If you own stock in Amazon, you get a letter from founder Jeff Bezos each year, reminding you of Amazon's commitment to think long-term. In his 2015 letter to shareowners, Bezos opens: ''A dreamy business offering has at least four characteristics. Customers love it, it can grow to very large size, it has strong returns on capital and it's durable in time—with the potential to endure for decades" [emphasis added].
Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his commitment to long-term thinking got him to thirty-fifth on the global Fortune 500 list in just 20 years. Each year, he prints his first letter to shareholders at the beginning of the annual report. It's a simple, symbolic act to highlight his value for the long view. The original 1997 letter outlines nine ways Amazon will demonstrate their long-term approach, including the statement: "We will continue to make investment decisions in light of long-term market leadership considerations rather than short-term profitability considerations or short-term Wall Street reactions.''
Possible Preaching Angles: Eternity; Heaven—Christians could say, "Good for Amazon and Jeff Bezos, but why not think even further ahead—like into eternity?"
