Alibaba breaks down barriers as CEO Eddie Wu calls for a return to entrepreneurial roots

Alibaba Group Holding, which went through a sweeping restructuring two years ago by separating its sprawling operations into six major groups, is taking steps to break down barriers between different units, as the e-commerce giant refocuses resources on core priorities.

Eddie Wu Yongming, Alibaba’s CEO, told employees on Friday that the company would “mobilise at full strength and concentrate our efforts on a few core strategic priorities”, with “key initiatives driven jointly by multiple businesses”, according to an internal memo seen by the Post. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

The Hangzhou-based technology giant co-founded by Jack Ma 26 years ago in a flat, on Friday started allowing employees from different business groups to communicate with each other via an internal website, according to Alibaba employees who have access to the website.

The remarks by Wu, and the internal changes, come ahead of Alibaba Day on May 10, an annual gathering of the company’s employees to build a sense of community and recognition within the group. This year, Alibaba has recreated in its campus the flat where Ma launched the company, as a pilgrimage site for employees.

In his memo, Wu highlighted the significance of the replica, noting that he was one of Ma’s original followers. “It is the birthplace of Alibaba and embodies our enduring entrepreneurial spirit and relentless drive for innovation,” he said.

Employees praised the changes. One commented beneath Wu’s memo that the replica had become “a symbol that inspires every Alibaba employee to move forward”. Another employee posted, “Make Alibaba Great Again!” – a reference to US President Donald Trump’s slogan.