Mazen Khanfar’s Post

Amazon India is using its scale and size to support citizens in the fight against the deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. From airlifting oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines, and ventilators to supporting fundraising efforts and providing targeted solutions for specific requests – teams are coming together to think big and creatively, moving with speed to make an immediate difference. My sincere thanks to the people who are working round the clock to extend every possible support to alleviate the situation.   I would also urge you all to check out the Amazon Milaap crowdfunding campaign and see how you can support India in this devastating crisis. https://lnkd.in/eRFMr9b

I am incredibly proud that LinkedIn has recognized Amazon as the most desirable workplace in the U.S for 2021. A little over five years ago, I began my Day 1 journey with Amazon. We have grown beyond anything I could have imagined from when I first started. We embrace innovation, creativity, and passion every day as we strive to deliver outstanding service to our customers. I am sincerely thankful to be part of the OpsTech IT team. I look forward to continuing to help "Deliver Smiles" to customers and contributing to Amazon's future growth. https://lnkd.in/e_HRgw2

In Jeff Bezos’ last annual shareholder letter as the CEO of Amazon, he gave us all great lessons to take to heart. The thing that spoke to me the most, however, was when he declared his vision that Amazon not only be Earth’s Most Customer Centric Company, but Earth’s Best Employer and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. I am committed to helping foster a culture in which inclusion is the norm for all Amazonians. I’m proud of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work happening throughout Amazon and OpsTech IT, but there is still more to be done. I encourage you to take some time and read Jeff’s shareholder letter. I think it will inspire you; it certainly inspired me. https://lnkd.in/enNcZGH

It’s really amazing to see Amazon using our operations experience to help get our communities and employees vaccinated. We’re holding vaccination events for front-line employees in Missouri, Nevada, and Kansas, and our pop-up clinics in Washington State and Florida help vaccinate thousands of people per day. I am proud that we can be part of this incredibly important effort. https://lnkd.in/eGWhUB5

Innovation and invention are central to what we do here at Amazon. We are always trying to think of new ways to delight our customers. But how? The Harvard Business Review has a great piece this week about how leaders can focus their teams with specific constraints that will deliver results. In part, they discuss how constraining outcomes and time can help focus teams, while giving them the freedom and flexibility to reimagine what’s possible. That is exactly how we strive to find new solutions to problems and see around corners to deliver for customers not just today, but tomorrow, and every day after that. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ekfVKqP

“A leader’s job is to set the vision — and then get out of the way.” There’s a reason why Earn Trust is one of my favorite Amazon Leadership Principles. Without it, not much else can happen successfully. But our Leadership Principles are not siloed. They work best when they work together – like our people. The past year has intensified the need for organizations to be adaptable; but even before the challenges of 2020 the demands of our rapidly growing teams, innovations in technology, and continually working to improve our company culture called for constant adaptability. I liked this article’s original approach on how to rethink adaptability within an organization. It speaks to how the secret of adaptable organizations is trust. The idea is that management should define what they want to achieve and let the organization focus on how to achieve it. Or as I see it, Earn Trust by promoting Ownership so employees can Invent and Simplify to maintain Customer Obsession and Deliver Results.

Amazon is honoring International Women's Day with some great events to celebrate women-owned small businesses. There will be sessions with Diane von Furstenberg, Mindy Kaling, Priyanka Chopra, Keke Palmer, and much more on Amazon Live and LinkedIn Live. I encourage you to check them out and share with your networks! https://lnkd.in/ezPmg55

Today is Employee Appreciation Day, but like this article mentions, leaders have a responsibility to show appreciation for their teams every day. Leading with empathy - especially as employees face so many challenges due to the pandemic - is critical to creating an environment where employees feel valued and engaged in their work. https://lnkd.in/eAUxrEG

I’m proud to share that Amazon is celebrating Black History Month by working with Scholarship America to offer the Amazon Black Employee Network Scholarship. The $20k scholarship helps eliminate barriers for Black students and provides access to careers in supply chain and computer science. If you know the perfect candidate, please pass this along! Applications are now open, with submissions due by March 4, 2021.