Quote by Zhang Ruimin: “No excellent company can be created without excellent culture and excellent people.”

This leadership principle stresses the foundational importance of strong internal factors for business success. It means that a great company is built upon shared values, positive work environment, and talented, dedicated individuals.

As Haier expanded internationally, Zhang emphasized that organizational success was rooted not just in products, but in nurturing a strong, adaptable corporate culture and empowering its employees.

Chinese business leader who transformed Haier from a near-bankrupt refrigerator factory in Qingdao into one of the world's largest home appliance companies. In 1985 he famously led the destruction of 76 defective refrigerators with a sledgehammer to instill quality standards, an event that became a landmark moment in Chinese business culture. His management philosophy later evolved into the Rendanheyi model of networked micro-enterprises.