Hong Kong's new giants

Chapter 574 [I like it, no one can take it away]

Monday, May 6.

Lin Zuhui came to Japan for inspection. He has a lot of investments in Japan, but he has no real estate projects.

The reason is simple, even after the bubble crisis, Japan's real estate industry is still not suitable for bottom-hunting. After 17 years of continuous downward trend, there is no chance until the '08 Lehman'.

At present, the office buildings in Tokyo are still ranked second in the world, second only to Xiangjiang; after the financial crisis in the previous life, the office buildings in Tokyo plummeted by 80%. Li Chaoren saved him, he was afraid he would die.

Lin Zuhui first visited Sony, and Sony's president and director Nobuyuki Idei received him personally.After all, he is the richest man in the world, so he should be received by the president when he came to Sony for inspection.

As soon as the two parties met, they behaved very friendly, especially Nobuyuki Idei bent down and bowed, showing full courtesy; as for Lin Zuhui, naturally he would not follow the courtesy, but he behaved elegantly and easy-going, without losing his grace and etiquette .

"Mr. Lin, let me accompany you to visit our working environment!"

"I'm sorry to leave the president!"

Then the group visited the office building of Sony's headquarters. Lin Zuhui also brought a lot of people with him during this inspection. New Times Group and Wanhui Media, both of which were accompanied by senior executives.

Lin Zuhui's impression from Sony's headquarters is that there is a strong sense of hierarchy, the staff work hard, are highly efficient, and the management system is good. Overall, it is a well-managed company.

Of course, there is no problem with the management of Lin Zuhui's company, but it is more humane.

In Japan, many companies will reveal such a meaning to new employees: after joining this company, you will work hard for the company for the rest of your life; almost all of these phenomena are expressed in different ways, but the meaning is this mean.

In the company under Lin Zuhui, he will not emphasize these, but use some Confucianism to influence his employees; the result is similar, but the method is completely different; while in the company under Lin Zuhui, the turnover rate should be the lowest in Hong Kong that level.Western system management company, Huaxia Confucianism management staff, it is precisely because of this that Lin Zuhui's enterprise is so successful.Otherwise, relying on some memories alone, the company will not be able to develop today.

After the visit, everyone came to the large conference room, where Lin Zuhui and Idei Nobuyuki sat side by side on chairs.

Nobuyuki Idei first said: "Thanks to New Era Group for trusting Sony Group and investing in our company's stock!"

New Era Group bought Sony's stock by publicly announcing its holding, and did not use a decentralized or offshore method.And Nobuyuki Idei pointed out this topic first, which also meant to test.

Lin Zuhui said frankly: "I am very optimistic about Sony's future development, especially about Sony's prospects in the cultural game industry, so we expect to hold a 3-4% stake in Sony and make long-term investment projects."

Before the Hanshin earthquake, Sony's market value was about 220 billion US dollars, but now it has fallen below 200 billion US dollars; because the Nikkei index has fallen from 19500 points to around 14500 points.

Hearing Lin Zuhui's words, Sony immediately felt relieved. Of course, they were not afraid that Lin Zuhui wanted to acquire Sony. After all, it was almost impossible, but they were worried that Lin Zuhui would be a speculator and affect Sony's stock price.If it is a long-term investment, then it is completely acceptable.

Nobuyuki Idei nodded, and said: "We very much welcome New Era Group's investment. If there is an opportunity, the two parties can strengthen the cooperative relationship."

Sony’s management has discussed it in advance and believes that New Times Group’s investment in Sony stocks is a good thing and can boost the confidence of shareholders. After all, Lin Zuhui is a world-class stock god; of course, even if New Times Group holds 3~4% of Sony’s shares, The board seat will not be given to Lin Zuhui either.

Lin Zuhui took the opportunity to propose: "We in Hong Kong are building a 'Cyberport'. I wonder if Sony can consider setting up a branch or R&D center in Hong Kong Cyberport?"

He is the founder of Cyberport, so he has always spared no effort to use his contacts to attract customers for Cyberport; of course, it must be a high-tech company, which is the first condition.

Nobuyuki Idei thought for a while, and said: "Xiangjiang is a free trade port where Chinese and Western cultures meet. I am very optimistic about the development of Cyberport. Sony will seriously consider this issue. I personally think that Sony should establish an organization in Cyberport."

Lin Zuhui nodded and said, "Thank you for your company's support!"

Then, Nobuyuki Idei said: "This time "Resident Evil" is installed on the Sony PS game console, and has achieved good results and evaluations. I hope we can have more such cooperation in the future."

Since the beginning of June, the ninth city, a subsidiary of Wanhui Media, has developed the "Resident Evil 1" game, which was officially launched on Sony PS game console and Sega Saturn (SS) dual platforms. did extremely well in terms of sales and reviews.

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Of course, the Ninth City has become a partner of Sony's game department, and our Ninth City is also committed to becoming a large game software provider."

No one doubted Lin Zuhui's words, after all, he had proved it with facts.

Next, executives from both sides exchanged ideas one after another, and Gao Kelin, the president of The Ninth City, was invited to communicate with Sony's game department.

After Lin Zuhui finished his inspection, he and Liang Zhenxun came to an office in Tokyo.

"How is the purchase of Sony stock going?" Lin Zuhui asked.

After the Nikkei fell below 15000 points, Lin Zuhui ordered the securities department of New Era Group to buy Sony shares again, with a total investment of about 50 billion Hong Kong dollars.The New Era Group made a profit of about 25 billion Hong Kong dollars by short selling the Nikkei index, and directly took back 20 billion Hong Kong dollars in cash from the headquarters.

Liang Zhenxun said: "The progress is already 80%, and it can be completed this week!"

Lin Zuhui said with satisfaction: "Well, this wave of T is done perfectly!"

I started investing in Sony in the second half of last year, but I didn’t expect a loss of 2 million Hong Kong dollars, and then New Times Group sold it before the Hanshin earthquake.Once sold and bought, the price difference is [-] billion Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to making a profit.

Today, Sony's market value is less than 200 billion US dollars. When the market value is 1100-1200 billion, it is a good opportunity to cash out, and a six-fold increase in value is considered a relatively good profit.

In the next two days, Lin Zuhui successively inspected the businesses of LEIT Group and Wanhui Media Group in Japan before returning to Xiangjiang with satisfaction.The Japanese market is so big, as the market second only to the United States, it has always been a market that Lin Zuhui can conquer.Of course, only small achievements have been made so far, which are completely worthless, and we must continue to work hard.

Back in Hong Kong, the ninth city, a subsidiary of Wanhui Media, released the achievements of "Resident Evil" so far. It sold 15 sets in 50 days, and it is expected to become the first original game for PS game consoles to break through one million sales. game.

After being exaggerated by the media, the citizens of Xiangjiang were in disbelief for a while. Mr. Lin Zuhui is really a "god" existence, he can succeed in everything, and he can also achieve impressive results overseas.

In the previous life, there were so many rich people in Xiangjiang, but Li Chaoren was the only one who was rated as a world businessman, because he made far more money overseas than Xiangjiang and the mainland.

But now, Lin Zuhui's career is obviously even better.

At the end of June, the Singapore trading department of Barings Bank.

Pete walked into the trading room and announced the good news: "Brothers, after the delivery is over, the headquarters has arranged a vacation in Hawaii for us. You can bring your girlfriends and wives, and the company will pay for it."

"Wow, awesome!"

"I love Barings, I love the boss!"

All of a sudden, everyone howled excitedly.

Pete smiled. The company was so generous, which he did not expect. After all, they were only executing orders; but he vaguely knew that the company also hoped to use the Singapore trading department as a public opinion publicity-a classic case of turning defeat into victory, washing out Barings Bank past history.

This short-selling of Nikkei only made a profit of 1.7 million U.S. dollars again. Adding the profit of 1.8 million U.S. dollars in May, the total profit reached 3.5 million U.S. dollars.

Compared with the previous loss of 14 billion US dollars, the money earned this time is only a fraction, but it is just like this, but it has been well received by all parties, and it is stable and profitable. Why not do it!

at the same time.

Octopus Bank also bought 1.1 million US dollars of Nikkei futures index (25 times leverage), and the current average buying point is 14850 points; Buy Nikkei futures for $15000 million.Obviously there is still a chance, and it may end up investing around US$1000 million.

New Era Group.

Corbett came to Lin Zuhui's office and handed in the expansion proposal of Langham Hospitality Group.

Lin Zuhui flipped through it, and according to the proposal, three Langham Hotels (five-star hotels) will be signed this year, located in Sao Paulo in Brazil, Los Angeles in the United States, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Times Group's Langting Hotels will reach four.

He read the proposal very quickly, and Corbett waited patiently, knowing that the boss would give him an answer soon.The boss has such a huge business, so he likes to finish things on the spot.

Lin Zuhui said: "Using the local cultural elements of Sao Paulo and Riyadh to integrate into the Langting Hotel, I very much agree; including the Langting Hotel in London, we also do the same, very good, remember, if the Langting Hotel in London opens, We can create an 'afternoon tea' culture, where celebrities and aristocrats in London come to our Langham Hotel for afternoon tea. In this way, it can be regarded as one of our characteristics."

Corbett immediately said: "Okay, I will write it into the plan immediately."

Just a small suggestion, nothing much.

Soon, Lin Zuhui said with satisfaction: "The plan is very good, I hope you will implement it well. Langham Hospitality Group is committed to becoming a worldwide hotel group, so your team has a heavy task."

Corbett said seriously: "Boss, don't worry, the Hong Kong brand hotel is an important force in the world's hotel field. Moreover, we have developed overseas for so many years, and we will definitely live up to your expectations."

Xiangjiang people do have a way of making hotels. The top ten hotel groups in the previous life, Hutchison Whampoa, and Shangri-La Hotel Group, are all ranked first; behind them are New World, Hang Lung, Lui Che Woo and other hotel tycoons. It is also very influential.

However, Lin Zuhui's ambition is even greater, at least he must be in the top five, or even the top three of the hotel group.

Lin Zuhui said: "I would like to make a few more requirements: first, Langham Hotel should develop at the speed of signing three companies every year; second, your management team should always pay attention to the advantages brought by information technology to the hotel industry, and The first is to integrate the Internet into all aspects of the hotel field; the third is to develop Europe and the United States first, and then develop Asia.”

Corbett immediately said: "I remember!"

Langham Hospitality Group has three business sectors: hotel management (light assets), hotel group (heavy assets), and cultural tourism (light heavy assets).

Corbett is the president of the entire group, but mainly manages the hotel group; the hotel management company is headquartered in the United States, and it is a listed company, and the president is a native of the United States; the cultural tourism group is a cultural and tourism industry based on Club Med, including beautiful Hua Group's tourism company will eventually be included in this group. The president is a former French Disney executive with very good capabilities.

There are naturally many advantages to operating the three businesses separately. Even the Marriott Group formed this model in 1993, operating light and heavy assets separately.

The hotel business as a whole has just developed. Without New Era Group's strong financial strength, it will soon become a worldwide group.

In early July, Lin Zuhui heard a "surprised" news, and immediately came to the United States by private jet.

It turned out that Marriott Hotel also took a fancy to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group and was contacting Holmes and others with the intention of winning the remaining 52%.

Of course, Holmes still told Langham Hospitality Group about this matter, because the two parties agreed that Langham Hospitality Group has the right of first refusal.

Up to now, the only way to buy the Ritz-Carlton Hotel is immediately. Although the price is huge, it is not unaffordable.

Lin Zuhui first came to the New York headquarters of Langham Hospitality Group, and met Corbett, Li Mingtao and other executives.

"What is the status of the talks between Marriott and Ritz-Carlton, did Holmes disclose?"

Corbett immediately said: "It hasn't been revealed yet, but it can be seen that the price offered by Marriott is not high, otherwise Holmes and the others would not have been so kind to inform us as soon as possible. And it can be seen that Hall James and others want to sell all their shares at a high price."

Lin Zuhui nodded. Last time, [-] million US dollars was really high, so that Holmes and others quickly agreed; as a local brand Marriott Hotel, it is impossible to be so generous.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group should only be worth 12 to 15 billion US dollars in terms of value, but Lin Zuhui directly gave a valuation of more than 16 billion US dollars.

Of course, doing business is like this sometimes. When you see a brand you like, you can buy it at a premium; if it is a normal purchase, you can naturally bargain.

Lin Zuhui immediately said: "Well, let's go to the Ritz-Carlton Group tomorrow to acquire the remaining 52% of the shares! Just in time, the group has recently made more than 5 million US dollars in Nikkei futures index and foreign exchange. I don't feel bad either!"

All the hotel executives laughed. In Langting Hotel Group, everyone put more work into the hotel from site selection, decoration, and operation.Funding work is relatively easy.

At the same time, Bill Marriott, the president of Marriott Hotel, came to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group again and met Holmes and his party.

Bill Marriott wanted to make a quick decision, and took 52% of the shares of Ritz-Carlton before Langham Hospitality Group reacted.At that time, Langting Hotel will be forced to hand over the remaining 48% equity.

You know, the Ritz-Carlton is the originator of luxury hotels, which is very important to the Marriott Hotel Group, not to mention that the Langham Hospitality Group is a Hong Kong native. Even if it is the richest man in the world, so what? Do Chinese understand the operation of luxury hotels?

"Mr. Holmes, 7.5 million US dollars, we are willing to pay this price to get your remaining 52% equity. You know, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel is only worth 12 billion US dollars, and we have already paid a huge premium."

Seeing Bill Marriott's urgent mood, Holmes and others thought it was funny. They didn't tell Bill that the last time Langham Hospitality Group won 8% of the equity for US$49 million.

Holmes said with a smile: "President Bill, to be honest, we are very dissatisfied with this price! Because others gave more!"

Damn, those rich guys in Xiangjiang know how to buy, buy and buy all over the world in the past few years, Bill cursed secretly.

"How much did they give last time?"

Holmes shook his head and said, "This is temporarily confidential. For the remaining 52% equity, we will let you bid to decide. The highest bidder wins. You can bid together tomorrow. If it is the same price, we will give priority to Marriott." Yes. And I can also tell you that the price they offered last time was a little higher than your price today."

Bill Marriott said unwillingly: "Compared with the newly established Langham Hotel Group, our Marriott can inherit the business philosophy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel."

Holmes said: "So I am the same price and will consider you!"

The next day.

When Lin Zuhui brought people to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group, he was told that Holmes and others hoped to decide the remaining 52% equity through bidding.

He agreed, but also made a request, that is, Horst Schulz, the current president of Ritz-Carlton, has to stay at Ritz-Carlton for half a year to complete the assistance work.

Horst Schulz said with a smile: "Thank you for Mr. Lin's attention, I agree to this request. But I'm curious why Mr. Lin doesn't want me to stay forever."

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "I see ambition in your eyes, and guess that you should continue to start a business and establish your own high-end hotel brand."

Horst Schulz was taken aback, and secretly sighed at Lin Zuhui's sharp eyes, he really had this idea.The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is not what he wants to sell, but other partners want to sell it; but he considers that the Ritz-Carlton is a brand born of the European "Ritz Hotel" after all, not founded by them, so it was born The idea of ​​establishing a high-end brand by yourself.

"Mr. Lin's success is a matter of course!"

Everyone chatted for a while, and Bill Marriott also brought people to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel again. When the two sides met, there was a bit of gunpowder.

After all, Langham Hospitality Group has already intervened in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and it is obviously disgraceful for the Marriott Group to want to grab it.The 48% stake in Lang Ting Hotel means to hold all the shares. If you can't hold the shares, what's the point of the shares?

He didn't say anything harsh, but Lin Zuhui's eyes told Bill Marriott that everyone will be competitors in the hotel field in the future.

When bidding, Lin Zuhui directly filled in $9.8 million!

Not surprisingly, Langham Hospitality Group has acquired all the assets of the Ritz-Carlton Group, including brands and properties.

Before Bill Marriott left, he said unwillingly: "Mr. Lin, you are really rich to buy a Ritz for 18 billion US dollars!" The implication is that Lin Zuhui has been taken advantage of.

Lin Zuhui said calmly: "The price was originally three years later. If it wasn't for the Marriott Group's intervention, we naturally wouldn't need such a high price!"

In fact, it may be even higher in three years, Lin Zuhui just said that on purpose.

Knowing that he was wrong, Bill Marriott left the Ritz-Carlton Group.

Next, it is the matter of Corbett and Horst Schulz. Lin Zuhui hopes to complete seamless acceptance in half a year.After that, he will work hard to develop the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The American media reported that Langham Hotel Group bought the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group for a huge sum of US$18 billion, which aroused great public opinion for a while; into buying the hotel.

In this regard, Lin Zuhui was acquiesced.The factors here do have his own personal factors, he likes things with 'luxury' and he likes to collect them.Therefore, with so much premium, he doesn't feel bad at all.

Just like Bill Gates in his previous life, just because he liked the Four Seasons Hotel, he joined hands with the richest man in the Middle East to privatize it.

(End of this chapter)