Reinventing the Millennium

The Spring Festival in 2015 is on February 19. In previous years, less than a month before the Spring Festival, there has been a gradually relaxing New Year atmosphere in Yike, but this year is different.

First, the market is booming this year, and various products have continued to be astonishingly popular since their release. Second, there is a lingering shadow behind this popularity.

Others may not care about the company's future or its trends, but employees from top to bottom are very concerned about it.

As the president of the emerging industry business group EBG, Zhang Yaqin clearly felt this different atmosphere. He hurriedly flew back from Berlin to catch up with an offline meeting of the general office, and also caught up with colleagues who had been chatting in recent days. side topic.

What does Washington want?

What will be the direction of the company?

Whether it is the semiconductor industry seminar held by BIS or the closed-door meetings that Yike has participated in many times in Washington, more information has gradually leaked out of both.

According to Zhang Yaqin's feeling, the problem may be a bit serious.

On January 24, at nine o'clock in the morning, there was a general office meeting.

Zhang Yaqin heard the relevant situation described by Mr. Fang himself. The main theme was that the uncertainty in the global market was indeed increasing, and communication with Washington was still ongoing.

No one mentioned the cutting of ice cores at this meeting. This situation made Zhang Yaqin feel that it was quite subtle. It was not that he supported cutting, but that Mr. Fang's strongman style was quite obvious at this juncture.

There was another thing that surprised Zhang Yaqin. President Fang mentioned something at the end of the meeting. Executive Vice President Yu Hong would pay more attention to the development of EBG.

Zhang Yaqin worked mostly in Asia when he was at Microsoft. Although he had heard of Mr. Yu, he had never interacted with him. After joining Yike, he only had brief interactions at routine general office meetings.

Now……

Zhang Yaqin returned to his office after the meeting, thinking about the situation. This didn't look like a formal appointment. So... maybe it was a transition after the "King of America" ​​returned to China?

In the afternoon, he received a call from Mr. Yu, inviting him to meet and chat.

President Yu’s office is on the 26th floor. Compared to the CEO’s office on the 23rd floor, which impressed everyone, her office is much more normal. There are no fingerprints, no face recognition, no machines...

Well, just as this thought flashed through Zhang Yaqin's mind, he saw a small robot covered behind the desk.

"This is a gift they gave me when I left the Silicon Valley R\u0026D Center last month." Yu Hong keenly noticed Mr. Zhang's eyes and said with a smile, "I often don't understand what some people want to develop. Therefore, it is important to transform certain discursive and seemingly boundless technologies into more commercial ones.”

Zhang Yaqin nodded sincerely. This is precisely the purpose of EBG's establishment, technology transformation and market expansion.

"Mr. Fang once mentioned several future development directions. In the past few years, in addition to working on the Yike market in the United States, I have also been observing technology companies' judgments on cutting-edge directions."

“Last year, Google spent US$650 million to acquire the British machine learning company DeepMind, which was only established for more than three years.”

“Last year, in addition to internal research and development, Microsoft also increased its external investment in artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as Bonsai.”

"If the world's largest technology companies can reach a consensus, then the future is likely to be artificial intelligence and machine learning."

Yu Hong didn't say any pleasantries. She put one hand on the robot's head and described the changes she felt.

"Well, I still admire Google." Zhang Yaqin nodded in agreement with Mr. Yu's judgment, organized his words slightly, and said, "Google bought an advertising technology company like DoubleClick in 2007, a mobile company like Motorola in 2010, and DeepMind in 2014. This kind of artificial intelligence company has evolved at a very high level in recent years. I think Mr. Yu feels right that everyone is exploring and paying attention to a future that may not be so clear yet.”

"So, Mr. Zhang, do you think that part of the development based on machine learning will fall on trams?" Yu Hong said with a smile.

"No matter when artificial intelligence and machine learning arrive, they will inevitably set off an industrial revolution that may not be inferior to the Internet." Zhang Yaqin said, "It can expand too many areas. I just think that a huge automobile industry will have A relatively bright future, Mr. Yu, have you ever seen Tesla in the United States? It even started to make profits last year, oh no, the year before last.”

Tesla announced its first profit in May 2013. Its stock price rose by 80% within a month, and its market value exceeded US$10 billion.

Yu Hong nodded. She had not visited Tesla specifically because of its different business fields, but many employees in New York and Silicon Valley had bought its electric sports car Model S.

"I think the automotive industry is a coexistence of old and new, and can be innovated. It is a relatively certain direction that suits our company. However, areas such as the company's cooperation with Nvidia and AMD are also good explorations. Well, I don't know if Fang is always the same. This cooperation is purely out of consideration for the ice core business, but I think there is an opportunity to have a chemical reaction with artificial intelligence," Zhang Yaqin said.

Just as he was about to drink water, he added: "Just like Bingxin is empowered by 1ars 8.8 and AMD products, artificial intelligence can obviously also empower many fields."

After drinking two sips of water, Zhang Yaqin said with some regret: "It's a pity that Mr. Fang doesn't seem to agree with my idea about electric cars."

"Mr. Fang just needs to face the current challenges. If he has to confirm everything, what is the general office for? What are we for?" Yu Hong said with a smile.

"I am afraid that I will miss the opportunity if I start late. I didn't expect Tesla to make a profit so quickly. Although it still faces many problems now, it may not be too far away from greater success." Zhang Yaqin said his feelings.

Because he was considering the foothold of Yike's research and development, he went to the United States to visit Tesla and found that the development was much faster than he imagined.

"The challenges facing Yike are also objective and realistic. One of the important reasons for my return from New York this time is to provide more support for your EBG." Yu Hong did not put on the high profile of her executive vice president, and said very plainly, "Anyway, I actually quite agree with your idea of ​​project establishment."

"First establish an overall project, and then around such a goal, the scattered technologies can be tightened one by one. Otherwise, what progress can be made by empty slogans of 'technology transformation'?"

Zhang Yaqin gradually became a little excited as he spoke and received the approval of President Yu.

The situation seemed to be a little different from what he had imagined before. If President Yu did not return to China for transition, then...such a powerful person in Yike would definitely bring strong support to EBG.

At the very least, the two project establishment applications he applied for were not approved, and President Yu would definitely be able to promote this progress!

"Yes, yes, from the establishment of EBG to now, although I am not in a hurry, I have indeed only done some piecemeal work." Zhang Yaqin stated, "EBG can only make greater contributions. President Yu, I will write a detailed report to you in the next two days. Many of Yike's R\u0026D can be concentrated on the tram project."

Yu Hong nodded and agreed.

She could naturally see what the new business group EBG needed, and as the executive vice president, she did not intend to reach out to grab the work that her subordinates had done.

Whether it was internal R\u0026D or the actions of other external companies, Yu Hong felt that President Fang's direction was relatively conservative, but this conservatism was understandable. From another perspective, it was "stable".

"Yike has the capital to bear certain losses. This is my idea. However, President Zhang, even if the internal project is established, we are not going to do it on a large scale. Technology transformation is technology transformation. It takes more and more verification to really push it to the market." Yu Hong said so.

Zhang Yaqin nodded repeatedly, and he continued to talk about his thoughts in this regard, mainly the comparison of Yike's choice of technology research and development carriers.

Finally, when the secretary mentioned the new meeting in the afternoon, Zhang Yaqin, who was about to finish the communication with the executive vice president, could not help but ask a question about challenges.

"Mr. Yu, did Washington really force us to end our cooperation with Bingxin?"

This is a recent gossip that has put the market in a wait-and-see situation.

Zhang Yaqin knew that Mr. Yu had previously attended a meeting in Washington, and the information from her party must be the most accurate.

"It is considered an implicit coercion." Yu Hong said thoughtfully, "But don't worry too much. The global market is certainly facing uncertainty, but this market is not integrated. We have also done a lot of work in Europe, which can be regarded as strategic space. The pain will definitely hurt. Well, I think it is still tolerable. Let's see the changes."

Zhang Yaqin asked again: "Does Washington give a deadline? How long will it take to take action?"

Yu Hong shook her head: "That must depend on them, Mr. Zhang, you don't have to worry too much. Well, so far, Bingxin is indeed our only supplier, but there is also room for other things."

Zhang Yaqin asked again, but he didn't get an answer.

However, when he walked out of the office, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration. I don't know what happened to SMIC, and maybe they can come in and operate together.

It didn't take long for Fang Zhuo to see the communication between Yike's executive vice president and EBG's president.

Yu Hong brought the work to Su Wei's home when she met her mother and son.

"Start the project now? Don't worry, we can discuss it more internally. I don't have to oppose it, nor am I afraid of unfamiliar fields." Fang Zhuo was a little surprised at the efficiency of Yu Yu's communication.

"The overall project establishment is a way of argumentation. Only by focusing on a clear goal can we know what we can do, what the future will be like, and where the problems are." Yu Hong held Fang Xiaoman's tender little hand and said seriously, "Otherwise, you might as well cancel the EBG business group."

Fang Zhuo nodded and said, "Okay, you notify Zhang Yaqin that EBG has been cancelled."

Yu Hong didn't buy it, and directly took out her mobile phone to send a voice message to Zhang Yaqin, who had been looking forward to it for the past two days, and conveyed the boss's order.

"Hey, you..." Fang Zhuo shook his head, "You should withdraw it. What will Zhang Yaqin think if he sees it?"

Yu Hong glanced at the boss: "Then call him over? Tell him in person to cancel the emerging industry business group?"

"Don't you think it's a very disturbing decision that you quickly gave support after only two days of contact?" Fang Zhuo became more serious.

"I just think this proves that the correctness of Zhang Yaqin's opinion is quite convincing. Even if the company faces challenges in the global market, I think such a new direction is worth paying attention to." Yu Hong argued.

Fang Zhuo frowned.

Just then, Yu Hong's phone rang, and the president of EBG quickly sent several messages.

Zhang Yaqin: Huh?

Zhang Yaqin: Mr. Yu, what do you mean?

Zhang Yaqin: Mr. Yu, EBG is going to be reorganized? The tram project has been approved?

After a moment, Zhang Yaqin, who was thinking about the tone and felt that it was wrong, sent a "Hippo puzzled" expression. No, Mr. Yu, are you really here to support our EBG? Why do you just destroy the entire business group? If it really doesn't work, our EBG is not that anxious...

Yu Hong directly threw the phone to Mr. Fang.

Fang Zhuo glanced at it and spread his hands helplessly: "Do you want me to let you approve the project today?"

"I think that you have a pre-determined decision in your mind, so it is difficult to accept the current reasonable and well-founded changes. I am not asking you to approve the project today. I just want to say that you can seriously consider whether to give EBG more support in the near future." Yu Hong slowed down her tone.

Fang Zhuo turned his head and looked at Su Wei, who was holding a mobile phone next to him with a smile, and sighed: "This really can't be posted. If you post this, maybe tomorrow many companies' stock prices will rise. Yi Ke's executive vice president actively supports the establishment of the tram project. This is so good news."

Yu Hong also said: "Don't post it, Weiwei, don't post it."

Su Wei put away her mobile phone and smiled: "No, I'm just recording it. I'll check Yi Ke's decision later to verify whether it's right or wrong."

Yu Hong is more serious about work: "I don't want to argue with him about right or wrong, but I think EBG deserves more support."

"Okay, President Yu returns to China and easily transfers EBG to your own camp." Su Wei said with a smile, "The American king is still powerful."

Yu Hong exhaled, and out of helplessness, she reached out and hugged Fang Xiaoman: "One is stubborn, the other is heartbreaking. Your Xiaoman is in my hands. Think about it carefully."

The mobile phone on the table vibrates.

Fang Zhuo took the phone and looked at the information. Well, Qualcomm sued Intel, which had just launched a new baseband chip, and the latter quickly filed a counter-suit.

Intel, which chose baseband chips to revive its mobile strategy, and the new Qualcomm, which has been in turmoil recently, has also started to fight.

He read out this new development.

"Qualcomm is helpless. Whether it is Intel or Yike, they are using marginal businesses to exchange for its important businesses. It has to sue." Yu Hong commented calmly, "But it still sued at this time. I'm afraid this final trial is really different."

The final trial of Qualcomm by the Supreme Court of the United States is imminent, which is likely to change the fate of Qualcomm, and will also set a benchmark for subsequent similar patent disputes.