Xiaomi’s Lei Jun: A Growth Summary
Just finished watching the part of the video channel speech about not selling products
1. Took 2 years to complete all credits
2. Spent the saved time borrowing computers to practice coding, setting goals for himself. Based on a university professor's appreciation (became familiar by auditing classes frequently), published academic papers
3. Went to the electronics market to borrow computers, worked for free just to get computer access. Developed products with partners after work hours, accumulated his first pot of gold and first hit product case
4. Based on the hit product case, started his first business, failed, and gained his first entrepreneurial and management experience. Later invited to join Kingsoft, accumulating resources for Xiaomi's startup
5. Saw the opportunity in low-end manufacturing and founded Xiaomi
Overall, the leverage resources Lei leveraged were: first, time—saved a lot of time to focus on coding technology, which later made it possible to develop hit products through tech; second, connections—through attending classes frequently and asking questions proactively, he got to know university professors and gained their appreciation and resource support. Based on these two points, he was able to create early free open-source hit products as foundational credentials, and later collaborate with partners to develop the first commercial hit product. With that hit product case, he earned the opportunity to be invited by Kingsoft, accumulating the resources needed to found Xiaomi.
In short, opportunities are there for those who are prepared. All your efforts will not be in vain—they will become your advantages when the right opportunity arrives in the future.
For individuals, a true calling card is a hit product case.