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# Why I Emphasize Strong Communication in My Syllabi
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-emphasize-strong-communication-in-my-syllabi/
- Published: 2019-07-08T11:54:39.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-02T19:17:12.000Z
- Description: An old job description from one of the dot-com successes underscores a critical business skill.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Communication, Higher Education, Amazon, Message Not Received, Python

I'm putting the final touches on my Fall '19 syllabi. (Click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M3IE0siNBZamtcyd%5FWp%5FDmdo%5FVT4ZgWFjk6UbL-KQb4?ref=philsimon.com) to see one of them.) Here are a few seemingly odd sentences in the *communications* section:

Are you curious about why a professor of information systems emphasizes clear communication so much? Check out [the first job listing that Jeff Bezos posted for Amazon 25 years ago](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/336356?ref=philsimon.com).

And here's the screen grab from a man who has made his mark in the universe:

![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/images/misc/1562339641_jeff-bezos-first-job-offer.jpg)

Yeah, some programming languages have gained traction since 1994\. You won't find any mention of [Python](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/python/) or JavaScript in Bezos' listing. Note, however, the emphasis on strong communication skills, even and especially for techies.

## Simon Says

Many things have changed since Bezos wrote that job description. The need for clear and effective business communication, however, is certainly not one of them.