Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-12 02:24Core Viewpoint - The departure of a former Alibaba employee, Yuan An, highlights significant internal issues within the company, emphasizing the need for change and improvement in its corporate culture and management practices [1][3][15]. Group 1: Employee Sentiment and Company Culture - Yuan An's lengthy resignation letter expresses deep dissatisfaction with various aspects of Alibaba, indicating that only employees who genuinely care about the company's future will voice their concerns [1][14]. - The current employee classification at Alibaba includes "golden cows," "wild dogs," and "white rabbits," reflecting a problematic culture where performance is prioritized over values [6][7]. - The perception of a decline in the company's values and the rise of "wild dogs"—employees with poor values but high performance—has led to a toxic work environment [9][11]. Group 2: Management and Structural Issues - The lack of transparency in performance evaluations and promotions has created a culture where loyalty to superiors is prioritized over merit, leading to bureaucratic challenges [11][12]. - Yuan An's observations suggest that the company's current practices have resulted in a dilution of the value of promotions, contributing to internal inflation of job levels [11]. - The need for a more effective reward and punishment mechanism is critical, as the current system allows for manipulation by supervisors, fostering a culture of favoritism [12][15]. Group 3: Leadership Response and Future Outlook - Jack Ma's response to Yuan An's letter acknowledges the challenges of growth and the necessity of time for improvement, indicating a recognition of the issues raised [3][4]. - Despite the serious nature of the concerns outlined in the resignation letter, there is a belief that Alibaba remains one of the best companies and can overcome its internal challenges with determination and time [15][17]. - The narrative suggests that change is inevitable for both the company and its employees, and adapting to new realities is essential for survival and progress [17].