Just The Facts

Just the Facts: A retail revolution turns 10

I am trying out a new idea, just list the facts from the story and ignore all else. So with out further delay:

A Retail Revolution Turns 10 (not free as in beer)

Original Seed Money: $300 thousand
Amazon active users: 49 Million
Number of categories on Amazon: 31
Cost of free shipping in 1st qtr 2005: $55 million
Amazon Revenue:

  • 1996 $15.7 million.
  • 1997 $147.8 million.
  • 1999 $1.6 billion (pinky pointing to mouth like Dr. Evil)
  • 2004: $6.9 billion

Percent of Revenue generated by provideing services to third parties: 27%

Amazon Profit:

  • 1999: – $719 million.
  • 2004: $588 million

Amazon total losses as of 2001: $2.9 billion

Share Price:

  • All time High: $113.
  • 7/8/2005: $34.74

Share Price change:
2004: -16%
2005 YTD: -22%

Year Amazon was founded: 1994
First year Amazon turned a profit: 2003
Years it took Amazon to make a profit: 9
Amount Borrowed from Banks: $2 billion.

Jeff Bezos Networth: $3.5 Billion
Jeff Bezos Age: 41
Percent of Amazon shares owned by Jeff Bezos: ~ 25%
Jeff Bezos current salery: $81,000

My favorite quote from the article is by Mark R. Anderson. Mr Anderson said,

“You have to give Jeff credit.”

No shit???? I think everyone has given Jeff credit, to the tune of…… 2 Billion dollars.
Here is my question, how many small business loans does it take to fund Amazon?

Travel

The only way to fly

I was able to fly on the corporate jet for the first time. WOW! It makes first class seem so poor. I flew from Chicago to LA on a Dassault Falcon. There is no waiting, no long security lines, and no middle seats. We were able to work comfortably on the plane. I would say that flying private saves at least 4 to 5 hours per trip. Now I may never get a chance to fly in this fashion again, but I can now understand how efficient and effective the corporate jet is.

Food for Thought

A favorite Parable

The Lion and the Gazelle

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.
It knows that it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.

Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up.
It knows that it must out run the slowest gazelle or it will starve.

It does not matter whether you are a lion or gazelle.
When the sun comes up you had better be running.

General

Eulogies and the expression of loss.

I was reading about the death of Boyd Clarke, and as I read, I was reminded of a time in my life when I had to eulogize someone. The experience left me wanting. I wanted words to carry my memories of a cherished grin, the rumble of a laugh, and the warmth of a hug. Reflecting back, the eulogy I gave could have been to an empty room. The words I spoke were for me, to fill a hole gaping and raw, left by a loss of someone loved and admired. So I feel for those who are moved to eulogize someone. The words we use are so one dimensional and inadequate, when trying impart a grin, a laugh and the warmth of a hug.

General

A question for the ages, or not.

WHY do people back into parking spots??????

From my unscientific survey, people take longer backing in than pulling in forward. Do these people need to feel as if they are ready for a quick get away? All I know is it drives me crazy waiting for these nut jobs, as they take up the whole lane to get a good angle. Then waiting as they make at least one pull forward to adjust their initial crappy park job. If you are one of those backward parkers, PLEASE just park like everyone else. I can understand if your robbing the Walgreens but otherwise give me a break.

Ok, rant over.

General

10 uses for Google Maps
  1. Find the best vantage point to watch fireworks from.
  2. Plan walking excursions when in strange cities.
  3. Look for Randy Rhoades grave.
  4. Finding cool locations for a house or places with a great view.
  5. Find short cuts home from work.
  6. Penetrate the layers of privacy the idle rich use to hide there homes.
  7. Look at water ways in farm land to avoid buying a swamp.
  8. Show friends where your hotel was located in Paris.
  9. Find the places the government doesn’t want you to see.
  10. See what the cold war gave us.
General

eBay: Getting the most out of an auction

Just a few pointers that make eBay auctions look more attractive.

  1. Include a picture of the actual item. Nothing bothers me more than people who show the marketing image. Let me see what I’m buying.
  2. Provide detailed informtion in the description. I hate to have to ask basic questions.
  3. Use a Standard freight calculator. I hate being soaked by over priced shipping and HANDLING charges.