企业家们的不完全道歉史

Core Viewpoint - The frequent public apologies by New Oriental's founder, Yu Minhong, highlight a growing trend among Chinese entrepreneurs to address public criticism and manage corporate reputation in a challenging social media landscape [1][4][28]. Group 1: Public Apologies and Management - Yu Minhong has become one of the most frequently apologizing entrepreneurs in China, addressing issues related to corporate management, inappropriate remarks, and employee grievances [3][4]. - The frequency of Yu's public apologies has increased significantly, with at least one apology each year from 2023 to 2025 [4][9]. - The incident involving a controversial letter sent from Antarctica on New Oriental's 32nd anniversary sparked public backlash, leading to multiple apologies from Yu [4][6]. Group 2: Corporate Communication and Crisis Management - The handling of a minor issue by former CEO Sun Dongxu escalated into a major controversy, demonstrating the impact of leadership communication on public perception [6]. - Yu Minhong's response to the backlash included acknowledging management failures and expressing regret for inappropriate comments made by his team [6][9]. - The company's stock price experienced a significant drop following Yu's offhand remarks about New Oriental's operations, indicating the financial implications of public relations missteps [9][10]. Group 3: Social Media and Public Perception - The rise of social media has transformed the dynamics of public accountability for entrepreneurs, making them more vulnerable to public scrutiny and criticism [28][29]. - Entrepreneurs are increasingly seen as "low-power" figures in the public discourse, often compelled to apologize to mitigate negative sentiment and protect their businesses [28][29]. - The phenomenon reflects a broader societal issue where emotional expressions on social media can disproportionately influence public opinion and corporate reputation [29].