Alain Lam - CFO of Xiaomi | Podcast | In Good Company | Norges Bank Investment Management

Description

In this episode of In Good Company, Nicolai Tangen speaks with Alain Lam, CFO of Xiaomi, about the company’s journey from a smartphone startup to a global technology leader spanning smart devices, electric vehicles, and AI. Lam shares how Xiaomi’s focus on high-quality products at “honest prices” and its tightly integrated ecosystem have driven rapid growth and innovation. He explains the company’s move into electric vehicles—designing and launching its first car in under three years—and why Xiaomi sees EVs as the next generation of consumer electronics. The conversation also looks ahead to AI-powered manufacturing, humanoid robotics, and a future where phones, homes, and cars are seamlessly connected. Along the way, Lam offers insights on leadership, company culture, and building lasting customer loyalty. In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New episode out every Wednesday. The podcast In Good Company is part of Norges Bank Investment Management, a podcast about our investments. We are transparent about how the fund is invested. In this podcast, you get a deeper insight into the companies the fund is invested in. Our CEO, Nicolai Tangen, has in-depth interviews with the leaders of some of the largest companies in the world. You will get insight into their leadership principles, the company’s strategy and how they are dealing with a large investor like us. You will also learn more about our role as an owner of the companies. You can read more about the podcast on https://www.nbim.no/en/publications/podcast/ 0:00 Intro – Nicolai meets Alain Lam, CFO of Xiaomi 0:27 From operating system to global tech giant: the Xiaomi story 1:58 Building the first smartphone in one year and the philosophy of honest prices 3:30 Supply chain, localisation, and the speed advantage 5:30 The Internet of Things: making the smart home a reality 7:20 How Xiaomi built a car in under three years 10:28 Selling 50,000 cars in 30 minutes: the power of brand loyalty 12:34 Similarities a