Group 1 - The essence of business is self-interest disguised as altruism, where successful individuals understand the importance of packaging their intentions to appeal to others [1][2][4] - The concept of "social exchange theory" suggests that both buyers and sellers are calculating their benefits, and appealing language can lower buyer resistance, facilitating transactions [4][5] - The survival of a business relies on the ability to balance self-interest with the appearance of altruism, as seen in the example of a friend running an online store who learned to account for all costs while promoting sales [5][10] Group 2 - Successful entrepreneurs often express sentiments of caring for employees while making tough decisions like layoffs, demonstrating the duality of altruism and self-interest in business [10][12] - Long-lasting partnerships in business are fundamentally based on mutual benefit, where helping clients or paying employees is ultimately a transaction that benefits the provider [12][13] - The narrative of altruism in business serves to create a facade of goodwill, while the underlying motivation remains self-preservation and profit generation [12][13]

Group 1 - The automotive industry is initiating a "de-involution" movement aimed at achieving healthy competition and high-quality development, with various companies adopting different strategies to implement this concept [1] - Pricing strategies are being reevaluated, focusing not only on competitors but also on internal financial health, consumer needs, and supply chain dynamics, aiming for more reasonable and stable discount policies [1][2] - The "de-involution" approach seeks to address the disconnect between price cuts and consumer perception, as well as the negative impact on existing customers, which could lead to a decline in consumer confidence [1] Group 2 - Financial difficulties within companies can lead to a chain reaction affecting the entire supply chain, including funding issues for suppliers and operational crises for component manufacturers, threatening the stability of the industry [2] - The current aggressive pricing and marketing strategies often result in the main manufacturers transferring cost pressures onto suppliers and dealers, creating a "pseudo-win" at the expense of supply chain health [2] Group 3 - True "de-involution" involves rebuilding trust and sharing profits, with recent commitments from automakers to limit payment terms to suppliers to no more than 60 days, reflecting a necessary improvement in industry practices [3] - The automotive industry must shift from a cost-shifting and squeezing logic to exploring deeper collaboration with partners, focusing on mutual growth through technological innovation and cost optimization [3] - The call from the China Iron and Steel Industry Association emphasizes the importance of industry interests over individual company interests, advocating for a focus on technology and service rather than short-term pricing and marketing strategies [3]