Record layoffs at Amazon signal new mindset for sprawling tech giant

Seattle’s magic-themed wizard bar closes | Tech Moves | Ring unveils Car Cam ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: EVOLVE 401(k): The retirement plan for business that dream big: [Enhance your employee benefits with ALLtech, available exclusively to GeekWire member companies.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES For those who remain at Amazon following record layoffs announced Wednesday, the message is clear: the company’s ‘everything’ era is over. - In a memo to employees, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy (above) [addressed the 18,000-person layoff]( and signaled a new mindset at the sprawling tech giant: simplify thyself. GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop analyzed the significant implications for Amazon’s future. [Read more](. A new report commissioned by Challenge Seattle, a coalition of business and tech leaders, says more companies need to help finance and build affordable housing as part of a comprehensive solution to the state’s housing crisis. - Examples include private companies developing housing themselves, donating or discounting surplus land for non-profit developers or community land trusts, or providing below-market financing or grants to encourage new housing. [Read more](. The magic has run out at a wizard-themed bar, restaurant and wand shop in Seattle, which has closed after only one year. - The Splintered Wand, which invested heavily in a fantasy theme in an old building in the Ballard neighborhood, posted online that doors were shut effective immediately and all reservations were canceled. [Read more.]( Ring, the Amazon company best known for its video doorbell, is making the leap to the vehicle dashboard. - The company's new Car Cam, unveiled Thursday morning, is designed to record video while driving or parked. [Read more.]( Washington state this week kicked off the implementation of ambitious climate policies: one that caps carbon emissions for fuel suppliers and utilities, and another requiring reductions in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. - Gov. Jay Inslee pointed to the synergy between tech innovation and climate policy as a key reason to be optimistic that the state can reach its goals. [Read more](. The FTC released a proposal Thursday banning existing and future non-compete clauses that can restrict workers from taking jobs with a competitor or starting a competing business. - Supporters of the move say eliminating the agreements will boost employee earnings and spur innovation and entrepreneurship. [Read more](. Tech Moves: - Former Microsoft and Amazon exec Teresa Carlson joined logistics giant Flexport; Avalara hired IBM veteran Kimberly Deobald as chief revenue officer; [and more key personnel changes](. A cadre of ultra-wealthy individuals, including several from the Pacific Northwest, are issuing millions of dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations working on climate change efforts. - The Bezos Earth Fund; the Gates Foundation; and MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving topped a list of the largest U.S. grant makers to environmental and climate causes in 2021. [Read more](. T[hanks for reading, and have a great](. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper,]( and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [GeekWire Studios at Smartsheet ENGAGE 2022]( Experience Smartsheet ENGAGE 2022 with GeekWire Studios, including multiple interviews and partner profiles. [Watch here!]( LATEST HEADLINES [Ring Car Cam extends Amazon’s security footprint further beyond the home]( [FTC wants to ban non-compete clauses that keep workers from changing jobs, launching startups]( [Seattle business and tech leaders call for bold corporate action on housing crisis]( [Tech Moves: Flexport hires Microsoft CVP; Avalara adds chief revenue officer; and more]( [The end of ‘everything’ at Amazon: Record layoffs signal new mindset for sprawling tech giant]( SPONSORED: GEEK REAL ESTATE [Just Listed: Premier Bellevue Towers]( [KPMG acquires Seattle consultancy firm The Arnold Group]( [Poof, it’s gone: Magic-themed wizard bar and restaurant in Seattle closes after one year]( [Tech plays key role as Washington state launches ambitious programs to curb carbon emissions]( [Amazon to lay off 18,000 corporate and tech workers]( [‘The billionaires are in charge’ – here’s who is spending the most on climate change efforts]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [MedBridge: Software Engineer III (Back end)]( - [Remitly: Senior Software Engineer, Fraud Prevention]( - [Remitly: Senior Mobile Software Development Engineer – B2B Platform (Seattle or U.S. Remote)]( - [Plus: GTM Strategy and Ops Lead]( - [MovingWorlds: Senior Fullstack Engineer for Scaling Social Enterprise]( - [Remitly: Engineering Manager, Lending]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? BUY A FEATURED LISTING TO APPEAR HERE]( [About GeekWire]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( Copyright © 2023 GeekWire LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive emails from GeekWire LLC.  Our mailing address is: GeekWire LLC 123 NW 36th St, Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98107  [change email frequency or address]( | [unsubscribe](