Porter Erisman

Porter Erisman is an American entrepreneur, author, filmmaker and business consultant, globally known for having been vice president of Alibaba Group and right-hand man to its founder, Jack Ma, during the formative years of the Chinese e-commerce giant. His background offers a unique perspective on the rise of the internet in China and the epic battle between the local company and Western tech titans.

Erisman, a Stanford University political science graduate with an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, joined https://www.google.com/search?q=Alibaba.com in April 2000, when the company was just getting started in Jack Ma's small Hangzhou apartment. During his eight years at the company (2000-2008), Erisman led international operations, global marketing and corporate affairs. His work was instrumental in transforming Alibaba from a fledgling startup into a corporation that today dominates global e-commerce, surpassing competitors such as eBay in China.

After leaving Alibaba, Erisman captured his experience in the acclaimed documentary Crocodile in the Yangtze: The Alibaba Story (2012), which he directed and produced. The film chronicles the Chinese company's struggle against U.S. giant eBay and the rise of Jack Ma. This multi-award-winning documentary, along with his bestseller Alibaba's World: How a Remarkable Chinese Company is Changing the Face of Global Business, have made him an authority on growth strategies in emerging markets and Chinese business culture.

Today, Porter Erisman is a sought-after motivational speaker and international consultant, using the lessons of the "Chinese Model" of e-commerce to advise companies around the world. His talks focus on innovation, leadership and the opportunities offered by e-commerce in developing markets, promoting the idea that the next great technological giant can emerge from emerging economies such as those in Latin America.