HUAWEI: Leadership, Culture, and Connectivity

I chose this book out of a lifetime appetite for learning, yet a reluctance to accept what passes for reason in some others.Read this book and reach your own values about Huawei.

I need to make two points before writing my review: 1) I am so grateful to Amazon Vine for introducing me to many books I would never have personally chosen to buy - and there have been some superb ones (see my other reviews) - THIS book, however IS one I would have opted to buy. 2) If you are looking for an objective review PLEASE LOOK AWAY NOW, simply because I worked in the Telecoms industry for over thirty years, a manager and senior manager for twenty five and a Director of my own management consultancy & training company for a further six - so my review is, unavoidably SUBJECTIVE!Right, now that's out of the way to the book.This was written, it seems to me, largely in a different language by people from a very different culture to ours in the West (particularly the UK) and some of its key messages MAY have been lost in translation so that it is, at times, heavy going, repetitive and, frankly, boring. I have, over the decades, read many different management books and have had a fascination for people and change management for most of my adult life so this book potentially offers an insight into a 'new way' of working, however, I find the reality underwhelming.Certainly if WE introduced mattresses/bedding for everyone we would be hard-pressed to find that 'dedication' to the company! The fact that those mattresses are now largely used for lunch-time sleeps is, perhaps a good thing, how many UK folk now eat their 'lunch' at the desk and don't have a 'break' at all? The concept that the customer is king and that the company MUST provide what the customer WANTS (no mention here of NEEDS) is, hypothetically, exciting and certainly was in the China of three decades ago when, largely to that point, the regime had dictated what its people needed and, certainly to Western eyes, quashed or drove tanks over dissenting voices. In the context of that country perhaps some of the ideas extolled here would have been very new and life-changing BUT for me these are all 'old hat' and concepts I was training and/or using in the early 1980's not learning and implementing in the 'noughties' and beyond.I don't wish to decry the sentiments of the senior managers and or people of Huawei because I am sure that they are true to their beliefs and are proud of their success which, in global terms, is evidenced by the position of their company now both financially and in technological advance but it is my view that managers looking for new ideas or a panacea for their own organisations I would suggest you look elsewhere.A turgid, often difficult to read , text book from China. It IS put-downable and, if I hadn't needed to read it for this review, I wouldn't have finished it. I would recommend a different book, written a few decades ago by a UK Coach/ Director of Athletics but that is another book......

This Sage hardback is solidly presented in a slip cover that is identical to its real cover, with the insides packed with a clear business font on bright white paper that makes reading in low light a strong possibility.Unless you follow either the mobile phone & tablet market or perhaps the global telecommunications industry, you will probably not have heard of Huawei. Whether you do or don't, it is quite clear that the title of this book is not of massive appeal! This is where looks are deceiving, because this has been written with such pent up excitement that before you have finished the second Foreword by Admiral Bill Owens (there are three Forewords) or even advanced to the Preface, the Acknowledgements or the Introduction you are well an truly intrigued by the whole affair that you are enthusiastic about finishing this book. This is the energy behind the authors - a dynamism that crosses cultures to see what has made a generally unknown brand in the West, such a success.This is the story of a visionary, Ren Zhengfei, who started this multi- billion conglomerate from nothing and shares his ownership of the company with his workforce - a sort of Chinese John Lewis! This is also a story taken from hundreds of interviews from company directors and managers from every division.With 'organisational management' at the heart of their thinking and the omnipresent Chinese force of self-criticism this is a business that doesn't ru like most of those other big names we have come to know - but it runs successfully and with points we can all learn from.This book was challenging and revealing, but I felt like I wanted to pat the authors on their backs for conveying their enthusiasm to me and for keeping my interest 100% during the journey.A book that you should read too!

I have to admit that I had not heard of Huawei before reading this book. Founded by Ren Zhengfei in 1987, Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology ICT solutions provider. The company headquarters are in China but, although a private business, the company differs from most in that it is wholly owned by its employees, who all own shares in the company. It is rare to find such a large company which is owned in the way that Huawei is and it is obvious that the founder has tried to do something different, while still becoming a global success.The book covers customer centricity, the soul of business, openness, compromise, fueling and controlling desire, self criticism, on change and leadership at Huawei. This is actually quite an inspirational read as it deals with a large, successful corporation, but looks at a really unique way of doing things and of involving employees. Obviously, the company is Chinese and there are some cultural differences, but I found this a fascinating approach and, if a little hard going at times, a generally interesting read.

This is quite an interesting read - it not only focuses on the background of Huawei but also the cultural and ownership side as well.... it certainly puts a lot of perspective and provides insight on a company that's become one of the major players in the telecomms industry.Well worth the read (note there are a couple of sections that feel a little repetitive but overall still quite interesting).

Maybe I misread the intent of the book but this is more about management style of Mr. Ren rather than about huawei and its struggles. But even in the topic about the Man himself, foundthe book repetitive and too boring to read. Could not complete. Huawei Way is a better book if one wants to know about huawei