but with a vision. Jeff Bozos, who is the founder and the chief executive officer, is visionary, and he has contributed to the success of this company through motivating employees with rewards, as well as ensuring that customers’ demands are met. He is an inspiring leader, and despite the fact that he does not value communication, he believes in the “just-do-it” aspect that motivates employees to perform. Jeff is not limited to only e-books, he has also engages in online retailing of music, movies, clothes, and streaming television shows. The unveiling of kindle fire in 2007 is among his achievements; Amazon prime has also been a competitive advantage for the company and has attracted many members. A strong organization culture requires an effective leader; Amazon is one successful company that has been influenced by an inspirational leader. Indeed, Jeff has contributed to various changes in the organization, which have contributed to successful culture in the organization. References Dubrin, A. (2011). Essentials of Management. Ninth Edition. OH: Cengage Publisher. Inc. (2009).The Great Leaders Series: Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com. Jeff Bezos is an e-commerce pioneer who started Amazon.com to sell books, and expanded into just about everything else. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/30years/articles/jeff-bezos.html. Katzenbach, J. (2008). Energizing Employees in Recessionary Times Try Motivating, Not Mandating. Booz & Company. Retrieved from http://www.booz.com/media/uploads/Energizing_Employees.pdf. Kratschmer, P. (2011). Organizational Culture is Highly Resistant to Change – Discuss. Berlin: GRIN Verlag Publisher. Lussier, R. (2011). Management Fundamentals: Concepts, Applications, Skill Development. 5th Edition. OH: Cengage Publisher Learning. Mc Graw Hill. (N.d). Introduction to kindle fire. Retrieved from http://www.mhprofessional.com/downloads/products/0071793607/0071793607-ch01.pdf. Schein, E. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Fourth Edition. NJ: John Wiley and Sons, Publisher. Zakomurnaya, E. (2007). Jeff Bezos, Founder, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. Retrieved from http://www.good2work.com/article/2925. Read More