
Why Recessions Forge Great CEOs Who Think Beyond Cost-Cutting
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
April 11, 2022: -JD.com’s billionaire founder Richard Liu has stepped down as chief executive of the Chinese e-commerce giant, joining a slew of high-profile tech bosses relinquishing their roles at the companies they started.
That comes as Beijing continues to tighten regulations on its domestic technology sector and scrutinize companies’ business practices.
Xu Lei, the president of JD.com, will take over as CEO and join the company’s board of directors with immediate effect.
It is the second management reshuffle for JD.com in the last seven months. In September, Xu was appointed president after leaving his role as head of JD.com’s retail business. Liu will remain as chairman of the company’s board.
Liu has taken a backseat approach at JD.com since he was accused of rape in 2018, an allegation he has denied.
Liu’s departure from the CEO role comes after several technology executives stepped back from the businesses they founded in the last year. Last year, Colin Huang, the founder of fast-growing e-commerce company Pinduoduo, resigned as chairman. In November, ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming stepped down as chairman, and Su Hua, the co-founder of short video app Kuaishou, also left.
Beijing has sought to tighten regulation in antitrust to data protection areas and has punished companies that fall foul of its rules.
So far, JD.com has escaped any significant regulatory action, unlike its rival Alibaba, which was hit with a $2.8 billion anti-monopoly fine.
JD.com said Liu would focus on guiding the company’s long-term strategies, mentoring younger management, and contributing to the revitalization of rural areas, a key focus of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “common prosperity” drive, the government’s push toward moderate wealth for all.
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
Companies invest millions in leadership development, yet many of their best executives leave within a few years. Why?
The most successful business leaders don’t just identify gaps in the market; they anticipate future needs before anyone else.
With technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and global interconnectedness, the role of business leaders
The leadership landscape is profoundly changing, influenced by technological advancements, shifting workforce expectations, and the need for adaptability in an unpredictable global environment.
In the fast-paced business world, corporate leaders often find themselves at the crossroads of risk and reward, where bold decisions …
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
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