Lin Yi
In 1993, he successfully graduated from the Marketing program at Guangdong Supply and Marketing School. Over the next four years, he held sales positions successively at the state-owned Beijiang Machinery Factory, the Yangcheng Evening News Publishing Group, and the Taiwan-invested Zhuhai Huafeng Food Company—three distinct jobs in total. Although each time he approached his roles with great anticipation, eager to establish himself long-term in a particular industry and fulfill his personal value, he ultimately failed to discover that one driving force—something truly passionate enough to reignite his enthusiasm and sustain his relentless pursuit. Deep down, there seemed always to be a voice urging him to seize the opportunity and give it one last, all-out effort while he was still young. Throughout these brief yet fulfilling chapters of his career, he gradually realized, through extensive networking and interactions, that Foshan, nestled in the heart of the Pearl River Delta, had become a thriving hub brimming with renowned enterprises—and was currently enjoying a golden era of rapid growth. With this realization, he firmly resolved to make his way to Foshan, determined to explore the countless opportunities and challenges that awaited him there.
Until 1997, his job application resume happened to land in the hands of Wang Zhenghu—still working at the Municipal Economic Commission but yet to venture into the business world (hereafter referred to as "Mr. Wang"). During their first interview, he was surprised to learn that Mr. Wang hadn’t yet entered the commercial arena, yet already harbored an ambitious vision: to grow the company into a publicly listed enterprise of significant scale. The second interview took him completely by surprise—when he discovered that Zhengda Machinery & Electronics had not only been established but had already begun operations. Even more exhilarating was a casual remark made by someone who had accompanied Mr. Wang and two other candidates during dinner after the interview—a remark that deeply resonated with him: "When young people look for jobs, if they want to succeed, they must seek out a boss who has big dreams. And your Mr. Wang is exactly that kind of visionary leader." In the late 1990s, when resources were scarce and most people were still focused primarily on securing basic necessities, few dared to talk openly about dreams or long-term life goals. Yet this one simple statement felt like a profound awakening, profoundly shaking both his mind and heart. For the first time since starting his career, someone had clearly pointed out to him that the key to success lay in choosing to follow a leader driven by unwavering ambition and a bold vision for the future.
Years later, when he looked back on that experience, his heart still burned with passion and was filled with gratitude. He firmly believed in the principle that "like attracts like," and felt that people of similar kinds would naturally—and gradually—come together to accomplish a shared endeavor.
In May, he joined Charoen Pokphand Machinery Equipment as "ZD007" (the 7th member). Determined to turn his dreams into reality, he threw himself wholeheartedly into his work, seemingly fueled by boundless energy. During the day, he’d zip around on his motorcycle, shuttling between various clients—often covering distances exceeding 100 kilometers, and at times even pushing it up to 300 kilometers. Given the inherent complexity and technical sophistication of industrial products, he initially faced numerous challenges as customers frequently posed intricate questions. Yet, instead of getting discouraged, he confronted these obstacles head-on. On one hand, he openly acknowledged his own shortcomings, carefully learning from each customer interaction and applying those insights to refine his approach. On the other hand, he leveraged the time difference between arriving early and leaving late to dedicate extra hours to reflection, analysis, study, and continuous improvement. At the same time, he actively sought guidance from his talented colleagues and persistently reached out to suppliers for technical advice, always eager to grow and adapt through hands-on problem-solving. This disciplined, inquisitive mindset has remained a constant companion throughout his career. Even when traveling for business, he’d often opt for the evening flight home, knowing full well that flight delays could mean returning home only in the early hours of the next day. Yet, in his professional life, he never shied away from tackling unfamiliar areas—instead, he embraced them with an optimistic attitude, tackling challenges head-on and steadily expanding his knowledge and skills far beyond what others might achieve in the same amount of time. It’s precisely because of this relentless dedication and thirst for learning that he’s not only achieved one success after another but also successfully navigated multiple pivotal transitions in his career.
In 1999, just two years after Hong Kong's return to China, he was fortunate enough to attend the company-organized Hong Kong Industrial Expo and even had the chance to visit the stunning Oriental Pearl Tower. This marked him as one of the company’s early pioneers—part of the core team that ventured overseas for both business visits and leisure travel. For him, who was in his twenties at the time, it was undoubtedly a dreamlike experience. He never imagined he’d be able to step out of China so soon, especially since, back then, such an opportunity remained an unattainable dream for many. Yet, this journey not only broadened his horizons and deepened his understanding of the world but also gave him a profound realization: life is vast and full of wonders—there’s always more to explore. To date, he has traveled to nearly 40 countries and most regions across China, creating countless joyful memories and heartfelt moments with his family in each place he’s visited.
Throughout the various stages of the company's development, he has consistently maintained a thirst for knowledge and a relentless drive for self-improvement. Whenever he realized that his existing knowledge base was no longer sufficient to meet the company's growing management demands, he would immediately choose to take proactive steps toward further education, continuously enhancing both his capabilities and expertise. In 2003, despite not holding an undergraduate degree, he refused to be discouraged. Instead, he wrote directly to the Macau University of Science and Technology, expressing his deep passion for learning and unwavering desire for knowledge. Ultimately, his heartfelt appeal moved the admissions committee, earning him a rare opportunity to enroll in the EMBA program. As the company’s business expanded into new regions and its management became increasingly complex, he attended Tsinghua University’s “Group Control Class” in 2016, gaining invaluable insights into the management models and strategic planning frameworks of conglomerate enterprises—knowledge that has since provided robust support for the company’s evolving group-wide management approach. Then, in 2021, as the digital transformation wave surged forward with unprecedented momentum, he keenly recognized the critical importance of digitalization for the company’s future growth. Undeterred, he promptly accepted the invitation to join the prestigious “Tsinghua-Siemens Digital Enterprise Leadership Program,” embarking on a transformative journey of learning and innovation.
He is passionate about learning, even more eager to share his knowledge, and excels at putting what he learns into active practice. Throughout his personal learning journey, Teacher Huang Qituan’s course on "Coaching-Based Management" and Teacher Dai Zhiqiang’s "Coaching Techniques" have become invaluable resources that have continuously helped him refine his management skills. These courses not only enriched his understanding but also inspired deeper reflection and practical exploration of management principles. Under his influence, many of his colleagues at work have also enrolled in these learning programs—and as a result, they’ve seen noticeable improvements in their professional performance. In his daily management practices, he habitually employs coaching techniques such as the Balancing Wheel, the "Push-Up/Pull-Down" approach, and powerful questioning methods. These tools not only enhance his ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with team members but also significantly boost overall management efficiency and team execution capabilities. Moreover, he actively participates in external networking and learning opportunities. Whenever he attends conferences or workshops, if he comes across valuable insights or resources, he makes it a point to capture them immediately—whenever feasible—and promptly shares them with his team. He also regularly dedicates his spare time to organizing these materials, fostering face-to-face discussions and exchanges that further deepen everyone’s understanding and application of these concepts.
In addition to this, he has deeply embraced the company’s philosophy: "Reading ten thousand books is not as valuable as traveling ten thousand miles; yet traveling ten thousand miles is still no match for encountering countless people." He has personally interviewed no fewer than 1,000 candidates, using his unique insight to identify many promising talents. Today, most of the senior executives under ZeroOne Industries were carefully selected and promoted by him. To cultivate the diverse talent pool the company needs, since taking on management roles, he has consistently led the way in developing innovative courses and delivering extensive training sessions—far surpassing others in both quantity and depth. His content is highly practical, covering areas such as corporate culture, sales strategies, and managerial skills, earning widespread praise from participants. Moreover, ever since the company introduced performance review meetings, he has taken the initiative to participate every year, providing invaluable growth feedback and constructive advice to key team members. He firmly believes that shared progress and mutual development are the true keys to benefiting everyone—and this belief also stands as one of his top priorities as an executive. To ensure new leaders hit the ground running, whenever the company welcomes a newly appointed head of a first-level department, he personally steps in as their mentor. Not only does he encourage them to submit weekly progress reports, offering guidance and timely responses, but he also remains readily available to provide whatever support or assistance they may need along the way.
Since 2005, when he took on the role of General Manager at Zero One Industry (formerly known as Foshan Zhengda Machinery & Electrical Supporting Co., Ltd., renamed in 2012), he has not only witnessed the company’s rapid growth firsthand but has also deeply experienced the unique joy that comes from navigating both pressure and challenges along the way. He has poured immense dedication into internal management, meticulously overseeing the establishment and optimization of functional departments—from procurement and human resources to finance and marketing—ensuring seamless operations across the board. At the same time, he has actively engaged in external partnerships, forging strong collaborations with suppliers to streamline and effectively manage the supply chain. Moreover, he has frequently represented the company at various industry events, playing a pivotal role in strengthening domestic brands, introducing the Siemens brand, strategically mapping out business expansion plans, and driving regional growth initiatives. Indeed, wherever you look, you’ll find him tirelessly working—always at the forefront, shaping the company’s future and leaving an indelible mark on its journey of success.
Over the years, Zero One Industrial has grown into one of China's leading industrial product service providers, boasting more than 400 employees, nearly 20 subsidiary companies, and seven major functional departments. The company’s sales have surpassed 1.7 billion yuan, with its business spanning across South China, East China, Central China, North China, Southwest China, and Northwest China—regions where approximately 25% of employees hold company shares.
The development journey of ZeroOne Industries is also its story of growth—two paths that have mutually shaped and witnessed each other’s success. Starting as an ordinary sales representative, he steadily rose through the company’s platform, driven by unwavering belief, relentless perseverance, and tireless effort. Over time, he not only broke new ground but continuously pushed boundaries, eventually ascending to a senior executive position within the organization. Along the way, he didn’t just transform from an employee into a business partner—he became a shining example of successful career transition across industries. His story isn’t merely one of personal struggle; it’s a vivid and inspiring blueprint for countless young people today. Through his own experiences, he proves that with dreams in hand and the courage to take on challenges, anyone can seize opportunities on this very platform to fulfill their professional aspirations—and perhaps even become a shareholder or entrepreneur themselves. Such possibilities and opportunities empower young individuals, instilling in them both the motivation and confidence needed to pursue their own paths to success with boldness and determination.
This belief in shared growth has long been ingrained in ZeroOne Industries—literally coursing through its very DNA—and has become the cornerstone of the company’s corporate culture. He clearly understands that ZeroOne Industries’ remarkable journey—from a small distributor to its current scale, and even its rise as an industry leader—wasn’t due to his individual efforts alone, but rather the collective strength, unwavering unity, and collaborative spirit of the entire management team and every single employee. Over nearly three decades of dedicated cultivation and steady accumulation, ZeroOne Industries has not only amassed profound industry expertise but has also developed a mature, highly effective management model. This proven approach has not only enabled the company to navigate the ever-changing market landscape with confidence and resilience but has also created a vibrant platform for young, ambitious individuals—those brimming with passion and potential—to fully unleash their talents and turn their career aspirations into reality. Here, dreams and enthusiasm collide, while ideals seamlessly merge with practicality, collectively shaping ZeroOne Industries’ dynamic and inspiring corporate culture. Notably, as the company has grown, ZeroOne Industries has also achieved remarkable milestones in fostering its unique企业文化 (corporate culture). From articulating core values to thoughtfully implementing cultural concepts like “369, 721,” the company consistently demonstrates its deep commitment to nurturing both employees’ professional lives and personal growth, while thoughtfully planning for a sustainable future. It is this powerful culture—not just as a set of guiding principles, but as a living, breathing force—that continues to motivate employees to continually elevate themselves, driving ZeroOne Industries to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly challenging marketplace.
Deep within his heart, he has always envisioned a beautiful scene: "elders, middle-aged, and youth gathered together, with students of all sizes captured in the same frame, as waves—both old and new—rush forward hand in hand." This vivid image symbolizes the ZeroOne Industrial team's unwavering unity and collective strength. Like brilliant stars shining brightly, they are closely connected, illuminating the company’s sky with their shared vision and determination. It is precisely this spirit of continuous progress and unbreakable teamwork that has enabled ZeroOne Industrial to achieve today’s remarkable success—and it also lays a solid foundation for tomorrow’s aspirations and the legendary journey yet to come.
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