The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today invited Mr Zhang Ruimin, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Haier Group as a keynote speaker for a Distinguished Lecture. On his first visit to Hong Kong, Mr Zhang spoke to the enthusiastic audience comprising 500 HKUST members, professionals and members of the public on the theme of 'Successful Enterprises Move with the Times', during which he shared Haier's experience of Self-management Model and key to sustainable development.
Commonly known as the 'Godfather of Business' in China, Mr Zhang Ruimin brilliantly combines traditional Chinese philosophy with Western management in instituting an integrated framework for Haier Group, namely a Win-win Model of Individual-Goal Combination. The novel management solution also saw the paradigm shift from product to service orientation. Grouping 80,000 employees into 2,000 ZZJYTs (self-organized units), Haier has been structurally transformed into a closed-loop network comprising multiple nodes, each represented by a ZZJYT (self-organized unit). This major structural reform not only alters the enterprise workflow and structure, but above all attaches great value to each individual. Mr Zhang thought that for Haier to thrive over 27 years and grow into what it is today as a sizeable enterprise, the key lies in putting people first. Through creating a platform that ensures equal opportunity for all, each employee is empowered to become his/her own 'CEO'.
Mr Zhang Ruimin explored the Self-management Model in Haier primarily because Western management concept has long been an object of study for Chinese enterprises. In the age of the Internet, however, conventional management theories are no longer adequate, and that enterprises in the west have started their search for a more sustainable management model to stay ahead of the times. At this critical juncture, the Win-win Model of Individual-Goal Combination has imbued Haier with tremendous promise and creative energies. Despite the challenges faced by the industry, Haier has managed to record growth and assert its leading position during the first half of 2012, its revenue and sales growth being twice that of its peers. Mr Zhang's dogged quest for a productive management paradigm has built a distinct model tailored to the needs of Chinese companies, and helped them turn from followers to leaders in customizing their own management strategies.
Placing innovation at the heart of his management philosophy, Mr Zhang Ruimin defined a successful enterprise as one that can keep abreast of the times and its needs. Our times being ever-changing, an enterprise must constantly update itself, take innovative strides and move with the times.
Mr Zhang's groundbreaking management concept has made the subject of case studies at Harvard and INSEAD Business Schools. Prof Michael E Porter hailed Mr Zhang Ruimin as an outstanding strategic thinker and Dr Gary Hamel, another world-class authority on strategy and the author of The Future of Management, believed that Haier's advanced independent management innovation would achieve great success. Dr Geoff Colvin, Fortune's senior editor-at-large even pointed out in his article that Mr Zhang would be management's next icon.
Mr Zhang Ruimin, the Founder, Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Haier Group received a master degree in Business Administration from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1995. His outstanding leadership and management practice have won him international acclaim, including being named 'Entrepreneur of the Year' by the Asia Weekly in 1997, and 'Global 30 Most Respected Entrepreneurs (26th)' by the Financial Times in 1999. In 2010 and 2011, Mr Zhang was named one of "China's Most Influential Business Leaders" by Fortune China. He was also the recipient of the 2012 Carnegie Award for Outstanding Leader.
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