When the first rays of sunlight in the morning pierce through the mist of Hangzhou, and most people are still asleep, there are already people on the streets to start a new day. In this city where modernity and tradition are intertwined, an old man in a white shirt, trousers and a pair of old Beijing cloth shoes, carrying fried cakes and fritters, walks briskly down the street.
This seemingly ordinary old man is actually a business tycoon - Zong Qinghou, the founder of Wahaha Group. He not only became the richest man in Chinese mainland three times with his wisdom and hard work, but also lived in people's eyes as a commoner, which is what people call the "cloth shoes" philosophy.
The philosophy of "cloth shoes", behind this seemingly simple word, is an attitude towards life after Zong Qinghou:Whatever your position, always be humble and frugal. This is not only a personal choice, but also a subtle influence on society. In a social atmosphere where business success and material comforts seem to be directly proportional, Zong Qinghou's lifestyle is undoubtedly in stark contrast.
This choice of life philosophy is not only rooted in Zong Qinghou's personal growth experience, but also closely related to his shaping of corporate culture. Born in an ordinary family and experienced hard years, Zong Qinghou knows that material things are not the whole of life, and this thrifty habit cultivated since childhood has also become one of the core values he advocated in business management in the future.
Under the leadership of Zong Qinghou, Wahaha Group's corporate culture is also a culture of simplicity and diligence. In the context of the general pursuit of high consumption and high enjoyment in society, Zong Qinghou gave people to think with his own behaviorHow to balance the accumulation of wealth and the realization of personal value?
In Zong Qinghou's view, the development of the enterprise does not only rely on the investment of funds, but more importantly, the inheritance of a spirit and the adherence to values. With his practical actions, he demonstrated an entrepreneur's sense of social responsibility and deep concern for employees. This insistence on values has not only formed a strong cohesion within the company, but also won a good reputation in the society.
However, simplicity is not without conflict. In the materialistic commercial jungle, Zong Qinghou's philosophy of "cloth shoes" is in stark opposition to luxurious consumerism. While people are marveling at his wealth, they are also discussing whether such a richest man should enjoy more material life. But it is this kind of conflict that allows us to see a more three-dimensional Zong Qinghou, an entrepreneur who not only measures his success by wealth, but also by his spirit and values.
When interpreting Zong Qinghou's philosophy of "cloth shoes", we can't help but wonder what is the relationship between this lifestyle and business success? Should successful entrepreneurs abandon material comforts and return to simplicity? The answer is not so simple, Zong Qinghou's choice is more like a revelation - the true meaning of success may not lie in external abundance, but in inner abundance and contribution to society.
This kind of value orientation from the individual to the enterprise to the society is not only reflected in Zong Qinghou's personal lifestyle, but also has a profound impact on the business philosophy of Wahaha Group. Under his leadership, Wahaha has become a leader in China's beverage industry and a practitioner of social responsibility.
Zong Qinghou's story doesn't stop at personal frugality and corporate success. His care and sense of responsibility for his employees have made him form a unique style in management. How he created a one-of-a-kind employee care system in his capacity as a "patriarch" has not only had a profound impact on employees, but also sparked reflection in the entire business community.
At the Wahaha headquarters on Qingtai Street in Hangzhou, before sunrise, Zong Qinghou's figure had already appeared in the office. His daily routine carries an incredible simplicity: a bowl of tofu brain and a pair of fried dough sticks are enough to start a busy day. However, the living expenses of this entrepreneur with a net worth of billions are only 50,000 yuan a year. His simplicity is not only a manifestation of personal frugality, but also a manifestation of Wahaha Group's people-oriented management philosophy.
In the current workplace environment, age often becomes a major concern for employees to be laid off, but Wahaha has taken a different pathZong Qinghou gave a promise: not to lay off employees over the age of 45. Behind this decision is his deep concern for his employees and his adherence to his management philosophy. Zong Qinghou's philosophy is not a simple charity, but a well-thought-out strategy. In his view, the experience, loyalty, and deep understanding of the company's culture are invaluable assets. In order to maintain this asset, Zong Qinghou built a family-like atmosphere inside Wahaha, warm and harmonious.
This family-style management is not without its challenges. In many enterprises, the hierarchical structure determines the speed and efficiency of decision-making, but Wahaha dares to break the routine and does not have a vice president for a long time, and the heads of all subsidiaries report directly to Zong Qinghou. This structure simplifies the communication process and improves the efficiency of decision-making. However, it also poses a problem:All major decisions need to be seen by Zong Qinghou himself, which undoubtedly increases his workload. But Mr. Zong seems to be enjoying it, believing it would reduce internal power struggles and allow employees to focus more on their work.
In Wahaha, even a trivial matter like buying a broom requires Zong Qinghou to sign it personally, and this management method is undoubtedly extreme. In an interview, Zong Qinghou explained that although the position of vice president does not exist in name, in fact there are employees with comparable responsibilities. The heads of various departments he set up essentially assume the functions of vice presidents, and this practice makes the operation of the enterprise more efficient. In this way, Zong Qinghou was able to ensure that every step of the business was in line with his philosophy and standards.
This unique management model not only protects the middle and elderly employees, but also provides motivation for Wahaha's continued success. Zong Qinghou's image of "big patriarch" and his people-oriented management philosophy have successfully built a loyal, stable and efficient workforce. In an era when many companies frequently change employees for short-term profits, Wahaha's stability is invaluable.
However, is this management the right thing to do, or is there a potential problem? Between efficiency and control, how does Zong Qinghou balance? Is this virtually trivial management model sustainable in today's fast-changing business environment? This is not only a test of Zong Qinghou's management wisdom, but also a challenge to Wahaha's future development.
In this era of profit-oriented, Zong Qinghou reshaped the definition of "entrepreneur" with his actions. He is not only the helmsman of Wahaha, but also a practitioner of social responsibility. His success is not limited to the dazzling numbers on his financial statements, but also to the profound impact he has had on society. Zong Qinghou's philanthropy, from education funding to poverty alleviation support, from caring for employees to serving the society, has built an admirable charity empire.
Zong Qinghou knows that the growth of enterprises can not only be satisfied with their own development, but also actively give back to the society. Growing from a small beverage factory to an industry giant, Wahaha, under the leadership of Zong Qinghou, has not only created a business miracle, but also is committed to becoming a booster of social progress. Zong Qinghou often said: "Enterprises should not only create economic value, but also assume social responsibility." This belief of his is not only reflected in Wahaha's corporate culture, but also confirmed in his personal actions.
Zong Qinghou's social investment is extensive and far-reaching. In the field of education, he has supported the growth of countless young people by donating scholarships, sponsoring underprivileged students, and building educational infrastructure. He believes that investing in education is investing in the future, and education can not only change a person's destiny, but also improve the civilization of the whole society. Therefore, he spared no effort to contribute to education, and has donated more than 4700 million yuan, helping countless children realize their academic dreams.
In terms of poverty alleviation and social welfare, Zong Qinghou's contribution should not be underestimated. He doesn't just pay lip service to common prosperity, but actually puts it into action. Wahaha has established free dormitories covering all bases across the country for employees and provided housing subsidies to ensure that every employee can have a stable home.
This well-thought-out welfare policy not only reduces the stress of employees' lives, but also strengthens their sense of belonging and loyalty to the company. In addition, Zong Qinghou also actively participates in community services, such as disaster relief, helping the elderly, helping the disabled, as well as supporting public welfare projects such as culture and art, environmental protection, etc., proving the social value of the enterprise with his actions.
However, Zong Qinghou's philanthropic spirit is not unquestioned. In the business world, there is a belief that the primary goal of a company should be to create value for shareholders, and that excessive social investment can distract the company's resources and attention. But Zong Qinghou has his own views on this, he believes that the long-term development of enterprises and the harmonious progress of society are inseparable, and he has let people see the other side of an entrepreneur through the practice of Wahaha, that is, the builder of society and the promoter of progress.