Book excerpt: With over 30,000 employees worldwide and products that range from refrigerators to cell phones, Haier is the largest consumer electronics manufacturer in China. This book traces this giant's path to success, from its early bleak years when the company director had to beg from the neighboring village head for money to pay bonuses to his employees to its achievement of placing sixth on Forbes Global's worldwide household appliance manufacturer in 2001. Much emphasis is given to Zhang Ruimin, Haier's chairman and CEO, for his pivotal role in the company's success. Explained is how Haier excelled where many other Chinese companies did not: a commitment to quality, service, and technology innovation, in addition to a global vision and a management style that is a blend of Jack Welch and Confucius.