November 13 2006 11:18 PM
Great People, Great Dreams
by Qingfeng
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I really appreciate this great opportunity to speak here. What I am going to talk about today is two people that influenced my life and my dreams.
I am excited that I finally got the opportunity to take part in the Li Yang Crazy English Intensive Training Camp this summer. I have really enjoyed the unforgettable moments that we have had in the past few days. Now I feel an eagerness to express my thoughts which I hereby put forward.
I have finished my Master’s degree in the School of Computing, at the National University of Singapore. However, for a long time, I have been hoping for a life that is more exciting, which enables me to take advantage of my extrovert personality, inborn eloquence, acute business sense and an unwavering desire of contributing to our nation.
In the past few years, two Chinese people attracted my attention, and later influenced me profoundly. First Mr. Zhang, Ruimin (CEO of Haier group), then Mr. Li Yang (founder and promoter of “Crazy English” method).
19 years ago, Mr. Zhang, Ruimin crashed 76 inferior quality refrigerators with a sledgehammer in a factory, which was at the verge of bankruptcy. Today he leads a world-renowned company－Haier, with thirteen subsidiary factories overseas, ranking as the world’s No.1 in refrigerator producing and No. 5 in white appliances.
Sharing the same hometown with Zhang (Shandong Province, China) where Confucius was born, I felt a commitment to quality, service, and technology innovation, in addition to a global vision and a unique management style that is a blend of Jack Welch of GE and Confucius of ancient China. These were the reasons for Haier’s success.
The reason I admire Mr. Zhang is he created an international brand that belongs to China. More than once, I have been greatly touched by the expression ”Haier, Made in China”. It sure means a lot to China, because Haier appliances are not manufactured in China for exotic brand (like Nike shoes).
Mr. Zhang Ruimin really has exemplified the success of Chinese enterprises. They can achieve this success based on commitment to quality and good management. This has fired me with ambition.
Mr. Li Yang, on the other hand, inspired me to work towards my dream start now, instead of just dreaming.
Known to almost every English learner in China, Mr. Li Yang sets his heart on helping 300 million Chinese speak good English. His “Crazy English” improved my oral English that was manifold and gave me a new confidence. Also, from him I’ve become enthusiastic and have a strong faith for success.
Zhang and Li are doing different work, but they have one thing in common: they are sacrificing a lot of their own enjoyment to contribute to our nation. As a Chinese, I am very proud of them. Their examples have taught me a lot and I have reflected on my own strengths and potential for my future.
With Li Yang’s enthusiasm, I go to the roof of my lab almost every day, yelling English sentences hundreds of times, crazily, to form my English speaking muscles. “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect”, Li taught me. When I communicated with people here using fluent English, and was complimented by them, I had a better understanding of his words “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance”.
My friends have been impressed by my enthusiasm and my progress, and many times many of them suggested me go back to China to promote Li Yang’s Crazy English. “Yes! What a great idea!”
Actually, I am even thinking more than what they have suggested. Some people, however, think Li Yang should have done much better in his business, especially his schools all over China. As far as I know, those attending Li Yang’s training courses were generally motivated by his personal charisma, sometimes, however, the management doesn’t keep pace. I’ve always thought about Mr. Zhang Ruimin at this time.
I believe China needs more Li Yang, and more Zhang Ruimin. What I want to say here is, China needs more than ever before to combine these two people together, to create more miracles, so as to contribute most to our great nation.
Thank you for dreaming with me, and I hope you all enjoy yourselves today.
