Creating a shared vision
BT had three different GMs during its ten years in operation. According to the
interviewees, the three GMs in BT’s short history demonstrated quite different
leadership styles. Under the first GM, BT was managed as a SOE, and followed a rigid
central-planning model. There was little room for managers to make decisions,
and the company was very slow in identifying and meeting market demands. Unlike
his predecessor, the second GM completely let the free market direct his company.
Under his leadership, the company was quick in responding to the market; however,
the over-emphasis on production resulted in product over-stocking, and the subsequent
loss of RMB 10 million (over $1 million) in profit during a five-year period.
What was seemingly common between the first two leaders, according to the current
GM, was the absence of clear vision for the future. Therefore, creating organizational
goals became the top priority for the third GM. He claimed his management