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.

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).

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 is a very inspiring real life story. After reading this book, I have a lot of respect for the man who created Huawei. I also feel good about Huawei products that are making a lot of inroads, even in Europe. I can see why Huawei is managing to compete with more established monolithic Companies. This is a book with powerful leadership lessons. It's nice to see how the culture they cultivated at Huawei was to help it expand into many parts of the world. If he has only maintained a 1.4% share, then he is unbelievably unselfish, the list I would keep for myself is 50%!

I found this an interesting read to give a better understanding of what is now a global behemoth. Interesting to see how they started and the vision. It was a little dry in parts, but overall a good read.

Fascinating exploration of the Huawei industrial phenomenon, China's first and foremost global brand. The development of the company is charted in detail as are it's business practices, which are at times inspiring and an optimist pointer towards how the more astute corporations may well see themselves optimising their structures and operational methods in the 21st century. What I found most intriguing was how an eastern approach in terms of business harmony and the integration of workers as people into the MO of a commercial enterprise works successfully, and gives a refreshing take on evolving business practice. Absorbing.

My very first Orange Smart phone was made by Huawei. At the time, I didn't have a clue who Huawei were or were they were based. Since then, like most people I have become familiar with this the most successful People's Republic of China company on the planet. Author Tian Tao and his fellow researchers and writers have put together a comprehensive account of the growth and philosophy which has driven the Huawei success story. However, given how tightly controlled Chinese writers and media pundits are by the Chinese state, there is an undeniable element of state propaganda underlying the work. It would be interesting to read an account written by a outsider.

An inspiring book for anyone who seriously wants to know what's involved in creating a successful business enterprise. I'd much rather read and learn from a book like this, which describes the history of someone who's actually done it - than study loads of text books written by those who only "think" they know how to do it! :-) This book covers the remarkable story of a man who who "did it" with style and grace. It's a "must read" for all students of business. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! AAA+++

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