A few days ago, I received the news of the passing of Zong Qinghou, the founder of Wahaha. Wahaha (娃哈哈) holds a special place in my heart as it brings back memories of the time when my son, still a little boy in China, used to enjoy drinking Wahaha.
It was only recently that I learned about the founder, Zong, who stood tall as one of the early entrepreneurs in China during the 1980s. For many, he was not just an entrepreneur but a model and embodiment of entrepreneurship.
Zong emphasized the concept of 上限思维 (Shàng xiàn sī wéi), known as top-line or upper limit thinking. Essentially, when embarking on significant journeys or enterprises, the focus should be on the potential gain rather than dwelling on the minimal risks. This approach stands in contrast to bottom-line thinking.
This philosophy brings to mind various instances, such as my son's decision to leave his job in New York City in 2012 and start his own company from the grassroots. It also echoes the courage of those who leave their comfort zones, sell all their belongings, and venture into this country. All of these individuals have embraced the idea of top-line thinking.
Undoubtedly, the journey ahead is filled with challenges and untold hardships, yet they remain undeterred because they have adopted the mindset of top-line thinking.
By the way, I will be flying to Beijing at 1 am, 2/29.