At noon on June 21, 2021, in the sweltering heat of the desolate Dunhuang Gobi Desert, after two days and one night of self-challenging, team-oriented hiking and rigorous training, six teams from STEP successively crossed the finish line set beside the ruins of Tar Temple, collectively completing the 58-kilometer Gobi Challenge. The inaugural STEP Gobi Expedition, themed “One Step at a Time, Walking Together with One Heart,” has come to a successful conclusion!

 

During this Gobi expedition, the STEP team underwent a grueling test in the harsh Gobi Desert, emerging stronger and more resilient from this crucible of adversity. More than 70 members of the STEP team flew to the vast Gobi desert, where they raced each other through riverbeds, canyons, saline flats, and the black Gobi—enduring scorching temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius on the surface. Many walked with blisters forming on their feet, enduring excruciating pain as they trudged over rocky terrain. Blindfolded before the sharp thorns of camel thorn bushes, they trusted completely in their colleagues’ guidance, navigating the treacherous Gobi with unwavering faith. At the moment of utter exhaustion, the team came together, lifting their injured comrade onto their shoulders and carrying him to the finish line—never abandoning anyone, never giving up. Of course, they also witnessed sights unlike anything they’d ever seen before: the spectacular yardang landforms, the crumbling yet majestic ruins of Suoyang City, and the towering, imposing Ta'er Monastery. They gazed upon an infinite, crystal-clear starry sky, watched the first rays of dawn illuminate the horizon with hues of rosy light... “One person may walk fast; a group of people can go much farther.” This widely quoted saying from the Gobi perfectly captures the essence of the team’s trek—and reflects the reality of their journey. Colleagues who once fought side by side have now become teammates sharing both joy and hardship in the desolate wilderness. In this unforgiving, uninhabited region, the team is each other’s most dependable support and the greatest source of strength. For two days, united in purpose and walking the same path, every companion by their side and every moment of hand-in-hand collaboration has become a breathtaking, unforgettable memory—a treasure that will last a lifetime. With their actions during the Gobi expedition, the STEP team has truly embodied their deep-seated belief in their goals. On the Gobi, they’ve demonstrated a team spirit marked by “having lofty ideals, daring to strive, being remarkably resilient, and capable of surpassing themselves.”

 

STEP Chairwoman Ji Yi personally took part in this expedition. At the end of the event, she wrote emotionally on her WeChat Moments: “The first red sun I saw during our night hike, the Gobi Desert singing aloud with the heroic spirit of ‘A single laugh echoes across the vast sea’—and the touching moment of lying in a tent under the starry sky... All these experiences have become even more meaningful thanks to those two days of hiking, pushing ourselves to the very limits. This five-month training journey originally aimed simply to help everyone develop a habit of exercise. Who would have thought that we’d all end up deliberately putting ourselves through such tough challenges, repeatedly breaking our own personal records? On the Gobi Desert, our pace was so fast that it even outpaced our seasoned, highly trained coaches! The inner ‘wolf spirit’ within each member of the STEP team has now been ignited. By stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing a new future, we’ve collectively embodied the STEP spirit of pushing beyond our limits and boldly facing the future.”

 

To smoothly achieve its strategic goals and realize rapid performance growth, STEP decided at the end of 2020—under the leadership’s guidance—to select a Gobi Desert hiking expedition as a way to forge a united, collaborative team capable of tackling tough challenges. Thus began the Gobi Expedition.

 

For this Gouxing event, the STEP team made thorough preparations. Since its launch in early February, the team underwent 100 days of rigorous training, during which the 80-member squad completed two Long Marches on foot. Starting from 10,000 steps per day in the first month, the team gradually increased their exercise intensity—first to at least three 4-kilometer runs per week, then to at least three 8-kilometer runs per week—constantly raising their athletic standards. Many team members ran seven days a week, and some even managed to run 8 kilometers every single day for ten consecutive weeks. In addition to daily training, STEP organized selection competitions for all participating athletes, providing hands-on practice tailored to the competition’s difficulty level and allowing the team to assess the effectiveness of their training. Some teams felt that even this wasn’t enough; taking advantage of weekend breaks, they deliberately scheduled their training sessions at the hottest midday hours to simulate the scorching temperatures of the Gobi Desert, testing not only whether their preparations were sufficient but also whether each team member could withstand the intense demands of the race. Throughout this process, many colleagues who had rarely engaged in systematic physical exercise since graduating from university achieved remarkable personal breakthroughs. As a result, the entire team’s energy and spirit underwent a dramatic transformation: runners became faster, walked farther and more efficiently, shed weight, and saw improved work efficiency. Communication among team members also became smoother, and the company’s performance experienced a breakthrough growth, enabling STEP to present a better image to its clients.

 

The coach who organized this Gaoxing event said after the competition that from the grueling daily training to the relentless sprint on the racecourse, the champion team maintained a pace of 8 minutes and 30 seconds per kilometer—a remarkably impressive performance for a long-distance Gaoxing race. STEP was the most thoroughly prepared team he’d ever led in Gaoxing events.

 

Wu Yuhui, Director and General Manager of STEP, believes that the STEP team’s journey retracing Xuanzang’s route under the scorching sun is aimed at tempering their willpower, enhancing teamwork, strengthening execution capabilities, boosting efficiency, and fostering team growth. The smart manufacturing industry in which STEP operates is currently facing rapid market opportunities as well as intense competition. To thrive in this environment, the company must uphold the principles of “communication, collaboration, simplicity, and efficiency,” placing customers at the center of everything—from R&D and manufacturing to sales and service—and creating value for them. Amidst the vast Gobi Desert and its harsh natural conditions, the STEP team, driven by their ideals and convictions, refused to back down in the face of adversity. United as one, they remained steadfastly committed to their goal, never giving up until they reached the finish line. This is the most profound lesson learned from their journey across the Gobi.

 

The inaugural Gobi Expedition event did have some areas for improvement: a very small number of team members withdrew midway for various reasons; certain teams still need to further enhance their teamwork and foster a stronger sense of team spirit; and some participants displayed an overly strong competitive mindset. We will face these shortcomings head-on, continuously reflect on our experiences and learn from them, striving to do even better in future Gobi Expeditions. Let’s carry forward the spirit of the Gobi Expedition in our work and with our clients—placing our customers at the center of everything we do and creating greater value for them!

 

The first Gobi Expedition organized by STEP has sparked a strong response both within and outside the company. Employees who took part in the expedition all said it was a rare and unforgettable experience—though the journey was arduous, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Many customers and partners remarked that seeing the STEP team so dedicated and determined made them eager to join forces with the STEP team and walk side by side through the Gobi Desert, forging even deeper bonds of friendship.

 

Step by step, united in purpose and walking the same path—STEP, having gone through trials and grown stronger, will surely achieve even greater accomplishments and realize its goals and aspirations!

Through the lens, journey across the Gobi Desert and witness the power of Xindata.

Email:
market@stepelectric.com

Address:
No. 1560, Siyi Road, Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality