Lessons from Lei Jun, founder of Xiaomi

Core Philosophy: The "Triathlon" and User-Centricity

Lei Jun's core business strategy for Xiaomi is often referred to as a "triathlon," focusing on three key pillars: hardware, internet services, and new retail. This integrated approach, combined with an unwavering focus on the user, forms the bedrock of Xiaomi's success.

Learnings from his Philosophy:

Hardware as a Gateway: Lei believes that high-quality, affordable hardware is the entry point to a larger ecosystem. The profit is not solely from the device itself but from the services built around it. [1][2]
The Power of the Crowd: From its inception, Xiaomi has actively involved its users, or "Mi Fans," in the product development process. Lei Jun has emphasized spending hours on forums to get direct feedback. [3][4]
Build a Community, Not Just a Customer Base: By fostering a strong sense of community and belonging among its users, Xiaomi has created a loyal following that acts as both brand ambassadors and a source of innovation. [1][5]
Customer Experience is Paramount: Providing excellent customer service and actively listening to feedback are crucial for building a dedicated customer base that will support the company for years to come. [1]
Embrace the "Middle Path": Contrasting with what he perceived as Steve Jobs' perfectionist approach, Lei Jun believes that in a market like China, it's essential to make compromises and listen to users, rather than dictating the rules. [4]
"Amazing products at honest prices": This is a core tenet of Xiaomi's mission, aiming to build trust and exceed user expectations by offering high-quality products without the hefty price tag. [6][7]

On Entrepreneurship and Strategy

"站在风口上，猪都能飞起来。" (Zhàn zài fēngkǒu shàng, zhū dōu néng fēi qǐlái.) - "Even a pig can fly if it stands in the middle of a typhoon." This is perhaps his most famous quote, emphasizing the importance of identifying and capitalizing on market trends. [8]
"不要用战术上的勤奋来掩饰战略上的懒惰。" (Búyào yòng zhànshù shàng de qínfèn lái yǎnshì zhànlüè shàng de lǎnduò.) - "Don't use tactical diligence to cover up strategic laziness." This highlights the need for clear, long-term vision over just being busy. [8]
"The most important thing is to focus, focus, focus." [9]
"天下武功，唯快不破。" (Tiānxià wǔgōng, wéi kuài bùpò.) - "In the world of martial arts, speed is the only thing that cannot be broken." He applies this to the internet age, stressing that speed is a key competitive advantage. [8]
"快速迭代，不断试错，逐步走向成功的彼岸。这是互联网时代的王道。" (Kuàisù diédài, bùduàn shìcuò, zhúbù zǒuxiàng chénggōng de bǐ'àn. Zhè shì hùliánwǎng shídài de wángdào.) - "Rapid iteration, continuous trial and error, and gradually moving towards the shore of success. This is the kingly way of the Internet era." [8][10]
"创业就是干别人没有干过的事情，干别人干过了但没有干成的事情。" (Chuàngyè jiùshì gàn biérén méiyǒu gàn guò de shìqíng, gàn biérén gàn guòle dàn méiyǒu gàn chéng de shìqíng.) - "Entrepreneurship is about doing things that others haven't done, or doing things that others have done but haven't succeeded at." [8][11]
"一个非常优秀的创业者往往都是离经叛道的、那种很夸张的人。" (Yīgè fēicháng yōuxiù de chuàngyè zhě wǎngwǎng dōu shì líjīngpàndào de, nà zhǒng hěn kuāzhāng de rén.) - "A very successful entrepreneur is often an iconoclast, a larger-than-life person." [8][11]
"Things get much easier if one jumps on the bandwagon of existing trends." [9][12]
"The biggest risk is not taking any risks." [13]
"If you want to grow, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable." [13]
"柳传志40岁创业，任正非43岁创业，我40岁重新开始，也没什么大不了的。" (Liǔchuánzhì 40 suì chuàngyè, rènzhèngfēi 43 suì chuàngyè, wǒ 40 suì chóngxīn kāishǐ, yě méishénme dàbuliǎo de.) - "Liu Chuanzhi started his business at 40, Ren Zhengfei at 43. It's no big deal for me to start over at 40." [8]
"We were the innovator, the challenger and the disrupter. Then all of a sudden, we became the one that's being challenged. It's terrifying and hard to adapt to." [14]
"Do not be complacent simply because AI is the flavor of the day now... It is at times like this that we need to be even more vigilant." [15]
"成功往往不是规划出来的，危机是你想不到的机会。" (Chénggōng wǎngwǎng bùshì guīhuà chūlái de, wéijī shì nǐ xiǎngbùdào de jīhuì.) - "Success is often not planned. A crisis is an opportunity you can't imagine." [16][17]
"找人不是要「三顾茅庐」，找人要「三十次顾茅庐」" (Zhǎo rén bùshì yào sāngù máolú, zhǎo rén yào sānshí cì gù máolú) - "Finding people is not about 'visiting the thatched cottage three times' [a famous story of a ruler recruiting a strategist], it's about 'visiting the thatched cottage thirty times'." [16][17]

On Innovation and Products

"Innovation is about taking risks, but it's also about understanding your customers and their needs." [5]
"We make every effort to bring the newest and most innovative technology to our enthusiastic customers, drawing on the best in the industry." [9]
"小米三大铁律：技术为本、性价比为纲、做最酷的产品。" (Xiǎomǐ sān dà tiělǜ: Jìshù wéi běn, xìngjiàbǐ wéi gāng, zuò zuì kù de chǎnpǐn.) - "Xiaomi's three iron laws: technology as the foundation, cost-effectiveness as the principle, and making the coolest products." [16][17]
"Our ultimate goal is to make good but cheap things." [14]
"Xiaomi looks a bit like Apple but is really more like Amazon with some elements of Google." [9][12] This quote explains his business model of combining hardware, e-commerce, and services.
"We make our profits through content and services." [9]
"Innovation is not just about technology; it's about understanding people." [18]
"Insisting on innovation is the core strategy of Xiaomi's home appliance business." [7]
"Every group of people has its own needs." Lei believes innovation should target specific user scenarios rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. [4]
"The key to success will be to provide value to consumers by reaching out into niches instead of providing features with broad appeal." [14]

On Leadership and Personal Growth

"优秀的公司赚取利润，伟大的公司赢得人心。" (Yōuxiù de gōngsī zhuànqǔ lìrùn, wěidà de gōngsī yíngdé rénxīn.) - "Excellent companies earn profits, great companies win people's hearts." [16][17]
"A great leader is not just a boss but a facilitator who nurtures talent and fosters an environment where creativity can thrive." [5]
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." [13]
"When I was at Kingsoft, I was under pressure and worked hard, but the results were not satisfactory." This reflects his learning that hard work alone isn't enough without the right strategy. [9][12]
"I don't believe in luck. I believe in sweat, determination, and hard work." [13]
"You should learn from your competitor but never copy. Copy and you die." [13]
"As a 40-year-old... I don't want to be considered second to anyone." This was his response to being called the "Steve Jobs of China," showing his desire to forge his own identity. [4]
"让每个人都能享受科技的乐趣。" (Ràng měi gèrén dōu néng xiǎngshòu kējì de lèqù.) - "Let everyone enjoy the fun of technology." This is Xiaomi's mission statement and a guiding principle for Lei Jun. [16][17]
"当你的前途一片黑暗时，你该意识到是你在发光。" (Dāng nǐ de qiántú yīpiàn hēi'àn shí, nǐ gāi yìshí dào shì nǐ zài fāguāng.) - "When your future is dark, you should realize that you are the one who is shining." [16][17]
"相信自己，一往无前。" (Xiāngxìn zìjǐ, yīwǎngwúqián.) - "Believe in yourself and move forward." [16][17]
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but facing fear and still being determined." [19][20]
"Life is a marathon, temporary success or failure is not that important. All life's problems will find answers in growth." [20]
"99% of problems have standard answers, just ask someone who knows." [20]
"The best investment is to invest in yourself." [19]
"Even if we only have a 1% chance of success, we must give it 100% effort." [21]
"If [Steve Jobs] had lived in China, I don't think he could have succeeded... Chinese culture emphasizes the middle path." [4]
"Don't burn incense, it's useless [i.e., don't just pray for a lucky break]. No investor's money comes easily." [11]
"You have to pony up the fixed costs no matter what... I required that my companies had enough cash to pay 18 months of fixed costs." [15]
"Technological innovation is the cornerstone of progress." [22]

Learn more:

Lessons from Lei Jun, founder of Xiaomi

Core Philosophy: The "Triathlon" and User-Centricity

On Entrepreneurship and Strategy

On Innovation and Products

On Leadership and Personal Growth

Written by Antoine Buteau

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