Bezos Highlights Stability as Key Business Strategy, Not Change

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has revealed what he considers the most crucial question often overlooked by others: "What's not going to change in the next 10 years?" This insight, recently highlighted by a tweet from user Jaynit, underscores a fundamental principle Bezos believes is vital for building enduring business strategies. The tweet pointed to a video where Bezos discusses this often-missed perspective.

Bezos frequently encounters the question, "What's going to change in the next 10 years?" While acknowledging its interest, he asserts that focusing on what remains constant is far more valuable. This counter-intuitive approach forms the bedrock of Amazon's long-term planning and customer-centric philosophy.

"I very frequently get the question: ‘What’s going to change in the next ten years?’ And that is a very interesting question; it’s a very common one. I almost never get the question, ‘What’s not going to change in the next ten years?’ And I submit to you that that second question is actually the more important of the two, because you can build a business strategy around the things that are stable in time," Bezos explained.

For Amazon, this has translated into unwavering commitments to customer desires such as low prices, fast delivery, and vast selection. Bezos argues that these core customer needs are unlikely to change, making investments in these areas perpetually valuable. He famously quipped that no customer would ever ask for higher prices or slower delivery.

This focus on "hard trends" – future certainties that will persist regardless of other shifts – allows companies to allocate resources effectively and build resilient strategies. By identifying foundational customer demands, businesses can ensure that their efforts today continue to yield dividends years down the line, fostering long-term success and innovation. The philosophy encourages leaders to ground their vision in immutable truths rather than chasing ephemeral trends.