Why Is There Always One Empty Chair At Alibaba Meetings?

Vusi Thembekwayo tells why is there always an empty chair at Alibaba meetings and what's the philosophy behind that?

Why is There Always an Empty Chair at Alibaba Meetings?

In the hallowed halls of Alibaba, a pioneering philosophy known as the “Empty Chair” stands as a profound testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to customer-centricity. In every boardroom, conference chamber, and strategy session, there exists a lone but profoundly significant occupant—a vacant chair. This empty seat is not an oversight, nor is it a symbol of neglect; rather, it embodies the very essence of Alibaba’s core values and serves as a constant reminder of their raison d’être.

This empty chair is not an artifact of indifference, but a deliberate symbol of Alibaba’s enduring pledge to keep their customers at the forefront of every decision, every strategy, and every innovation. It symbolizes the absent but omnipresent customer, whose voice echoes through the corridors of Alibaba’s corporate consciousness. It’s as if, in that unoccupied space, the collective voice of millions of customers reverberates, their desires, needs, and aspirations forming an invisible but unbreakable bond with the very essence of Alibaba’s purpose.

The symbolism of the empty chair is a poignant reminder that while the world of technology and commerce may be fast-paced and ever-changing, the unwavering North Star guiding Alibaba remains constant—the customer. As Alibaba forges ahead, pioneering groundbreaking innovations and revolutionizing industries, that vacant seat remains an enduring symbol of reverence for the people who make it all possible—customers who are not only seen but heard, not only served but valued, and not only present in theory but in spirit.

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