If opportunities and strategic decisions determine how fast a company can grow, then its values are what determine how far it can ultimately go. In recent years, the platform economy has played a significant role in China's development. Platform-based companies have not only become vital in sectors closely related to people's livelihoods—such as retail, dining, transportation, and housing—but have also created a substantial number of new jobs, earning them the nickname "big tech." It can be said that in terms of profitability, growth rate, and market capitalization, these platform enterprises have largely completed the first half of their scale-driven expansion.
Once a platform reaches a certain size, and people's daily lives and work become increasingly intertwined with it, the company's public nature inevitably becomes more pronounced, transforming it into a part of society's infrastructure. Its every action is deeply connected to the livelihoods of countless individuals and can even influence social stability and broader macroeconomic trends. With greater power comes greater responsibility. As the platform economy enters its next phase, it demands that these companies adopt values that match their public role and influence.
So, how can these "big" enterprises evolve into "good" enterprises? On April 23, a news story attracted widespread attention:贝壳集团 (02423) co-founders Peng Yongdong and Shan Yigang had donated a cumulative total of 19 million shares (approximately 800 million yuan) over two years to establish public welfare projects such as the "Healthy Home Shell Guardian Fund," benefiting over 500,000 industry service providers. On the same day, two service agents received critical illness payouts of 20,000 yuan each from the fund. One had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March and is currently hospitalized; the other, based in Chengdu, not only received the critical illness support but also qualified for additional aid under the "Home Warmth Support Fund" and "Children's Education Fund." The remaining 180,000 yuan in support is under review and expected to be disbursed within ten working days.
Many agents expressed gratitude on social media platforms, noting that these tangible benefits and safeguards strengthen their trust in the platform. Unlike retail-focused platforms, housing service platforms do not operate purely online—their final transactions are completed offline, relying heavily on face-to-face interaction. This means they depend on a large number of ordinary workers, who often experience high job mobility, income instability, and a particular lack of risk protection.
By offering various forms of security tailored to their business characteristics, platform companies can reduce workers' uncertainties, enhance the platform's appeal and retention rates, and ultimately improve the consumer experience. In the end, the companies themselves benefit—this aligns with the government’s call to "promote win-win development for platform enterprises, their operators, and workers."
Focusing on risk mitigation and long-term planning for workers reflects a clear sense of direction. Moreover, how a company uses its wealth reveals its core values. Through well-designed charitable mechanisms, platforms can systematically reinvest commercial gains back into their workforce, providing support throughout workers' life cycles. It is especially noteworthy that贝壳's "Healthy Home Shell Guardian Fund" addresses key concerns such as health security, family responsibilities, and children's education—and extends coverage not only to its direct employees but also to brand owners, store owners, agents, cleaners, and maintenance staff who may not have formal labor contracts with the platform. These are often the most vulnerable groups in the platform economy.
Including them in protection schemes requires both courage and a principled outlook: everyone who creates value on the platform deserves to be rewarded and cared for. After all, housing service platforms deal with matters of "home," and warmth should be the primary feeling they convey. By investing in their workers, that warmth can ultimately be passed on to consumers.
At the heart of high-quality development lies the profound idea that growth must ultimately serve people. Every platform or enterprise is created by people and carries their lives and aspirations. Keeping this in mind allows companies to stay in tune with the spirit of the times.
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