Interview Background:
The interview is conducted by John Doe, a renowned interviewer. The two interviewees are Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, and Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba. The interview took place approximately 15-16 years ago when Alibaba was still a relatively small company.

Masayoshi Son’s Belief in Alibaba’s Success:
Masayoshi Son had a strong conviction in Alibaba’s potential for success despite its small size at the time. He introduced Jack Ma to One speakerfor an interview, recognizing Ma’s potential as a transformative figure.

Jack Ma’s Gratitude for Son’s Belief:
Jack Ma expresses his gratitude to Masayoshi Son for believing in him and Alibaba. He highlights the importance of having young people who believe in the company’s vision.

Jack Ma’s Reflection on Alibaba’s Journey:
Jack Ma expresses happiness at the progress and impact Alibaba has made in China and globally. He emphasizes the significance of hard work and belief in achieving success. Ma acknowledges that people appreciate Alibaba not because of their intelligence, but because of their dedication and commitment to their beliefs.

Background:
In 2000, Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, visited China to explore investment opportunities in the burgeoning internet industry. Son met with several startups during his visit, but one entrepreneur, Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, stood out to him.

Son’s First Impression of Ma:
Son was impressed by Ma’s unique approach during their meeting. Unlike other entrepreneurs who presented business plans and requested funding, Ma spoke about his vision and philosophy for the future of internet companies in China. Ma’s passion and belief in the potential of small startups resonated with Son.

Ma’s Perspective on the Meeting:
Ma initially had no intention of seeking funding from Son, having recently secured $5 million in funding. He viewed the meeting as an opportunity for a one-on-one conversation about their shared beliefs and aspirations for the internet. Ma was surprised when Son expressed interest in investing in Alibaba and attempted to convince Ma to utilize SoftBank’s funds.

Significance of the Encounter:
The initial meeting between Son and Ma marked the beginning of a strong friendship and partnership between the two business leaders. Son’s belief in Ma’s vision and Ma’s admiration for Son’s entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for their enduring relationship. Both individuals shared a common vision for the transformative potential of the internet and the opportunities it presented for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Jack Ma’s Perspective on His Partnership with Masayoshi Son:
Jack Ma viewed his relationship with Masayoshi Son not as a mentoring relationship but rather as a friendship and partnership built on shared beliefs and exchanging ideas. Ma emphasized the importance of understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to leverage their capabilities effectively in the partnership. He highlighted Son’s great vision, belief in the future, passion, and courage in making investments, despite sometimes resulting in financial losses.

Jack Ma’s Approach to Leadership and Team Building:
Ma believes that the most important qualities in a leader are caring about people, training them, and identifying their strengths. He focuses on bringing together the best experts in various fields and training young individuals to become the best in their respective subjects. Ma emphasizes the importance of assembling a strong team by aggregating and assembling the best talent.

Jack Ma and Masayoshi Son’s Shared Leadership Philosophies:
They believe in having philosophical discussions about the organization’s direction and how it should be structured. As leaders, they emphasize the need to see both the positive and negative aspects of situations, enabling them to lead, encourage, and inspire their teams effectively. They stress the importance of building a strong team by finding the right people, training them, disciplining them, and empowering them. They believe in creating a positive culture where people feel comfortable improving themselves and contributing to the organization’s success.

Key Principles and Beliefs:
Jack Ma believes that the most important product of a company is its employees and that empowering them is essential for business success. Masayoshi Son emphasizes the importance of passion and true belief in an entrepreneur’s vision, rather than relying solely on logical presentations. Both Ma and Son agree that entrepreneurs must believe in the future, have strong teams, and be optimistic to succeed.

Investment Philosophy:
Ma and Son share a common philosophy that they prioritize customers first, employees second, and shareholders third. Ma believes that companies should not chase money but rather focus on pursuing their dreams and creating value for customers and employees. Son emphasizes the significance of having a great vision, passion, and a capable team to attract investment and achieve success.

Challenges of Wealth:
Ma and Son acknowledge the challenges that come with having significant wealth and the responsibility it entails. They recognize that having more money means managing people’s trust and taking responsibility for others. Ma emphasizes that wealth brings headaches and worries, such as valuation, investment decisions, and managing inflation.

Vision for AI:
Both Ma and Son are actively investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and see its potential to revolutionize society. They envision a future where AI will solve complex problems, enhance human capabilities, and create a more efficient and sustainable world.

Commonalities and Differences:
Ma and Son share a common belief in the power of technology to solve global challenges and create a better future. Despite their different backgrounds and experiences, they both exhibit unwavering optimism, resilience, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Masayoshi Son’s Perspective:
Masayoshi Son is optimistic about the coming AI revolution and the positive impact it will have on society. He believes that AI will bring about exciting new technologies and advancements that will improve people’s lives. Son emphasizes the importance of identifying and supporting talented entrepreneurs who are passionate about using technology to change the world. He enjoys engaging with entrepreneurs and delving deep into the details of their technologies and business models. Son is motivated by the fun and excitement of exploring new technologies and helping entrepreneurs bring their visions to life.

Jack Ma’s Perspective:
Jack Ma sees AI as a tool to empower businesses and improve operational efficiency. He believes that AI will bring both benefits and challenges to society and that individuals need to prepare for its arrival. Ma emphasizes the need to reform the education system to focus on creativity, innovation, and human-centered skills in light of the changing job landscape. He advocates for lifelong learning and encourages individuals to maintain curiosity and embrace the changes brought by technology. Ma predicts that in the future, people will work fewer hours and have more time for leisure and personal pursuits.

Shared Beliefs and Vision:
Both Son and Ma share a fundamental belief in the potential of AI to bring positive change to society. They agree on the importance of education reform to prepare individuals for the future of work. They value collaboration and teamwork among entrepreneurs and believe that collective efforts can lead to significant societal transformations.

Challenges and Opportunities:
The speakers acknowledge the challenges associated with AI, such as job displacement and the need for individuals to adapt to new skills and industries. They emphasize the need for society to embrace lifelong learning and encourage individuals to stay curious and open to new experiences. They also highlight the opportunities presented by AI and the potential for it to create new industries and jobs.

Technology Should Simplify Life:
Jack Ma believes that technology should make life easier, not more complicated. He emphasizes the importance of technology simplifying tasks such as buying, selling, delivering, and paying.

Purpose and Enjoying Life:
Ma asserts that humans are meant to enjoy life, not work excessively. He views technology as a tool to enhance life experiences, not a burden that increases workload.

Masa Son’s Ongoing Journey:
Masa Son sees himself as a challenger, constantly striving to achieve his goals. He feels he has only taken the first step toward his ambitions and remains passionate and driven.

Inspiration from a Book:
Son was inspired by Ryoma ga yuku, a book by Mr. Shiba Ryotaro, during his youth. This book sparked his passion and fueled his determination to pursue his dreams.

Masayoshi Son’s Life-Changing Encounter:
At 15, Masayoshi Son’s private tutor recommended a transformative book that ignited a profound change in his life. The book, consisting of seven or eight volumes, captivated Son to the extent that he couldn’t sleep and spent an entire night engrossed in it. The book’s protagonist, a revolutionary with a pure heart, inspired Son to question his ordinary life and seek out a greater purpose. This encounter propelled him to travel to the United States to explore new horizons and learn about the world beyond his immediate surroundings.

Jack Ma’s Perspectives on Success and Fulfillment:
Jack Ma believes that true achievement goes beyond material success and involves conquering oneself and one’s career. He emphasizes that the ultimate measure of success is not what one accomplishes during their lifetime but the balance they leave behind. According to Ma, life can be divided into distinct stages: finding a good boss (20-30 years), pursuing entrepreneurship (30-40 years), focusing on strengths (40-50 years), supporting young people (50+ years), and spending time with grandchildren (60+ years).

Jack Ma’s Inspirations and Role Models:
Ma draws inspiration from various sources, including Kung Fu stories and martial arts figures. He believes that everyone possesses both good and bad qualities, and that it is essential to seek the good in even those perceived as villains. Ma emphasizes the importance of being oneself and not living according to others’ opinions. He encourages embracing one’s individuality and enjoying the journey of life, regardless of external validation.

Masayoshi Son’s Heroes and Inspiration:
Son admires Sakamoto Ryoma, a historical figure who played a significant role in Japan’s modernization, and other heroes for their different qualities and contributions. He holds a deep respect for his father, whose conversations continue to inspire him. He also values the spirit and passion of young employees and entrepreneurs, finding inspiration in their sparkling eyes.

Jack Ma’s Observations of Young People:
Ma recognizes the passion, belief, teamwork, and desire to change and help in both young and old individuals. He is excited by the gleaming eyes of young people, seeing potential and enthusiasm in them. In contrast, he finds it troubling when young people display a lack of enthusiasm and a tendency to complain.

Advice for Young Entrepreneurs:
Son emphasizes the importance of having a strong belief in one’s own dream and maintaining passion for it. He advises young people to be optimistic and avoid complaining, focusing instead on finding solutions to problems. Ma encourages young people to believe in the future, believe in their ability to change themselves, and recognize opportunities in the complaints of others.

Shared Vision of a 300-Year-Lasting Company:
Both Son and Ma express their aspiration to nurture their companies as entities that can endure for 300 years. This long-term perspective reflects their commitment to building sustainable and impactful enterprises.

Key Insights:
Jack Ma and Masayoshi Son discuss the aspirations for their companies, Alibaba and Softbank, to endure for centuries. Ma believes a great leader, a shared philosophy, and a strong culture are essential for longevity. Son emphasizes the importance of diversification, with multiple business models and entrepreneurs, to adapt to changing times. Both leaders agree that a company’s value and purpose are paramount, and that without them, it’s better to cease operations.

Mr. Ma’s Vision for Alibaba’s Longevity:
Ma aims for Alibaba to last 102 years, spanning three centuries. He focuses on training young leaders and succession planning to ensure continuity. He believes that solving societal problems and leading customers into the future are key to the company’s survival.

Mr. Son’s Vision for Softbank’s Longevity:
Son aims for Softbank to last 300 years or more. He emphasizes the need for multiple products, business models, technologies, and entrepreneurs within the group. This diversification strategy allows Softbank to adapt to changing trends and maintain relevance. The guiding belief is that the digital revolution can enhance people’s happiness.

Common Beliefs for Long-Term Success:
Both leaders believe that a company’s value and purpose are crucial for its survival. They emphasize the importance of a strong culture and shared philosophy among employees. They recognize the need to constantly adapt and innovate to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Alibaba’s Approach to Expansion in Japan:
Ma believes Alibaba’s success in Japan depends on its ability to create jobs and inspire young people. He emphasizes that the company’s focus should be on doing good in Japan, rather than solely pursuing profits. This unique business model involves outsourcing and differs from traditional Japanese business practices.