“The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power,” by Dana Mattioli, is a book that delves into Amazon’s aggressive approach to dominance, the culture established by Jeff Bezos, and the practices that have led to a Federal Trade Commission antitrust suit against the company. Mattioli interviewed over 600 people for the book, including current and former senior Amazon leaders, who spoke candidly about the company’s strategies and culture.
The book raises concerns about Amazon’s lax internal controls for confidential data, suggesting that the company has primitive firewalls in place to protect sensitive information. Employees allegedly have access to data that they do not need for their jobs, leading to potential misuse of proprietary information. Amazon refutes these claims, stating that they do not condone the misuse of confidential information and have strict policies in place to prevent such behavior.
Mattioli also examines Amazon’s culture, comparing it to that of Wells Fargo, where employees are under intense pressure to perform and compete against each other. This environment has been described as akin to “The Hunger Games,” where employees feel compelled to do whatever it takes to avoid falling into the bottom percentage. Amazon denies these claims, stating that their culture is focused on innovating for customers and making their lives better.
The book also discusses the impact of social media posts by Amazon executives on the company’s public policy work. The D.C. team’s efforts to build relationships on Capitol Hill were allegedly undermined by the executive team’s aggressive behavior on social media, which damaged the company’s credibility and reputation. Amazon disputes this characterization, stating that their culture is centered around innovating for customers and improving their lives.
Mattioli draws parallels between Amazon and historical monopolies such as Standard Oil, highlighting allegations of predatory pricing and tactics to stifle competition. Amazon has been accused of using its market dominance to levy fees on sellers and increase prices for consumers. The company refutes these allegations, stating that they fundamentally disagree with the FTC’s claims and believe that they have benefited consumers and small businesses.
Through her book, Mattioli aims to lift the veil on Amazon’s secretive operations and reveal instances where the company may have manipulated the market in its favor. Amazon, on the other hand, asserts that its success is the result of continuous innovation and a commitment to improving the customer experience. “The Everything War” provides a critical examination of Amazon’s rise to power and the implications of its dominance in the corporate world.
