Core Points - The chairman of New Oriental, Yu Minhong, sparked controversy after sending an internal letter from Antarctica and posting multiple travel videos on social media [1][15] - The internal letter celebrated the 32nd anniversary of New Oriental and outlined future goals for the company, including becoming a "sower of hope" and promoting natural education for children [12][15] Group 1: Travel Details - Yu Minhong traveled on the "Le Commandant Charcot," a polar exploration cruise ship capable of navigating icy waters, with a journey cost of approximately 300,000 yuan per person for a 20-day trip [3][9] - The cruise offers various itineraries, including a 13-day trip priced between 260,000 yuan and 430,000 yuan per person, and a 29-day trip costing around 1.48 million yuan for a luxury suite [6][9] Group 2: Company Initiatives - In his social media posts, Yu Minhong mentioned plans to establish a youth exploration center aimed at fostering children's understanding and appreciation of nature [15][20] - The company is expected to launch specialized Antarctic exploration trips for teenagers in the upcoming winter [15] Group 3: Employee Engagement - New Oriental's 32nd anniversary included the distribution of a membership card valued at 199 yuan as a benefit for employees, which offers discounts on company products [19][23] - The membership card is part of the company's internal welfare program and is set to be distributed to employees by the end of the month [19][23]

Core Insights - The company is planning to establish a dedicated youth exploration center to promote natural education for children, aiming to foster a love and understanding of nature through scientific methods [1] - A special Antarctic expedition for teenagers is expected to commence in the winter of next year, highlighting the company's commitment to experiential learning [1] Group 1 - The founder, Yu Minhong, shared a video on social media discussing the beauty of nature and the future of natural education for Chinese children during a trip to Antarctica [1] - On November 16, Yu Minhong released an internal letter celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the company, reflecting on its journey and the contributions of its staff [3] - The letter emphasized the company's dual role as a knowledge provider and a hope cultivator, while also highlighting the importance of its subsidiary, Dongfang Zhenxuan, in representing merchant integrity [3] Group 2 - The anniversary letter sparked controversy among employees, with some expressing difficulty in empathizing with the CEO's experience while he was traveling [4] - Employees criticized the letter's tone, suggesting that practical actions such as salary increases would be more effective motivators than inspirational messages [4]

Core Viewpoint - The internal letter from Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, has sparked controversy due to its perceived lack of empathy towards employees facing work pressure while he is on a trip to Antarctica [2][4][5]. Group 1: Company Performance - New Oriental's net profit for the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year decreased by 1.92% compared to the previous year [11]. - In the fourth quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, New Oriental reported revenue of 8.808 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.37%, but net profit fell by 73.68% [9]. - The revenue growth rate for the core education business has slowed, dropping from 43.9% in the previous fiscal year to 13.6% [9]. Group 2: Employee Sentiment - Employees expressed frustration over the internal letter, feeling disconnected from the leadership's experiences, particularly when Yu Minhong highlighted his trip to Antarctica while they were working late [5][6]. - Some employees criticized the letter as a display of insensitivity, with comments reflecting their struggles and contrasting their hard work with the founder's vacation [6][7]. Group 3: Market Reaction - On November 18, New Oriental's stock fell by 2.17% in the Hong Kong market, marking a decline in four out of the last five trading days [13]. - The company's stock in the U.S. has also seen a continuous decline over four trading days as of November 17 [13]. Group 4: Business Challenges - The financial performance of Oriental Selection, a subsidiary controlled by Yu Minhong, saw a drastic net profit drop of 99.67%, amounting to only 5.735 million yuan for the 2025 fiscal year [10]. - New Oriental is currently navigating a critical transformation period, facing ongoing operational pressures [9].

Core Insights - New Oriental is diversifying its business model by focusing on the cultural tourism sector, aiming to create a synergistic ecosystem of "education + e-commerce + cultural tourism" [1][2] - The founder, Yu Minhong, is actively promoting the new cultural tourism brand "You Travel with Yu" while traveling extensively, which has sparked discussions about leadership presence and employee engagement [1] - The cultural tourism division, established in July 2023 with a registered capital of 1 billion RMB, is positioned to provide high-quality cultural tourism services and has already launched programs in 55 cities [2] Group 1 - Yu Minhong's travels are not just personal but are aimed at enhancing New Oriental's cultural tourism brand and vision [1] - The cultural tourism segment is seen as a new growth engine for New Oriental, with potential for independent listing [1][2] - New Oriental has invested in various companies to build a comprehensive service system covering educational travel, high-end customization, and cultural experiences [2] Group 2 - New Oriental's stock has faced challenges, with an 18.03% decline in the US market due to slowing overseas study business and profitability pressures [3] - Despite recent leadership changes at Dongfang Zhenxuan, the overall business structure is evolving towards a more resilient model integrating education, cultural tourism, and e-commerce [3]

Core Viewpoint - The recent activities of Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, including his trip to Antarctica and the internal letter sent to employees, have sparked discussions and mixed reactions among staff and the public regarding company culture and leadership [2][5][7]. Group 1: Yu Minhong's Activities - On November 18, Yu Minhong shared 10 videos from his trip to Antarctica, emphasizing the importance of natural education for children and announcing the establishment of a youth exploration center by New Oriental [2][5]. - The company plans to launch a specialized Antarctic exploration program for teenagers, expected to commence in the winter of next year [2]. Group 2: Internal Communication and Employee Reactions - On November 16, during his Antarctic expedition, Yu Minhong sent an internal letter to all employees, reflecting on the company's journey and encouraging unity and perseverance in the face of challenges [5]. - The internal letter received mixed feedback, with some employees expressing difficulty in empathizing with their boss while he was on vacation, and others highlighting their workload during the anniversary [7]. Group 3: Travel Details - Yu Minhong traveled to Antarctica aboard the Shagu No. cruise ship, which departs from Paris and offers a 20-day journey costing approximately 300,000 yuan per person [12]. - The cruise ship only visits Antarctica every two years, indicating that the next opportunity to board will not be until 2027 [12].

Core Viewpoint - The internal letter from New Oriental's founder, Yu Minhong, sent from Antarctica, sparked criticism among employees for its perceived disconnect from their struggles and realities, highlighting a growing tension between management and staff [2][4][5]. Group 1: Employee Reactions - Employees expressed dissatisfaction with the letter, feeling it was tone-deaf given their hard work while the founder enjoyed leisure time in Antarctica [4][5]. - The sentiment among employees reflects a broader shift in attitudes, where they seek more tangible recognition and empathy from leadership rather than motivational rhetoric [5][6]. Group 2: Leadership Perspective - Yu Minhong's letter was characterized as a typical motivational message, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit and vision for the future of New Oriental [2][3]. - The letter's content, while well-intentioned, failed to resonate with employees who are facing significant pressures and challenges in their roles [4][6]. Group 3: Suggestions for Improvement - Recommendations for future communications include offering bonuses or small gifts to employees, or providing time off to acknowledge their contributions, fostering a sense of shared success [6]. - A more grounded and relatable approach in leadership communication is suggested to bridge the gap between management and employees [6][7].

在某种程度上，俞敏洪就成了所有"老板"的替身，成了这个"出气筒"和"替罪羔羊"。 每经评论员 徐肖逍 新东方创始人俞敏洪可能没有想到，他只是写了一封凝聚人心、彰显企业文化的内部信，结果引来一场 沸沸扬扬的舆情风波。 11月16日，新东方迎来成立32周年纪念日，身在南极的俞敏洪给全体员工发了这封主题为"冰雪中的坚 守"的内部信，回顾创业历程，也擘画未来。 在信中，俞敏洪描述南极的极致景观，"浩瀚的洁白""翡翠般的冰山"，还以企鹅"相互扶持越冬"类比团 队精神。然而，这封信发布后，并未收获预期中的共鸣，反而引来一些员工的吐槽，以及广泛的争 议。"老板在南极看企鹅，你在工位改PPT""老板在南极，员工在加班"，这是不少网友看到全员信后的 第一反应。 从企业品牌角度来看，俞敏洪的这封信的确不够完美。具体来看，有三个技术性问题。 一是场景错位，领导在"24小时阳光"下感悟人生，员工在"24小时待机"，对比太过鲜明。二是叙事失 焦，信中提到17次"我"和5次"南极"，将"我们"的故事，写成了"我的南极游记"。三是价值缺位，企业 发展面临挑战，俞敏洪送上一碗冰镇鸡汤，员工很难"共情企鹅"。 但是，一封内部贺信，为什么会在地 ...

Core Points - The internal letter from Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, sent from Antarctica on the company's 32nd anniversary, sparked controversy among employees who found it ironic given their ongoing work commitments [1][3] - Employees expressed feelings of unfairness and a lack of empathy, highlighting the disconnect between the founder's celebratory tone and their own struggles [3][4] - The letter reflects Yu Minhong's typical optimistic and motivational style, but it failed to resonate with employees who are increasingly pragmatic and seeking tangible support from leadership [2][5] Summary by Sections - **Employee Reactions** - Employees criticized the letter for its "chicken soup" sentiment, feeling it was out of touch with their reality of working long hours [1][3] - The disparity between Yu Minhong's experience in Antarctica and the employees' struggles at home led to feelings of resentment and a lack of shared experience [4] - **Leadership Perspective** - Yu Minhong's letter was intended as a reflection on the company's journey and future vision, but it did not address the current challenges faced by employees [2][5] - The evolving mindset of employees demands more than just inspirational messages; they seek recognition and empathy from leadership [4][5] - **Suggestions for Improvement** - Recommendations include providing employees with bonuses or small gifts to share in the company's success, or offering time off to acknowledge their hard work [5] - A more grounded and relatable approach in communication from leadership could help bridge the gap between management and employees [5]

Core Viewpoint - The internal letter from Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, sparked criticism among employees due to perceived insensitivity regarding their hard work while he was in Antarctica celebrating the company's anniversary [1][3]. Group 1: Employee Reactions - Employees expressed feelings of unfairness and lack of empathy, highlighting the contrast between their struggles and Yu's leisure in Antarctica [3][4]. - The letter was seen as overly sentimental and disconnected from the realities faced by employees, leading to a sense of frustration [1][2]. Group 2: Entrepreneurial Perspective - Yu Minhong's letter reflects his typical optimistic and motivational style, but it failed to resonate with employees in the current challenging environment [1][2]. - The changing mindset of employees demands more practical and empathetic communication from leadership, rather than abstract motivational messages [4][5]. Group 3: Suggestions for Improvement - Recommendations for a more effective communication approach include offering bonuses, small gifts, or time off to employees to share in the company's success [5]. - Acknowledging the different perspectives between entrepreneurs and employees is crucial for fostering a better working relationship [5].

Core Viewpoint - The internal letter from New Oriental's founder, Yu Minhong, sparked controversy among employees due to its perceived disconnect from their daily struggles and experiences, highlighting a growing tension between management and staff in the current work environment [2][3][4]. Group 1: Employee Reactions - Employees expressed dissatisfaction with the letter, feeling it was tone-deaf given their hard work while Yu was in Antarctica enjoying leisure [2][4]. - Many employees found the letter overly sentimental and lacking in practical acknowledgment of their efforts, leading to feelings of unfairness and deprivation [3][4]. Group 2: Management Perspective - Yu Minhong's letter reflects his typical optimistic and motivational style, emphasizing the company's journey and future vision [2][3]. - The letter's content, while well-intentioned, failed to resonate with employees who are increasingly seeking tangible support and empathy from management [4][5]. Group 3: Suggestions for Improvement - Recommendations for a more effective communication approach include offering bonuses, small gifts, or time off to employees on significant company anniversaries [5]. - Acknowledging the changing mindset of employees, management should strive for more grounded and relatable communication that aligns with the current workforce's expectations [4][5].