Gree Electric is one of the powerhouses of the air-conditioning industry, but owes its success hugely to the entrepreneurial and management tenacity of Dong Mingzhu. As a young widow, aged 36, she travelled south and began work at Gree as an ordinary salesperson. Four years later, in 1994, she became head of sales. By 1996, she was deputy president, and by 2001, president of Gree. During this time, Dong challenged and transformed industry norms through her innovations in sales, service and employee policies. This is the story of one of China's most inspiring and innovative business leaders.
