Lei Jufang: Qizheng is a happy home.

　　On September 5, the training program for small and micro enterprise operators organized by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (hereinafter referred to as ACFC) kicked off in Beijing. More than 150 participants from Tibet and Xinjiang (including the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) attended the training. The instructors primarily included leaders from relevant state agencies, university scholars, and well-known entrepreneurs. Among them, Lei Jufang, Chairwoman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, was scheduled to deliver a lecture on the afternoon of the 5th, with the topic “Commercial Civilization and the Inheritance of National Culture.”

　　The reporter wasn’t very close to Lei Jufang, but she knew quite well about Qizheng Tibetan Medicine and Lei herself. Deep down, she regarded Lei as an elder sister. Among the five-day training course, Lei’s sessions were precisely what the reporter looked forward to most.

　　At 2:30 in the afternoon, students from both locations gradually entered the classroom. Liu Jian, Deputy Director of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce’s Department of Poverty Alleviation and Social Services, took his seat as the moderator and began by delivering a brief speech. Liu Jian said that back in April of this year, he had specifically requested a business trip to Qizheng Tibetan Medicine to personally invite Engineer Lei (who originally came from an engineering background and is affectionately known as “Engineer Lei” by those who know her—hereafter referred to as “Sister Lei” out of respect) to give a lecture for this class. Actually, Liu Jian and Engineer Lei were already very familiar with each other; a simple phone call or text message would have been enough to bring her on board. But why did he feel it was so important to make the trip himself? Liu Jian explained that whenever the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce organized projects aimed at assisting frontier regions and alleviating poverty, Engineer Lei had always been eager to participate and promptly responded to every request. Once she has placed you in the palm of her hand, we must hold her even higher—right up above our heads. That’s precisely why he felt it absolutely necessary to extend the invitation in person. As it turned out, Engineer Lei happily accepted the invitation.

　　After enthusiastic applause, Sister Lei began her lecture.

　　From the Tibetan songs of early morning to the green valleys.

　　On the projection screen, Sister Lei first presented to everyone her ultimate interpretation of commercial civilization—a classic saying that has recently gone viral on the internet: From “bargaining with gold” to “bargaining for profit,” then to “bargaining by power,” and finally, “only by connecting through the heart can we achieve lasting bonds.”

　　Next, Sister Lei began to share the story of how she became involved with the Guangcai Initiative and Tibetan medicine.

　　In late July and early August of 1995, the United Front Work Department and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce organized an event called “The Shining Career Tibet Expedition,” and Sister Lei joined the delegation. Prior to that, Sister Lei had already entered the pharmaceutical industry and had also visited Tibet. However, that particular event proved crucial for both Sister Lei and Qizheng. “I’m especially grateful for that event, because it not only helped me achieve my personal goals but also enabled Qizheng Tibetan Medicine to thrive,” she said.

　　At that time, Tibet didn't yet have any proper roads. The delegation first arrived in Lhasa and then drove for more than 20 hours to Linzhi, where they stayed in Bayi Town. Being in the high-altitude region and having traveled such a long distance, everyone was utterly exhausted. After dinner, they prepared to get some early rest. Just then, a young county magistrate from the nearby Milin County rode up on a motorcycle to find Sister Lei. The magistrate told Sister Lei that he’d heard Qizheng specialized in pharmaceuticals and felt there might be some connection between their county and the company. So he invited Sister Lei to come and take a look around their area. To show his sincerity, the magistrate had even brought along a bag of rice on his motorcycle.

　　Sister Lei was moved by the young county magistrate and “left with him in the middle of the night, while the main group stayed behind at Bayi.”

　　Upon arriving in Milin County town, even the county Party secretary came out to greet them. It was only then that Sister Lei realized that the county Party committee and government didn't have a proper office building—indeed, even the cafeteria had been hastily constructed using simple wooden planks. Right there, in that makeshift wooden cafeteria, they cooked porridge for Sister Lei’s breakfast. The county Party secretary and two waiters broke into a Tibetan song, singing a welcome tune for their esteemed guest. “It really touched me. At that moment, I felt that no matter what, I just had to do something meaningful in this place.”

　　The people from the county took Sister Lei to a lush green valley, where everything was awash in shades of green and the trees were verdant and thriving. Once again, Sister Lei was deeply moved. “My hometown is Gansu, and many parts of Gansu are barren and bare. That’s why I feel so precious whenever I see something green.”

　　The two sides reached a consensus on the spot: no trees would be cut down. You won’t cut down any trees, and neither will I. The county said that as long as no trees are cut down, this entire area will belong to you.

　　Sister Lei comes from an engineering background and knows only a handful of medicinal herbs. At the time, she simply thought this valley was breathtakingly beautiful.

　　Later, when Tibetan medical experts arrived, everyone realized that this valley not only abounded in rich medicinal herb resources but was also a treasure trove for the传承 of Tibetan medicine—a place where the Tibetan Medical College had been founded in history. The experts subsequently discovered the ruins of the Tibetan Medical College and unearthed several artifacts related to the processing of medicinal herbs.

　　From the young county magistrate’s late-night visit, to the rice porridge breakfast served in the wooden canteen and the welcoming Tibetan songs, all the way to that magical green valley—such a radiant journey is what ultimately made Lei Jufang and her Qizheng Tibetan Medicine possible.

　　Qizheng has a happy home.

　　Listening to Sister Lei’s lecture, the reporter noticed two key characteristics: First, Sister Lei spoke in a soft, gentle tone—neither hurried nor rushed, but remarkably composed. Second, although Sister Lei was sharing her experiences running a business in the Tibetan region, she was keenly aware that her audience came from both Tibet and Xinjiang. Thus, when she talked about the mystique of Tibetan medicine, she would also casually mention the wonders of Uyghur medicine; when she highlighted the Tibetan people’s love for singing and dancing, she’d equally touch upon the vibrant and joyful spirit of Xinjiang’s music and dance. This subtle balance, effortlessly achieved, radiated a warm and benevolent aura.

　　Sister Lei also touched on the company culture, noting that Qizheng’s core values are “to do good and benefit others, and to pursue integrity and professionalism.” She shared many stories about how Qizheng treats its employees. Two details left the most profound impression on the reporter: one involved housing, and the other concerned employees with disabilities.

　　Sister Lei mentioned that it’s very difficult to recruit workers when running a business in ethnic minority regions—especially private enterprises—because college graduates first and foremost choose to become civil servants. Civil servants enjoy excellent benefits, hold high social status, and are provided with housing. Determined to change this mindset, Sister Lei, once Qizheng’s business had grown and its financial resources allowed, built high-quality dormitory buildings for her employees.

　　Sister Lei treats building houses as a major undertaking. Whether in Lhasa or Linzhi, she personally oversees the entire construction process of the dormitory buildings. “I make sure to check every step—painting the walls, laying tiles—I don’t allow any casual or sloppy work, and I absolutely forbid the use of counterfeit or substandard materials; we must use only the best quality available at the time,” says Sister Lei. “What I’m aiming for is to build them a home that truly has value, one that fills them with pride.”

　　After the houses were allocated, Sister Lei reminded these employees, “Now that you’ve got your own homes, be sure to invite your classmates over for a visit—let them know that you have your own dignity and are living happily and contentedly.”

　　In 1995, Qizheng took over a factory for people with disabilities, which employed forty to fifty disabled workers. After Qizheng took over, the factory entered a phase of rapid development. Not only were the employees’ incomes secured and their living standards improved, but Qizheng also allocated residential buildings to them.

　　On the screen, Sister Lei showed a residential building in Linzhi that’s specifically allocated for employees with disabilities. She said that because these employees have both housing and jobs, their spouses are all able-bodied, and their children—some of whom are currently in primary school and others who have already graduated—are all healthy and lively.

　　Not long ago, Sister Lei visited the factory in Linzhi to provide guidance. Unbeknownst to her, she learned that the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation had awarded Qizheng a certificate of recognition. Curious, Sister Lei asked for more details. It turned out that three employees from the Linzhi factory had participated in the National Games for Persons with Disabilities. Although they hadn’t won any medals, their salaries were still paid in full, and they also received allowances for transportation and meals. When the organizers of the Games found out about this, they remarked how great the company was—and that’s why they decided to present it with this certificate of recognition.

　　Sister Lei said that when she went to other places, she noticed that people with disabilities often suffered from low self-esteem and were reluctant to appear in public. But the employees at Qizheng had none of that self-consciousness at all. At Qizheng’s factory in Linzhi, there’s a performance hall. Whenever visitors arrive, the employees immediately put on a welcoming song-and-dance show right there in the performance hall. To the visitors’ surprise, the factory’s employees with disabilities weren’t nervous at all—they all stepped up confidently, singing and dancing with ease. Among them was a young woman with a hunchback. When she couldn’t reach high enough to place a khata around a visitor’s neck, she simply jumped up briefly, effortlessly hooking the khata over the guest’s neck—her movements were both natural and heartfelt. It was precisely this kind of employee and this kind of performance that deeply moved the visitors.

　　To this end, Sister Lei has repeatedly emphasized to Qizheng’s senior management that the pharmaceutical plant in the Tibetan region serves as a window for Qizheng’s cultural communication and a frontline battleground for brand building. A brand is an extremely valuable core competency. The promotional capabilities of these employees are just as important as the technical expertise of the R&D staff and the managerial skills of top executives. Whether you’re considering salary increases or rewards, you must take all these factors into account and treat everyone equally.

　　Through Sister Lei’s account, the reporter sensed that Qizheng is not merely a company—it’s rather a happy, extended family composed of employees from various countries and ethnic groups.

　　No matter how you put it, it all comes down to “connecting with the heart.”

　　During the break, the classroom was filled with a bit of lively chatter and mild chaos. As Sister Lei stepped away from the podium and started walking toward the door, she hadn’t even taken three meters when the students swarmed around her, eager to take photos with her. Phones were raised in droves in front of the podium, and voices calling out, “Look this way!” and “Smile!” rose one after another. Sister Lei obliged everyone’s requests, smiling continuously as she glanced left, then forward, then right. “Time’s up!” the host, Liu Jian, kept urging repeatedly, and only then did everyone return to their seats to resume the lesson.

　　The second half of the session was devoted to a Q&A. Many participants had already submitted their questions to Liu Jian. Liu Jian posed the questions on behalf of the participants, and Sister Lei answered them.

　　The first question is: How to deal with government departments and officials.

　　Sister Lei advised everyone to keep three principles in mind: First, follow the rules and ensure that these rules are effectively implemented; make sure the rationale behind them is clearly explained. Second, some things simply cannot be done. Although Sister Lei didn't explicitly say which specific actions were off-limits, she hinted subtly: “We’ve been working in Tibet and Gansu for over 20 years, and frankly speaking, we’ve never influenced or harmed any leader.” Despite this, Sister Lei also acknowledged that sometimes it’s really tough—because there are situations where something should clearly be passable, yet it just can’t be cleared. Third, Sister Lei suggested that the trainees present should find ways to help government departments improve their administrative law enforcement standards and assist leaders in their personal and professional development. She gave several examples, one of which involved her own company: Compared to Qizheng, the Lhaze Drug Administration has limited technical expertise. When they acquired a piece of equipment, it was Qizheng’s technicians who went over to help with its commissioning and assist in organizing the technical documentation. “Once those tasks were completed,” she said, “it became awkward to keep making things difficult for them.”

　　After Sister Lei finished speaking, Liu Jian added some remarks. Liu Jian said, first, Engineer Lei emphasized the importance of following rules—this principle is absolutely critical. Some tasks may seem to be completed quickly, but if your approach is flawed, it could create significant hidden risks for the company. Second, you must be persistent and resilient. Liu Jian quoted a well-known private entrepreneur who once said, “I’ll bite my teeth and swallow the blood.” He sighed, “That’s such a big-time entrepreneur!” “You’re bound to run into plenty of troubles. Oh dear! Our entrepreneurs—they’re born precisely for dealing with trouble. If you don’t encounter problems, if you don’t solve them, then you’re not really an entrepreneur. You’ll always be the ones who step in to resolve difficulties.” Third, you can invest your intellect and emotions, but you must never invest money—this is what we call ‘lending a hand.’ Liu Jian reminded the participants present that they should understand local officials. “They’re human beings too; they also have their own anxieties about knowledge and competence. You’ve got resources and capabilities—let’s lend a hand together. Use the company’s resources to create opportunities and help them make progress and develop. That’s exactly what General Secretary Xi Jinping meant when he talked about being ‘close’ and ‘clean.’”

　　The second question is: How can we retain talent?

　　On this issue, Sister Lei quoted an economist who said: “What is an entrepreneur? It’s about holding a religious devotion and a passionate fervor toward the goals your enterprise aims to achieve. If you can truly embody these two qualities, others will notice—and gradually, the values and sense of mission deep within you will begin to coalesce.” “It’s crucial to devote 99 percent of your effort to persistent implementation, rather than just spending one percent on talk. Once you’ve made a promise, it’s vital that you turn it into reality.”

　　In addition to the exemplary and guiding role of outstanding qualities displayed by corporate leaders, an inclusive and open-minded management team, as well as fair compensation, are also key to retaining talent.

　　The current general manager of Qizheng was recruited from a renowned multinational corporation. Within Qizheng, whether an employee is Han Chinese, Tibetan, or belongs to any other ethnic group, as long as they are talented, they will be treated equally and with the same respect. As for compensation, Sister Lei has a saying: If an employee feels that the compensation they receive at the company—after putting in considerable effort—is better than what they could achieve by starting their own business outside, then that’s a sure way to retain top talent.

　　As Sister Lei was answering the question, Liu Jian turned slightly to adjust the computer in front of her, bringing up the “Ten Maxims” about Qizheng’s corporate culture from the PPT.

　　After Sister Lei finished speaking, Liu Jian added: “I’ve gone through these ten points again. Take a look—these ten points aren’t particularly smooth or poetic; they’re not written in parallel structure, and the language isn’t overly ornate. But they’re all remarkably down-to-earth. What does this tell us? It tells us that these insights were distilled over more than 20 years by Engineer Lei herself, based on her own personal experiences and deep reflections—and they’re truly invaluable. For example, this one: she advises people not to be selfish. This point is extremely important, because selfish people are never truly happy. Think about it carefully: if you want your children to be happy, you must teach them not to be selfish. Then, as they help others, they’ll discover their own worth and find immense joy in it. By contrast, selfish people are always trying to grab every possible advantage without giving anything in return; they’ll constantly complain, fall into depression, and even end up dying from depression.”

　　Liu Jian also used the stories of Yu Minhong and Jack Ma to remind the participants: “An entrepreneur is always a preacher. He must continually instill his ideas into his team, helping everyone reach a shared understanding. Above all, you must practice what you preach—your actions must align with your words. Only when your knowledge and actions are consistent will others truly trust and follow you. If there’s a disconnect between what you know and what you do, your team will lack cohesion.”

　　Next, the participants asked Sister Lei about how to build a brand, the issue of succession planning in enterprises, and how to conduct business in Tibet and Xinjiang. Liu Jian, on behalf of the participants, also requested Sister Lei’s contact information, as many attendees expressed their desire for their own companies to collaborate with Qizheng. Sister Lei answered the participants’ questions thoughtfully and meticulously, offering real-life examples, insightful analysis, and even humorous anecdotes—prompting bursts of laughter throughout the classroom. At the end of the session, she left her email address, phone number, and other contact details for everyone’s convenience.

　　In his concluding remarks, Liu Jian repeatedly emphasized that throughout the entire afternoon’s lecture and interactive session, no matter how much he talked, he never strayed from the theme of “connecting with others through sincerity.” He advised the participants to definitely strengthen their personal cultivation, saying, “I’ve noticed that many exceptionally successful entrepreneurs owe their wealth to their character.”

　　In the final stage of the Q&A session, Sister Lei said the following:

　　She said, “Actually, among China’s private enterprises, the longest-established ones have been around for 30 years, while most others have been in business for about 20 or even 10 years. In the world, companies that achieve lasting success typically lay a solid foundation somewhere between two and three decades. This solid foundation helps reduce uncertainty and confusion. What I hope is that companies that have laid such a foundation can keep going, continue to contribute to society, and help their employees build stable family lives. I believe that this is precisely the original value of a company.”

　　This passage, just like Sister Lei herself, is simple and unadorned—but when you listen to it, it feels remarkably reassuring and grounded.

　　Reporting media: China Business News

　　Report link: http://119.61.13.18/epaper/uniflows/html/2016/09/26/03/03_42.htm