Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of Alibaba, highlighting the shift from a mission-driven company to one focused on short-term metrics and internal competition, raising concerns about its future sustainability and values [3][4][30]. Group 1: Reasons for Alibaba's Success - The company benefited from significant economic trends, with GDP growth from $1 trillion in 1999 to an expected $18 trillion by 2024, and internet users increasing from 8.9 million in 1999 to nearly 1 billion by 2020 [6][12]. - Strategic foresight from founder Jack Ma led to successful ventures like B2B, Taobao, Alipay, and Alibaba Cloud, which were built on strong resource integration [7]. - A unique corporate culture fostered teamwork and a shared vision, allowing employees to feel valued and respected [8]. - Institutional frameworks supported employee engagement and loyalty, emphasizing customer first, employee second, and shareholder third [9]. Group 2: Signs of Decline - Since 2017, the company has experienced a slowdown in growth, with internet user growth rates dropping to single digits and expected to plateau around 1.1 billion by 2024 [12]. - Many strategic acquisitions have failed, such as the purchase of Koubei and Ele.me, which did not yield the expected market dominance [13][14]. - Internal innovation has stagnated, with few successful new ventures outside of e-commerce-related businesses [17]. Group 3: Internal Issues - Employee morale has declined, with a culture shift towards short-term results over long-term vision, leading to a lack of commitment to the company's original mission [18][19]. - There is a growing issue of "wild dog" culture, where aggressive competition for short-term gains undermines collaboration and trust among employees [20]. - Financial issues include grade inflation and unclear performance metrics, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability [21][22]. Group 4: Cultural Erosion - The company's core values have weakened, with a shift towards prioritizing individual performance over collective goals, resulting in a loss of teamwork and integrity [32][33]. - The emphasis on results has led to unethical practices, including data manipulation and a culture of mistrust [35]. - HR has failed to uphold the company's values, focusing more on performance metrics than on employee welfare and cultural integrity [38][40]. Group 5: Recommendations for Improvement - The company should restore its core values and ensure they are integrated into performance evaluations to foster a healthier work environment [43]. - HR needs to refocus on employee support and cultural preservation, reducing the emphasis on performance metrics [39][40]. - A transparent performance and promotion system should be established to eliminate favoritism and ensure accountability [44].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the culture of silence in large organizations, particularly in Alibaba, where employees feel compelled to only express their true opinions upon leaving the company, highlighting systemic issues within the organization [2][6][41]. Group 1: Organizational Issues - A long farewell post by a former Alibaba employee, "Yuan An," reveals systemic problems in the company's strategy, culture, and organization, emphasizing that employees often only speak the truth when they leave [6][7]. - The post reflects a broader sentiment among employees in large companies, where criticism of strategy is often discouraged, leading to a culture of silence [3][4][11]. - The article points out that many strategic decisions made by companies like Alibaba have resulted in failed acquisitions and projects, indicating a disconnect between decision-makers and frontline employees [14][15]. Group 2: Leadership and Communication - The article suggests that CEOs often remain unaware of the real issues within their organizations due to a lack of open communication and feedback mechanisms [12][13]. - It highlights the importance of allowing employees to voice concerns about strategy, arguing that a culture that suppresses feedback can lead to organizational decline [34][42]. - The response from Alibaba's founder, Jack Ma, to Yuan An's post indicates a recognition of the need for change, but raises questions about why such discussions only occur after an employee's departure [7][41]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Product Success - The article argues that many successful products are not the result of strategic brilliance but rather a confluence of favorable market conditions and timing [19][20][23]. - It critiques the notion that past successes guarantee future performance, suggesting that organizations often fail to adapt and learn from their mistakes [25][27]. - The piece emphasizes that true product success relies on user feedback and a collaborative organizational culture, rather than a rigid hierarchy [26][40]. Group 4: The Role of Feedback in Strategy - The article posits that strategy should not be the exclusive domain of upper management but should involve input from all levels of the organization [34][36]. - It advocates for a culture where employee feedback is valued and integrated into strategic decision-making processes [38][39]. - The failure to create an environment where employees can express concerns about strategy can lead to a disconnect between management and market realities, ultimately harming the organization [29][43].