Musings of a Passionate Protagonist

Posted by PG

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/RxClwy4sKSA/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81259

From Amazon Investor Relations:

Amazon.com, Inc. today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Operating cash flow increased 37% to $17.9 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $13.0 billion for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2016. Free cash flow increased to $9.7 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $7.7 billion for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2016.

. . . .

Net sales increased 25% to $38.0 billion in the second quarter, compared with $30.4 billion in second quarter 2016. Excluding the $502 millionunfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 26% compared with second quarter 2016.

Operating income decreased 51% to $628 million in the second quarter, compared with operating income of $1.3 billion in second quarter 2016.

Net income was $197 million in the second quarter, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared with net income of $857 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, in second quarter 2016.

Link to the rest at Amazon Investor Relations

Here are some excerpts from the Wall Street Journal’s first article after the announcement:

Amazon’s performance contrasts with many traditional U.S. retailers, which are struggling with declining foot traffic and the shift of consumer spending online. At a time when Amazon is investing heavily and expanding, other retailers are saddled with high debt loads and falling sales, forcing them to close stores and cut jobs—and extending Amazon’s advantage.

Amazon’s strong quarterly sales growth—a feat it repeats every quarter—reflects how the online retail giant keeps broadening the categories it operates in. In recent weeks, it has become an official seller for Nike Inc. and Sears Holding Corp.’s Kenmore brand of appliances.

Amazon.com Inc.’s revenue rose 25% in the second quarter, bucking the retail industry’s slump with its dominance of online shopping.

However, Amazon said Thursday that profits fell 77% as Amazon spent heavily to expand. Profits were $197 million, or 40 cents, down from $857 million, or $1.78 per share, a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected adjusted earnings of $1.42 per share.

. . . .

Shares of the company fell 1.2% in after-hours trading after finishing $1,046 on Thursday. Shares were up about 39% year-to-date after the close.

. . . .

Amazon’s performance contrasts with many traditional U.S. retailers, which are struggling with declining foot traffic and the shift of consumer spending online. At a time when Amazon is investing heavily and expanding, other retailers are saddled with high debt loads and falling sales, forcing them to close stores and cut jobs—and extending Amazon’s advantage.

Amazon’s strong quarterly sales growth—a feat it repeats every quarter—reflects how the online retail giant keeps broadening the categories it operates in. In recent weeks, it has become an official seller for Nike Inc. and Sears Holding Corp.’s Kenmore brand of appliances.

. . . .

Amazon’s ever-increasing clout is accompanied by a new phase of heightened investment, after several quarters of spending discipline. The retailer is plowing profits back into product development, warehouse building and delivery infrastructure, as well as overseas expansion and video content.

. . . .

It said on Wednesday it plans to host a giant job fair next week to hire for its 50,000 current U.S. warehouse openings, part of its pledge to hire 130,000 U.S. workers through mid-2018. Amazon said Thursday that its global workforce rose by more than 31,000 in the second quarter to 382,400.

Link to the rest at  Wall Street Journal

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/RxClwy4sKSA/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81259

Posted by PG

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/kvqv_fN2iCM/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81227

Most people dream a dream when they are asleep. But to be a writer, you have to dream while you are awake, intentionally. So I get up early in the morning, 4 o’clock, and I sit at my desk and what I do is just dream. After three or four hours, that’s enough. In the afternoon, I run. The next day, the dream will continue.

Haruki Murakami

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/kvqv_fN2iCM/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81227

Posted by PG

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/dPor2L-ljwY/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81253

From The Bookseller:

Employees from the book world were among those who celebrated the launch of Amazon’s new 15-storey headquarters in London’s Shoreditch on Wednesday night (26th July).

The Publishers Association’s chief executive Stephen Lotinga attended the event, which featured a performance by singer Ella Eyre, along with Sam Missingham, formerly of HarperCollins, RCW agent Sam Copeland and Thomas & Mercer author Mark Edwards.

Former Waterstones managing director Dominic Myers, now head of Amazon Publishing in Europe, and former HarperCollins managing director Simon Johnson, who is also now at Amazon, were also in attendance.

Amazon’s UK Country Manager Doug Gurr hosted the event at the 600,000sq ft space, which includes half an acre of public piazza and events space and 20,000 sq ft of retail, including cafés and restaurants offering alfresco dining.

. . . .

The e-commerce giant said the interior was designed to “celebrate the industrial heritage and rich culture of Shoreditch” and would be complemented by a “rotating selection of art provided by local artists”.

Employees get the benefit of working in “light and airy open plan work spaces with adjustable sitting/standing desks” and there is also be a large auditorium for employee events and two large outdoor spaces offering views over London.

. . . .

With the opening of the new building, Amazon announced it would more than double the number of staff working in research and development from 450 to 900. They will primarily be working on Amazon’s global Prime Video service, over three dedicated floors in the new building, the company said.

Politicians Sadiq Khan, the Labour London mayor, and Conservative Culture Minister Matt Hancock, both threw their weight behind the opening.

Khan pointed out Amazon’s was the latest in a long line of recent major investments in London by global tech firms over the last year. “London is open to talent, innovation and entrepreneurship and the natural place for major global companies to call home – and it’s great news that Amazon has put its confidence in our unique blend of talent, creativity and access to finance,” he said.

While Hancock called the move “great news for Britain”.

“Amazon’s increased investment in developing cutting-edge technology in London is another vote of confidence in the UK as a world-leading centre of creativity and innovation,” he added.

Link to the rest at The Bookseller

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/dPor2L-ljwY/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81253

Posted by PG

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/hZjRnSCAYxk/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81238

From Domo:

Link to the rest at Domo and here’s a link to a .png file that you can click to enlarge the infographic to a larger size.

PG was impressed by this in that many of the activities shown describe communications that individuals create themselves, at least in part.

On the other hand, 103,447,520 spam emails sent every minute.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePassiveVoice/~3/hZjRnSCAYxk/

http://www.thepassivevoice.com/?p=81238