Write like an Amazonian

Hard to argue there’s a better way to communicate complex ideas in a structured and simple way than written text. Some even argue that storytelling is one of the most underrated yet important skills you can learn.

For the author, writing is the best way to crystalize thoughts, foster critical thinking and reinforce learning. If you can articulate your thoughts in simple long for text format, you’ve truly understood the topic.

Yet, as valuable as this skill is for most aspects of life, business and startup building, many of us struggle with it. It’s incredibly hard to capture complex ideas in a few simple sentences.

A company that has a very strong writing culture is Amazon (as we all know). In their book Working Backwards, longtime execs Bill Carr and Colin Bryar explain the writing culture, including why memos are better than PowerPoint:

• Decision-making requires narrative: While PowerPoint is good for conveying data, decisions require persuading stakeholders. Memos are better at achieving this goal.
• Higher information density: People can read faster than people can talk. One author says a memo conveys 10x as much information as a PowerPoint presentation.
• Ideas > charisma: A charismatic PowerPoint presenter can sell a bad idea, while a poor presenter may be unable to sell a good idea. In a memo, the idea wins.
• Better analysis: PowerPoint’s hierarchical (and sequential) structure is not ideal to address complex issues. Narrative-driven memos can be multi-causal and provide a 360-degree view on a topic.
• Shared understanding: Whether or not one agrees with the memo, a focused reading of it puts everyone on the same page to begin discussions.

With it, their writing and narrative focus achieves three things:

1. Forces clear thinking / puts idea generation on the individual
2. Makes knowledge transfer easy
3. Increases efficiency and accountability (imagine how many pointless calls you could eliminate if the call owner had to write a six-page paper)

Below is are a few simple yet impactful tips re how to write at Amazon that have gone viral on the internet.

The next time you write something, go through these after you’re done, apply the points below and see how much better and clearer your output is.

findfunding.vc ⭐ funder spotlight

findfunding.vc is our open sourced database of early stage VCs to help founders find the right investors. Check it out.

People backing people is this first check investor's tagline and it hits the nail on the head. If you want a pre-seed / seed lead who's truly got your back, reach out to this VC.

This week's findfunding.vc spotlight is on Nico Berardi from ANIMO Ventures, the person who introduced me to at least half my professional network in Miami and many fantastic folks beyond South Florida (thank you 🙏).

Nico is:

• 😎 Miami based
• 🇦🇷 An Argentina-born Vespa aficionado who worships Messi & fútbol
• 🥁 A (self-proclaimed) mediocre drummer whose band was offered a contract to drop out of high school and go for it. Spoiler alert: they stayed in school 🥲

Amongst founders, Nico and ANIMO are known for being the most active investor on the cap table. Both him and his partner Tono care about the person as a whole and do whatever it takes to support them (read: there are no small asks).

Also, make sure to:

• 🐦 Follow him on Twitter at nicberardi
• ✉️ Shoot him an email with a deck to pitch him

For more, check out his funder spotlight card below along with ANIMO's profile on findfunding.vc

Until next week,

Pascal