Renowned entrepreneur and investor Duan Yongping, who has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, made a rare appearance in the documentary series *Common Talk* Season 3 for an in-depth conversation with Wang Shi and Tian Pujun.
During the dialogue, Duan systematically elaborated on his philosophy of "doing what's right," which underpins his business and investment practices. He emphasized that the core of investing lies in understanding the business: "The most important thing in investing is to understand the business." He shared insights from his famous bid for a charity lunch with Warren Buffett, highlighting how he uses "business model" and "corporate culture" as filters to identify companies like Apple and Kweichow Moutai.
Duan also discussed the success of OPPO and vivo, attributing it not to individual authority but to a hiring principle that prioritizes cultural fit over capability. On marketing, he stressed honesty and efficiency: "We cannot have any lies in our messaging."
Regarding education, Duan offered a sharp observation: "Parents who hit their children were often hit themselves as kids." He advocates for unconditional love to build security and boundary-setting to establish rules.
Duan defined "ordinary mind" as rationality and long-term thinking, forming a self-consistent logical loop. He demonstrated that the most sophisticated business strategies and grounded life philosophies share the same foundation.
The conversation also touched on Duan's investment in NetEase (NTES), which he bought because he understood its gaming business. He noted that while luck played a role in its rapid appreciation, his decision to invest was based on his comprehension of the company.
Duan’s reflections on corporate culture, delegation, and the balance between work and life further revealed his pragmatic and long-term approach to business and personal growth.
The interview provided a rare glimpse into the mind of a long-term thinker who has built a resilient life system around the principle of "doing what's right."
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