Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Alibaba’s World summary
Porter Erisman
How a Remarkable Chinese Company Is Changing the Face of Global Business
15 mins
Brief summary
'Alibaba's World' by Porter Erisman is a firsthand account of Alibaba, its founder Jack Ma, and the rise of e-commerce in China. It offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a successful business in a rapidly changing market.
Table of Contents
Alibaba’s World
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
When starting a business, reach for the sky.
Entrepreneurship is easier today than ever before. You don’t need a million dollars to get started; all you need is a great idea and some free time. And yet, the world is full of people too afraid to take those first steps.
Overcoming difficulties in your life is only possible if you put in serious effort instead of sitting around complaining. Starting a business is no different.
So then why isn’t everyone an entrepreneur? Many people think it’s too hard. After all, most industries already have a big player, and even if you trust yourself enough to compete with giants such as eBay or Google, there are still many legal and social hurdles to overcome.
Every entrepreneur faces these problems. The only way to succeed is to try.
When Jack Ma started Alibaba in 1999, only one percent of the Chinese population used the internet. And those who did use it could hardly imagine buying anything online. People had enough trust issues when their business partner was standing right in front of them! Online buying was out of the question.
And yet, in the course of 15 short years, Alibaba overcame international competitors and social mistrust, and it now dominates 80 percent of China’s e-commerce market.
Hearing a success story like Alibaba’s might cause you to start doubting yourself. “What can I do that’s so special?” you might ask. Well, you don’t have to be as smart as Einstein to start a business that will one day become successful. In fact, success has more to do with brio than brains.
Before starting Alibaba, Jack Ma was an English teacher earning $20 per month. He sometimes jokes that Alibaba is so successful precisely because he doesn’t really know anything about computers. It wasn’t his computer genius that made him so successful, but his entrepreneurial spirit.
Want to see all full key ideas from Alibaba’s World?
Key ideas in Alibaba’s World
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Alibaba’s World about?
Alibaba’s World (2015) tells the story of Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba, which was founded in 1999. Alibaba’s World offers valuable insights into leadership and business acumen that can help you put your company on the path to success.
Alibaba’s World Review
Alibaba’s World (2010) takes readers on an insightful journey into the rise of Alibaba, China's e-commerce giant. Here are the reasons why this book is worth reading:
- Offers a fascinating insider's perspective on Alibaba's incredible growth, providing valuable insights into the Chinese business landscape.
- Porter Erisman, a former Alibaba employee, combines personal experiences with interviews from key figures to present a comprehensive and authentic account.
- Explores the challenges and triumphs Alibaba faced, highlighting the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the ever-changing world of e-commerce.
Best quote from Alibaba’s World
Fact: Alibaba went public in September, 2014, with the largest IPO in history.
—Porter Erisman
Who should read Alibaba’s World?
- Entrepreneurs
- Anyone thinking about starting a business
- Struggling business owners
Categories with Alibaba’s World
Book summaries like Alibaba’s World
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
38 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Alibaba’s World FAQs
What is the main message of Alibaba’s World?
The main message of Alibaba’s World is the story of how Alibaba became an e-commerce giant and the lessons we can learn from its success.
How long does it take to read Alibaba’s World?
The estimated reading time for Alibaba’s World is several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Alibaba’s World a good book? Is it worth reading?
Alibaba’s World is worth reading for its insightful look into the rise of Alibaba and the global e-commerce industry. It offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals.
Who is the author of Alibaba’s World?
The author of Alibaba’s World is Porter Erisman.
What to read after Alibaba’s World?
If you're wondering what to read next after Alibaba’s World, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Alibaba by Duncan Clark
- The Direct to Consumer Playbook by Mike Stevens
- Dropshipping by James Moore
- Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars by Mitch Meyerson
- Pivot to the Future by Omar Abbosh
- The Ageless Brain by Dale E. Bredesen
- Platformland by Richard Pope
- Content Marketing Revolution by Dane Brookes
- The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous
- Smarter Tomorrow by Elizabeth R. Ricker