Reinventing the Millennium

When people come to New York, they first visit the buildings.

Fang Zhuo hasn't been to New York for a while, but his money has already arrived.

Thanks to Sir Stringer Sr., he now owns 40 percent of the Sony Building at 550 Madison Avenue and is ready to take on the rest.

It's also been a while since I've seen Stringer. When I saw him this time... the knight looked really haggard.

Stringer braced himself to receive Mr. Fang.

He had done a lot of things with his outside directors and was now on the verge of desperation. He had nothing to hide and talked rather tiredly about the difficulties Sony continued to face.

How did this dilemma arise...

Everything was great at the beginning, why did it slip to this point?

Fang Zhuo, the head of Yike Company, accompanied the old jazz to think about the problem.

But he didn't think about it for too long. Now is not the time to think about this. What matters is the present and the future.

"President Fang, have tea." Stringer's voice was full of fatigue. The recovery he had hoped for was interrupted by the Japanese disaster, and the already tight capital chain suddenly became even tighter.

Fang Zhuo nodded slightly and clasped his fingers rhythmically on the table, making a regular thumping sound.

He thought for a while and said slowly: "Sony is in a situation like this. You can't be anxious. If you are anxious, you will be in trouble."

Stringer's throat slid up and down, and he suddenly looked at Mr. Fang, a glimmer of hope igniting in his heart. The man in front of him had recognized business talents around the world, and was rated as the second best CEO in the world. In addition, he did have a brilliant record. , is there any way to bring the dead back to life?

He sipped the black tea and said, "Mr. Fang, if you were in my position now, how would you operate on Sony?"

Fang Zhuo raised his head, how to use the knife? Aim for the aorta...

Oh, surgery.

Fang Zhuo grabbed the teacup and drank the tea without saying a word.

"It's okay to use dangerous tactics." Stringer took a breath.

Fang Zhuo frowned but still said nothing.

"How can a dead horse be treated as a live doctor?" Stringer stood up.

Fang Zhuo's mind automatically translated idioms that met the old knight's requirements. Looking at his expectant eyes, he had no choice but to tell the truth: "Even I... can't save Sony now..."

Stringer sat back in his chair with a thud.

Fang Zhuo let out a long sigh: "Sony is going to lose 7 billion US dollars this year! This... this... Jazz, I think you should make plans as soon as possible!"

The hole that was hidden last year cannot be hidden at all this year.

In fact, the 2010 financial report has been questioned. After all, there is money from selling properties.

When Fang Zhuo sat in the office and listened to the old Sir mentioning Sony's predicament and the forecast for this fiscal year, he was also shocked. He had a huge loss of 7 billion US dollars. How to save it?

The $7 billion Sony debacle…

In terms of fiscal year, there is only half a year left. No matter what happens, Stringer's position will not be preserved.

Stringer listened to the words of the world's second best CEO and heard that he was helpless. He couldn't help but tilt his head back and closed his eyes.

Fang Zhuo observed it and found that the old jazz man was probably not struck by the blow.

When it comes to blows, he knows better than anyone else the defeat of Sony at his hands. This is not US$70 million, not US$700 million, but a full US$7 billion!

Fang Zhuo realized that he was sitting in Stringer's position. Such a big bubble... it should be very enjoyable to poke.

He drank tea slowly, thinking about how to persuade the old knight.

After a while, Stringer opened his eyes: "Mr. Fang, you are right, you should think about the future."

Fang Zhuo couldn't help but praise him. How could he be the head of Sony? He didn't even have to say a word of persuasion to adjust his mentality.

"The direct cause of this year is the impact of the Japanese disaster and the Thai flood." Stringer spoke slowly, "But I also have a responsibility. Although I have put in a lot of efforts, I have not been able to shake Sony's rigid traditional management culture and system."

Fang Zhuo thinks, if you go down, you have to go down, it doesn't matter who has more or less.

Stringer's voice suddenly became louder: "As President Fang pointed out, Sony actually has a situation where technology is difficult to use internally, but it is easier to cooperate with outsiders. This is the most sad thing!"

Fang Zhuo touched his palm and sighed: "Who says it's not the case?"

He shook his head slightly: "Sony is a mess. It took a lot of courage to dare to take over before. If Sony changes its chairman next year, then I will follow the Jazz. It doesn't matter if this external director is inappropriate!"

Stringer felt two emotions in his heart.

"It's useless to be in a hurry right now. Let's do everything we can and let fate dictate. I'll have a cocktail party here on Saturday night. Jazz will go with us then." Fang Zhuo said, "Oh yes, I'm planning to set up a charity foundation here. I don't know. Sir, would you like to name a chairman?"

Stringer was deeply moved.

He nodded silently and suddenly said: "Sony Group is very rotten inside, but even if I leave, I have to leave it with a revived business. I still have to promote the independent operation of the sensor company and not let it have Sony's rigid genes."

Fang Zhuo smiled and discussed this matter later.

"But the sensor company still needs funds, and it should be allowed to raise more money from the outside world." Stringer did not express his position, but said more straightforwardly.

"Sir, you told me not to be impatient, but you see, you are impatient." Fang Zhuo said seriously, "Sony may be destroyed, but you cannot be defeated."

Stringer looked at Mr. Fang who looked like a tiger and a wolf, and he couldn't describe how he felt at this moment. He still remembered that at the beginning, Yike was just a small company looking for music cooperation.

Under the tide of the times, even giants like Sony collapsed...

"By the way, Google told me that they are going to acquire Motorola." Fang Zhuo stood up, motioned to go to dinner first, and gave another piece of news.

Stringer was stunned, Motorola was about to be acquired?

His mood felt inexplicably better.

Under the tide of the times, there are even worse things. Even giants like Motorola are defeated.

Stringer walked beside Mr. Fang, his steps were much brisker, and his speech speed was also faster: "To be honest, Mr. Fang, I have always been concerned about charity."

"Yes, yes, you are worthy of being the winner of the Knight Bachelor." Fang Zhuo praised.

Stringer was a little ashamed, but then he puffed up his chest, as if he was wearing a badge awarded by the royal family.

As a group of people went downstairs, drizzle began to fall in the sky, and Fang Zhuo took the lead in getting into the car.

Just as Stringer was about to get into the car, he suddenly looked back at the Sony logo upstairs, which was a little blurry under the rain.

"Let's go, Sir." Fang Zhuo said in the car.

Stringer took off his rain-stained glasses and got into the car.

The black car drove away and they all went to a feast.

…

On Saturday night, Fang Zhuo and his friends attended a cocktail party convened by Summers in New York.

As news of the Motorola acquisition further spreads, the ending of this world-renowned company is somewhat disappointing.

In comparison, Fang Zhuo, the second best president in the world, and Stringer, the head of Sony and ZTE, are more respected by the guests at the reception.

Summers introduced some new friends to Mr. Fang, and after the pleasantries, he inevitably mentioned industry news. He regarded the decline of Motorola as a reflection of social conditions.

The economic recovery in the past two years has been slow, the employment rate has continued to rise, and there have been financial disputes between the two factions. It is really not going well.

"Motorola itself can't keep up with the times, so why not Apple?" Fang Zhuo disagreed.

"You can just say that Yike is pretty good," Summers said with a smile.

"Yike is also very good." Fang Zhuo said matter-of-factly, "When a company develops, it will decline. It's normal. Google, Apple, Twitter, and Facebook are not all good."

At this time, Summers said with a half-smile: "Sony is not bad either."

Stringer next to him was about to look sullen, but suddenly realized that the group's situation had not yet been disclosed to the public. He forced a smile and said: "We can't match the rapid development of these companies."

"Yes, Yike is developing very fast, and Mr. Fang's companies are also developing very fast." Summers said with a smile, "I have read Mr. Fang's investigation report, and Mr. Fang also voted on Twitter? Bingxin is now It is the third largest foundry company in the world.”

"I invested too much, otherwise how would I make money." Fang Zhuoxian said this, and then added, "I am also surprised that Ice Core ranked third. The scale of this track itself is not that big."

There must be a benchmark for comparison of scale. Compared with consumer electronics, the foundry track is indeed not large enough.

"But it is very critical. It is the core position in the semiconductor industry and can drive the development of upstream and downstream." Summers said calmly, "Mr. Fang, ice cores are very valued in China, right?"

"Of course I am taken seriously, otherwise, how would I make money and get policies?" Fang Zhuo said naturally.

Stringer next to him suddenly felt some flashes of swords and was considering whether to give up space and let the two of them talk alone.

"Just like Sony is valued in Japan, as long as it can make money and promote development, it should be taken seriously. I still want to build a factory in the United States, but you don't give me support. In the end, I can only go to Germany to build a factory. ." Fang Zhuo complained, "They are all engaged in global division of labor, and Germany supports the manufacturing industry more."

Summers took a sip of red wine and said, "The roles under the global division of labor are different."

"I am firmly optimistic about globalization, and the division of labor in the industrial chain is also the market's choice." Fang Zhuo said, "Yike is a company listed here, and Bingxin is a company that is about to go public. We just want to make money. As for Like SIA, I analyze it from my own standpoint."

He suddenly asked in hindsight: "You just said it was an investigation into me? Didn't you mean the SIA report?"

Summers shrugged: "Isn't it normal for there to be an investigation against you?"

"What was found?" Fang Zhuo asked directly.

"It stopped after checking the MIGA fund." Summers gave the answer without hesitation.

Stringer felt that he was really going to leave. The two seemed to be in a group.

"Ice cores will be mass-produced at 32nm this year, which is a signal of industrial upgrading." Summers still talked about ice cores, "This will give many reasons for criticism."

Fang Zhuo said with a smile: "Industrial upgrading is not that easy. I must say that this is the global division of labor. Qualcomm alone has more revenue than Taipei. Ice core, which is rooted in the global division of labor, is just one part of it." , since it can rely on the global division of labor to succeed, it is naturally also deeply restricted by the global division of labor."

Summers nodded slightly, the ice core was indeed easily restricted.

As the saying goes, people are divided into groups. Fang Zhuo does not make friends casually. Generally speaking, he recognizes globalization and economic and trade development. For example, Mitt Romney from the Republican side has been considered a moderate in the Republican Party in the past. Many conservatives They all believe that his external toughness is far from meeting their requirements, but they still want to be tough on the first day he takes office. It is difficult to be friends with someone based on his camp and votes.

"Don't worry, Mr. Fang. I'm just chatting casually. I'm just studying at Harvard right now." Summers said with a smile.

"I know this is the professor's reminder to me." Fang Zhuo thanked, "But it's because I'm working in the global market that I have a deeper understanding that globalization is beneficial to everyone. How to use globalization to make money, how to communicate with everyone Making money together, that’s what I’m personally interested in.”

Summers raised the wine glass, and Mr. Fang had a very clear understanding of himself, and his ability to make money was indeed amazing.

He smiled and said: "Geithner's term is coming to an end. The outside world says that a good CEO of a large company is more suitable to take over his position. Only in this way can he have profound insights into creating jobs and promoting economic growth. I think Mr. Fang agrees." suitable."

Fang Zhuo laughed and pointed at Stringer next to him: "I think Stringer is more suitable."

Summers raised his glass and signaled to Stringer.

He added: "Jacob will fly to New York on Monday, and we will have dinner together then."

Jacobs now serves in the Office of Management and Budget at White House.

Fang Zhuo was moved in his heart. He had just mentioned Geithner's term. Could this person be their internal favorite to succeed him? If Jacob remembered correctly, he also had rich political experience.

He smiled: "No problem."

There must be continuity in policies, and there must be continuity in friendships. If you don't make friends yourself, Harvard teachers will introduce you to them.

Fang Zhuo mentioned the ice core thing again at this time: "Having said that, I plan to put the ice core on the market next year. The research report released by SIA at this time will undoubtedly amplify some unnecessary risks. I want to set up a public affairs company to To resolve unnecessary troubles, does the professor have a suitable candidate?"

Summers was silent for a while and gave some advice: "Harvard's International Affairs Center can accept external funding. I can help with funding channels in this area. A single public affairs company is not suitable. It is difficult to gain trust in activities. Jacob's opinion can be sought on Monday."

Fang Zhuo nodded. The relationship between the two seemed to be very good.

"Where is Mr. Kong in Washington?" Summers mentioned the MIGA fund's gasoline hole at this time.

"Yes, he has some work that needs help." Fang Zhuo replied.

Summers said nothing.

Fang Zhuo glanced at Stringer and smiled at him.

Stringer knew that he was an eyesore at this time, so he left wisely.

"I heard that Mr. Kong is investigating Japanese companies?" Summers asked, and then asked, "Does it also include Sony?"

Fang Zhuo coughed and replied: "How could it be? He just got some abnormal data from the company. Now he is just looking at the situation and not sure what to do."

Summers mused: "Sony's situation doesn't seem to be very good."

Fang Zhuo was a little surprised and said, "You still follow Sony?"

"My students will do some case studies. Sony's financial report last year was not clear enough." Summers replied.

Fang Zhuo sighed: "I have talked with Stringer about the development of Sony. This year has been greatly affected by natural disasters, and his reforms at Sony have been greatly affected. It is so regrettable."

Summers changed a glass of red wine and said: "Mr. Fang, there is a global division of labor and everyone performs his or her own duties. We all need to be measured and treat various situations objectively. Like a fund, the meaning of its existence is to do what needs to be done. Work."

You should be sorry, but you must do what you should do. Don't be merciful when it comes to making money.