Executive Education
Executive Development Program
ManagING like amazon
Inside Jeff Bezos Management System
Executive Development Program - Third Edition
Managing Like Amazon
Inside Jeff Bezos Management System
Instructors:
Colin Bryar former SVP & Jeff Bezos "Shadow" at Amazon and Bill Carr former SVP & member of the 12 S-Team of Jeff Bezos at Amazon.
Venue & Date
Quinta da Caçabrava, Tomar, Portugal. 4, 5 & 6th May, 2026.
Audience:
High-level of seniority, mainly CEO’s, COO’s, VP’s, Management Control, Corporate Planning and similar roles. Limited to 30 executives.
Program Fee: 4800€ +VAT
Increases to 5500€ +VAT after 10th April 2026.
Past Editions Alumni
Instructors:
Colin Bryar former SVP & Jeff Bezos "Shadow" at Amazon and Bill Carr former SVP & member of the 12 S-Team of Jeff Bezos at Amazon.
Program Fee: 4800€ +VAT
Fee will increase to 5500€+VAT after 10th April 2026.
Date:
4, 5 & 6 May 2026
Location: Tomar, Portugal
Herdade Caçabrava
Audience:
High-level of seniority, mainly CEO’s, COO’s, VP’s, Management Control, Corporate Planning and similar roles. Limited to 30 executives.
Colin and Bill's Message
"We will explore a set of core issues that shape how organizations perform: planning, decision cycles, culture, designing and building a true flywheel, effective decision-making, measurement, plus identifying and implementing new initiatives to drive growth and efficiency.
Companies that achieve sustained, scalable results manage these areas through a set of formal, repeatable processes. Together, these processes define a company’s Operating Cadence.
Jeff Bezos captured this idea clearly in his 2016 shareholder letter: “Good process serves you so you can serve customers. But if you’re not watchful, the process can become the thing. This can happen very easily in large organizations. The process becomes the proxy for the result you want. You stop looking at outcomes and just make sure you’re doing the process right.”
We also aim to make the case that the following decisions should not be delegated by executives:
-
Along what dimensions do we create value for customers, or what is our strategic direction? Best if articulated by a Flywheel and should not change from quarter to quarter or year to year. Minor adjustments, based on results and experience, over a period of years are appropriate.
-
How will the company measure success and progress against the flywheel or strategy (besides the obvious output metrics)?
-
What are the input metrics that give us an understanding of and visibility into how we control and drive our desired customer experience and business performance?
-
Where and how should we invest? How should we allocate our (precious) resources to the many initiatives and ventures we might pursue? And, which of these should we decide not to do based on the capacity of our organization?
Every company should operate from a clear operating plan, built around goals for both output and input metrics, a defined set of initiatives, and explicit resource allocation.
All of this sounds simple, and in many ways it is. The challenge grows with the size and complexity of the organization. The solution is neither new nor secret. Every successful company has an Operating Cadence: how plans are created, tracked, and adapted over time.
I invite you to come with an open mind, and I hope you leave inspired to shape and strengthen your own operating cadence.
What You'll Learn
Build a High-Performance Hiring System
Implement structured, principle-driven hiring practices that raise the talent bar and reinforce company culture.
Master Strategic Planning & Resource Allocation
Design an Operating Plan (OP1) that aligns initiatives, budgets, and teams around measurable business outcomes.
Establish Control Through Rhythmic Reviews
Lead effective Monthly, Quarterly, and Weekly Business Reviews that ensure accountability, alignment, and rapid course correction.
Work On Your Flywheel - Manage Inputs, Not Outputs
Identify and operationalize the controllable metrics that truly drive customer experience and long-term business performance.
Lead with Clarity Through Narratives
Replace slide-based updates with data-driven written narratives that sharpen thinking and enable better, faster decisions.
Innovate Using the Working Backwards Method
Start from the desired customer experience with Press Release / FAQ frameworks to create scalable, customer-obsessed innovation.
May 4, 2026
(16:30 - 21:00) Meet & Greet
Colin Bryar and Bill Carr will kick things off with a comprehensive preview of the next two days, laying the groundwork for engaging discussions. Everyone will be guided through thoughtful questions to build connections. As night falls, we will enjoy a lavish dinner - a perfect end to a day of first meet and great.
Program Fee: 4800€ +VAT
Increases to 5500€ +VAT after 10th April 2026
Two-Day Program
Colin and Bill will share their experience and frameworks, and answer your questions in an immersive learning experience. 5th & 6th May at Tomar
Manage Like Amazon Workbook
Receive an exclusive workbook filled with Amazon's frameworks and systems, designed to guide your journey.
Meet & Greet
Kick off the program by connecting with Colin and Bill, and fellow participants on 4th May at the picturesque city of Tomar.
Hotel & Food Included
4th & 5th November accommodation included.
Enjoy all-inclusive meals throughout the program.
Network Dinner Experience
Savor premium cuts of meat grilled to perfection, with music setting the perfect backdrop for engaging conversations. 5th May at Taverna Antiqua.
Airport & Hotel Transfer
Our team will take care of your transportation during the 3 days.
Signed Certificate
Take home a personalized, hand-signed certificate from Colin and Bill, verifying your participation and achievement.
May 5, 2026
09:00 - 10:00 | Amazon Operating Cadence and Decision Cycles
10:00 - 13:00 | Annual Operating Plan, Planning cycle and S-Team Goals
We’ll describe how to effectively develop annual operating plans at the company and business unit level. A good operating plan results in companywide alignment on metrics, initiatives, resources and organizational structure/leadership. We will also dive into Amazon S-team goal setting.
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 - 16:00 | Monthly and Quarterly Business Reviews (MBR/QBR)
How Amazon approaches MBRs and QBRs and how they use it to measure progress against your Annual Operating Plan and know when to make a course-correction.
16:30 - 18:00 | Leadership Principles and Hiring - Get The Right People On The Bus
Deep dive into Leadership Principles & Bar Raiser Hiring Process — Amazon’s disciplined, data-driven approach to hiring exceptional talent. This method transforms recruiting into a scalable, repeatable, and bias-resistant system, ensuring every hire raises the bar for leadership and performance.
18:00 - 21:00 | Network Backyard Grill
May 6, 2026
09:00 - 11:00 | Flywheel. Beyond The Concept and Real Application of Inputs-Outputs
Deep dive into Jim Collins Flywheel concept. Then, discover and establish the right collection of output and input metrics, guide activity, and measure flywheel progress. Identifying and focusing on controllable customer-facing input metrics yield small wins.
11:30 - 13:00 | Input Metrics and Flywheel Breakout Session
Reflect on your flywheel and its characteristics. Break into teams to start with one or more of your company’s output metrics and generate a comprehensive list of input metrics to measure the progress of your flywheel. Get back together as a group and discuss it with Colin and Bill.
14:00 - 16:00 | The Weekly Business Review (WBR)
We’ll go in detail on what’s a great WBR and dive into output and input metrics covering all business units, the customer experience, financial results, and critical operational metrics from all functions. This will include detailed explanations of how the report should be built (and how not to do it).
16:30 - 18:00 | Initiatives and Innovation - PR/FAQ and Narratives
Most companies we’ve observed have many more ideas than they can implement. Yet they also lack a formal, efficient process for identifying the best ideas, improving them from their original state, and deciding which ones to greenlight. We’ll deconstruct the “PR/FAQ” method for developing, iterating, debating, and aligning on a prioritized list of new initiatives that will deliver the greatest impact. Also, how this process fits within the Operating Plan and planning cycle.
18:00 - 18:30 | Closing Session
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Colin's and Bill's Message
"We will explore a set of core issues that shape how organizations perform: planning, decision cycles, culture, designing and building a true flywheel, effective decision-making, measurement, plus identifying and implementing new initiatives to drive growth and efficiency.
Companies that achieve sustained, scalable results manage these areas through a set of formal, repeatable processes. Together, these processes define a company’s Operating Cadence.
Jeff Bezos captured this idea clearly in his 2016 shareholder letter: “Good process serves you so you can serve customers. But if you’re not watchful, the process can become the thing. This can happen very easily in large organizations. The process becomes the proxy for the result you want. You stop looking at outcomes and just make sure you’re doing the process right.”
We also aim to make the case that the following decisions should not be delegated by executives:
-
Along what dimensions do we create value for customers, or what is our strategic direction? Best if articulated by a Flywheel and should not change from quarter to quarter or year to year. Minor adjustments, based on results and experience, over a period of years are appropriate.
-
How will the company measure success and progress against the flywheel or strategy (besides the obvious output metrics)?
-
What are the input metrics that give us an understanding of and visibility into how we control and drive our desired customer experience and business performance?
-
Where and how should we invest? How should we allocate our (precious) resources to the many initiatives and ventures we might pursue? And, which of these should we decide not to do based on the capacity of our organization?
Every company should operate from a clear operating plan, built around goals for both output and input metrics, a defined set of initiatives, and explicit resource allocation.
All of this sounds simple, and in many ways it is. The challenge grows with the size and complexity of the organization. The solution is neither new nor secret. Every successful company has an Operating Cadence: how plans are created, tracked, and adapted over time.
I invite you to come with an open mind, and I hope you leave inspired to shape and strengthen your own operating cadence.
Sincerely,"
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Program - 4th May
16:30 - 21:00 | Amazon Operating Cadence and Meet & Greet Dinner
Colin Bryar and Bill Carr will kick things off with a comprehensive preview of the next two days and the first hour lecture on the big picture of Amazon’s Operating Cadence.
Program - 6th May
09:00 - 11:00 | Flywheel. Beyond The Concept and Real Application of Inputs-Outputs
Deep dive into Jim Collins Flywheel concept. Then, discover and establish the right collection of output and input metrics, guide activity, and measure flywheel progress. Identifying and focusing on controllable customer-facing input metrics yield small wins.
11:30 - 13:00 | Input Metrics and Flywheel Breakout Session
Reflect on your flywheel and its characteristics. Break into teams to start with one or more of your company’s output metrics and generate a comprehensive list of input metrics to measure the progress of your flywheel. Get back together as a group and discuss it with Colin and Bill.
14:00 - 16:00 | The Weekly Business Review (WBR)
We’ll go in detail on what’s a great WBR and dive into output and input metrics covering all business units, the customer experience, financial results, and critical operational metrics from all functions. This will include detailed explanations of how the report should be built (and how not to do it).
16:30 - 18:00 | Initiatives and Innovation - PR/FAQ and Narratives
Most companies we’ve observed have many more ideas than they can implement. Yet they also lack a formal, efficient process for identifying the best ideas, improving them from their original state, and deciding which ones to greenlight. We’ll deconstruct the “PR/FAQ” method for developing, iterating, debating, and aligning on a prioritized list of new initiatives that will deliver the greatest impact. Also, how this process fits within the Operating Plan and planning cycle.
18:00 - 18:30 | Closing Session
Program - 5th May
09:00 - 10:00 | Amazon Operating Cadence and Decision Cycles
10:00 - 10:00 | Annual Operating Plan, Planning cycle and S-Team Goals
We’ll describe how to effectively develop annual operating plans at the company and business unit level. A good operating plan results in companywide alignment on metrics, initiatives, resources and organizational structure/leadership. We will also dive into Amazon S-team goal setting.
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 - 16:00 | Monthly and Quarterly Business Reviews (MBR/QBR)
How Amazon approaches MBRs and QBRs and how they use it to measure progress against your Annual Operating Plan and know when to make a course-correction.
16:30 - 18:00 | Leadership Principles and Hiring - Get The Right People On The Bus
Deep dive into Leadership Principles & Bar Raiser Hiring Process — Amazon’s disciplined, data-driven approach to hiring exceptional talent. This method transforms recruiting into a scalable, repeatable, and bias-resistant system, ensuring every hire raises the bar for leadership and performance.
18:00 - 21:00 | Network Backyard Grill
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Program Fee: 4800€ +VAT
Increases to 5500€ +VAT after 10th April 2026.
Two-Day Program
Colin and Bill will share their experience and frameworks, and answer your questions in an immersive learning experience. 5th & 6th May at Tomar
Manage Like Amazon Workbook
Receive an exclusive workbook filled with amazon's frameworks and systems, designed to guide your journey.
Meet & Greet
Kick off the program by connecting with Colin and Bill, and fellow participants on 4th May at the picturesque city of Tomar.
Hotel & Food Included
4th & 5th May accommodation included.
Enjoy all-inclusive meals throughout the program.
Network Dinner Experience
Savor premium cuts of meat grilled to perfection, with music setting the perfect backdrop for engaging conversations. 5th May at Taverna Antiqua.
Airport & Hotel Transfer
Our team will take care of your transportation during the 3 days.
Signed Certificate
Take home a personalized, hand-signed certificate from Colin and Bill, verifying your participation and achievement.
Chris Timmerman, CEO, WAEG - An IBM Company
"It's my 4th program with Arc, all of them were truly amazing. I think I'm getting addicted to their programs."
João Ventura, CEO, H3 Real Food Group
“It was a privilege attending this program, conducted by Arc. Learning from Colin's expertise provided invaluable perspectives on corporate governance and management systems.”
Ramon Kok, Managing Director, Manutan Group
“Engage at this personal level with everyone is extremely valuable. Learning from someone like Colin was a very unique thing. It's clear to me how Amazon does it and I'm quite confident that I can cascade it into our organization.”
Alessandro Cattelan, COO, Translated
"Colin offered an eye-opening look into the leadership principles and operational strategies behind Amazon’s success. I wholeheartedly recommend this masterclass to anyone ready to up their game and embrace Amazon’s innovative culture. Kudos to Arc for the flawless organization!"
Luís Candeias, CEO at Siemens Mobility Portugal
"Learning from Colin Bryar was an enriching experience, it was like opening the door to Amazon's executive board room and hearing first-hand how leadership built on clarity, based on data and KPIs and with an obsession with the customer makes a real impact on day-to-day management.”
Rui Cordeiro, CEO, Critical Techworks (BMW Group)
"It's an intense but rewarding two-day experience. This isn't a typical training session — it's a sharing of real-world experiences. Its value depends largely on the listener’s ability to understand how each specific example can be adapted to their own context. It's not about copying or directly applying what’s presented, but rather drawing inspiration to make adjustments that fit one's unique situation."
Ramon Kok, Managing Director, Manutan Group
“Engage at this personal level with everyone is extremely valuable. Learning from someone like Colin was a very unique thing. It's clear to me how Amazon does it and I'm quite confident that I can cascade it into our organization.”
Alessandro Cattelan, COO, Translated
"Colin offered an eye-opening look into the leadership principles and operational strategies behind Amazon’s success. I wholeheartedly recommend this masterclass to anyone ready to up their game and embrace Amazon’s innovative culture. Kudos to Arc for the flawless organization!"
Venue
Quinta da Caçabrava in Tomar, Portugal
Set in the historic heart of Portugal, near the city of Tomar and the UNESCO World Heritage Convent of Christ, the executive program takes place at Quinta da Caçabrava, an exclusive estate deliberately chosen for its rare qualities of silence, privacy, and seclusion. Free from urban noise and external distractions, and reserved exclusively for our group, the estate offers a protected environment where participants can fully disconnect from daily demands and engage in focused reflection, meaningful dialogue, and deep executive learning.
Committee
Arc Executive Education
António Ferreira
Founder at Arc Executive Education
João Cascão
Founder at Arc Executive Education
João Machado
Chief Digital Transformation Officer at McDonald's
Liz Muller
Former Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation at Starbucks
30th April 2025
10th November
Imagine walking through the grand halls of the Convento de Cristo, a site where history whispers from every stone, and being greeted by none other than Dave Ulrich. On 10th November, you will join 30 other executives for an unparalleled meeting where Greg will reveal the inner workings of branding with emotion—right in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
16:30 - 21:00
Dave Ulrich will kick things off with a comprehensive preview of the next two days, laying the groundwork for engaging discussions.
Everyone will be guided through thoughtful questions to build connections.
As night falls, we´ll enjoy a lavish dinner - a perfect end to a day of first meet and great.
Transfers will be available between the hotel and the Convento de Cristo.
Program Overview
A Retreat Inside an UNESCO World Heritage Monument. A Letter Written by Greg Hoffman.
I'm honored to welcome you to the "Branding with Emotion" retreat, a dynamic three-day journey where we'll explore how our brands can forge deeper, lasting connections in the hearts and minds of customers.
The program I'll share with you has been shaped by my 27-year journey at NIKE, where I worked across marketing, innovation, advertising, and design. I witnessed firsthand how the Swoosh transcended its role as a logo to become a symbol of human potential, how "Just Do It" evolved beyond a tagline into a global mindset, and how sneakers transformed into vessels of profound personal connection. Drawing from these experiences, I've designed this program to help you develop the leadership mindset and strategies needed to create powerful emotional bonds between your brand and customers.
Begins with an exploration of emotion's role in distinguishing extraordinary brands from ordinary ones. We'll then delve into "Sparking a Movement" - examining how brands can evolve beyond transactions to become meaningful forces in customers' lives. Through engaging case studies and interactive exercises, we'll push ourselves to create a more audacious vision of our brands' future and discover how to define and amplify each brands' unique personality.
Last day opens with "Dare to Be Remembered", focusing on brand storytelling and cultural relevance. Because no brand story worth telling should be forgotten, we'll examine the principles that make stories resonate and endure. In "Never Play it Safe, Play to Win", we'll explore how to foster a culture of calculated risk-raking that generates bold, innovative ideas. Through case studies and hands-on exercises, you'll gain practical tools to energize creativity within your organizations.
We'll conclude by looking toward the future with "Leave a Legacy, Not Just a Memory", examining how brands can contribute meaningfully to global progress while achieving their business objectives.
I look forward to collaborating with you over these next three days, in the UNESCO Heritage Christ Convent, as we unlock new ways to strengthen our brands and drive business growth through the power of emotion.
Sincerely,