Recently, the fourth session of the "Thought Leadership Event", co-hosted by the Bank of China Ningbo Branch and the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), was successfully held at UNNC. The event, themed "Adapting to the Times, Changing Thinking, and Creating the Future", invited Mr Jingli Xue, Chairman and CEO of Consinee Group, as the keynote speaker. He shared his experiences and insights with students and business representatives on how traditional manufacturing industries can thrive in today's world. Dr Xiaogang Bi, Secretary of the Party Committee at the Nottingham University Business School China presided over the event.

During his presentation, Mr Xue reflected on Consinee Group's journey since its founding in 1999, describing its transformation from a small textile company into a nationally recognized green factory. He emphasized that traditional manufacturing is far from a declining industry. With innovation, it can transform from a follower into a leader. "Through our partnership with Siemens in Germany, we successfully built a 'future factory', advancing the textile industry toward intelligent and digital operations and achieving a shift from 'traditional manufacturing' to 'technology-driven production'."

Mr Xue also shared the challenges Consinee Group faced in becoming part of the International Luxury Alliance. "From setting up booths outside a Florentine castle for 12 consecutive years to becoming the only Asian member of the alliance, we earned global recognition through persistence and strength. This is not just an honor for our company but a testament to the resilience of traditional manufacturing industries."

When addressing students from UNNC, Mr Xue encouraged them to focus on starting from the basics. "The job market is not as crowded as it seems. What's really needed are people willing to begin with foundational roles. Every strong foundation you build is a step toward a higher goal." Drawing on his entrepreneurial experience, he added, "Being resourceful and creative when facing limited resources is a skill. It's about using wisdom and courage to find new opportunities.”

Mr Xue also spoke about the opportunities and challenges brought by rapid changes in the digital age. "Technological innovation is the future of every industry, but it is essential to manage risks carefully and take a steady approach to transformation."

During the Q&A session, students actively participated by asking questions on topics such as career planning, the risks of adopting new technology, and business succession. When asked about Consinee's approach to developing international talent, Mr Xue explained, "We focus on training employees from entry-level positions to help them understand the entire industry. At the same time, we prioritize language skills and a global perspective. Internationalization is not just about skills—it's also about changing mindsets."

Another student was concerned about the risks of applying new technologies. Mr Xue responded, "Technological innovation is the core of corporate development, but it is also a challenge. The key is to control the critical point of risk, make reasonable use of resources, and gradually promote change."

Through this event, students not only learned about the path of innovation in traditional industries, but also gained insight into the importance of perseverance and wisdom in career choices.