Amazon VP Urges Remaining Staff to Focus on Top Three

In response to the recent large-scale reductions at Amazon’s devices division, a senior vice-president sent a candid internal memo to the team that remained. The message acknowledges the difficult reality of some 14,000 jobs being cut, while inviting those left behind to lean into three clear areas of focus. 

First and foremost: put the customer front and centre. The memo emphasises that the work of remaining employees must be directly tethered to what end-users see and feel less internal hand-off, more frontline impact.

Secondly: embrace artificial intelligence. The VP reminded teams that AI is not just a buzz-word, but a tool expected to shift the way Amazon builds devices, services and interactions. The message aligns with broader remarks from leadership. 

Third: actively remove layers of bureaucracy. Employees were asked to raise their hand when they spot processes that slow things down, to simplify rather than expand. The idea: speed and agility may now count more than ever. 

Importantly, the memo doesn’t gloss over the human cost. The vice-president writes that the decisions were “made thoughtfully” for future success and acknowledges just how hard the changes are for everyone. Support resources are also highlighted, reinforcing that the company recognises the impact beyond just business metrics. 

This move signals that Amazon is entering a new phase, one where operational efficiency, speed and AI-driven innovation are being placed front and centre. For those left on the team, the expectations are clear: deliver meaningful customer outcomes, embrace new tech tools and challenge the status-quo of process. The message may feel sharp but perhaps it also offers clarity for a world of work now defined by change and uncertainty.