We all know very well about “Alibaba Group”.
Well, today We all know “Alibaba” as one of the biggest companies in the world. But the starting phase of any new company is very difficult, there are many ups and downs they have to face. We knew the chairman of the company “Jack Ma” has done a lot of work contently with good strategy and Ideas but the success of that company involves the relentless efforts of some very honest, loyal and patient employees.
Thinking Pad has bring a similar, inspiring story of an honest, loyal, and patient personality. Who has done a lot to making “Alibaba Group” a success.
We are talking about “Tong Wenhong”. Who has started here journey in “Alibaba” as a receptionist and now she is the Vice President of “Alibaba”. She is an icon of women empowerment.
“God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith but it’s worth the wait.”
— Anonymous
This quote perfectly suites to “Tong Wenhong”.
The lady in the picture with “Jack Ma” is “Tong Wenhong”. She had joined “Alibaba” many years ago as a receptionist. When Jack Ma was allocating company shares, he gave “Tong Wenhong” 0.2% shares right saying, “it will worth 100 million when Alibaba goes public into the market later.”
Many noticed how she would go beyond her daily tasks. After few months, she was transferred to the customer support department. Three months after that, she returned to the administration division, but this time, she was promoted as director.
Tong was quoted,
“It’s a great challenge for me to lead the group because I was just a receptionist in the past,”
“Jack Ma” asked “Tong Wenhong” to just stay in the company, don’t seek for other companies and she will get 100 million when Alibaba goes public. “Tong Wenhong” waited years but Alibaba never went public. She asked Jack when will Alibaba go public in 2004 and Jack said, “soon”. She asked again in 2006 and JackMa said, “soon”, again. However, she never saw it happen and never got 100 million. But she had a belief in her leader.
In the company she has earned several promotions in that journey she faced numerous challenges that would test her mettle as a leader. Among her notable accomplishments include the West Lake Internet Symposium, a massive event where she successfully facilitated the group’s venture building projects which she effectively oversaw.
When Alibaba finally went public in the New York Stock Exchange in September 2014, it was worth 245.7 billion.“Tong Wenhong”, the former senior receptionist, current Vice President of Alibaba, became a millionaire from a receptionist with 320 million worth.
We see in the story that “Tong Wenhong” is also a common person like us, she has gone through all the ups and downs as we go through. But in few of the things she was different with many of the people. Dedication, Hard and smart work, Faith in the leader and “Patience“.
How many of us believe in our Leader? How many of us can stay in a company for as long as “Tong Wenhong” was? When the founder is still fighting tirelessly himself.
Entrepreneurship is the 16 character word where the 6th letter P stands for Patience. Yes Most startups end on this 6th stage because of a lack of patience. Whenever you think to give up your dreams you must read this story when a receptionist have this much patience then how can you give up.
To succeed you must be down to earth, never be eager for quick benefits. If you’re sure that there’s water down the well, put all your effort and time at this location. We would rather dig a well with 10 years time than to dig 10 pits.
There are lots of ingredients of success but “Patience” is one of the most important one.
By: Hemant Kumar Viswakarma (Hemant Hemang)
*Image may be subject to copyright.
