Managing from Zero to IPO, with Ben Hu, Co-Founder, CTO and Head of Adult English of Liulishuo

Liulishuo is an AI-powered English language learning platform operated by the AI firm LAIX founded in 2012 and it went public on New York Stock Exchange in Sept 2018. We are lucky to have Ben Hu, Co-Founder, CTO and Head of Adult English of Liulishuo to share the first 6 months of starting the company, their early successes, the growth, as well as his insights about managing a team from 5 to 200 people. “Empathy and strategic thinking together make the management easier.”

As of June 30, 2018, Liulishuo has over 83.8 million registered users and 7.2 million average monthly active users in 175 countries. The average daily time per user is 60+ minutes.

Show Notes:

0:00 Summary

1:24 Introducing Ben Hu

2:13 What is Liulishuo?

4:25 Artificial Intelligence’s Evolution and Change

6:56 Ben Hu talks about the product launch and first version of Liulishuo

9:05 Length and process from ideation to first launch

10:44 Ben Hu shares about Liulishuo’s beta experience

11:15 Engagement with Liulishuo’s beta user experience

11:55 Metrics used in Early Days

13:19 Ben’s advice for past-Ben, in the Early Days of Liulishuo

15:16 Practices for entering Chinese Markets

19:17 Management in Liulishuo’s expansion

22:10 How Hu developed management skills?

24:00 Decision-making in Management

25:36 Ben Hu’s management framework for unlocking potential

28:34 Exciting technology in Education Space

30:43 Wrapping Up and Closing Thoughts

31:35 Contact Information and Job Postings

31:52 Close Off and Partner Appreciation

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Many thanks to our host Oscar Ramos and guest Ben Hu, editor David and Geep, producer Eva Shi, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website www.chinaccelerator.com.