In the 2023 CCTV "Dialogue" column, Zong Qinghou, founder of Wahaha Group, said: "I am not a capitalist, but an entrepreneur. These words contain profound meaning, especially in the current context of many enterprises chasing profit maximization and the normalization of layoffs, Zong Qinghou's position is particularly unique and has substantive connotations. He puts his philosophy into practice through his actions, such as sticking to a rare corporate rule of never laying off employees over the age of 45, a human glow that shines through the cold business world.
On February 25, 2024, Zong Qinghou passed away due to illness, but his entrepreneurial spirit and practice will forever be recorded in history. When he was alive, he not only nourished the lives of countless people with iconic products such as purified water and AD calcium milk, and built a generation of beautiful childhood memories with them, but also reflected the noble humanistic care and social responsibility in the operation of the enterprise.
Before and after the Spring Festival, Fat Donglai Henan Supermarket has received widespread attention for its excellent service, while Wahaha Group has also won social praise for its superior employee benefits in a low-key manner. Although Zong Qinghou has been the richest man in China many times, he has always regarded himself as an entrepreneur who adheres to his original aspirations, rather than a capitalist who simply seeks to accumulate wealth. He firmly believes that the success of a business is not only about digital growth, but also about continuous attention and investment in the well-being of employees.
Zong Qinghou showed a unique leadership style with the policy of not dismissing employees over the age of 45, which is like a beacon for middle-aged workers who are facing career difficulties. Compared with the practice of many companies abandoning immediately after squeezing the value of employees, Zong Qinghou's persistence is undoubtedly more humane and long-term.
He once explained this principle personally, emphasizing that every employee has his or her potential, and as long as the position is appropriate, regardless of age, he should be fully respected and developed. Even though this strategy may sacrifice some short-term profits, it maintains the sense of social responsibility and human temperature of the enterprise.
In terms of welfare system, Zong Qinghou is also at the forefront of the industry. In the face of social criticism of young people's low desire to have children, he is deeply aware of the importance of providing a stable living environment. Wahaha Group not only provides basic salary, bonuses, dividends and various subsidies, but also has dormitories, affordable housing and low-rent housing projects, many of which are exempt from water and electricity bills, and has built thousands of staff apartments nationwide, with a purchase subsidy of more than 50 million yuan.
Zong Qinghou is well aware that young people are the cornerstone of social development, so he is committed to reducing the pressure on their lives and stimulating innovation. Under his leadership, the company has increased employee salaries year by year, and the total amount of year-end bonuses has reached 600 million yuan in just two years. Every year on Chinese New Year's Eve, Zong Qinghou will invite all employees to share a reunion dinner, and at the same time increase the salary proportionally year by year, to ensure that the monthly bonus of employees is at least equivalent to one month's salary income in some areas.
This former richest man in China lives an extremely frugal and simple life, and his simple lifestyle of spending no more than 50,000 yuan a year has embarrassed many luxury people. His day often starts with a bowl of tofu brain and a fritter, and the office welcomes the morning sun before the security guard. Lunch was nothing more than a bowl of rice with a stir-fried dish, and his dress was extremely simple, a pair of cloth shoes for a year, and a quartz watch was a small gift worth about 500 yuan from others.
Zong Qinghou believes that personal image does not need to be ornately packaged, even if it is worn ordinarily, others may mistakenly think it is a famous brand. He often chooses high-speed rail for business trips to avoid unnecessary luxury, but he is unusually generous to others, keen on philanthropy, and has donated 4 to the field of education700 million, and has won a number of national charity awards.
Looking back on Zong Qinghou's life trajectory, from the hard years in the countryside to the road of urban entrepreneurship, until he single-handedly built Wahaha into a giant with a market value of over 10 billion, every step has confirmed his perseverance and wisdom. At the age of 42, he boldly set foot in the field of nutritional food with a loan of 50,000 yuan, and then developed the first children's nutrition solution with the help of Professor Zhu Shoumin, leading Wahaha to glory.
Even though his status has changed drastically, Zong Qinghou still maintains his original intention, whether it is for business management or family life, he shows a real and simple image of an entrepreneur. Unlike some entrepreneurs, who advocate the traditional concept of inheriting the father's business, he fully supports the growth and development of his daughter, demonstrating his advanced awareness of gender equality.
Now, although Zong Qinghou has passed away, his noble quality, personality charm and love for employees will be forever remembered. Among many capitalists, Zong Qinghou has set up a banner with his unique entrepreneurial spirit and practical actions and has become a highly respected business leader.