Core Points - The core issue revolves around the controversy sparked by the founder of New Oriental, Yu Minhong, sending a letter from Antarctica to employees on the company's 32nd anniversary, which was perceived as disconnected from the employees' realities [1][3][4] Group 1: Company Background and Events - New Oriental celebrated its 32nd anniversary on November 16, with Yu Minhong reflecting on the company's journey and future plans in a letter themed "Perseverance in the Ice and Snow" [1] - The letter, intended to motivate employees, instead led to backlash as many employees felt unable to empathize with the founder's experience while they were working overtime [1][3] - Following the controversy, Yu Minhong responded in a video on November 18, stating that his trip to Antarctica was to discuss the future of natural education for Chinese children, announcing plans to establish a youth exploration center [1][3] Group 2: Employee Sentiment and Public Reaction - The letter's content, which emphasized Yu Minhong's personal experiences in Antarctica, was criticized for lacking acknowledgment of employee pressures, leading to a perception of a disconnect between management and staff [3][4] - Social media reactions highlighted the stark contrast between the founder's luxurious trip and employees working during the anniversary, coining the phrase "boss in Antarctica, employees working" [3][4] - The public interest in Yu Minhong surged, with the WeChat index for his name rising from around 150,000 on November 16 to nearly 20 million by November 18 [1] Group 3: Financial Performance and Business Strategy - New Oriental has been facing challenges in its business transformation, particularly after the departure of key personnel, which has affected the performance of its subsidiary, Oriental Selection [6][7] - Financial reports indicate that for the fiscal year 2025, Oriental Selection's revenue, profit, and gross merchandise volume (GMV) are expected to decline significantly, with net profit projected at only 6.2 million [7] - New Oriental's overall revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 was reported at $1.243 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.4%, but it also faced an operating loss of $8.674 million, a significant decline compared to the previous year [7] Group 4: Future Directions and Challenges - New Oriental aims to explore the tourism sector as a third growth curve, with plans for a separate IPO for its tourism business, which has yet to show significant results in financial performance [8][9] - The company has established numerous subsidiaries under its tourism brand and invested in various travel-related ventures, indicating a strategic shift towards diversifying its business model [10] - Experts suggest that while the tourism direction is promising, the company must innovate its offerings and build a comprehensive service system to differentiate itself in the competitive market [10]
俞敏洪“南极信”风波后续：明年支持新东方、东方甄选基层优秀员工到南极