Business & Finance
Bezos Shares Buffett’s Insight on Why Investors Avoid Long‑Term Strategy
Jeff Bezos told a 2025 audience at the America Business Forum in Miami that Warren Buffett explained why many people do not follow his investment approach. Buffett said the strategy is simple but “a get‑rich‑slowly scheme,” and that most investors dislike the idea of deferring gratification. He emphasized thinking in terms of seven years instead of three, which gives a head start over competitors who cannot do so. Buffett’s method focuses on buying solid businesses at reasonable prices and holding them for long periods, a philosophy he described in a 1988 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders as having a favorite holding period of forever. The strategy relies on compounding over time, though returns are never guaranteed. Bezos, who built Amazon with a long‑term mindset, noted that Amazon’s first shareholder letter in 1997 declared “It’s All About the Long Term.” The company invested heavily in warehouses, technology and new businesses during its early years, reporting its first full‑year profit in 2003, six years after that letter. Bezos’s remarks in Miami echoed the same principle: a longer time horizon can provide an advantage when others prioritize quicker results.
Frequently asked questions
What did Warren Buffett say about the long‑term strategy?
Buffett said the strategy is simple but a ‘get‑rich‑slowly scheme,’ and most investors dislike deferring gratification; he stresses thinking in terms of seven years instead of three and holding solid businesses forever.
When did Amazon first report a full‑year profit?
Amazon reported its first full‑year profit in 2003, six years after its 1997 shareholder letter.