The Lenovo Way: Managing a Diverse Global Company for Optimal Performance

by Qiao, Yolanda Conyers

BUILD YOUR COMPANY INTO A GLOBAL GIANT--THE LENOVO WAY A powerful book that shows the step-by-step evolution of a new kind of global technology powerhouse, "The Lenovo Way" is indispensable reading for leaders and managers who deal with strategy, innovation, branding, and HR at any kind of company. It also tells the remarkable story of how two women from very different backgrounds rose to become leaders in Lenovo's journey to the top.

"The Lenovo Way" shows business leaders how to gain market share and develop new business models. The strategies driving Lenovo's ascent to the leading position in the PC industry have been in motion for years, and this book shows how Lenovo, with roots in both East and West, did it. Based on unprecedented access to former and present CEOs and other top managers, "The Lenovo Way" tells the fascinating story of the rise of this remarkable global brand. It also provides invaluable business lessons for how to use Lenovo's success strategies to advance your own company's success.

Building for a decade on its history-making acquisition of IBM's PC business in 2005, today Lenovo is #1 in global PC sales, and it is rapidly gaining in sales of tablets and smartphones. Lenovo is challenging the world's biggest and most powerful brands through innovations and new acquisitions to become an even bigger force in smartphones, servers, and cloud computing, and its CEO has been listed as one of the best in the world. Using the story of Lenovo as a case study illustrating best global practices, "The Lenovo Way" explains how to: Gain market share by protecting core strengths while seizing new opportunities Create a diverse and effective culture that transcends all borders Lead your company successfully through the chaos of change Make innovation part of your organizational DNA

Providing key insights into the topics most critical to leaders of global businesses, the authors explore all the major turning points: from building an iconic brand to streamlining supply chains, while making the transition from a core business of PCs to a new business model.

In order to excel in today's marketplace, managers need to create a blueprint for a whole new level of globalization. You must position your company to continue doing what it does best, yet be poised not just to navigate but also to capitalize on change and take advantage of turmoil. Look to the company that has been able to turn a diverse workforce into a global business phenomenon. This is your time to learn how to do it "The Lenovo Way."

PRAISE FOR "THE LENOVO WAY"

""In this book, the authors pull back the covers and give incredible insights into this fascinating organization of the future, sharing a blueprint that others can adapt in order to be a truly global organization."" -- DAVE ULRICH, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan; author of "HR Transformation" and "The Why of Work"

""If you want to grow your business and turn global opportunity into reality, read The Lenovo Way. From the new generation of female leadership, this book shares important business lessons for a global world."" -- CAROL EVANS, President, Working Mother Media

""Through groundbreaking and innovative leadership, Lenovo has proven that 'soft' values can lead to huge profits. The Lenovo Way shows how they did it--and how you can too."" -- MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "What Got You Here Won't Get You There"

""In The Lenovo Way, authors Gina Qiao and Yolanda Conyers have mapped a course to success for future global leaders."" -- DEBORAH GILLIS, President and CEO, Catalyst

""The Lenovo Way is a must read for leaders who are seeking to apply global leadership attributes in a dynamic global marketplace. Read it!"" -- RONALD C. PARKER, President and CEO, the Executive Leadership Council & Foundation; former SVP of HR and Chief Global Diversity Officer, PepsiCo

""Through vivid storytelling and filled with practical takeaways, The Lenovo Way shows, step by step, how this nimble company has become such a global player--and how their innovative team is on the cutting edge of best business practices."" -- DAVE DUFFIELD, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Workday

""The Lenovo Way shows leaders and managers of any kind of business how prioritizing diversity truly leads to growth and success."" -- JOHN HALEY, CEO, Towers Watson

Genres: Business, China, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2014

Reviews

[Greg Hawod · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Lenovo is a story of triumph, humility, and dedication to change. Starting from its humble beginnings in the sparsely furnished guard shack in the outskirts of Beijing, Lenovo continues to grow and provide value to all people it serves with special dedication to the importance of its people.

This book is very inspirational. I can see the humility of this company and its never ceasing dedication to learn and to grow. It encountered several challenges such as the diversity issues post IBM PC acquisition; the challenges of integrating East and Western culture, and many more. What really strikes my attention was the willingness of its top executive, from Chairman down all the way to the front line level, to embrace changes as well as to learn. 

Right now, this company is in the right position to be truly recognized as a global brand. This book narrated the history of how they did it using the Lenovo Way. 

Here are the following reasons why you should read this book:
1. If you are looking to make your company global, this book will show you how Lenovo did it successfully.
2. If you are tired of the stresses brought about by the changes made in your own organization, this book will let you see the bigger picture of things.
3. This book will help you realize that everybody needs to learn no matter how high your position is in your company.
4. This book will give you insights into the strategy of Lenovo. You will see how the company's dedication to its people made its strategy a success.
5. At a personal level, you will be inspired by the stories of the authors on how they handle the challenges. Indeed, their stories is also part of Lenovo's history.

Reading this book made me feel that I've been with the company too. This book is well-written and very suitable for any business person; and because of that, I will give this a 5-star rating.

[LS Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a "how we did it" book than an instructive text on "how you can do it". However, it still provides several valuable insights. In America, diversity officers are often maligned and seen as superfluous. Yet Qiao and Conyers illustrate how crucial an organized effort to monitor, promote, and facilitate cultural integration and peaceful coexistence is in the context of an international business by expanding the definition and implication of the role beyond the narrow American conception.
The narratives of the various employees' successful career paths provides a case study of the types of transitions and hurdles people must overcome in order to ascend to the executive level. They also address details on resolving the people side of mergers and acquisitions which are often not mentioned in business textbooks.
It was nice to finally know the story behind my ThinkPad and the Lenovo name which pops up when my computer turns on. Now I can view the name with a sense of pride and admiration for the man who was sent to prison by his government, but had the resilience to still work with that government in order to grow a business from a government subsidized endeavor to a fully independent corporation which connects humanity to the computer age.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

255 - 2021

[Rohit · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good read on an organisation with very high level of culture mixture but can be a little more detailed

[Alexey Averyanov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Очень слабая книга... разочарован. Есть немного про систему мотивации, но совсем ничего интересного. Книга просто маркетинг Lenovo и автора, но точно не стоит времени на ее прочтение.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Leading by example is not the important way to inspire people, but the only way”

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenovo is a high-tech company that for many came suddenly out of nowhere and started buying up icons such as IBM’s PC business. In just a few decades the company has transformed from operating in a shack in a Chinese town to a current global megacorp with one of the world’s most powerful, valuable brands.

How did it manage that? In part through its people and by successfully integrating different cultures together and making them work towards a unified, common goal. This book is the story about that transformation process where cultural diversity and collaboration has been seized upon, refined and polished at a time when there wasn’’t really any guidebook to follow so the company had to navigate in often uncharted waters. The authors were right in the middle of Lenovo’s cultural transformation project and experienced exactly the same problems they were trying to eradicate from the organisation. They tested the dog food they expected the company to eventually eat, as it were! This book is a retrospective look at the company’s transformation, development and change.

It is certainly an interesting read and is capable of giving many lessons about collaboration, innovation, growth, diversity and cultural considerations that can be implemented in nearly every company, irrespective of size and location. The book did feel slightly disjointed and less focussed in places (although it is possible that there has been a further edit between this pre-release review version and the final product). The problems didn’t make the book any less valuable, it just made it slightly harder going.

There is certainly no shortage of corporate “how-to” books on the market but this feels as if it has managed to find its own little niche. There is a lot of potential in a relatively small package. It could be one of those frequently consulted, widely circulated companions within your company. You only need to get one little point or change for your organisation for this book to make a difference. There is a good chance you will get a lot more out of it though, you just need to be open to change.

The Lenovo Way: Managing a Diverse Global Company for Optimal Performance, written by Gina Qiao and Yolanda Conyers and published by McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 9780071837248, 272 pages. YYYYY

[Adrienne Servis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In thinking more about this book, the information given is helpful in every area of life. I would highly recommend this book to others if you want to grow personally, as well as in your area of expertise, whether in your occupation, relationships, school, etc.