Core Insights - The article highlights the investment philosophy and operational strategies of Mengxi Investment, emphasizing its focus on quantitative investment driven by technology and a commitment to stability and long-term growth [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Philosophy - Mengxi Investment is characterized by a philosophy of "observing" market rules rather than seeking the spotlight, with a strong emphasis on technical-driven investment strategies [1]. - The founder, Li Xiang, believes in the importance of curiosity about objective laws and the need for a growth mindset, viewing himself as a continuously optimizing model [1][2]. - The company has integrated AI into its investment research since 2019, establishing an AI Lab in early 2025 to enhance its modeling and deep learning capabilities [1][2]. Group 2: Risk Management and Strategic Discipline - During a downturn in the quantitative industry from late 2023 to early 2024, Mengxi Investment faced challenges that tested its strategic discipline, leading to a reassessment of its risk management practices [2][3]. - The company emphasizes the importance of maintaining strategic discipline and not deviating from its core principles, which has been crucial for its survival and growth [2][3]. - Mengxi Investment has developed a diversified strategy matrix and utilizes alternative data sources to uncover investment opportunities that traditional financial data may miss [2][3]. Group 3: Organizational Structure and Talent Management - The company prioritizes talent and technology development ahead of asset management scale, maintaining a ratio of talent to assets that supports its growth strategy [3][4]. - Mengxi Investment has implemented an attractive incentive system for its research team, including a commission-based structure and a partnership system to reward outstanding contributions [4]. - The founder emphasizes the importance of empathy in internal governance, ensuring that the core roles within the company consider the perspectives of employees [4]. Group 4: Social Responsibility and Future Vision - Mengxi Investment is committed to social value, engaging in scientific donations and encouraging industry peers to participate in philanthropic efforts [5]. - The company also invests in cutting-edge technologies, accepting short-term losses for long-term societal benefits, reflecting a commitment to responsible innovation [5]. - Looking ahead, Mengxi Investment aims to become one of the top quantitative institutions in China, focusing on excellence rather than scale, with aspirations for global influence [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of a founder or CEO's stable core, which can be understood through the "Onion Model" that distinguishes between background and experience, core capabilities, and underlying driving forces [2][3][6]. Group 1: Onion Model - The Onion Model consists of three layers: the outer layer represents background and experience, the middle layer signifies core capabilities, and the innermost layer reflects underlying driving forces [6]. - Background and experience are static and refer to past achievements, while core capabilities and driving forces are dynamic and crucial for future success [6]. - Systemic thinking and self-reflection are essential components of core capabilities, enabling leaders to identify and address primary contradictions and understand the temporal context of decisions [6][7]. Group 2: Systemic Thinking - Effective systemic thinking involves recognizing the main contradictions within a system and understanding the time dimension of decisions, which can significantly impact outcomes [7][10]. - Leaders must be able to evaluate their strategic decisions based on a broad understanding of the industry and its changes, as well as the timing of those decisions [7][10]. - Companies like Coca-Cola and Tesla exemplify strong systemic thinking through their clear and concise strategic frameworks that adapt to both spatial and temporal dimensions [13][14]. Group 3: Self-Reflection - Self-reflection is defined as the ability to confront one's inner self and gain insight into personal motivations and behaviors, which is crucial for personal growth [15][16]. - A strong self-reflection capability allows individuals to understand their true selves beyond external evaluations and societal expectations [15][16]. - Engaging in deep conversations and creating a safe environment for dialogue can enhance self-reflection and foster trust [17]. Group 4: Underlying Driving Forces - The article relates Maslow's hierarchy of needs to corporate development stages, which include survival, industry leadership, and mission-driven existence [18][19]. - Companies evolve through stages where their primary focus shifts from profit maximization to broader social missions, reflecting a higher level of organizational purpose [19][20]. - The concept of "connection" is highlighted as a key factor in understanding underlying driving forces, emphasizing the importance of relationships and altruism in achieving personal and organizational goals [22].