Carefully selected quotes from Jack Ma

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These are the quotes by Jack Ma that I have carefully selected and studied in detail over this period of time; every time I read them, I feel that my understanding improves. I share them here for everyone to learn from! 1. The more money-making models you have, the more it indicates that you lack a real model. 2. Running a business is not like being a hero. 3. Build the self, pursue selflessness. 4. I’m not afraid of heaven or earth, but I’m afraid of a CFO becoming CEO. 5. Always believe that the people around you are smarter than you. 6. If you still want to start a business in five years, go ahead and do it then. 7. Today is cruel, tomorrow will be even crueler, the day after will be beautiful, but the vast majority die by tomorrow night. 8. Being deceived is not because others are too cunning, but because one is too greedy; it is one’s own actions that lead to being deceived. 9. In fact, many people’s problems arise because they answer everything correctly. 10. A first-rate idea with third-rate execution – I would rather prefer first-rate execution with a third-rate idea. 11. Mengniu was not created through planning; it was built through solid products, services, and systems. 12. The best patterns are often the simplest ones. 13. Open fewer stores, but open them well; it’s not about the number of stores, but about their quality. 14. It’s okay if an entrepreneur doesn’t read many books; what’s concerning is not reading in the real world. 15. There are no secrets in today’s business world anymore; secrets are not your core competitive advantage. 16. The reason many people fail is not too little money, but too much money. 17. It is understood that in these days, it is no longer possible to make money in that way. 18. For entrepreneurs, ** and innovation alone are not enough; a solid system, institutions, team, and effective profit model are also necessary. 19. This world is not about what you can do, but what you should do. 20. Your project seems like a business, rather than a unique enterprise. 21. When establishing a company, it is important to consider having good value in order to be able to sell it. If you think about selling from the very beginning, you might go down the wrong path. 22. People need something to focus on; as one moves forward through life, more challenges arise. If you keep changing your focus every day, I’m afraid of you. 23. When seeking venture capital, you must share the risks with them, as that increases your chances of success. 24. Remember, relationships are particularly unreliable; you can’t do business based on relationships, nor on clever tactics. 25. Don’t try to do too much; it’s important to excel in what you do. When faced with a strong opponent or role model, what you should do is not challenge them, but rather make up for their strengths. 26. There are no excellent ideas in this world; only practical results matter. 27. A good thing is often hard to describe clearly, while something that can be described clearly is often not good. 28. If you’ve read a lot of books, never tell anyone; if you do, they’ll keep testing you. 29. The biggest mistake in formulating strategies is trying to address everything at once; it’s essential to focus on making breakthroughs in key areas – only by concentrating all resources on such breakthroughs can victory be achieved. 30. Small businesses have a broad vision, while large enterprises need to pay attention to details. 31. Sometimes, holding on stubbornly always brings opportunities. 32. All entrepreneurs should spend more time learning* how others fail. 33. Paying attention to your opponent is an important part of strategy, but it doesn’t mean you will win. 34. A strategy that cannot be translated into results and goals is nothing but empty talk. 35. The vast majority of entrepreneurs move from a micro to a macro scale, by identifying the needs of a few individuals and then expanding those solutions to a larger group of people. 36. No matter how many resources you have, always assume your opponent is stronger. 37. People from the 80s should not compete with those from the 70s or the 60s; instead, they should compete with the future, with people from the 90s, so as to have a chance of winning. 38. A business plan is by no means a sales plan; it involves countless details and the management of numerous talents. 39. Strategies have many meanings; the strategy for a small company is simple: to survive, as survival is the most important thing. 40. It is necessary to first understand the market and customer needs before seeking the appropriate technical solutions, as this increases the chances of success. 41. The most crucial issue is to develop your products based on the market, and the key is to listen to what customers have to say. 42. Free is the most expensive thing in the world. So try not to use it for free. Consider it free once you have money. 43. The term “marketing” emphasizes the need to pursue both results and the process involved; it is not only about “selling” but also about “marketing”. 44. Integrity is by no means a form of salesmanship, nor is it some abstract and lofty concept; it is the genuine fulfillment of promises and attention to every detail. 45. Public relations is a byproduct; as you resolve an issue, word of it will gradually spread, and that is the best form of public relations. 46. Short-lived **things are of no value; only lasting **things can generate profit. 47. Intelligence is the enemy of the wise; fools speak with their mouths, intelligent people speak with their minds, and wise people speak with their hearts. 48. Always consider your opponent to be extremely strong; even if they are very weak, you still need to think of them as being highly powerful. 49. I myself would not be willing to hire someone who constantly switches between competitors. 50. Spend more time on your other employees. 51. What is a team? A team is about not letting another person fail, not letting any member of the team fail. 52. Treat your wife as a partner, not just as your wife. 53. Sometimes, a high level of education does not necessarily mean one can focus on getting things done. 54. During the startup phase, never hire a star team, and never bring in people who have already been successful. When starting a business, look for the most suitable person, not the best one. 55. The greatest challenge and breakthrough lie in human resources, and the biggest breakthrough in utilizing people is trusting them. 56. You want to do everything by yourself, but there’s no way you can finish everything in this world. 57. Every transaction must be profitable; offering something for free is not a good strategy, as the costs involved are very high. 58. Leadership is evident when things are going well; anyone can claim to have it. It is only in times of adversity that true leadership is shown. 59. In the face of a disaster, the first people you think of are your customers, followed by your employees; it’s only then that you think of your competitors. 60. Always remember that every success can lead to your failure; learn from every failure, and perhaps you will move toward success. 61. Irritability is, to some extent, due to a sense of insecurity or an unopen mind. 62. If one person says you’re not convinced, or two people say it, and many people say so, you should reflect – there must be something wrong with you. 63. Three factors for a successful entrepreneur: vision, breadth of mind, and strength. 64. Others can copy my pattern, but not my suffering, nor my constant progress forward. 65. People in the 1980s still needed to face challenges; no matter what they did, they had to examine the subjective reasons behind it. 66. If it’s small, it must be unique. 67. One should never forget the dreams from one’s first day; your dream is the greatest thing in the world – to help others succeed. 68. A soldier who doesn’t want to be a general is not a good soldier, but a general who is not a good soldier is certainly not a good general. 69. The strategy for small companies is two words: survive and make money. 70. The first thought upon survival is to do well, rather than to become large. 71. In “Winning in China,” there are no losers, only the lucky. 72. Having results does not necessarily mean success, but no results definitely means failure. 73. Always keep in mind the criticism others have of you, but forget their praise. 74. Authority comes into play when you give power to others; only then can you truly possess authority. When you know how to listen, how to show respect, and are willing to take responsibility, others will listen to you, and that’s when you have authority.