Zhang Ruimin Champions Human-Centric Innovation in Italy and San Marino

From July 28 to 30, 2025, Zhang Ruimin, the founder of Haier and the retired chairman of the Haier Group, embarked on a significant mission in Italy and San Marino known as the 'Zero Distance Excellence Journey.' This initiative aims to foster organizational innovation and a human-centric transformation within companies.

Zhang’s commitment to the RenDanHeYi model—a management philosophy he developed that empowers individuals and dismantles traditional hierarchies—guided the discussions during this trip. He engaged in high-level dialogues with executives from prominent European companies as they explored how organizational innovation could unleash both human potential and business value.

The journey, organized by the Business Ecosystem Alliance and supported by the Haier Model Institute, started with the Var Group in Milan and included visits to Gummy Industries in Brescia and the ASA Group in San Marino. All three companies are implementing the RenDanHeYi model in the European context.

In San Marino, Zhang was honored by the country’s captains regent, Denise Bronzetti and Italo Righi, who awarded him the prestigious Order of Saint Agatha, recognizing his contributions to human-focused management philosophy and global organizational innovation.

The RenDanHeYi Model: Pioneering Development in the Digital Era

The RenDanHeYi model was first introduced by Zhang in 2005. It revolves around the principles of 'self-driven individuals, self-organized teams, and self-evolving ecosystems.' This approach dismantles traditional hierarchies, empowers individuals, and prioritizes user value.

During the tour, Zhang emphasized that RenDanHeYi's philosophy aligns deeply with humanistic ideals. He asserted that the primary purpose of any organization should be to unlock individual potential while respecting the dignity and value of every person.

A Transformative Workshop Series

The workshop series featured notable participants, including Bill Fischer, an emeritus professor of innovation management at IMD Lausanne; Stuart Crainer, co-founder of Thinkers50, a global ranking of top business thinkers; Umberto Lago, an associate professor at the University of Bologna; and Annika Steiber, director of the RenDanHeYi Silicon Valley Research Center.

These distinguished guests engaged with the companies in discussions that centered on how adopting the RenDanHeYi model can lead to significant transformations.

European Adoption of the RenDanHeYi Model

Var Group: This leading digital services provider has an annual revenue exceeding 800 million euros and operates in 15 countries. In 2024, Var Group, with support from the RenDanHeYi Italy Research Center, introduced a 'platform and micro-enterprise model' that effectively dissolved silos created by mergers, forming market-oriented clusters that now yield over 450 million euros. CEO Francesca Moriani stated that the model significantly improved employee engagement and repositioned Var Group as a strategic innovation partner.

Gummy Industries: This medium-sized Italian digital marketing firm began its RenDanHeYi transition in 2022. Within just six months, the company restored profitability by establishing eight small businesses, creating a shared resources platform termed the 'Farm Market.' Last year, the firm launched as many new products as it had in the previous seven years, showcasing the model's effectiveness in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the organization, according to co-founder Fabrizio Martire.

ASA Group: A family-owned metal packaging firm with 65 years of history, ASA Group has implemented reforms for its micro-enterprises. In 2024, the company generated 420,000 euros in service revenue from its digital printing division and earned 200,000 euros from patent licensing via external collaborations. Managing Director Francesco Amati described RenDanHeYi as a bold model that places human values at the center of corporate transformation.

Building a Global Community

Stuart Crainer highlighted that these companies are forming a global community based on the principles of zero distance and the RenDanHeYi model, calling for more organizations to join this movement and shape the future of organizational ecosystems.

In San Marino, Captain Regent Denise Bronzetti praised Zhang’s vision, emphasizing that his philosophy provides a powerful framework for envisioning a world where individuals recognize their worth and unleash their entrepreneurial potential.

More About Zhang Ruimin

Zhang Ruimin is not just the founder of Haier; he is also the architect of the RenDanHeYi model. He served as the CEO and chairman of Haier from 1984 to 2021, transforming the company from a regional refrigerator manufacturer into a global leader in IoT ecosystems. Now, as an emeritus chairman, he focuses on advancing management thought. Recognized as a thought leader in organizational design and post-bureaucratic corporate models, Zhang was awarded the 2023 'Thinkers50 Lifetime Achievement Award,' making him the first Chinese entrepreneur to earn this honor. His vision of organizations as ecosystems—not empires—continues to influence innovative, sustainable, and user-centered design worldwide. He has shared these insights through lectures at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, the Wharton School, and the World Economic Forum.

About Haier Group

Founded in 1984, Haier Group is a global leader in providing solutions for better living and digital transformation. Committed to the goal of 'more creativity, more possibilities,' the company seeks to co-create infinite possibilities for better living alongside its users and partners in ecosystem development. In 2024, Haier reported revenues of 401.6 billion RMB (~47.5 billion euros), with operations in nearly 200 countries employing over 130,000 people. Recognized as the number one major domestic appliance brand for 16 consecutive years by Euromonitor and listed in the Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Global Brands for seven years, Haier excels in areas such as Smart Living Ecosystem and the Comprehensive Health Industry Ecosystem.