Old Horse Metamorphosis

Release time：

2023-05-17

“ Forty years ago, a poor young man named Xiao Ma aspired to be a boss, but his circumstances didn't allow it. He diligently learned his craft, dedicating himself to shipbuilding, starting as a contractor and eventually becoming an entrepreneur. Forty years later, Lao Ma (Old Ma) has achieved success and is considered a good boss by his employees. See "Lao Ma's Transformation."

In the vibrant spring of March, the Jiuhu Port flows majestically towards the Yangtze River.

Along the river, dragon gate cranes stand in rows, and shipyards are lined up, making this a prime location for the shipbuilding industry. Here, there is a low-key yet unignorable shipbuilding supporting enterprise: Haisente Heavy Industry Its low profile is due to the limited information available online. Although its output value is not as large as shipyards with tens of billions of yuan in output, it shouldn't be overlooked because it is a leading enterprise in the industry, with clients including top shipbuilders in China, Japan, and South Korea, providing employment for over 1300 people.

The company's helmsman Ma Zhenlin a homegrown grassroots entrepreneur.

From the fields to the factory floor, from farmer to entrepreneur, Ma Zhenlin has transformed his life in 40 years, writing his own unique entrepreneurial story. 。

From farmer's son to state-owned enterprise worker.

Forty years ago, Ma Zhenlin, then still young, had just graduated from junior high school. Coming from a peasant family with four or five siblings, he didn't want to endure poverty anymore and aspired to "be a boss." To be a boss, one either needs capital or skills. He had no money, so he chose to learn skills first.

With his dreams in his heart, after two years of apprenticeship learning cold work, Xiao Ma entered the Nantong Fishing Boat Factory's shipbuilding technical school to study shipbuilding technology for half a year. From then on, he forged a lifelong bond with shipbuilding.

The best benefactor in life is one's own positive self. Because of his good academic performance and skills, Xiao Ma was recruited by Hudong Shipyard as a hull assembler, escaping the "farming life." Being able to work for such a state-owned enterprise, the neighbors expressed envy and admiration for Xiao Ma.

Shanghai, known as the "Magic City," held considerable allure. While his young colleagues went out socializing and having fun after work, Ma Zhenlin kept his "boss dream" in mind, staying in the dormitory to read, study, and delve into technology. He always felt that life requires effort. Soon, Ma Zhenlin stood out among his peers and was promoted to foreman. Later, due to his outstanding skills, he was poached by Guangzhou Shipyard.

Here, while others played cards and had fun, Xiao Ma continued to learn technology, delve into business, and study management. In the rapidly changing times, Xiao Ma's love of learning seemed "out of place." Faced with incomprehension and ridicule, Xiao Ma just smiled and said nothing. Why could he resist temptation and endure loneliness? Perhaps it was his innate ability to endure hardship, but most importantly it was his deep-rooted love for shipbuilding and his unwavering dream.

At this time, Xiao Ma had spent four-fifths of his life struggling in poverty. If he had to grow up in poverty, would he choose to compromise and become numb, or would he strive upward? Xiao Ma chose to work hard.

From frontline worker to independent entrepreneur.

In the early 1990s in China, development was so rapid that it was breathtaking. A wave of "going into business" swept the country. In Guangzhou, a leading city, Xiao Ma was also pushed forward by the tide of reform and opening up, but he didn't simply follow the flow; he rode the wave.

Xiao Ma left the state-owned factory! The news spread like wildfire throughout the village, shocking everyone: He gave up such a good job; what was he going to do?

Become a boss!

Xiao Ma was always good at seizing opportunities. He gathered a team of 20 to 30 people and went to Zhejiang to become a "boss." This was a pioneering province in China's opening up. At this time, China's shipbuilding industry began to take off.

At this time, Xiao Ma didn't have what one would call "seed money," but he had years of accumulated technology, experience, and connections. So, Xiao Ma's business went smoothly and relentlessly. Although he was doing contract work, the ships he processed ranged from small fishing boats to 3,000-4,000-ton cargo ships to 100,000-ton giants... More and more people came to him. At its peak, he employed 6,000 to 7,000 workers and paid over 20 million yuan in taxes annually.

And Xiao Ma's dream also sailed far and wide with the giant ships.

A complete reshuffling of fate is not as simple as it seems. There is no such thing as easy success in this world. People only see the glory after success, but they rarely understand the hardships behind it. But Lao Ma takes it lightly; in his eyes, he sees the vast ocean. 。

From "contractor" to entrepreneur.

Even the brightest moon in a foreign land is not as good as a single lamp at home.

In 2007, at the invitation of his hometown, Ma Zhenlin returned to his hometown of Pingchao Town to start a business again, establishing Haisente Heavy Industry. This time, he focused on shipbuilding supporting equipment.

Nantong was no longer "difficult" to reach. The shipbuilding and marine industry was developing rapidly, and the government successively issued documents supporting the accelerated development of the shipbuilding industry. The 166-kilometer golden coastline of the Yangtze River witnessed the birth and growth of Nantong, China's second-largest shipbuilding base after Shanghai. In 2013, the company even pioneered the zero-margin binding bridge technology in the industry, winning many orders with this technology. Internationally renowned shipyards NYK and JMU even designated Haisente as the sole binding bridge production base in China.

As the company grew and prospered, Ma Zhenlin gradually transformed from a "contractor" who only focused on taking on and completing jobs to an entrepreneur who cares about society and the country.

There's an unverified claim online that two types of people are the most superstitious: businessmen who worship the God of Wealth, and programmers who worship Alan Turing. This is meant to be a joke about programmers. However, just as programmers worship Turing hoping their programs will be bug-free, businessmen who worship Guan Yu, the "God of Wealth," likely hope for loyalty and honesty in their business dealings.

Lao Ma doesn't worship the God of Wealth; he worships his "employees." On the wall surrounding the Haisente gate, there's a highly visible phrase: Employees are the company's wealth. Lao Ma believes this: Having come from humble beginnings as an ordinary employee himself, he deeply understands that employees work to support their families, so wages cannot be delayed. Employees are also the building blocks of the company; the company's growth from small to large is all thanks to its employees. Without considering the employees' well-being, they won't have a sense of belonging or security, and how can they work with peace of mind? Therefore, one must be "willing to give," "generous," and "provide service" to employees. Don't just give them empty promises, but real substance. Lao Ma's workers know how much they've earned each day by the end of their shift, and the finance department pays salaries on a fixed schedule every month; in Nantong dialect, it's "only the time is uncertain, not the day." Furthermore, workers receive free meals three times a day at the factory, free accommodation in standard rooms for those who commute more than 8 kilometers, annual health checkups, and bonuses and gifts during holidays... When Lao Ma visits the workshop, no one fawns over the big boss; everyone is diligently working!

But Lao Ma doesn't believe he has a special management style; he simply feels he's following his heart and doing what a leader, a person, and a company leader should do.

During his school days, Ma Zhenlin watched a movie (he's forgotten the name), but a line from it deeply resonated with him: A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. He wanted to be a "general"-like boss, leading a team.

Shipbuilding supporting industries and shipbuilding are closely intertwined. The level of technology and quality directly affects a nation's shipbuilding industry's comprehensive strength and export competitiveness. Haisente has invested significant money and effort in technological transformation and research and development over the years, but Lao Ma says, He still wants to contribute to China's shipbuilding and equipment manufacturing.

From Middle School Student to "Philosopher"

Lao Ma's entrepreneurial journey has been relatively smooth, which he attributes to good luck.

Indeed, a diligent, cautious, honest, and righteous person is unlikely to have bad luck and certainly won't complain about fate.

In reality, life is never truly smooth sailing. In the second year after returning home, the global economic crisis hit, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic three years later. During these turbulent times, the shipbuilding industry was significantly impacted.

Ups and downs are the norm in life, and Lao Ma persevered through it all. When life is cruel, one must have confidence in oneself. As Xiao Ma gradually grew into Da Ma and then Lao Ma, his business acumen sharpened, his reading increased, and his life insights deepened: The cruelty of life lies in its ability to test oneself, allowing one to shoulder greater responsibilities and missions. Lao Ma always has a unique perspective. He enrolled in a traditional Chinese studies class; outwardly simple, inwardly he possesses great wisdom.

But Lao Ma believes his good fortune stems from seizing several major development opportunities in China. He expresses gratitude for the country's reform and opening-up policies and the support and care of his hometown government, using the words: "deeply grateful." People today may not fully grasp this, but for Lao Ma, the journey from a middle school graduate from a humble family to leading a company with an annual output value of 800 million yuan and employing 1,600 to 1,700 workers is something that cannot be summarized in a few words.

Good luck? Over 40 years, Lao Ma has experienced booms and busts, and made mistakes. Times create heroes. Indeed, some say, "When the wind is at your back, even a pig can fly." But the following sentence is rarely mentioned: "A small wing can help you fly higher." Lao Ma's wings are his unwavering commitment to learning, reflection, correction, and growth. He may not have a high level of education, but he is a walking library.

Entrepreneurs' initial aspirations should not be betrayed; Life will not betray those who consistently strive.

Wishing Lao Ma's "boss" career continued success!

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/xpO0y0Br4hHd9IvHKFbs2A

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