Emir BardakçıIn a dramatic industry shake-up, Xiaomi China’s former Vice President and General Manager of the E-commerce Department, Liu Yi, is reportedly on board Xingji Meizu Group under a pseudonym. This strategic hiring signals yet another high-profile executive switch in the growing competition in the smartphone market, where talent mobility among leading manufacturers keeps defining the competitive landscape. The resignation of Liu Yi, one of Xiaomi’s earliest employees and critical contributor to the company’s quest to expand globally, including especially in Indian and European markets, is yet another key personnel change for Xiaomi in the wake of several recent executive reshufflings in the company.
Liu Yi’s tenure at Xiaomi encompasses almost a decade of the firm’s years of the most significant transformation. Having joined in 2015, he soon made himself indispensable in Xiaomi’s overseas department, where he was the Vice President of Sales. His efforts were especially significant in establishing Xiaomi’s footprint in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as Southeast Asia, regions that are today vitally important to Xiaomi’s global strategy.
Liu Yi’s Journey From Xiaomi to Xingji Meizu
Liu Yi moved in November 2021 to a domestic position as Xiaomi China’s Vice President and General Manager of the Department of E-commerce. In this role, he was in charge of sales of Xiaomi mobile phones and other goods on the leading e-commerce platforms of JD.com and Tmall, in addition to operating China Operations Room.
In his term of office, Liu Yi assisted in further establishing Xiaomi’s internet retail presence, which becomes increasingly significant as shopping behavior keeps shifting towards digital platforms. His e-commerce strategy skills enabled Xiaomi to keep pace in terms of price while growing the company’s product ecosystem.
The rise of the “Departure Alliance” in China’s Mobile Market Industry analysts have pointed to a trend of top-level executives of well-established smartphone companies moving to join Meizu in the last few years, forming a “departure alliance” of sorts. It is a reflection of the dynamic nature of China’s smartphone market, in which talent movement comes ahead of upcoming competitors.
Xingji Meizu, which is now owned by car-tech company Kering Automotive, seems to be putting together a team of seasoned industry professionals as it readies itself for possible new ventures in the smartphone and connected device sector.
- Meizu has recruited several former top-level officials of leading manufacturers
- It may indicate impending strategic changes in the firm
- Liu Yi’s experience in e-commerce could portend new online retail strategies
With the incorporation of Liu Yi in Xingji Meizu’s management, the firm gains experience in both global markets and e-commerce functions, which would bolster the company’s strength in these important realms.
Source: IT Home
