Amazon's secret is no big secret.  First off, they have excellent information systems which provides all levels of management excellent visibility to what's going on throughout the company worldwide.  Second, they exploit human beings with impunity and without conscience.  At the bottom of the rung are the hourly workers who get paid minimum wage - in facilities located in economically depressed communities - and then worked to the point of collapse.  Above that, are layers of management, who are paid well, but who then pay with their lives and relationships, because the pressure and demands are incessant .  If you have young children, then you're not going to see much of them, and you will need to have an understanding and supportive partner who can take care of all the family needs like shopping, dropping the kids off at school, taking care of doctor visits etc.  so you can just focus on work for most of your waking hours.