Alibaba IPO: Jack Ma's Original Sales Pitch in 1999

In this clip from 1999, Jack Ma delivers a speech to 17 friends in his apartment to introduce Alibaba and lay out his plan to compete with U.S. internet titans. For more, check out "Crocodile in the Yangtze: The Alibaba Story," premiering on Bloomberg Television Monday Sept. 8 at 9pm EDT.

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[kayf_ahmad]

This is why you need Public Speaking Skills

Hats off to his enthusiasm

[jonselair]

Well definitly not an science guy (for those who've seen his interview with Musk) but the guy is a true visionary, impressive

[Stringfreak]

To think that he is talking like that in 1999, before startup culture became a common thing, is outstanding. Now a days, we can easily say these things with conviction, we can start a company and run it without profit for 3 years with the hope to make it big, because we have so many examples of that now. But back then, it must've taken tremendous vision and conviction to even plan for something like this.

[Triannosaurus]

“Damn yahoo stock will fall and eBay will rise, then eBay will fall and alibaba will rise....” this was inspiring

[yashparmar]

Thats why i dont have 8 to 5 attitude.. instead I have 9 to 5 attitude 😎

[okealex]

Jack Ma like you said today is bad and tomorrow will be worse but a day after tomorrow will be beautiful. See you soon.

[RayMak]

Even back then, he was so clear and so passionate

[TheHonestFoodTeller]

The audience is like "He is gonna disappear soon..."
Fast forward 21 years later...

[grandbaycentral]

“eBay is a shark in the ocean. We are a crocodile in the Yangtze River." Passionate speech. 👏

[winzyl]

Basically just telling everyone to work harder

[michaeltse]

Wow - Jack Ma predicted the Yahoo crash and Google rise back in 1999 when Yahoo was in it's prime.

[bwing]

As an American, I love seeing him use us as a target. I respect that drive and the capitalistic mindset. This is awesome

[chuckywang]

Survivorship bias. For every Jack Ma, theres 20, 50, 100 people who made similar speeches that failed.

[quantumgrowth]

This video is one of those hidden gems in You Tube as it expresses the mindset and passion that like Jack Ma many visionaries employ in the development of their business. Respect.

[Xiaolongbaokid]

Yahoo fell. eBay rose. Alibaba sky high. The man predicted this 20 years ago. Holy shite

[TheGiantBunnysaid]

His acknowledgement in the suffering that came in the upcoming years is one of two things that really stood out to me in this speech. Too often do people disregard this and lose faith of the long term goal they originally had in mind.

[christianstordahl]

Everyone thinks he predicted the future with his vision. While in reality he made his vision the future.

[YoussefKYassine]

He had a dream, a vision and he accomplish it. I bet you that people around him by that time would have been making fun of him that he won't get anywhere! Look at him now! Powerful and Inspiring!

[KevinColt]

This guy was simply a Genius, he could see everything no one else could see, even nowadays this 1999 view still ahead of most chinese people.

[Luckyboyee]

He's basically telling everyone they will need to stay late and come in on Saturday like the movie Office Space lol