Published : 5 months ago, on 30/04/2024

QI Group: Empowering Individuals, Building a Better World

The QI Group, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Hong Kong, has established itself as a global leader in fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing lifestyles, and promoting educational excellence. Founded in 1998 by visionary leaders Vijay Eswaran and Joseph Bismark, QI Group’s success lies in its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and communities through its multifaceted business ventures.

Exactly What Does QI Group Do?

What does QI Group do? It empowers. That empowerment starts with QI Group’s core philosophy, RYTHM (Raise Yourself To Help Mankind) — which, in essence, translates to self-empowerment and is the name of its charitable foundation.

The enterprise prioritizes education, evident in its ownership and operation of Quest International University in Ipoh, Malaysia. Established in collaboration with the Malaysian state government of Perak, QIU offers a world-class education with a focus on practical application alongside academic rigor. The curriculum equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the ever-evolving global marketplace.

QI Group’s influence extends beyond traditional institutions. The group provides educational programs and training opportunities through initiatives like The Zone, a four-day program led by Eswaran himself, designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to excel in their entrepreneurial endeavors. The construct Eswaran uses during this session encourages participants to do something that, for most of us, is both difficult and necessary: self-reflection and self-assessment in order to find purpose. While it may sound a bit wishy-washy to some who prefer the “hard” elements of business advice and coaching, knowing one’s purpose, or what one is trying to accomplish or achieve, is essential to not only the company’s success, but also the personal and professional development of an individual. 

Additionally, the STEER program (service, teamwork, enrichment, excellence, and resolve) led by Bismark, a three-day employee training initiative, fosters confidence and career development within the QI Group workforce. This focus on lifelong learning creates a continuous improvement and self-sufficiency culture, ultimately strengthening the communities QI Group serves.

This is done not just through helpful hints and best practices in their careers, but also to understand why those elements are important. When discussing service, for example, the company wants to help people develop a “strong commitment to delivering genuine, heartfelt service.” When it speaks of teamwork, the program doesn’t just rely on a “we all work together so we are a team” mindset, but rather one that focuses on developing a “meaningful understanding of how people are dependent upon one another for success.” Enrichment doesn’t just mean financial rewards, but “nourishing the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of its participants.” 

The final aspect of that acronym, resolve, might be the most important. QI Group couches this as employees “coming to terms with their identity, well-being, and purpose in the company.”

Innovation and Social Responsibility: A Guiding Light

QI Group is a firm believer in harnessing innovation to drive positive change. Most companies are, but not all are able, or perhaps willing, to execute the concept. The enterprise actively invests in research and development, constantly seeking ways to improve its products, services, and operations. This commitment to innovation ensures that QI Group remains at the forefront of its industries, providing customers with the best possible experience.

Social responsibility is woven into the very fabric of QI Group’s operations. The group actively participates in numerous charitable initiatives through the RYTHM Foundation, focusing on education, health care, and environmental sustainability. With over 80,000 beneficiaries in more than 20 countries, the RYTHM Foundation’s primary initiatives directly align with QI Group’s core values: education for all, empowered communities, and a keen eye for social, environmental, and economic impact.

While of course charitable foundations are, by and large, a good thing, some are more focused and impactful than others. The RYTHM Foundation, at its core, looks to help “underserved communities mirror several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.” Within that are several key areas the foundation has deemed critical to reaching those goals. Inclusive in that are quality education, gender equality, potable water, affordable (and clean) energy, scalable economic growth, a reduction of various inequalities, and committing to finding partners who can help facilitate those goals. 

Those same values and goals inform the company’s approach to entrepreneurship. Through its direct selling arm, the group provides individuals with a platform to build their own businesses. By offering high-quality wellness and lifestyle products and comprehensive training programs, the business empowers individuals to achieve financial independence and, for some, personal fulfillment. This approach has been a cornerstone of the company’s success, predating the modern “gig economy” by fostering a spirit of self-reliance and contributing to a more dynamic global marketplace. 

But business success doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and the company understands the importance of creating sustainable and thriving communities within which its businesses, or those of its entrepreneurs, operate. 

Its property development arm focuses on constructing high-quality residential and commercial spaces seamlessly integrating with the surrounding environment. The group’s commitment to responsible development practices ensures that its projects not only provide functional living and working spaces but also contribute to the overall infrastructure and aesthetics of the communities they serve (as seen with the Prana resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, and other holdings in Antalya, Turkey, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).

A Vision for the Future

Legend has it a New York Yankees catcher once said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

Yogi Berra may have been a bit of a character — and it’s unclear whether he actually said this — but he isn’t wrong. The best-laid plans of many formidable companies have been washed aside by changes in technology, geopolitical shifts, and any number of potential factors that go into a business’s long-term success. 

But, positioned as it is, QI Group may be on the other end of that spectrum: the end where innovation, adherence to strong principles and a flexible and agile business strategy win the day. 

As QI Group enters its next chapter, its dedication to empowering individuals, fostering innovation, and creating a more sustainable future remains unwavering. The group is poised for continued growth and success, powered in no small part by its dedication to living its values and ideals. By nurturing future generations of entrepreneurs, promoting cultural exchange, and advocating for social responsibility, QI Group is well on its way to fulfilling its mission of helping build a better world, one community at a time.