推荐序一 Embracing the World:Lenovo's Blueprint for Global Success 拥抱世界:制胜全球的联想之道
Lenovo was the first company in China to become truly global. Twenty years ago, its purchase of IBM's personal computer business was a landmark event. Here was a Chinese firm acquiring one of the most important divisions from one of the oldest and most storied computing companies in the United States. The acquisition made Lenovo the third-largest computer maker worldwide by volume. It was one of the signal moments that announced China and Chinese enterprise as a global leader in twenty-first century economic development.
联想集团是中国第一家真正实现全球化的企业。20年前,联想收购IBM个人电脑业务,这是何其具有里程碑意义的事件:一家来自中国的企业竟然收购了美国历史最悠久、最具传奇色彩的计算机公司中最重要的一个部门。这也让它一跃成为全球第三大电脑制造商。可以说,这是中国和中国企业在21世纪经济发展中勇做全球领导者的标志性事件之一。
The move took vision and courage. Its success was not assured, requiring the integration of two enormous operations from very different cultures. Lenovo was betting not only on Chinese ingenuity and discipline, but also on a global cultural mindset. Where too many others viewed national and cultural difference as an obstacle, Lenovo embraced it as an advantage. It did the hard and sustained work of bridging divides, fostering collaboration, and cultivating the energy and creativity that arise from sincere cultural exchange. The efforts paid off. Lenovo came to command one of the world's leading personal computing brands, integrated IBM's most advanced PC manufacturing technology, and leveraged IBM's global infrastructure in sales and operations. Ultimately Lenovo became the world's largest manufacturer of personal computers, while its acquisition of Motorola Mobility in 2014 helped it quickly become the third-largest smartphone manufacturer.
这一收购举措深具远见和勇气。成功并非顺理成章,因为它需要整合两个庞大而文化迥异的业务体系。联想的底气不仅来自中国人的智慧和自律,更来自其自身的全球化思维。当许多企业将国家和文化差异视为掣肘时,联想却视之为助力。为弥合分歧,促进合作,联想付出了艰难、持久的巨大努力,并以真诚的文化交流激发企业的生命力和创造力。一分耕耘一分收获,联想不但将世界领先的个人电脑品牌发扬光大,还整合了IBM最先进的个人电脑制造技术,在销售和运营方面充分利用了IBM的全球体系,最终成为全球最大的个人电脑制造商。此后的2014年,联想又通过收购摩托罗拉移动迅速成为全球第三大智能手机制造商。
Lenovo offers a model for the most important work of our century: ensuring the peaceful co-operation and collaboration of the world's two leading countries. The company shows that the result of such efforts is abundance for all, and that businesses can and must play a leading role. As vital as it is for governments and their leaders to communicate and work together, it is not enough. Global security and prosperity also require people-to-people exchanges, so that individuals come to understand and appreciate the rich cultures of the other side. Counterparts become colleagues, and colleagues become friends.
联想出海的意义不止于此,它的成功为当今世界所面临的重要课题提供了一个范本,展示了世界最大的两个经济体应如何和平共处、相互协作。联想的发展历程表明,这一努力的结果惠及各方,裨益深远,而企业在其中能够且应当发挥重要的领导作用。国与国相处,政府及领导人之间的沟通与合作固然重要,但这远远不够。全球的安全与繁荣离不开民间的人文交流,从而实现相互理解,欣赏彼此丰富的文化。只有这样,同行才能变成伙伴,同事才能成为朋友。
I am grateful that Lenovo has compiled its unique insights and hard-won lessons from its twenty-year global journey. While this book sheds particular light on how a Chinese company can successfully engage with the world, it should resonate with all those who aspire to lead in this globalized century.
我很高兴看到联想将其20年全球化征程中的独特见解和宝贵经验编写成书。虽然这本书主要展示了联想这一家中国企业如何与世界接轨,但我相信,它的成功实践,必能对每一位致力于全球化发展的有识之士有所启发,形成引领时代发展的共鸣。
John Thornton
约翰·桑顿
红鸟资本合作伙伴董事长,
布鲁金斯学会名誉主席,
亚洲协会联席理事长,
于2008年被授予中国政府友谊奖