 “No one likes working at a

company that forces you to do

‘996’. Not only is it inhumane,
it’s unhealthy and even more
unsustainable for long periods –
plus workers, relatives and the
law do not approve of it,”

 To cement his and the senior

members’ control over the
company, Ma created a dual-
class share structure, which gave
the partnership members
superior voting rights in spite of
a small combined stake in
Alibaba. With greater control
ownership and control over the
company, Ma could count on his
associates being loyal and
motivated.