Core Viewpoint - The letter from Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, sent from Antarctica, has been met with criticism from employees and the public, highlighting a disconnect between leadership and staff concerns about work pressure and morale [1][5][7]. Group 1: Content of the Letter - Yu Minhong's letter emphasizes personal reflections and poetic imagery from his experience in Antarctica, focusing on themes of time and perseverance, but lacks acknowledgment of employee struggles [2][5]. - The intention behind the letter was to inspire employees by drawing parallels between the resilience of penguins in extreme conditions and the unity of New Oriental staff during challenging times [5][6]. Group 2: Employee Reactions - Employees expressed feelings of irony and sarcasm regarding the letter, with some stating that the descriptions of Antarctica felt disconnected from their daily realities [5][7]. - Public reactions included mockery, with comments highlighting the stark contrast between the CEO's experience and the employees' situations [5][7]. Group 3: Crisis Management Response - Yu Minhong's response to the backlash was prompt and included an acknowledgment of employee dissatisfaction, stating that he encourages feedback and will address issues within the company [6][7]. - He announced a plan to take 20 employees and 10 customers to Antarctica, which was seen as a way to promote company culture and address the criticism [6][15]. Group 4: Underlying Issues - The incident reveals a deeper systemic disconnect between New Oriental's leadership and its frontline employees, indicating that the company is facing challenges in maintaining employee trust and morale [7][15]. - The company's recent financial performance shows a significant decline, with a 73.7% drop in net profit to $7.1 million, primarily due to issues in its core education business and goodwill impairment [14][15]. Group 5: Comparison with Other Business Models - The letter and subsequent reactions suggest that New Oriental's management style may benefit from adopting practices similar to those of successful companies like Pang Donglai, which emphasizes employee welfare and a unified corporate culture [12][14]. - Pang Donglai's approach includes transparent communication, generous employee benefits, and a focus on service quality, contrasting with New Oriental's more traditional, authoritative management style [12][14].
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