A Loving Letter to Jeff

Don’t forget your grandfather’s words

Dear Jeff,

First of all, I want to say I’m a massive fan! There is only one Jeff in my life, and his last name is Bezos.

You and your team are such regulars at our house, that instead of being the Amazon truck dropping off yet another package, it’s simply ‘Jeff’ visiting our house.

It’s our running joke about the fact Amazon’s become such a seemingly essential part of our lives.

And speaking of you Jeff, you seem like a pretty good guy. You’ve definitely cleaned up, and as with all high-profile successful icons, you’re looking quite handsome these days!

We’re happy for you and just as happy for your ex.

I happened to come across one of your speeches the other day. It was from 2010, at Princeton University, and a fine speech at that. Its focus was on words that your grandfather said, about being ‘kind over being clever.’ And apparently, you took those words to heart…

It’s good to know this is something important to you and bring to mind every so often.

I’m sure thirty years from now, you’ll be yet another titan of industry who spends time strategically planning how to divest some of your money to philanthropic causes, especially if Bill Gates gets hold of you. (Don’t you just love Bill! He walks the walk — strenuously).

But it’s today and now I’m concerned about you Jeff. And my concern is focused on those worker-bees of yours, barely making minimum wage, or many whilst getting that pay increase, had other benefits taken away.

As you know Jeff, you can transform these people’s lives, by sharing some of the proceeds of your wonderful service that most of us love to use. Forget the favorable press you’ll aspire to later in life by doing ‘good works’ and everyone nods approvingly at the mention of your name.

And just think, it’s not only the actual worker who benefits from this opening of your heart to just a little more daylight, there are her family members. You know the ones but let’s revisit…

Perhaps there’s her kid who’s not at school right now, and is trying to work from his 4-year-old tablet which works most of the time, when he gets Wifi in the poorly-covered area they can barely afford to live.

Perhaps there’s an elder son, who’s studies have been impacted by the pandemic during his all-important last year in High School. Again, he’s fortunate enough to have a Chrome laptop, his pride and joy, and his schoolwork essential.

Again, he suffers from their lack of wifi, frequently using his phones’ hot spot to get his homework done. He’s very aware of this data plan, so does what he can, while diligently checking on the usage. Mom won’t be happy if he goes over again.

He’s hoping for some form of scholarship program, but it’s doubtful. His grades aren’t quite up to scratch, and he’s fallen behind on some subjects during this unique time. If he doesn’t get into college he doesn’t know what he’ll do.

And to add to the load, perhaps one aging grandparent of the kids also lives with them, not that it’s your concern.

But working late in the day, then having to get public transport home, which takes over an hour, then feeding the kids, getting her mother settled, and her leg up (she suffers from bad circulation) means the worker finally, finally ends her long day by rushing to bed herself. Ready for the hand-to-mouth existence to begin again tomorrow.

Just another regular, disenfranchised family trying to live that American Dream.

Now just imagine what these families would benefit from, with just a meager financial upgrade to their lives.

Maybe all your workers will be able to afford a car and drive to your shipment centers, thereby cutting their time to and from work by two-thirds?

Maybe they can take their child to basketball practice — something that they haven’t been able to do for the past 6 months. Or a walk in the park after work.

Perhaps one employee is aspiring to working their way up, possible at your place, Jeff. They just need to pay that babysitter so they can spend those two evenings a week at night school, to increase their expertise in accounting.

All these individuals have their own dream, and what they’d like to do in life, in addition to working for you. Just think what a happy workforce would feel like. Look over your shoulder at some of the icons that came before you, such as say, Richard Branson, a wonderful example as someone who’s always understood the logic of a happy workforce.

And there are plenty, plenty of his employees who’d think nothing of rising to the occasion should a co-worker be off sick, or a long weekend needs to be canceled. These relationships are reciprocal.

I’m sure at Jeff HQ, all are well compensated, such is life in the white-collar realm. But why would you want to have this blemish on your record Jeff, of leaving the blue-collar employees as an example of you simply being ‘clever and “not kind?”’

The one thing that’s wonderful about this is that you can choose to change this any time you want! How great is that?

All it takes is a decision to not wait decades to share that largesse of the most successful company in the world. You can do it now.

Now I know this may take some getting used to, but just imagine the respect, goodwill, that your fine company would benefit from. Not only is it one of the most successful companies in the world, but it treats its employees really well.

Not that reputation or kudos are ever the only reason to do these things, but it’s nice when there are benefits to it.

I know plenty of people who restrain themselves from ordering on Amazon simply because they do not approve of how you treat these blue-collar workers.

Were conditions to improve, those people would largely stop voicing their displeasure and jump on this train, along with the rest of us.

It may even help you once things change in 2021. I’m sure you’re a little nervous about what’s in store for you after those recent hearings.

But most of all, it’s the right thing to do. I know you frequently call me old-fashioned, but this whole ‘doing the right thing’ is coming back, in a big way!

People are opening up to the concept that maybe all those shortcuts, all those hacks, that circumvent good behaviors to get ahead, are coming home to roost. And in the near future people will be judged by their right actions.

And Jeff, I know you. I know in your heart you want to be “Kind, Not Clever.” You said it yourself.

Heres’ the link to the entire speech: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2010/05/30/2010-baccalaureate-remarks