CHAPTER 6

Protect and Attack

        Lenovo Principle 5: Protect your core strengths with one hand while attacking new high-growth opportunities with the other.

In the early spring of 2009, YY had a job for Gina: to find a new senior vice president of strategy. Although by then Gina had successfully screened and hired dozens of top global executives, including Westerners, this particular search was an overwhelming task. This was a critical position, especially now that we were fighting to bring back growth in the middle of a brutal recession.

After going through dozens of résumés, Gina could not find the right fit, and there was no time to waste.

“So give me a few in-house names,” YY told her.

Gina thought about all the people she knew within ...

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