Horrible! Actually playing this kind of game!

Chapter 479 383 Take care of yourself! ! !

Qing Zhiyuan asked Satoru Iwata to come to the company to manage the company. The future CEO will not completely delegate power. After that, he will still retain the position of chairman and also be the company's top decision-maker.

As the company's daily manager, Satoru Iwata is the company's decision-maker and executor, equivalent to the general manager.

One is the chairman and the other is the general manager.

In this way, Qing Zhiyuan can be freed from the tedious affairs and daily management and handed over to Satoru Iwata. He will focus on the general direction of the company, the formulation of grand strategies and the operation of important projects.

Qing Zhiyuan believes that their future cooperation will be very pleasant.

…

In May 1998, a month after Qing Zhiyuan invited Satoru Iwata to dinner, Neon still could not get over the haze of the Asian financial crisis.

The Japanese yen has depreciated significantly and has exceeded the 130-point mark, causing countless people to lament in their hearts.

This means that the wealth of many people, especially companies engaged in import and export business, as well as real enterprises, has shrunk significantly.

Several leaders in the neon game industry have plans to retire amidst the turmoil, and the successor is undecided, becoming the most worrying time bomb for countless people.

It is impossible to say whether it is a time bomb. Whether the company's future direction will become worse or better is still unknown.

It can only be said that whether it is Rentendo, Sega or Sony, there is huge uncertainty before the successor is finalized. The future is a blind box, and you never know what will be released next.

The first to announce the answer was Sony Group.

What no one expected was——

Before President Norio Ohga retired, he made a very bold but courageous decision. He directly bypassed the 14 senior directors and appointed Nobuyuki Idei as the new president of Sony from the last managing director.

President Norio Ohga will retain the position of chairman and then hand over the CEO position to Nobuyuki Idei.

Although he still retains the position of chairman and can exercise the highest decision-making power and personnel appointment and dismissal power, if there is no particularly big controversy or a decision beyond Nobuyuki Idei's ability, there is a high probability that Norio Ohga will become a hands-off boss and transfer the power of the company to Leave it to Nobuyuki Idei.

However, this is the case for the board of directors. Although Nobuyuki Idei is the CEO and the CEO, the most important word among this CEO is the word "execution".

When making decisions, Dei Nobuyuki is basically not hindered by any obstacles, but when encountering major issues, decisions must be made through board meetings.

For example, in his previous life, Nobuyuki Dei also served as CEO of Sony Group after Norio Ohga. He once proposed a crazy idea——

Acquired Apple in the United States.

At that time, Apple had not yet developed and grown. The reason why Idei acquired Apple was very simple. In his opinion, Apple had the potential to make electronic products. If he acquired it, he might be able to launch the next generation of digital electronic devices.

Idei was optimistic about the broad prospects of combining Apple's PC technology patents with Sony's hardware, so he proposed to acquire Apple, which was still in trouble and whose market value had plummeted.

Just because the idea was too avant-garde and Idei's foundation was unstable, the acquisition proposal was quickly rejected.

It can be seen from this incident that although Nobuyuki Idei is the CEO of Sony, his power is not as great as that of Hiroshi Rentendo Yamauchi, even if he wants to make reforms and mergers and acquisitions...

Many large-scale decisions still have to be made by the board of directors, so no matter how forward-looking and creative the proposals put forward by Nobuyuki Idei were in the future, they could only be rejected if they were not passed by the board of directors.

If the acquisition had been approved that year, maybe the future Sony and the future Apple would be another story.

…

In his previous life, Nobuyuki Dei was appointed earlier and became CEO in 1995.

In this life, Norio Ohga was in good physical and mental condition, and he did not let go until he was 68 years old this year.

However, the letting go was not that thorough. It just handed over the permanent management rights to the new CEO Nobuyuki Idei, while he retained the position of chairman.

There are several considerations for doing this.

The first is that Nobuyuki Idei's foundation is not stable enough. Being directly promoted from the last director to the group CEO will definitely be controversial. Mickey Schulhoff, the president of North America, will definitely be the first to be dissatisfied.

In order to calm the situation and allow Nobuyuki Dei to take over smoothly and spend the initial period, Norio Ohga must continue to serve as chairman. He will not transfer the position of chairman to Nobuyuki Dei until Nobuyuki Dei can fully control the situation. Get out of the well.

The second reason is also because Idei's foundation is unstable and has been highly controversial, so Norio Ohga's retention as chairman is also a matter of wait and see. If Nobuyuki Dei fails to lead Sony to a better place and his ability is not enough to convince the public, he will become As the new leader of Sony, Norio Ohga will exercise his power of personnel appointment and removal and promote a new CEO.

…

In short, in May, Norio Ohga made this difficult decision.

During the reporter's interview,

Mr. Norio Ohga explained it this way,

The president of Sony must be a "person who understands technology." At the same time, since Sony owns the world's largest movie company and music company, he must also be a "person who understands software."

The only one who meets these two conditions is the well.

But in fact, the situation of Dei, who took over Sony at this time, was not ideal, and could even be described as internal and external troubles.

Due to Sony's expansion in recent years, it has spent a huge amount of money on mergers and acquisitions and acquired many companies. At the same time, its expenditures in various aspects are also increasing.

So despite Sony’s very high financial reports every year, it made almost 20 billion U.S. dollars last year.

In fact, Sony's debt level is already quite terrifying, reaching an astonishing 1.8 trillion yen, which is equivalent to wiping out all income, and the company still has US$14 billion in debt to repay.

There are also constant conflicts within the company. Factional struggles within Sony are very fierce, no less than that of Sega. Each department works independently. Those who are engaged in games, music, and film and television do not care about other departments. Life and death, I just hope that I can develop better. The company's resource allocation itself is limited. Under the competition, it will inevitably lead to infighting within the department.

There are also many conflicts between Sony Neon and Sony Beomi.

The current president of North America, Mickey Schulhoff, is a good friend of Akio Morita. In other words, he is older than Nobuyuki Idei in terms of seniority. There are many such board members within the company.

When Norio Ohga was in power, it was difficult to suppress Schulhoff, let alone Nobuyuki Dei?

Therefore, Nobuyuki Idei was appointed as the company's CEO at this time. On the surface, it seemed very glorious. After all, Sony is an international group and one of the world's top companies. Being able to be the helmsman of such a company is what many people dream of.

However, given the current situation of Sony, Nobuyuki Idei can only say that he is trying to survive in the cracks.

It’s a mixed blessing.

…

When Sony announced that Nobuyuki Dei would succeed Norio Ohga as its new CEO, Sony's stock price plummeted.

Countless people outside are not optimistic about this guy.

Nobuyuki Idei has no advantage in terms of age. He is now 61 years old. Norio Ohga was ridiculed because he found a guy similar to himself.

Moreover, Nobuyuki Idei's qualifications are not convincing either. Although he has worked at Sony for 38 years, he was only at the bottom of the company.

The outside world is actually full of huge doubts about whether such an elderly leader will be able to cope with Sony's future challenges.

However, looking at it from another perspective——

Now that Sony has a new CEO, the succession crisis has finally come to an end.

Let's not talk about whether this newcomer has talent or not. At least the Sony Group now has a new leader, so all the manufacturers in the industry that deal with Sony are relieved.

Once you have a goal and a person to talk to, it's easy to talk to anyone. At least you have someone to talk to, and you can learn how to better cooperate and compete with Sony in the future during the process of dealing with it.

It won't hit you everywhere like a headless fly.

So before that, no matter how many people disliked Nobuyuki Idei and didn't like him, now they all came to visit him with gifts, treated him to dinner, and wanted to continue discussing future cooperation matters with him.

Competitors have also begun to analyze the new CEO's preferences and abilities and make better responses.

…

Now, only Sega and Renten are left up in the air.

However, the rumors that Nakayama Hayao and Yamauchi Hiroshi will retire have not diminished at all.

Given their age and physical condition, countless people are worried about the future of both companies.

…

At the same time, in the president's office of Ren Tiantang.

Satoru Iwata, president of HAL Research Institute from Tokyo, is sitting in front of Hiroshi Yamauchi.

Today, Yamauchi seemed extremely happy about the arrival of this young man.

During this period of time, he was not only tortured by the affairs of Rentian Tiantang, but also worried about his future successor.

After meeting Satoru Iwata, Hiroshi Yamauchi could finally relax a little, change his mind, and stop thinking so much about the future.

The two chatted for a while.

Yamauchi Pu said a little confused, "Why did you want to come here today? I haven't seen you come to my place before."

Iwata Satoru stiffened, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and stood up.

Yamauchi Pu looked at him in surprise.

At this time, the expression on Satoru Iwata's face became extremely serious, as if something terrible was brewing.

Yamauchi Pu's heart skipped a beat for no reason.

He seemed to have seen similar expressions before, the last time was when Gunpei Yokoi resigned.

It is an expression of reluctance and determination.

"Iwata you..."

"President Yamauchi, I am actually here to say goodbye to you."

"Huh?" Yamauchi Pu opened his mouth, a little surprised.

"Maybe it can't be called farewell in the precise sense, but..."

Iwata had already made his decision, but when it came time to speak out, he realized that the lines he had already thought about were now completely blank.

Sometimes people will become agitated and incoherent when it comes to really important things, no matter how well prepared they are.

Only then did he realize that all those efforts were useless.

All the lines are high-sounding excuses. Even if they are used to comfort people, they cannot be made up at this time.

So Satoru Iwata could only go all out and tell the truth.

"Actually, I have resigned from the HAL Institute."

"ha?!"

Yamauchi was shocked, he did not expect such a thing to happen.

"Why so sudden?"

"Well, it may be quite sudden for you. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you before." Satoru Iwata bowed to Hiroshi Yamauchi and apologized, "But this is a decision I made after a month of careful consideration. .”

What qualifications do I have to ask President Yamauchi to advise me? This kind of thing, Qing Zhiyuan's invitation to me, I will be scolded by President Yamauchi just for opening my mouth, right?

And no matter how close the relationship between Rentian Tiantang and HAL Research Institute is, they are still two different companies.

So Satoru Iwata could only make his own decision.

Because no matter what, as long as he talks to Hiroshi Yamauchi, he will definitely want him to stay.

But what reason did President Yamauchi give for letting him stay?

Iwata felt that he should not throw the problem to President Yamauchi. This was his own problem and his life.

You need to take charge of your own life.

So after careful consideration, Iwata came to Kyoto alone.

Just like when he came here to ask President Yamauchi to help HAL get through the difficulties.

Only this time, when he saw President Yamauchi again, he found that the old man was much older and more haggard than he had imagined.

Even during the chat, Hiroshi Yamauchi cheered up and pretended to be fine, but Satoru Iwata could still feel the fatigue in his eyes.

We shouldn't have caused any more trouble to Rentian, especially at this time.

However, there are people who Iwata must respond to.

On the other side, there is a young and handsome man, waiting for his answer.

Deep down, he seems to identify more with the creative and passionate Qing Zhiyuan.

Perhaps the appearance of Qing Zhiyuan itself was the answer he wanted.

That's all.

…

In this life, the relationship between Hiroshi Yamauchi and Satoru Iwata is no longer as deep as in the previous life.

In his previous life, Satoru Iwata had been involved in the production of Rentendo since 1995. Although he was not an employee of Rentendo, he was still considered to be one. He was most deeply involved in "Pokémon Gold and Silver"

However, this game is no longer in Ren Tiantang's hands now.

Naturally, Satoru Iwata had no reason to participate in the development. During these years, he was in Tokyo and Hiroshi Yamauchi was in Kyoto. There was not much interaction between them.

The butterfly fluttered its wings and caused a tsunami.

This is a series of chain effects, and this chain effect was brought about by Qing Zhiyuan.

…

"Yes."

Satoru Iwata choked up and said, "It's a very difficult decision for me to make, but I have already thought about it. I may no longer be able to cooperate with you as the president of HAL Research Institute in the future."

Iwata himself couldn't explain why his voice trembled when he spoke.

As soon as I opened my mouth, I felt the urge to cry.

Maybe it's because it's too hard to talk about it. Facing someone who has been kind to me, to terminate cooperation and become his competitor from now on, just thinking about it makes me feel a little unbearable.

The person who turned him from a small employee at the HAL Research Institute into the president was Yamauchi.

On the other hand, it may be because he feels that Qing Zhiyuan cannot be let down. If he misses this time, he may never meet another Qing Zhi who understands and trusts him so much and is willing to give him a bigger stage and opportunity. source.

Just thinking about this expectation made his heart tremble.

Iwata's fingers were touching the seams of his pants, shaking.

My heart was shaken badly.

But the reason for the wavering was precisely because he had already made a decision.

Before coming here, Satoru Iwata had already cut off his own escape route.

Not only did he resign as president of the HAL Research Institute, he actually signed a contract with pokeni.

Qing Zhiyuan also generously and quickly issued an offer to him, just waiting for him to join the job.

This is already an unchangeable fact.

The reason why I am standing here today is because Satoru Iwata feels that no matter what, I should say something to President Yamauchi. Whether it is saying goodbye or making an explanation, I must come and make it clear in person.

…

President Yamauchi's eyes were confused, and it took him a long time to react.

His dull eyes moved, as if he couldn't believe what Satoru Iwata said just now.

But when he looked at Satoru Iwata, he already had the answer in his heart.

This guy is not here to ask for his advice or opinions, nor is he here to ask for his stay. This guy Iwata is here to say goodbye.

Inform him that he has left.

That's all.

Hiss...

President Yamauchi took a deep breath and let it out again.

A smile appeared on his face, "So, have you found a good place to go? Where are you going?"

"That..." Satoru Iwata opened his mouth, hesitating a little.

"Sony?" Hiroshi Yamauchi asked with a smile, "If you go to Sony, I want to bless you. Judging from the current situation, the future should belong to Sony."

Iwata Satoru still didn't speak.

Yamauchi Pu was stunned.

It took him two seconds to react like he was waking up from a dream.

"Pokeni!!!"

"Damn it!"

Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was originally very calm, suddenly became violent. He stood up and clenched his fists. He didn't even look at Satoru Iwata. He just walked to the window and looked at the sunset outside the window uncomfortably.

"Why pokeni?!"

Any company is better than pokeni and more acceptable to him!

But why pokeni? !

Damn Qing Zhiyuan!

How did he get the idea to find Iwata?

Obviously this guy Iwata is not from Rentendo.

But...although Iwata was not from Rentendo, he dealt the biggest blow to Yamauchi.

At this moment, his brain buzzed, and he felt that the world was dark.

The whole world was spinning and dim.

Yamauchi staggered and almost fell to the ground.

"President Yamauchi..."

Fortunately, Satoru Iwata reacted quickly enough and helped him immediately.

…

Yamauchi recovered a little from his dizziness, pushed Iwata's hand away, and then sat on his leather chair.

"Go away, you don't have to come back again."

Hiroshi Yamauchi held his forehead with his hand and felt his temples beating violently.

The heartbeat is also amplified.

Boom boom. Boom boom.

"President Yamauchi."

Iwata took a step back, took a deep breath, and looked at the furious old man in front of him.

Although he was scolded by Yamauchi, Iwata didn't have any anger in his heart.

On the contrary, he felt that the Yamauchi Hiroshi in front of him was a little pitiful.

"President Yamauchi, maybe going to Pokeni is not a bad thing for me and Rentendo."

Satoru Iwata hesitated to speak, and his subsequent words were not too straightforward.

But the meaning has actually been conveyed in place.

In the business world, where are there eternal enemies? What if? When Rententian collaborates with pokeni in the future, he may be the most important link.

Yamauchi didn't respond and just waved his hand.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Satoru Iwata swallowed, picked up his briefcase, turned around and walked towards the door.

…

Um?

Yamauchi raised his head suddenly.

Looking at Satoru Iwata's leaving figure, there was a moment when Hiroshi Yamauchi wanted to reach out and call him.

Leave this guy alone.

Perhaps the position of president can also be given to him.

but……

In the end, Yamauchi's fingers only trembled slightly and did not take any action.

Perhaps deep down in his heart, there was still a trace of concern that prevented him from making that impulsive decision.