Amazon has implemented a new formalized performance review process requiring corporate employees to document specific accomplishments as part of their annual evaluation. The e-commerce giant's internal review system, known as Forte, now mandates employees submit three to five accomplishments that best demonstrate their work impact, according to internal guidelines.

New Accomplishment-Based Framework

The revised Forte process represents a significant shift from Amazon's previous approach. Employees must now provide specific examples of their deliverables and outline action plans for continued growth within the company. The internal guideline defines accomplishments as "specific projects, goals, initiatives, or process improvements that show the impact of your work."

The guidelines encourage employees to consider situations involving risk-taking or innovation, even when outcomes didn't meet expectations. This approach marks the first time Amazon has explicitly formalized Forte around individual accomplishments, departing from previous reviews that focused on broader questions about employee capabilities and contributions.

Impact on Compensation Structure

Forte plays a crucial role in determining employee remuneration within Amazon's compensation framework. Managers utilize multiple evaluation criteria to assign Overall Value ratings that directly influence annual pay decisions.

The comprehensive evaluation system combines these elements to create a holistic view of employee performance, with the new accomplishment-focused approach providing concrete evidence of individual contributions.

CEO Jassy's Workforce Strategy

The formalized Forte process aligns with CEO Andy Jassy's broader initiative to establish workforce discipline and unified corporate culture. His leadership has introduced several structural changes designed to enhance organizational efficiency and performance standards.

Jassy's 2025 initiatives include implementing a full return-to-office policy, reducing management layers, and overhauling Amazon's pay structure. The revised performance review process primarily recognizes top performers, creating a more competitive internal environment focused on measurable achievements.

Industry-Wide Performance Trend

Amazon's move reflects a broader shift in technology sector employee management practices. The industry has adopted increasingly demanding performance standards, with several major companies implementing similar achievement-based evaluation systems.

Several Amazon teams, including advertising and IMDb video divisions, previously pilot-tested similar Forte questions. Advertising head Paul Kotas informed staff that highlighting specific achievements "helps facilitate a more productive" dialogue with managers, demonstrating the practical benefits of the structured approach.

The formalized accomplishment-based review system represents Amazon's commitment to creating measurable performance standards while maintaining focus on individual contributions and growth within the organization.

Amazon has unveiled its largest investment commitment to India, announcing a $35 billion investment by 2030 that positions the e-commerce giant as the country's largest foreign direct investor. This substantial commitment comes over and above the $40 billion already invested between 2010 and 2025, underscoring India's strategic importance to Amazon's global operations.

Comprehensive Investment Strategy

The $35 billion investment will span multiple dimensions of Amazon's business operations in India. According to Udit Madan, Senior Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Operations, the investment encompasses infrastructure development, artificial intelligence initiatives, technology advancement, export facilitation, seller enablement programs, workforce upskilling, and educational initiatives.

Export Growth and Global Connectivity

Amazon's export performance from India demonstrates a remarkable growth trajectory. The company has crossed $20 billion in cumulative exports from India within just five years of focused effort. Building on this success, Amazon has set an ambitious target of reaching $80 billion in cumulative exports by 2030, connecting Indian sellers and producers to customers worldwide.

Innovation Hub and Global Solutions

India has emerged as a significant innovation engine for Amazon's global operations. The country's quick-commerce revolution, featuring same-day deliveries and 10-minute orders, has set new consumer expectations that Amazon is adapting worldwide. The company has already launched 20-minute deliveries in the Middle East and 30-minute quick-commerce offerings in Seattle and Philadelphia.

A notable example of India-to-global innovation is the Amazon Hub Points Program, which partners with local kirana stores for pickup and delivery services. Initially launched in India to scale rapidly during festivals and peak periods, this model has been successfully adapted in Spain, parts of Europe, and Manhattan, providing supplemental delivery capacity where traditional networks face limitations.

Technology Integration and Workforce Evolution

Amazon operates at extraordinary scale, moving over 100 million packages through its network daily with support from 1.2 million employees globally. The company has deployed one million robots worldwide, representing more than a decade of robotics integration. These advanced systems perform various tasks including moving goods to employees, product picking, and packaging operations.

The integration of robotics technology has transformed the nature of work within Amazon's operations. While the overall workforce continues to grow, employee roles have shifted from repetitive tasks to more knowledge-oriented and skilled functions. This evolution reflects a broader trend toward automation of repetitive processes while humans increasingly perform higher-value work.

Future Delivery and Automation Outlook

Amazon views delivery evolution as a continuum rather than a replacement system. While everyday essentials may arrive within minutes through quick-commerce solutions, other products will continue following same-day or overnight fulfillment models. The company anticipates that collaborative robots assisting human workers will become commonplace over the next 5-10 years, particularly in last-mile delivery scenarios where robots could assist delivery drivers in carrying packages from vehicles to customer doors.

The $35 billion investment in India by 2030 aims to leverage the country as a global innovation hub, focusing on artificial intelligence, infrastructure development, and export growth. This strategic move not only reinforces Amazon's commitment to the Indian market but also positions India as a key player in the company's global expansion and technological advancement plans.