The Truth of the Matter House of Huawei: The Secret History of China’s Most Powerful Company
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Dec 18, 2024 
Eva Dou, a technology policy reporter at The Washington Post and author of 'House of Huawei,' dives deep into the fascinating rise of Huawei, detailing its transformation from a small startup to a global tech giant. She discusses the complexities of the company's business practices amidst U.S. national security concerns and covers its pivotal role in 5G technology. Additionally, Eva sheds light on Huawei’s military-inspired culture and the political challenges it faces in maintaining its competitive edge in the global market.
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From Parts Salesman to Palace Life
- Ren Zhengfei, Huawei's founder, started as a humble parts salesman.
- He now lives lavishly in palace replicas on Huawei's campus, a stark contrast to his origins.
Huawei's Military Culture
- Ren Zhengfei's upbringing during China's famine and Cultural Revolution shaped Huawei's disciplined, military-like culture.
- His background as an army engineer influenced the company's structure but doesn't fully explain its success or government ties.
Huawei's Extravagant Campus
- Huawei has created an extravagant, Disney-like campus with replicas of Versailles and castles to impress clients.
- This strategy seems to work well on executives from developing countries, building trust in the company.
