Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a lengthy internal letter from Yuan An, a former product research head at Alibaba, analyzing the company's development trajectory, existing issues, and their causes, highlighting a sense of decline since 2017 [3][4]. Group 1: Company Performance and Challenges - Yuan An attributes Alibaba's past success to favorable market conditions, Jack Ma's strategic vision, and a strong value system, but notes a decline in morale and focus on core values over the years [3][4]. - He identifies a slowdown in overall internet growth, failed acquisitions, and a lack of successful internal innovation as factors contributing to Alibaba's loss of growth momentum [3][4]. - Yuan An mentions that most of Alibaba's acquisitions, such as Koubei, Ele.me, and Lazada, have lost their leading positions post-integration, with some acquisitions resulting in losses [3][4]. Group 2: Internal Issues - The letter outlines significant internal issues, including a reliance on external talent that lacks understanding of Alibaba's culture, increased competition among employees, and a lack of collaboration [6][7]. - Yuan An criticizes the company's unclear strategy, bureaucratic tendencies, and a culture that has shifted from collaboration to individual competition, leading to a decline in core values [6][7]. - He expresses concern over the inflation of employee ranks, unclear reward systems, and a short-term mindset among staff, which he believes undermines the company's performance [6][7]. Group 3: Cultural and Structural Recommendations - Yuan An emphasizes the need to restore Alibaba's original values and teamwork spirit, suggesting reforms in HR systems, management structures, and transparency in job levels [7]. - He advocates for a "surgical" approach to address these issues, indicating that the company must adapt to the new era of AI and e-commerce [7]. - The letter concludes with a hopeful message for Alibaba's future, urging the company to embrace change and innovation [8]. Group 4: Leadership Response - Jack Ma personally responded to Yuan An's letter, acknowledging the challenges and changes Alibaba is undergoing, and expressing hope for the company's future [9][10]. - Other leaders, including Chairman Cai Chongxin and CEO Wu Yongming, have also reflected on the company's issues, indicating a recognition of the "big company disease" and a commitment to returning to a startup mentality [10].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a lengthy internal letter from Yuan An, the head of DingTalk's product research, reflecting on Alibaba's development, existing issues, and their causes, highlighting a sense of decline since 2017 [1][4]. Group 1: Alibaba's Historical Context - Yuan An attributes Alibaba's past success to favorable market conditions, Jack Ma's strategic vision, a strong value system, and effective institutional support [4][5]. - He expresses nostalgia for the early days when employees were respected for their kindness and the company's mission to help others [5]. Group 2: Current Challenges - The letter outlines a significant shift in both external public opinion and internal employee attitudes, with a focus on KPIs, salaries, and stock options rather than customer-centric values [6]. - Yuan An identifies several factors contributing to Alibaba's loss of growth momentum, including a slowdown in overall internet growth, failed acquisitions, and a lack of successful internal innovation [7][8]. Group 3: Internal Issues - The letter highlights issues in three main areas: people, finance, and operations, including a reliance on external talent that lacks understanding of Alibaba's culture, ineffective performance incentives, and increased competition among employees [9][10]. - It also points to broader company-level problems such as unclear strategy, conflicting objectives, and a culture of bureaucracy [11]. Group 4: Cultural Decline and Recommendations - Yuan An argues that the erosion of company culture has led to disarray among employees, with a decline in teamwork and integrity [12]. - He suggests a need for significant reforms, including restoring core values, restructuring HR systems, and addressing management issues, while also emphasizing the potential of AI in the future [12]. Group 5: Responses from Leadership - Jack Ma personally responded to Yuan An's letter, acknowledging the changes within Alibaba and expressing hope for the company's future [16][17]. - Other leaders, including Chairman Cai Chongxin and CEO Wu Yongming, have also reflected on the company's challenges and the need to return to a startup mentality [18].

Core Viewpoint - The internal analysis by Yuan An highlights Alibaba's decline in growth and innovation since 2017, attributing it to external market slowdowns, failed acquisitions, and a lack of successful internal innovation [1][2]. Group 1: Company Challenges - Alibaba's growth has been hindered by the overall slowdown in the internet sector, with many of its acquisitions, such as Ele.me and Lazada, losing their leading positions post-integration [1]. - The company has faced significant challenges with its acquisitions of Intime and RT-Mart, which resulted in losses, indicating difficulties in successful operational integration [1]. - Internal issues include a lack of successful innovation outside the core e-commerce business, with few independent growth stories emerging within the company [1]. Group 2: Employee and Cultural Issues - Yuan An identifies problems such as reliance on external talent, a decline in the "Alibaba spirit" among new hires, and increased competition leading to higher collaboration costs [2]. - There are concerns about internal performance metrics leading to a culture of short-termism, unclear rewards and punishments, and bureaucratic inefficiencies [2]. - A call for a cultural reset emphasizes the need for a focus on customer-first values, teamwork, and clear strategic direction [2]. Group 3: Leadership and Future Directions - Jack Ma's acknowledgment of the internal challenges reflects a broader recognition of the "big company disease" affecting Alibaba, similar to issues faced by other major Chinese internet firms [4]. - CEO Wu Yongming's recent comments on "restarting" the company indicate a strategic pivot towards embracing AI and revitalizing the management team to foster a startup mentality [4]. - The ongoing organizational changes and the need for internal reform are critical for Alibaba to regain its competitive edge and adapt to the evolving market landscape [4].