Reinventing the Millennium

The inability of Ipod to be compatible with Microsoft systems is undoubtedly a decision-making mistake.

But who could firmly believe from the beginning that it would trigger the great development of digital music?

Who could have known from the beginning that this little digital product could achieve such great success?

Who knows the extent of its failure to support Microsoft at this moment?

It's like a good thing. Ordinary people know it's a good thing, but can they know how good it is?

Ten, ten!

Fang Zhuo pushed his own judgment at the meeting. The current situation of Ipod is a strategic mistake in Apple's product decision-making. It is bound to change, and this time may only be a few months.

If you change a company, it will take time to judge the market, time to build a product team, and time to go online for mass production. This series of time is enough for Apple to correct its decision, and then the competition will lose its advantage.

But……

What about the M1?

"I think we can try the U.S. market immediately."

Fang Zhuo came to this conclusion.

Although the atmosphere in the conference room has become much more relaxed, I am still a little uneasy when I hear such a clear direction of the company. This uneasiness is due to uneasiness about the size of competitors and uneasiness about unfamiliar markets.

What is the market like on the other side of the ocean? Can people there accept a product from a Chinese company?

"Look at the Ipod on the projector, Teacher Xu, do you think our M1 is worse than it?" Fang Zhuo named him.

If Xu Keden was still hesitant before, but after knowing that his opponent did not support Microsoft, he said confidently: "It's not bad, even better. Ours is lighter than theirs and supports more users. This is so critical. "

"Yesterday, before Ipod came out, I was really worried about its actual effect, but after it came out, I felt relieved." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Even if we put aside Microsoft, we still have room for action."

"According to the current exchange rate, the Ipod is US$399. If we remove subsidies for exports, the price of M1 can drop to US$320-330. One product can still maintain a profit of US$100, which is 800 Chinese dollars."

"Users in the United States are also human beings. They can enjoy Microsoft systems at a price that is 20% cheaper. I think this is very competitive."

"Moreover, we can continue to make profits. The Ipod is 399, and we can sell it for 299, making a profit of US$80 per unit."

"Small profit but quick turnover, not to mention, the profit is not thin."

Fang Zhuo helped everyone calculate the price and profit in detail. There is no doubt that cost-effectiveness is an important factor in a product.

After talking about this factor, he continued: "Previously, we had to launch the mid-range product P1, reduce storage space, and prevent other domestic brands from entering. Everyone realizes the importance of this, right?"

Everyone in the conference room nodded. The mid- to low-end products of other brands will definitely have a great impact on M1.

Fang Zhuo said: "Now that we are selling M1 in the US market, this is equivalent to the impact that American Yike is facing from other brands. This is the competition situation we envision in the country."

Everyone nodded, I see, I understand, Apple is the American Xiaoyike!

It is easy to understand in this way that Xiaoyike in the United States is facing a competitive situation that it has been simulating!

"Besides, Apple may not be aware of our existence." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Even if Toshiba knew that there was a Chinese manufacturer when it purchased hard drives, I'm afraid it wouldn't have cared too much. Now, what we need is a bold attempt. "

"This bold attempt requires a team with the ability to execute."

"It's definitely good to win, but it doesn't matter if we lose, because our base is at home."

"What if you try it without losing money?"

After Fang Zhuo said this, he looked around: "How is it? Is there any objection?"

"No objection." Marketing Director Yu Hong first expressed her position, and then said, "I am really not familiar with the American market. People have to do the language, channels, and processes. Microsoft is the computer operating system with the most users in the world. If we If you procrastinate on these matters too much, I'm afraid the other party will react."

Fang Zhuo first checked that others had no objections before answering the question: "Well, this is indeed a thing, but the U.S. market is quite mature. This time we will expand overseas. I have initially envisioned two ways."

“One is the Internet retail giant Amazon, and the other is offline supermarket chains such as Walmart, Carrefour, and Metro.”

"The process of the former is relatively simple. Don't worry. What we need to face is how to store the goods into chain supermarkets. I have some ideas to try for this problem."

Fang Zhuo didn't say much about this idea, but changed the topic: "This time to enter the overseas market, we only need two labels: 1. Support Microsoft Windows, 2. Cheaper than Ipod."

“You don’t need to do too many bells and whistles, just stick to these two points.”

"In terms of supply chain, Mr. Sun, from today on you have to actively communicate with Toshiba for supply. Not only the 5G version of the micro hard drive, but also the upgraded version must be considered."

"In addition, if M1 has good results, we can also launch the overseas version of P1 and the flash memory version for early adopters."

"Mr. Su, the recruitment of employees has changed. A lot of Internet companies have gone bankrupt. We need to pick those who can pass the English test. We need them. The salary can be negotiated."

"Mr. Xu, please check the adaptability of the product to the US market, especially the transmission speed. What version of USB 2.0 are they generally using? Do your research."

Fang Zhuo ordered his troops in one breath, briefly arranged the established strategies for the domestic market, and then announced the end of the meeting.

Everyone started discussing the strategic direction of the meeting before they left the meeting room, and cooperation between different departments began to move from this moment on.

"Mr. Fang, I'm afraid we need to find someone familiar with the American market."

It's common practice in the boardroom to leave shareholders behind, Su Wei said.

Yu Hong looked at Fang Zhuo. She knew that now she should say the "little thoughts" he just said.

"Well, do you think there are fewer people in the conference room?" Fang Zhuo took out his cell phone and said something off-topic.

Yu Hong and Su Wei looked at each other, a little confused.

"You two are shareholders. You two are here. Xiao Zhou is also a shareholder. He is not here, but we still have two shareholding companies, Capital Today and IDG, and no one from them is here." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "I think As chairman, it is necessary for the company to unite all forces that can be united."

"IDG Capital is from the United States. Let me call Mr. Xiong. We haven't communicated with him for a long time. I miss him a little."

Yu Hongma, you, how can you have the face... How dare you make such a call?

However, Fang Zhuo kept his word and started dialing on his mobile phone.

…

PS: I saw someone asking about the true status of Ipod. In fact, it was released in October 2001 and did not support Microsoft. It only became compatible in June of the following year.

In 2001, it sold 120,000 units in three months of release, but in the first half of 2002, it sold less than 120,000 units.

After supporting Microsoft in the second half of 2002, sales increased to 260,000 units.

939,000 in 2003, 4.416 million in 2004, 22.497 million in 2005, 39.409 million in 2006, 50 million units per year from 07 to 10, and 200 million+ units in these 4 years.

As a reference, Apple's market value in 2001 was close to US$6 billion, and its market value in 2006 was US$72 billion. The main contribution was Ipod+iTunes, because the iPhone was released in 2007.