Stephenie Landry: From Intern to Global Vice President
Stephenie, what does a typical working day look like for you?
The first hours of the day belong to my family and our son. Then I leave the house and work from about 8 o'clock in the morning until 18.30 in the evening. During this time I work on a variety of topics. I meet many? just also small-scale? Make decisions and evaluate how the current business and our processes work. As a result, my team and I continuously decide on all possible changes.
If you look at your university degree, would not you typically start from your current job?
Right ? I have a degree in Women Studies. This is a very interdisciplinary course of study and I concentrated mainly on philosophy and literature.
How did you come into the e-commerce and tech business?
Right after university, I traveled for a year and ended up in San Francisco. There I got my first job in an IT start-up. When I started there, did I quickly discover my deep interest in business and technology? also because I felt that the internet would change the world. But it was a challenging time and I witnessed my former company shrink from 150 to 12 employees. I've seen at close range how companies can go through tough times. I then decided to do an MBA and eventually landed as an intern at Amazon.
Does your studies still help you in your job today?
When I started my first job, there were no e-commerce and technology experts. Everyone in this profession was like me. They tried new things and tried to find out how this new world of the internet works. In my studies, I learned to think critically, to speak strategically and to write. That helped me especially at the beginning of my career. Even today, the practice benefits me, because we actually write a lot on Amazon. For example, we always start important meetings with so-called 6-pagers. In it we describe on a maximum of six pages the topic that should be discussed in the meeting and provide background information and possible solutions. Writing these 6-pagers is an important task for executives.
By your example, it is motivating to see that we do not have to go one career path, but also just turn.
Looking back, maybe sometimes we can see a higher meaning in our ways? why we have seized some opportunities and others have not. However, I have not planned my way precisely and I am very happy about how everything has worked out for me. Honestly, I never planned to become a leader in a global business.
You started at Amazon 14 years ago. Do you still remember your first day at work?
I remember the first day very well. I had an operation shortly before and therefore wore a thick bandage over one eye. On that day I drove to the wrong address and my manager had to pick me up and bring me to the right place. Then I was led around and shook a lot of hands. Today I can laugh about it for one reason above all: everyone remembers me as a very young woman with very red and short hair and a big bandage on her face.
... even if you certainly did not plan it that way.
No, but we coworkers at Amazon have badges with pictures of us and that's why there is still a photo of me from my first day with a thick bandage. Even if today I have a new picture on my badge.
Was it difficult for you as a young woman to be accepted in this male-dominated tech scene?
I believe that every woman feels every now and then not fully accepted. That's why it's so encouraging to have more women in the workplace and get to know their perspectives. Without diversity, it is not possible to create products that really inspire other people. This is even more true when the products are also heavily used by women? like the ones I develop with my team. However, I believe that almost every time doubts whether he is fully accepted at work. Both women and men? only for different reasons.
You used to think that as a young woman you were often underestimated by colleagues?
That's true. Being underestimated can also be an advantage. Honestly, I even like being underestimated just because I'm a woman.
Why?
Because it is even more surprising for these people to succeed. That makes you a bit memorable for your environment.
What do you like about your work in a technology group?
In my years at Amazon, the company has grown incredibly. When I started here, just 2,000 people worked at Amazon in Seattle.This is a company size, where many people still know personally. But it was also a time when it was not clear whether the Internet would make long-term money. Many of my family members thought back then that working for an Internet company was not a good idea. But being able to work in a growing business and grow with the business itself is something special.
You say it yourself: It's quite unusual to have such a long career within a company.
Sure, there are certainly many other interesting possibilities. But with Amazon, I found a company whose topics and challenges intrigued me, and whose approach is easy. And I can get more involved in topics with each passing year. At Amazon is thought long term. So I can help shape a future where you can see the results quickly. However, I can also implement ideas that take longer to germinate and flower. If we are convinced of an idea, we are patient with its implementation.
Do you go shopping in local shops or do you order everything online?
I enjoy going to local shops? especially when it comes to more than the actual shopping. Stationary stores offer many opportunities to create great shopping experiences. But if I only need new washing powder, I prefer the quick purchase? like over the internet. I also believe that there is still great potential to connect local retail and online shopping to create a whole new customer experience.
What are the goals for you and your projects at Amazon over the next few years?
My team and I are focused on driving innovation on behalf of our customers and finding ways to make life easier for our customers? so they can spend more time with the things that matter to them. Whether it's grocery shopping without leaving the house, or discovering new products and delivering them in no time? These are the ideas that keep me and my team going.
Thanks for the interview, Stephenie.
