What Is Invent and Simplify?
Invent and simplify is about doing things faster, cheaper, and better. It is about thinking of clever and easy ways to fix a problem and implementing those ways. Amazon employees are always trying to improve. They look at processes and see if there is a problem and then figure out how they can improve and simplify to fix the issue.
Trying New Things Is Part of the Principle
Invent and simplify also means frequently doing new things. Amazon tries new things all the time, like new platforms or products. The simplifying in this principle is about knowing that it does not matter what job you have; you can and should find ways to make processes simpler but still effective. Simplifying something usually increases the efficiency of that thing or process, making it faster and/or cheaper.
You Don’t Have to Be an Inventor to Apply This
Even if your normal job does not require you to invent new products or technologies, you can still be able to answer questions about the invent and simplify principle because inventing does not just mean making new products but also thinking of new ideas. If you have a story where you thought of a creative and simple solution to a problem, that counts as demonstrating the invent and simplify principle.
Amazon’s Official Statement
The following quote is how Amazon explains the Invent and Simplify principle:
“Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here.” As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.”
Traits of People Who Invent and Simplify
People who know how to invent and simplify will try new things, think of things that have not been tried before, find easy solutions to complex problems, increase the efficiency of processes, always find ways to improve on some product or process, and identify possible errors that could be fixed in the products or processes.
How to Talk About This in an Interview
In an interview, a candidate may be asked to share a story of how they identified a complicated issue and solved it in a simple way. They should make sure to make it clear just how complex the problem was when they discovered it.
Interview Questions About Invent and Simplify
- Describe a time when you invented something.
- Tell me about the things you have improved at your current company.
- When have you thought outside the box to sell a product?
- Describe a time you created a simple solution for a complicated problem.
- What is the most creative project you have ever worked on?
- What is the most innovative thing you have ever done (idea, process improvement)?
- When did you last try to do something new?
Be Sure to Share the Results of Your Actions
When you answer questions about invent and simplify in an interview, make sure to demonstrate that you can be creative with your solutions to problems. Do not only talk about the problem and the actions you took to solve it but also talk about what happened when you solved it and what the result was. Try to have specific business outcomes in your answer.
Talk about times when you questioned assumptions and stood up for what you thought was the best idea for your business, even if others did not agree, and then created an entirely new idea for your company. Think of a time when you were under a constraint and had to do something new to get your job done.
Amazon Wants People Who Think Differently
Amazon wants people who can think outside the box to find simple, creative, and easy solutions. They want people they hire to be able to think of not just one but multiple simple ways to solve one problem. They want people who can look at other industries and departments, see how they do things, and find possible answers. The invent and simplify principle is not only about solving problems but also working to improve things that are already good enough.