Summary of Key Points
A recent 42-page PDF, allegedly showing the communication between Liang Wenfeng, the founder of DeepSeek, and investors, has gone viral on social media. Many people want to adopt DeepSeek’s approach, which includes no KPIs, no overtime, and cost-conscious pricing. However, the author believes that these practices are supported by unique factors such as a high density of talent and substantial financial resources, making them difficult for most ordinary companies or individuals to replicate. What’s really worth learning is Liang Wenfeng’s mindset of “selecting the right solutions” – rather than simply copying what successful companies do, one should analyze the underlying conditions and apply them accordingly. There are three practical steps to take: allocate time for exploration, prioritize eliminating unnecessary tasks during busy periods, and use resources to discern the true vision of a company.
Analysis and Interpretation
1. Why Can’t You Copy DeepSeek’s “Perfect Model”?
DeepSeek’s model seems ideal, but it’s backed by factors that most people don’t have:
- No KPIs? Because the talent is highly motivated: They hire top students from prestigious institutions like Tsinghua University (with an internship salary of 5000 yuan per day) and offer equity and high salaries to their core employees. These individuals are already driven by the goal of developing AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), so KPIs are unnecessary. Ordinary companies lack the ability to attract such talent, and removing KPIs could lead to chaos.
- Cost-conscious pricing? Because of a competitive advantage: DeepSeek can price their products in a way that covers equipment costs within 10 months while still making a sixfold profit – this is due to their technology and scale. Ordinary companies have thin margins and can’t afford to choose lower profits.
- 50% time for exploration? Because there’s no rush to meet deadlines: DeepSeek allows employees to spend half their time on exploratory research. Small companies, on the other hand, need to deliver products immediately; if they let employees explore freely, customers might cancel orders.
2. What You Should Really Learn: The Art of Selecting Solutions
Liang Wenfeng demonstrates how to approach the experiences of successful companies wisely. Twenty years ago, he admired Jack Welch, but now he only remembers that “vision is the most important factor” and acknowledges that other practices are outdated.
How ordinary people can apply this: When seeing someone’s successful methods, don’t rush to copy them. Instead, ask three questions:
- Why can they do it that way? (For example, no KPIs because of strict talent selection and adequate funding.)
- Do I have the same conditions? (Can my company hire top students or offer such high internship salaries?)
- What can I apply from their approach despite the differences? (For example, I might not need 50% time for exploration, but I can set aside 2 hours each week free from meetings.)
3. Practical Steps: Allocate Time for Exploration
DeepSeek lets employees spend half their time on exploratory work. You don’t have to use exactly that ratio, but you can:
- Individually: Set aside 2 hours per week free from meetings and use it to test AI tools or explore ideas (e.g., using ChatGPT to create weekly report templates) or research something useful (e.g., how AI can improve your work processes).
- For small companies: Allow one employee to spend half a day each week on a project that won’t generate immediate profits (e.g., testing an AI customer service tool). This time isn’t wasted; it’s about identifying new opportunities.
4. Prioritize Eliminating Unnecessary Tasks
Liang Wenfeng says, “We don’t work overtime because there’s less to do.” DeepSeek avoids tasks that are not core to their AGI goals (like video generation). Ordinary people and companies can:
- Individually: Identify three unnecessary tasks (e.g., canceling unnecessary weekly reports or meetings) and eliminate them; this will be more productive than buying efficiency tools.
- Companies: Instead of just asking “What to do this week,” ask “What not to do?” For example, if there’s a trend in live streaming, consider whether it aligns with your business goals.
5. Define Your Vision and Use Resources Wisely
Liang Wenfeng emphasizes that vision is more about action than words:
- DeepSeek’s employees are motivated by the goal of making their models accessible to more people; core researchers focus on gathering essential data. How can you define your vision?
- Companies: Look at how the boss spends time (is it on users?), the tasks assigned to top employees (are they focused on core business?), and the budget (is it invested in long-term innovation?).
- Individuals: Consider where you spend your best energy each day (on phones or learning new skills). If leaders focus on themselves, the vision is superficial; if employees focus on entertainment, the goals are misplaced.
Conclusion
We can’t copy DeepSeek’s entire model, but we can learn their mindset. Think of a thousand ideas at night and apply one to your own business. Over time, you’ll gain a competitive advantage. Learning is about taking useful elements from successful practices and applying them to your life.