This issue places Zhang Yiming in the 'Vision' section, not for his wealth or company size, but for his rare sobriety and restraint. In an era when the internet industry chases trends and amplifies voices, he chose to let algorithms speak, products prove, and his departure demonstrate vision. His archival value lies in how a serial entrepreneur, through rational judgment and long-termism, built a global tech company amid noise, and at the peak voluntarily stepped aside, placing the company's long-term development above personal glory. This transcendence of power and fame is a contemporary footnote to the word 'vision'.

Zhang Yiming's entrepreneurial path began after graduating from Nankai University. He joined several startups, gaining experience in product, market, and management, but without immediate success. These experiences gave him deep insights into the inefficiency of traditional information distribution, strengthening his belief in solving real problems with technology. In 2012, he founded ByteDance and launched Toutiao, which disrupted the traditional news model with algorithmic recommendation and rose rapidly. In 2016, Douyin was launched, becoming a national app with its extreme product experience; subsequently, TikTok expanded globally, becoming a phenomenal product and elevating ByteDance to the ranks of the world's top tech companies. In 2021, Zhang Yiming stepped down as CEO at the peak, shifting to long-term strategy and AI, demonstrating rare restraint and foresight. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Zhang Yiming's core asset to ByteDance is his unique management philosophy. He repeatedly emphasized 'delayed gratification', advocating that the company should not be driven by short-term profits, scale growth, or capital valuation, but always focus on user value, product quality, and technological innovation. In management, he simplified hierarchies, de-bureaucratized, and emphasized clarity, pragmatism, and boldness, allowing information to flow efficiently. Strategically, he insisted on doing difficult but correct things, willing to invest short-term resources for long-term value. This restraint and long-termism enabled ByteDance to avoid numerous pitfalls and maintain healthy growth over a decade. Even during periods of traffic and capital frenzy, the company did not deviate from its product and technology original intent, providing a solid organizational foundation for navigating industry cycles and external challenges. ^[4] [7]

Zhang Yiming's achievements go beyond building ByteDance; he redefined information distribution, affecting the attention of billions of users globally. TikTok's success marked China's internet transition from imitation to innovation, becoming a significant example of globalization. His management philosophy and long-termism provide valuable insights for the industry. In 2024-2025, he actively invested in AI, positioning ByteDance at the forefront of artificial intelligence, demonstrating deep insight into future technological trends. Zhang Yiming's low-profile and restraint make him a unique figure in the internet industry, with his vision and realm widely recognized. ^{[3] [5] [6] [7]}

Zhang Yiming leaves a business proposition: in an era of rapid technological iteration, how to maintain strategic focus and resist short-term temptations. Through ByteDance's rise and TikTok's globalization, he proved that true innovation stems from a deep understanding of user value and adherence to long-term goals. His retreat is not an end but another form of leadership—turning to AI underlying technology to prepare for the next decade. His story reminds successors: vision is not the ambition to expand, but the courage to let go; long-termism is not a slogan but a principle running through decisions.