Reinventing the Millennium

Fang Zhuo stayed in Houston for two days and expressed full trust in the management headed by Qiu Ciyun. He also comforted the equipment manufacturer who was suddenly kicked off the purchase list this time.

Bingxin had negotiated purchases with many manufacturers before it was approved, and now it suddenly broke the deal, which inevitably makes people feel resentful.

Although there are unavoidable factors, Fang Zhuo still wants to be friends with these equipment manufacturers. There is definitely more than one production line for ice core. Sooner or later, we will have to continue to deal with them. It is better to maintain it early than to bother later.

In this way, at the end of the month on the 29th, Fang Zhuo, who had always been in a happy mood, arrived in New York.

"Mr. Fang, you are in such a good mood, you can't even hide the smile on your face."

It was the first time that Yu Hong saw his boss in this state. It was completely different from before he went to Washington.

"Really?" Fang Zhuo touched his cheek and said with a smile, "It's not that exaggerated."

"Yes." Yu Hong looked at the boss's profile carefully for confirmation. She could clearly see the smile on the corner of her lips, and said seriously, "It's been like this since the first time you came to the company, and it hasn't stopped."

She recalled it and said a little shocked: "How much sense of accomplishment did Bingxin bring you? I didn't see you smiling like this when I won Sina, and I didn't see you smiling like this when Yike went public."

Fang Zhuo is happy, simply happy, but how can he be partial in front of Yike's market boss.

He immediately said seriously: "Yike will always be number one in my heart."

Yu Hong glanced at it and asked, "Aren't you afraid that Bing Xin will misunderstand you when you talk like this?"

"No, Bing Xin knows how good I am to it." Fang Zhuo smiled slightly.

Yu Hong: "..."

"Oh yes, have you watched "Spider-Man 2" which was released last month?" Fang Zhuo remembered something.

"I saw it, it's not bad, the box office is very good, and Stringer has another great achievement." Yu Hong mused, "Now I really believe more and more that he has a chance."

"Spider-Man 2", which was released last month, took in a box office of US$370 million in North America, becoming an impressive achievement for Sony Entertainment amid the current group's decline.

If you include other markets around the world where the release has been delayed, the film is likely to exceed US$600 million or even US$700 million.

Sony's electronic products business is struggling, but film and television entertainment is making frequent moves. This is definitely a very important bargaining chip when the shareholders' meeting is held next year.

"It's not just an opportunity, Stringer is already on his way to the throne of Sony Group." Fang Zhuo said casually, "I called him when I arrived in New York yesterday. After all, he is also a foreign director of Sony Music, so we had a chat by the way."

Yu Hong said curiously: "Is there any movement in Sony Group?"

"Nobuyuki Dei himself said that if his performance does not meet the standards, he can step down. As of now, he has definitely not been able to meet the standards." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Such a large group must not allow this person to step down hastily. Let's start selecting people now. .”

"Sony's outside directors made formal requests earlier this month to give Stringer further control of his power."

Fang Zhuo paused and then said, "Guess what?"

Yu Hong did not guess and made the boss a cup of tea with her own hands.

For the sake of the tea fragrance, Fang Zhuo continued: "The release of this movie was like a catalyst. The timing of the foreign directors' proposal was well grasped. The local faction also felt that the group could not continue like this, so , agreed to this request."

"Huh? Stringer is going to be the chairman of the board now?" Yu Hong was stunned. This was easier than she thought.

Fang Zhuo talked about the first-hand information he got from the people involved. He shook his head and smiled: "No, the local faction requires that the group be co-managed by Nobuyuki Dei and Stringer."

Yu Hong: "..."

Fang Zhuo was made to laugh when he saw Director Xiao Yu's stunned expression.

He was equally surprised when he heard Stringer talking about this on the phone yesterday. The fact that such a proposal came out was enough to prove how confusing the strategic thinking within the Sony Group was.

As of today, Sony has lost nearly 70% of its stock price over the past five years.

The bigger trouble is that its proud electronics business unit seems to be becoming a burden. The electronics business in the half-year financial report still contributed 70% of revenue, but the profit it can provide has dropped to 36%.

Fang Zhuo said lightly: "Sony's TVs and DVD players are facing fierce competition from Samsung and Panasonic, and Sony's music players are facing strong challenges from us and Apple."

His face became a little more serious and he added: "In particular, Samsung now owns the world's largest LCD panel factory, which can further reduce the cost of its TVs."

"It just so happens that Stringer's music, film and television entertainment business is doing well in the United States, which is really wonderful."

"Last year, Sony Music laid off employees, and our Yike provided part of the online profits, so it turned a profit."

"This year's "Spider-Man 2" was a hit at the box office. I estimate that the profit ratio that the film department can provide to Sony Group is definitely not low."

"If I were from Sony, I would have to seriously consider whether to ask Mr. Stringer, who has made outstanding contributions, to turn decay into magic for the group."

Yu Hong coughed and reminded: "Mr. Fang, don't be so arrogant. You are now a foreign director of Sony Music. Strictly speaking, you are considered a Sony employee."

"Yes, yes," Fang Zhuo said seriously, "Soni Xing, King Lao Si."

"Stringer talked to you so much yesterday?" Yu Hong wondered.

"We at Yike are one of the major reasons why Sony Music has turned a profit. Old Si and I are partners who need to deepen our cooperation together. He single-handedly recommended me to join the board of directors of Sony Music." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "The more stringent He said, I am from Sony, but I am even more from Lao Si."

"Given this relationship, I gave a piece of advice on the phone yesterday."

Fang Zhuo said seriously: "Resolutely reject the proposal of the foreign directors and do not want to take further power."

Yu Hong understood that it was time to retreat in order to advance.

She thought for a few seconds and heard the underlying meaning: "Is Stringer tempted by the local faction's proposal? Is he willing to co-lead the Sony Group with Nobuyuki Idei?"

Yu Hong wanted to give an evaluation of "a fan of the authorities", but then she thought about it and didn't say it out loud.

That's the Sony Group, a giant that has never had a foreign chairman.

Now that there is an opportunity right in front of him, it is normal for Stringer to be tempted.

She thought for a moment and asked, "What was his reaction to your suggestion?"

"I didn't say anything, but we made an appointment to have afternoon tea." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "I plan to have a chat with him about making concessions and concessions."

Yu Hong asked: "What if the Sony Group doesn't have to rely on him and looks for someone else? I remember you told me last time that there are very good talents within the local faction, and there is someone who you think is more suitable to take over at Sony now." selection."

Fang Zhuo shrugged: "Just look for someone else. It's not like I missed this position."

"..." Yu Hong sighed, "Stringer took your advice into consideration... what a bad person!"

"The higher the risk, the greater the return. Sony is already in chaos. I think the opportunity is still great." Fang Zhuo did not agree with such slanderous comments and explained, "Sony in the United States will still make moves. Stringer can do it every time." Let the facts speak for once, and that will silence the localists more than anything else.”

Yu Hong looked at the ridicule on her boss's face and thought for a while, knowing what her boss was thinking: "Mr. Fang, you really don't like Stringer to lead Sony."

"As a friend, I am happy to see Stringer prove his ability." After Fang Zhuo said this, he stopped discussing with Director Xiao Yu. That was his own matter between him and Sony, and he could not let Yike's The marketing director heard the inside story again.

As for Laosi’s three concessions.

The first reason is naturally lack of ability to manage Sony together with Nobuyuki Idei.

The second reason is that he lacks confidence and cannot do things that Sony has not done as a foreigner.

In the end, it still depends on whether Sony Group is sincere and truly accepts American scientific modern management.

With all this, including coercion, inducement, and intertwining power, perhaps Sony will be able to welcome its first foreign chairman and, incidentally, reorganize the group's board of directors.

Fang Zhuo is very interested in communicating with Stringer in this regard, which can be regarded as a favor and a favor in return.

After several contacts, he has discovered that this British American has a disdain for Sony. This is not acceptable. If you want to realize your ambitions, you must understand the twists and turns in Japanese companies.

Fang Zhuo is not talented, but he knows a little bit, so he can be regarded as free help among friends.

Perhaps because of his sincerity, the afternoon tea went smoothly.

Judging from Fang Zhuo's observation, Stringer probably has firmed up his belief that he does not want co-governance but sole power.

In addition, another piece of gossip helped him make a further judgment.

Next year marks Sony's 60th anniversary, and there will be a large-scale celebration hosted by Sony's current chairman, Nobuyuki Idei.

According to the current situation, this person will inevitably step down.

If the board of directors breaks out in advance, Idei may not get the dignity he wants.

For a veteran employee who has been at Sony for more than 40 years, such an honor at the end of his career is something not to be missed.

Nobuyuki Idei himself is probably more receptive to changes in outside forces than anyone else and more appeasement-prone, as long as he can successfully end his duties.

Stringer, who was drinking afternoon tea, agreed with the judgment of the little friends from the East. He increasingly felt that it was a good thing to have such a young president with a keen sense of smell and strong business ability standing in the same trench.

Stringer already has increasingly clear plans for the future. He wants to build Sony Group into a media and entertainment giant and further promote its modern management.

"Fang, where do you think Sony's future lies?" Stringer raised a topic at the end of afternoon tea.

Fang Zhuo said from the bottom of his heart: "Electronic consumer products and film entertainment business."

Stringer asked again: "Who goes first and who comes last?"

"Hardware and software are the two wheels of the Sony Group, and they must run at the same time." Fang Zhuo smiled and quoted the words of Sony founder Akio Morita.

Stringer shook his head and said: "No, Fang, content will be king in the future."

Fang Zhuo glanced at the American president, who had a completely different temperament from Sony, and knew that what he was best at was in the field of content. It was right to start with the strategy he was good at, but...

The reason why Sony is Sony is because it is the Sony of technology first.

"Stringer, were you the number one at Sony?" Fang Zhuo shrugged without arguing and smiled, "When the time comes, I think you will have enough time and space to prove your point."

Stringer smiled without answering and ended the afternoon tea.

As a trivial matter, he once again expressed his attitude to his Eastern friends that the appointment of Sony Music Greater China could be suggested by this new external director.

Fang Zhuo also felt that this matter was not important, so he agreed and planned to talk about it when he had time.

Just as the external directors of Sony Music and the president of Sony America completed a pleasant meeting, Dangdang, which had received investment from Yike, finally decided to end its business after observing the competitive situation of domestic e-commerce.

Since the Internet Industry Development Conference in Lin'an ended, Amazon's acquisition of Joyo, eBay's large-scale entry into the Chinese market, and Taobao's financing of foreign funds have begun small-scale money-burning competition.

In such two months, there were a lot of overt and covert fights, but the scale of money burning was not large.

After observation and thinking, Dangdang, a mom-and-pop store, finally agreed with the investors’ judgment and felt that the department store channel suggested by Fang Zhuo was a good development direction, and Dangdang should also join the competition in this larger field.

For this reason, Li Guoqing made a special call to Fang Zhuo.

"Mr. Fang, we are going to open a department store."

Fang Zhuo had a jet lag in New York, so he received this call at night. He was surprised and did not hide it: "Let's do it. Didn't we not do it before? Mr. Li, you don't need to tell me this. Last time Mr. Yu was As I said, Dangdang does not need outsiders to interfere in your decision-making."

"Oh, Mr. Fang, you are our investor, but Lao Yu is a little impatient." Li Guoqing said calmly, "You should just tell me directly, she likes to claim the three-quarter acre of land. "

Fang Zhuo didn't hold on, he thought about it and gave some advice: "Mr. Li, Dangdang has started a little slowly. In this case, if you want to join the competition, you must have this momentum. Whether it is B2C or C2C, you must have Determination to spend money.”

Li Guoqing's chest clapped loudly: "Mr. Fang, I'm calling you today just to seek support. If we want to build a department store, we must be serious about it. It will cost money and we will vigorously expand."

"Okay, Mr. Li, you can do it with confidence, Yike Investment will definitely support it." Fang Zhuo was very happy. He estimated that the tens of millions of dollars invested in Dangdang earlier would not be enough, so Yike Investment would have to prepare the money.

Li Guoqing was also very happy. He felt relieved when he received the support of investors.

After the call ended, Li Guoqing turned around and discussed with his wife Yu Yu about investment in the department store competition.

"Fight, let's fight the two million guy first."

Li Guoqing suggested this.

Yu Yu also agreed.

That's decided.

Fight, Dang Dang, hit the one with 2 million!

Ah, keep coding.