Jack Ma is a prolific entrepreneur and investor who has built the Alibaba Group into one of the most valuable companies in Asia, and amassed a reported net worth of nearly US$ 45 billion. With a history of overcoming obstacles, he has become a global ambassador for Chinese business. Often ranked among the world’s most powerful people, Ma retired from Alibaba last year to pursue educational, philanthropic and environmental causes.
BACKGROUND
DATE OF BIRTH
10 September 1964
BIRTHPLACE
Zhejiang (China)
EDUCATION
BA degree from Hangzhou Normal University
Honorary doctoral degree from Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology
Honorary doctoral degree from De La Salle University
Honorary doctoral degree from University of Hong Kong
Honorary doctoral degree from Tel Aviv University
OCCUPATIONS
Business magnate
Investor
HIGHLIGHTS
Founder of the Alibaba Group
Listed among Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy by Forbes Asia
Named the Asia Game Changer of the Year by Asia Society in 2014
QUOTE
If you want to win in the 21st century, you have to empower others by making sure other people are better than you are
Jack Ma
Q: In your opinion, what attributes have contributed to Jack Ma’s standout career as a businessperson?
A: One of the key attributes that has made Ma successful is his foresight.
By seeing things ahead of others and leading change through aggressive investments, Ma positioned himself to lead China’s entry into the digital age. His tenacity and positive disposition play an important role in driving this success.
Q: Can aspiring Sri Lankans be as dynamic and innovative in leadership and thinking?
A: What’s key is to be able to predict the future in whatever industry you are operating and invest accordingly. Therefore, foresight and capital are crucial. Without one of these, the endeavour will be of no use.
And as much as you may have foresight, if you don’t have financial backing, a business will not take off. Of course, as Ma has displayed, there has to be commitment and good leadership, to ensure that a business is on track – and is able to attract and build capabilities through the right employees.
The timeliness of business ventures is also important. This should be based on a business opportunity that isn’t saturated by competition as that would make an entry much more difficult. As more competitors enter the market, the cost of entry increases. The first mover has significant advantages over those who enter later.
Q: How can Asians rise above bottlenecks or prejudices to become global business icons like Jack Ma?
A: Globally, successful businesses do not come about overnight. They first become successful in their home country before going global. Therefore, success depends to a large extent on the opportunities and level playing field in one’s own country.
There has to be an environment that’s conducive to encouraging entrepreneurship and also provides access to capital. The country needs to have an enabling framework to facilitate this.
Ruchi Gunewardene
Managing Director
Brand Finance Lanka
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