Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos

Secret Business Strategies of Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos
By Rick Tanzo

"We're trying to build something lasting." - Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder

"In all of our activities, we take a long-term view." - Bill Gates, Microsoft Corporation founder

Vision, innovation, wisdon and hard work are but four of the skills and techniques Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates employed from the very beginning of their business experience. Both started as small business owners. They didn't have much capital to spare, and neither did they locate their businesses in prized locations.

They succeeded nevertheless. The author analyzed the factors for their success and presents the lessons learned in the form of business tips. The home based business owner has much to learn from the two titans' wisdom and experience.

Lesson 1 from Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos built the foundation of Amazon.com from the garage of his two-bedroom house rented outside of Seattle. He fashioned his first office tables from wooden doors, angle brackets, and two-by-four lumber purchased from Home Depot.

Tip No. 1

Be modest in your initial investment. For example, your laptop or PC shall not necessarily be top of the line. Your office location could be the corner of your living room, kitchen, bedroom, basement or garage. Save on office rent by all means. Be like Jeff Bezos who spent prudently and succeeded.

Lesson 2 from Bill Gates

Before Bill Gates became an entrepreneur, he had nurtured the vision that software will one day rule the world. During high school he spent many late nights with friend Paul Allen tinkering with the school's computer system.

Bill Gates secured mighty IBM's contract to supply the latter's operating system. When he was negotiating with the IBM people, he had no operating system as yet. He was able to buy a Disk Operating System or DOS from another developer for a measly $50 thousand. Of course he got the contract with IBM.

Tip No. 2

You can learn from Bill Gates by having your own vision for your small business. Lay down this vision in your mind. Then put it into writing. Read your vision everyday while at work in your small corner of the house. Your vision could be as short-term as the following: