S10-Ep40: Delivering the Future - Why Amazon Execs Lead Beyond Retail

Guests: Ryan Redington, Amazon Music GM, & Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer

An open door is an opportunity – and a risk. Assess that risk a little easier with the one-way and two-way door framework. It’s just one of the tools Amazon uses to innovate better and faster.

 

In this episode, two Amazon execs explain how and why they innovate in areas outside of the company’s stereotypical retail business: in sustainability and in the music industry.The impact has been huge. Over 500 companies have joined Amazon in their climate pledge, moving to clean energy and other sustainable practices. In music, they’re redefining the industry, even discovering new artists such as Chappell Roan!

Here's what Kara, Ryan, and Maureen cover:

1. Why seeing an industry outside of its traditions helps you discover new markets and opportunities;
2. What the one- and two-way door framework is, and how to use it to spark innovation; and
3. Why it’s good business to increase sustainability and climate action.

Other episodes you'll enjoy:

• Innovation Insights: Amazon Executives Share How They Deliver the Future with VPs Udit Madan, Jamil Ghani, & Sarah Rhoads
• How Climate Change Batters Business Bottom Lines with former Prime Minister Kim Campbell
• Stewarding the Future of the Planet: Views from the Boardroom with Helle Bank Jorgensen

 

For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!

 

RESOURCES:  

Detail about the sustainability initiatives Kara mentioned are online at https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/. Businesses interested in working with – or just learning from – Amazon’s sustainability efforts can learn more on the Exchange at https://exchange.aboutamazon.com/.

 

Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here. 

 

Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

 

Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here. 

 

Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:

• Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work by Ancestry CEO Deb Liu, on how to overcome the obstacles women still face in the workplace – especially in tech. It’s in hardback at https://amzn.to/47OUO9E, and audio at https://amzn.to/3Y6EmOQ.
• Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A by Steve Robinson; it’s available in hardback at https://amzn.to/460LnmQ, on Kindle at https://amzn.to/3RVXhZs, and as an audiobook at https://amzn.to/3xPjBgn.
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Paperback = https://amzn.to/3VEl7cU, Kindle = https://amzn.to/45JGm1L, and audiobook = https://amzn.to/3RPhC2y
• Everyday Ubuntu: Living Better Together, the African Way by Mungi Ngomane. Hardback (https://amzn.to/48Doh6j) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/48YCRF4)

 

NOTE: As an Amazon partner, we may make a small commission from books you buy through these links.

 

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OUR PODCAST TEAM:  

Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko

Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

CONNECT WITH US: 

YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership 

Threads: @innovativeleaders

X/Twitter/Whatever New Name It Has This Week: @IL_Institute 

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 

Instagram: @innovativeleader 

TikTok: @innovativeleadership

Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com 

 

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About Our Guests:  

Kara Hurst leads Amazon’s sustainability efforts, overseeing the company’s initiatives on environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Under her leadership, Amazon announced its commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and co-founded The Climate Pledge, which now has over 525 signatories. Before joining Amazon, Kara was CEO of The Sustainability Consortium and served as Vice President at BSR, where she led global partnerships and built sustainability programs for businesses. Kara holds a BA from Barnard College of Columbia University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

Ryan Redington oversees all aspects of Amazon Music, including strategy, product development, licensing, marketing, and industry relations. He has led the service’s growth into one of the world’s leading audio streaming platforms. Prior to becoming General Manager, Ryan was Vice President of Music Industry, where he led partnerships with artists and labels. Ryan started his Amazon career in the Prime Video division before moving to Amazon Music, where he initially managed the physical music category. Ryan sits on the boards of the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. He holds a BS in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Iowa.