Alibaba Turns 20 - and how!

I began penning this post in the waiting room for performers at Ali’s 20th annual party. What started as a slightly skeptical nod in agreement to a request from a colleague from organization culture team at Alibaba to join the theme dance (We Are Alibaba), was turning out to be a unique experience in many respect. From being curious/indifferent in the beginning to being amazed/inspired towards the end this experience helps me reflect on the nuances of a one of a kind culture that prevails in this organization.

The annual party is always a big deal at Alibaba. I have now been part of two such occasions - the former being the 18th anniversary. As we are now 100000+ employees a lottery system decides who gets to attend the event. For the overseas employees who win the lottery they are flown in to Hangzhou- all expenses paid. This time it was also special because Jack was stepping down from the chairman’s seat. All efforts were channeled to making sure the ode to 马老师 Ma lao'shi（Teacher Ma）remains a fond memory. People who didn’t make it through the lottery openly expressed their 'FOMO' and when slots opened up for volunteering at the event I hear they were all taken in a few minutes.

As a participant who witnessed the excitement and the exhaustion behind the scenes here is sharing a few observations – I suppose it will make a good read for the curious who wonder how it all comes together.

Scale is achieved with perfection

Preparations for the annual party started as early as February. From choosing the venue to be the Olympic stadium (60,000 seating capacity) to working with the local services to arrange transportation (collaborated with the public transportation!) / accommodation support, it was indeed a massive project in itself. As for performances we had 2000+ performers (ALL ALIBABA EMPLOYEES) rehearsing between (and beyond) work hours, for almost a month (some teams even more). While an event management firm was hired, all activities were overseen/coordinated by Alibaba’s own OC teams.

The infectious energy and commitment to perfection is mind-blowing

Nothing less than perfect is okay- no matter how much effort it calls for. Our performance in particular had 170 performers from 40 countries. Four regional (EU, US, Asia, EMEA) stages and a main stage. Most of the regional employees were based in their home countries and have been rehearsing by themselves. In Hangzhou where I am based there were three weekly rehearsals planned 7pm – 9:30pm. We had a 90% turn out for almost all the practice sessions. And last Saturday when all 170 of us got to rehearse for the first time together, it was nearly close to perfect. More amusing is how everyone still scrambled back to their laptops to make sure work is not deterred by all the long hours spent at rehearsals.

Nothing less than passion can get you ticking in this place

As I look away from the 30 x 60 screen which was installed for performers to watch the event until it is their turn to go onstage, I see a few of them happily chatting and whiling away time, others practicing their moves, a few resting, some getting their makeup and hair done and a handful of them still finishing up work.

The event itself was not different from the 18th anniversary in terms of format. Large scale performances (which can give A level concerts a run for their money) peppered with emotional speeches from founding members, partners and ex-employees. I have had colleagues around me crying happy tears which once again confirmed what I already knew. You don’t just give a bit of you in this organization. You give your all. The concept is unsettling and heartwarming at the same time. As a foreigner I will never claim I understand/embrace it all. All I can say is this is a one of a kind organization.

To give up your weekend to rehearse enough to dance in sync at a company gathering. To wait long hours in the waiting room for your turn to show up on main stage for dress rehearsals / event run downs all the while still making sure work is not interrupted; it takes more than just a certain commitment to work; A certain sort of collective passion. Long hours spent together makes you bond with colleagues who then become friends. Who knows maybe all this time you spend working, rehearsing, hearing emotionally stirring stories about how it all began then creates a flow-state where from you draw in a bit of Ali spirit which then trickles down as passion and commitment and even resilience you show at work.

As I finish up the closing lines to this post it amuses me how the theme song still lingers on my lips – two days after the show! A new age empire of its own built on data and convenience-trust being the foundation. Let’s see where it is headed from here.