Helping doing business easier, we choose the name Alibaba because it is a global company. It is founded in China, but it was created for the world.
Interpretation
Jack Ma explains the choice of the name Alibaba for his global business venture, emphasizing its worldwide reach and origins in China.
In this quote, Jack Ma elaborates on the significance of the name 'Alibaba' as it reflects the company's ambition to make business more accessible on a global scale. By choosing a name that resonates universally, he highlights the company's originating from China while aiming to serve customers around the world, thus embodying the spirit of globalization and innovation.
In practice
Using this quote at a business conference to inspire entrepreneurs about globalization.
Hong Kong people say Hong Kong needs to preserve its uniqueness. I say Hong Kong's uniqueness is in its diversity, its tolerance of difference cultures... China does not want to see Hong Kong in decline. I have full confidence in its future.
If we are a good team and know what we want to do, one of us can defeat tons of them.
It's not that other countries steal jobs from you guys. It's your strategy. Distribute the money and things in a proper way.
In the beginning I just wanted to survive. For the first three years, we made zero revenue. I remember many times when I was trying to pay up, the restaurant owner would say, 'Your bill was paid.' And there would be a note saying, 'Mr. Ma, I'm your customer on the Alibaba platform. I made a lot of money, and I know you don't, so I paid the bill.'
Even if your competitor is still small in size or weak, you should take him seriously and treat him as a giant. Likewise, even if your competitor is massive in size, you shouldn't regard yourself as a weakling.
A leader should have higher endurance and ability to accept and embrace failure.
Not adding value is the same as taking it away.
The companies that survive longest are the one's that work out what they uniquely can give to the world-not just growth or money but their excellence, their respect for others, or their ability to make people happy. Some call those things a soul.
There are two ways to extend a business. Take inventory of what you're good at and extend out from your skills. Or determine what your customers need and work backward, even if it requires learning new skills. Kindle is an example of working backward.
The idea that business is strictly a numbers affair has always struck me as preposterous. For one thing, I've never been particularly good at numbers, but I think I've done a reasonable job with feelings. And I'm convinced that it is feelings - and feelings alone - that account for the success of the Virgin brand in all of its myriad forms.
Business is what concerns us. If you care about something enough to do something about it, you're in business
Our vision, which has not changed since the day the company was founded.
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