Therefore, I am confident that by starting within my own company, I can create an environment conducive to collective growth, rather than focusing solely on expansion. We build for good, not for big; we pursue goodness, not just scale. In this context, everyone is a dragon, capable of unlocking their potential and thriving fearlessly. What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs who wish to make a mark in global commerce? And could you distil the essence of your advice into three words? It is a little bit difficult but I can have a try. To succeed in the global commerce sector, one needs to stay ahead of the social commerce curve, leveraging on powerful AI tools and enhance soft skills. So, to sum up, three words can be social commerce, AI tools and fearless. In your experience, what are the main factors that currently hold women back from becoming entrepreneurs? Do you believe these challenges stem more from internal beliefs, or are there more tangible barriers such as access to funding and resources, or is it about the soft skills needed as mentioned in your 2024 book, “The Inner Mountain”? UNICEF’s report last year highlighted that 65% of women have fewer digital skills compared to male counterparts, across 32 countries and territories. Having been a part of the tech industry for three decades, I have seen how technology and digital tools, especially for women, can be transformative. The digital economy has significantly lowered the barriers to entrepreneurship, enabling women from various backgrounds to pursue their dreams. This equal opportunity is a game-changer, ever. But my experience in recent years has shown that the most significant barriers women face are often internal. It’s not just a lack of digital skills, but self-doubt, and self- limitation that holds them back. Questions like “Am I good enough?” or “Did I say something wrong?” holding back their progress more than lack of skills. These inner voices can be more challenging than any external obstacles. To address this, we founded The Inner Mountain Foundation. This global community is dedicated to empowering women through education, fostering a community, and engaging in outreach initiatives. Our primary goal is guiding a way to break down these inner barriers and unlocking their inner strength. Finally, what legacy do you hope the Inner Mountain Foundation will leave, and how? With a vision of sparking a social movement, we focus on helping women break internal barriers that limit their potential. There are many people who drive their own cars now, so let me use a different scenario to help everyone understand better. Imagine a gas station in town that’s thriving, making others envious. In response, someone invests more money to open a larger gas station nearby, offering even lower prices. Eventually, the original gas station can’t compete and is forced to close. But does this mean that those who remained have truly succeeded? Not really. There will always be someone else with bigger investments, offering lower prices, using their logic to defeat others, and then the cycle repeats. This is a typical example of a “wolf culture”—following the law of the jungle, a zero-sum game where there can only be one winner, but the final result often leaves both sides worse off. In reality, we have another solution. With the gas station doing so well and having many customers, I decide to open a cafe next to it, while someone else opens a grocery store nearby, and someone even opens a small amusement park for children to play in while waiting. Gradually, more and more people get used to coming here. They can eat, shop, take their kids out, and fill up their cars with gas. This is the way of water that we advocate at The Inner Mountain—we don’t compete directly, instead, we grow together, forming an ecosystem where everyone can succeed. This concept reflects the core of the Inner Mountain Foundation. We aim to connect, inspire, and organically grow into an ecosystem where everyone benefits and flourishes together. We’re committed to fostering a new global civilization characterized by international harmony and exchange. leave, and how CEO Today Global Awards 2024 - 43 - - CHINA -
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