Q1 2007 Bounce Back

I'm definitely glad that all the belt-tightening that has been happening around Amazon has finally translated into fatter margin and more profit for all. I was definitely getting worried. Bloomberg has a good overview.

What's interesting is how much of the growth is coming from retail, marketplace, digital media and web services. The company doesn't break these segments down, so I'm not going to either. But it's still interesting to see who gets all the glitz and attention, and who hunkers down and makes all the growth happen.....

We know where you are sleeping. We know when you are awake.

Amazon database would put shoppers' intimate details on the line shows yet another controversial Amazon patent application. I am all for better predicting consumer taste, but it's still scary for a company to know so much about you.

Mt. Amazon

This is totally an inside joke. You have be one of the M@ merchants coming onboard on Amazon's market place platform to get it. But I like it's name.

Speaking of names, why is it that suddenly everything ends with "By Amazon"? Webstore By Amazon, Fullfillment By Amazon, etc. Are you really confused what is offered by whom? It's just more silly branding.

The Perfect Storm

So, as all Amazon.com watcher know by now, Amazon's stock was slapped around on the market since the quarterly result came out yesterday. Investors/analysts are unhappy about option expenses, giving money away for Prime & SuperSaverShipping (SSS), as well as increased technology spending.

I think it comes down to whether Amazon.com is a technology company that happens to do retail, or a retail company that happens to do technology. Compared to retailers, we are above par. Compared to tech companies, we are below par. It's kind of a mid-life identity crisis. Which one are we?

TRU & Cubicle Blues

It sure looks like Toys R Us is going bye bye. That's a lot of money out of the window, but it was always kind of stretch to try to redefine the word "exclusive". Should be interesting watching how the market reacts to the news next week.

On a separate rant, this song about cubicles is just too funny. I do have a view from my cubicle, but I still enjoy the last line.

song-cubicle (audio/mpeg Object)

Grocery & Bill Maher

Amazon just launched the new Grocery category, where you coudl buy corn flakes from Amazon. Personally, I am not sure what the different between the existing Gourmet Food category to Grocery, but I am not a buyer.

Did you also know that Amazon is a media company now? Check out Amazon Fish Bowl with Bill Maher.

Through a NuBe's eyes

There is a new hire that just joined my team this week, and I am showing him around. It's very interesting to see Amazon through a newbie's perspective. Everything is constantly moving and shifting. It's very exciting. I do agree though. It IS very exciting, but sometimes, the disorganization makes it frustrating.

Went to a TechCrunch mixer yesterday, and there were a lot of current and former Amazonians there. I wonder how many of them are contemplating jumping ship to join one of the o-so-many web 2.0 start-ups.