The richest man in a generation of cloth shoes came to a brilliant end.
On February 25, Zong Qinghou, the founder of Wahaha, died of illness at the age of 79.
After this news came out, it shook the entire Zhejiang businessmen, and Ma Yun immediately sent a memorial salem.
But many people may know that Zong Lao and Ma Yun had a relationship before.
Because the two have different views on the virtual and real economy, the elder of the sect once publicly scolded Ma Yun for only knowing how to fool and talk nonsense all day long.
In this regard, Ma Yun also replied in the air, saying that the real economy is no longer good.
At that time, the outside world thought that there was a good show to watch, but the two quickly shook hands and made peaceMa Yun not only is not angry with the evaluation of the sect elder, but has always respected him very much.
Not only Ma Yun, but also the circle of friends of Wahaha Group's internal employees on the day of Zong Lao's death was uniformly swiped by the obituary.
There are also countless citizens who spontaneously went to the old building of Wahaha to offer flowers, and some of them refunded the high-speed rail tickets they bought in advance in order to send the old man a ride.
Why did the death of this entrepreneur trigger the mourning of so many people, including Jack Ma?
In addition to being moved by the patriarch's personality, there are actually deeper reasons.
1. The first generation of entrepreneurs in reform and opening up
Zong Lao's starting point is not high, he dropped out of junior high school to make money in order to subsidize his family, sold popcorn, steamed sweet potatoes, distributed leaflets, and later worked as a rural educated youth for 14 years and a salesman for 10 years.
In 1978, when Zong Lao was 42 years old, he smelled the smell of change and did a very bold thing, which was to borrow money to start a business.
He quit his stable job in the eyes of others, borrowed 140,000 yuan to take over the distribution department of a school-run enterprise that had been losing money for many years, and started this adventure with a three-wheeler.
From children's nutrition solution to the merger of canning factories, from the transformation of Wahaha into a food and beverage manufacturer to the establishment of a distributor system to open up the national market.
Every decision made by the patriarch was made quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly, and it was deeply in line with the times.
Of course, it is the tempering of these legendary experiences that has created the characteristics of the elder to bear hardships and stand hard work and make unremitting efforts.
Even after founding Wahaha and later becoming the richest man, this has not changed.
2. Model worker entrepreneurs
Zong Lao is known as a model worker entrepreneur.
He didn't sleep well, and sometimes even if he took two sleeping pills, he woke up early in the morning, so Zong Lao simply went to the company at six o'clock.
The employees have not yet gone to work, but he has been working for a long time as the boss, and he is still busy until more than ten o'clock in the evening every day.
The workaholic demon is also very strict about the control of time, and even the hair-cutting sect elder is pinching the time.
Once the barber felt that he was very tired and wanted to give him a little massage when he washed his hair, but Zong Lao directly refused because he was in a hurry.
In fact, as the daughter of the elder of the sect slowly takes over the business, he can be the shopkeeper and enjoy the blessings.
But he didn't.
Even after being hospitalized, with an oxygen tube in his nose, Zong Lao still had to sit at a small conference table to hold meetings with executives and deal with work matters.
It is by virtue of this hard work that he has developed the distribution department of only 3 people into a large group with nearly 30,000 employees and an annual revenue of more than 50 billion yuan, and he has also ascended to the throne of China's richest man three times.
Although he has achieved such a great achievement, the sect elder is surprisingly low-key.
3. The richest man in cloth shoes
This is evident in his office environment.
The headquarters of the group where Zong Lao is located is an inconspicuous six-story building, with very simple interior furnishings, only two bookcases and a long table, and they are all relatively old, and you can see the traces of time.
Reflected in life, even more so.
Zong Lao has always maintained good and simple living habits, and he is diligent and thrifty, not at all like a big boss, and even more simple than ordinary people.
Go out and wear cloth shoes, clothes are more than a dozen roadside stalls, take the second-class seat of the high-speed rail on a business trip, and live in a convenient hotel.
Eating is not like other people's delicacies from the mountains and seas, big fish and meat, often a few simple home-cooked vegetarian dishes.
It's hard to imagine that such a successful entrepreneur doesn't even spend less than 50,000 yuan a year.
But he is so critical of himself, to his employees, and to the society, the elder of the sect has never been stingy.
4. Treat employees as family
treats employees, Zong Lao really treats them as family members, not only willing to pay money, but even the house is distributed on distribution.
Every year, the elder will raise the salary of employees, and there will be a generous year-end bonus during the Spring Festival, such as more than 600 million yuan directly in 2022.
Because it was really "wealthy", this matter was still on the hot search at that time.
The salary is not in place, and the elder still insists on full shareholding, so that everyone can enjoy dividends.
In addition, in order to solve the accommodation problem of employees, Zong Lao deliberately demolished the building and built a low-rent house of 100,000 square meters.
It is said to be a low-rent house, but it is actually equipped with various living facilities such as a bathhouse and a gym, and it is more comfortable to live in than a hotel.
In addition, employees over 45 years old are never fired, 996 is not mandatory, and even more holidays are given, and employees are allowed to go home to spend time with their children on Children's Day every year.
And according to employee feedback, Zong Lao is very approachable and can get along with grassroots employees.
There is a veteran employee who has worked in Wahaha for more than 20 years and once communicated with Zong Lao about some technical issues, and he was very impressed, and Zong Lao did not have any struggling at all.
Treat employees as family members and treat the society, and the elders are also full of responsibility.
He has been doing his best to do charity and help the society get rid of poverty and become rich.
Every year, the Zonglao Association donates to the families of laid-off workers in need, and has donated a total of 1 so far4.5 billion.
There is also Wahaha Charity in Zhejiang Province, which has accumulated more than 700 million yuan in helping students, orphans, the elderly, and the disabled as of January this year.
In addition, Zong Lao also specially chose to invest in the construction of factories in remote and poor areas, creating a large number of local jobs.
After making money, don't forget to give back to the society, I am afraid that there are not many entrepreneurs with such a conscience now.
In his body, there are more and more scarce spiritual traits of people now, hard work, unremitting struggle, simplicity and simplicity, great love and selflessness.
In particular, he represents that era, the kind of momentum that dares to fight and dare to break through, and his experience is a microcosm of the entrepreneur who reformed and opened up.
His existence also has extraordinary significance for the entire era.
Back then, Zong Lao once read "Eighty Expressions" on the show.
Whenever possible, I will do something that is beneficial to the country and to others. ”
Looking at it now, the words inside seem to be an accurate projection of him.
Always remember the elders.