Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work at Amazon? Are you curious about the people who work in one of the most customer-centric companies in the world?
In this month’s profile we hear more in a short interview about the career of a senior marketing manager who looks after the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) for Amazon Pay and commutes between Munich and Hamburg.
1. How would you describe yourself in 2-4 sentences?
I am cheerful, positive, driven, curious and cosmopolitan; I laugh a lot (even about myself), play a lot of sport and am fairly well organised. I think those around me sometimes think I live by Excel lists!
2. When did you join Amazon, what is your position and how would you describe your role? Did you work in previous teams at Amazon before?
I joined Amazon in Luxembourg as senior engagement marketing manager in February 2017. I built up engagement marketing here for Amazon end devices (Kindle, Echo, Fire TV, etc.) within the EU. Since September 2017, I have looked after dealer and partner marketing (B2B) in the DACH region as the senior marketing manager for Amazon Pay. My mission in the role is to inspire and attract dealers to integrate Amazon Pay so that they offer our payment method to their end-consumers at checkout.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
I commute between Munich and Hamburg almost every weekend because of my domestic situation, so I try to maximise my time during the week with particular routines. Therefore, I get up every day at 7 a.m., then either do some sport straight away (jogging, cross fit or swimming), read or deal with private matters. Then I get to the office around 9 a.m. (I work from home 1-2 days a week). Here, I try to structure my day using daily objectives, which works more or less.
4. What do you like about the Amazon culture? Or what have you learnt from your time at Amazon?
I have worked in various areas during my 3 years at Amazon. I think there are various “sub-cultures” depending on the business area and phase of development of the business. Overall, I like the constant desire to focus on the customer, the can-do attitude and the (mostly) high level of decision-making ability.
5. What is your favorite leadership principle and why?
Customer obsession. This is, apparently, one of my strong characteristics and it always allows me to deal with issues from a customer perspective in a critical but constructive way.
6. What is one of the reasons you like working at Amazon Pay?
We are pioneering architects here. This area is still in a very young stage of development. This allows flexibility, independence in decision-making, creative solutions and autonomy.
7. How does Amazon support your career goals?
Individual responsibility for your own career is practised in the Amazon culture. Staff write their own career paths and turn their plans into reality with the help of those around them, such as their supervisors or mentors, etc. I like this autonomy for your own career a lot.
8. What is the best thing about coming to work every day? Is there a benefit about your job that might surprise people?
The continuous learning curve and the visible, personal contribution in my current role.
I have a diverse spectrum of stakeholders that I work with and at the same time scarce resources to be successful. This also requires a great deal of searching for creative solutions to achieve my goals. That’s why I reinterpret my role by establishing scalable and automated processes and focus on the major issues with impact so I can become faster and more effective.
9. What are you passionate about outside your work? What do you enjoy most outside work?
I am a sports enthusiast: a mix of fitness training, triathlon, tennis and golf.
Family and friends: I have recently become a father.
I love travelling: 1 new destination per year. My next trip: Australia or Canada during my paternal leave.
10. What is your superpower or something most people at work possibly don’t know about (a secret talent, hobby or ambition etc.)?
My perseverance, energy and discipline – both in sport and partying J
11. If you had a personal motto what would it be?
If you can imagine it, it’s possible! I believe that many of your dreams can be achieved and are only dependent on your courage, the point in time and the situation. You shouldn’t wait for others, but determine your personal destiny yourself.