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The JD.com story: An e-commerce phenomenon
Valued at $25 billion following its IPO in 2014, JD.com (Jingdong) is China s second largest e-commerce company (behind its rival Alibaba) and leads the way in sales of consumer electronics and books. Through unprecedented access to the inner-workings of JD.com and its founder, Richard Liu, and other main players, this book offers the most detailed examination of the success behind one of China s most successful companies of recent times. Founded in 1998 as an online magneto-optical store, the company evolved into selling books, CDs, videos and consumer electronics online on an enormous scale. In 2014, Asia s largest Internet company, Tencent, acquired a 20% stake in JD.com, which made the company the No.2 online retailer in China, and thus triggering a fierce battle with Alibaba for dominance in the China market. The story of JD.com s growth, and the strategies and philosophy of its charismatic founder, is featured in this fascinating book.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 28, 2021
I think JD story is a very difficult story to tell and the author has tried his best.
As with many big empire, the emperor is often centrally portrayed. I think some parts focusing on Liu's childhood and history are a little bit overdone. But Li also did a great job in recognizing that so much of JD's achievements are attributed to an excellent army. JD has transformed dramatically in its short history, esp in 2010s. It has engaged in so many innovations, made so many improvements such that it is impossible to describe everything in details. At least Li has made clear that so many great talents here have made them possible.
I really appreciate that Li went all the way to delivery stations to meet with front line workers. He focuses on the improvement in benefits that these front line workers receive as a JDer compared to other competitors. He also talks about the extremely challenging and competitive nature of all workers in the company. To really succeed in JD one needs to work really really hard or else be quickly disposed of. It is harsh, but this is how company can succeed.
At the same time, I admire that JD's success is very much through integrity. It didn't try to cheat, to keep a blind eye on fakes, didn't try to bribe its way, was very clear on tax. The one thing is that JD is aggressive in its pricing, and this probably is viewed as playing dirty to its competitors? Well, could be. As it grows it wipes out many other companies and system with efficiencies. The danger is that it can become too big too powerful, but JD's vision, at least on paper, is not about profit but about improving itself, improving user experience, improving its workers' conditions. And that is admirable.
As with many big empire, the emperor is often centrally portrayed. I think some parts focusing on Liu's childhood and history are a little bit overdone. But Li also did a great job in recognizing that so much of JD's achievements are attributed to an excellent army. JD has transformed dramatically in its short history, esp in 2010s. It has engaged in so many innovations, made so many improvements such that it is impossible to describe everything in details. At least Li has made clear that so many great talents here have made them possible.
I really appreciate that Li went all the way to delivery stations to meet with front line workers. He focuses on the improvement in benefits that these front line workers receive as a JDer compared to other competitors. He also talks about the extremely challenging and competitive nature of all workers in the company. To really succeed in JD one needs to work really really hard or else be quickly disposed of. It is harsh, but this is how company can succeed.
At the same time, I admire that JD's success is very much through integrity. It didn't try to cheat, to keep a blind eye on fakes, didn't try to bribe its way, was very clear on tax. The one thing is that JD is aggressive in its pricing, and this probably is viewed as playing dirty to its competitors? Well, could be. As it grows it wipes out many other companies and system with efficiencies. The danger is that it can become too big too powerful, but JD's vision, at least on paper, is not about profit but about improving itself, improving user experience, improving its workers' conditions. And that is admirable.
December 13, 2021
I gave this a quick skim. There is much of interest here, and I will re-read it once I get some rest; which has been next to impossible, given the continual noise disruption city wide, the last two years. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews