Reinventing the Millennium

The invitation to Jay Chou didn't give Fang Zhuo much sense of accomplishment. Although Yike's overseas iMusic is gradually transforming into a music platform, he really doesn't understand this field.

At the same time, the business assessment of the domestic music industry is not optimistic either.

On the one hand, it is the decline of records, and on the other hand, the immaturity of Internet electronic music. Even if the deputy director's suggestion of recruiting people is completed, the left and right people seem to be just listening. Compared with Yike's mobile phones, Bingxin's manufacturing process, and Tesco e-commerce, the impact is much smaller.

Perhaps it will be more convenient to find someone to sing at the annual meeting in the future.

Fang Zhuo informed the deputy director of the possibility of a successful invitation and asked him to decide whether any preparations needed to be made. Yike's actions in this regard could be handled by others.

In the blink of an eye, the next day came, which was also the first day of March. Before Fang Zhuo had time to look through the data observations of the e-commerce industry and the comprehensive assessment of Morningstar Semiconductor, he first received a call from Yu Hong.

The previous interview in Turin was published in the newspapers.

Both Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal published the interview with President Yike with great exposure.

The competition between Yiko and Apple music players has been going on, but this competition has not hindered the rapid development of this market - according to feedback, two months have passed this year, and this rapid development still has no intention of stopping.

From hundreds of thousands of sales in the first year of the release of the music player to more than 24 million last year, music players relying on the Internet have completely swept Walkman into the corner of the old era.

There is a statistic worth sighing for the industry. In 2005, Japan's MP3 players surpassed Walkman for the first time. This is Sony's home base, and the market has always been stubborn. However, its stubbornness has also reached the point of collapse.

According to the verification that this development trend has not slowed down in January and February 2006, the minimum player sales target this year is 40 million.

In addition, iMusic and iTunes have in-depth cooperation with major record manufacturers, allowing both to play a role in further promoting changes in the music industry.

Therefore, what Fang Zhuo, the founder and president of the company, announced has attracted considerable attention from the industry.

However, when he personally confirmed that the company would enter the mobile phone market, the news was still surprising. As a result, the company's stock price fell slightly - the mobile phone market is not an easy place to compete.

The Wall Street media analyzed a lot of Yike's business, but... Apple's Steve Jobs didn't care about that, and he discovered a shocking little detail.

What?

Is yours an iPhone?

So what is mine?

Jobs was shocked. Apple was strict, strict, and strict about the confidentiality of the mobile phone project. Even the prototypes sent to operators were disguised, and all employees secretly participating in the project signed complex confidentiality agreements.

Under this situation, a competitor in an important business collided with a new business with the same name, and the secret was leaked!

While Jobs ordered a thorough investigation of the situation, he also accepted interviews with the media, accusing Yike of stealing commercial secrets.

Yu Hong, who lives in New York, was not to be outdone. Seeing this, it really verified the accuracy of Mr. Fang's news. Apple was really secretly entering the mobile phone business. She also accepted interviews with the media and retorted. Her boss obviously didn't say much, but In announcing the news of expanding new business, where is the secret?

As a result, Jobs announced part of the project plan. According to the date, Apple's name was clearly iPhone.

This time, Yu Hong muttered in her heart, could it be that Mr. Fang really found someone to steal Apple's secrets?

Mr. Fang is indeed that kind of person.

She ignored her inner thoughts and gave a very clear reason when she was interviewed again - our music software at Yike is iMusic, and of course our mobile phone is iPhone. It is obviously your naming of Apple that is deliberately closer to ours.

In addition, Yu Hong also accused Apple of being unethical. It not only teamed up with Motorola to collaborate on music phones, but also quietly poached people from other companies. It was Apple that should be condemned.

As of the time Fang Zhuo received the call, Motorola was still silent, but Apple seemed to have resigned. I wonder if it was affected by the leaks.

Fang Zhuo was delighted as he listened to Yu Hong's narration.

"What are you laughing at? Hey, Mr. Fang, you're a little out of sorts. What are you laughing at?" Yu Hong was puzzled when she heard Mr. Fang's undisguised laughter.

"Nothing, it's interesting. Someone at Apple actually resigned?" Fang Zhuo suppressed a smile.

Yu Hong confirmed: "Yes, it's a pity that I can't invite you to the company. Mr. Fang, have you placed people at Apple?"

"No, I don't have that ability." Fang Zhuo couldn't help laughing.

"Then how come this project name comes across?" Yu Hong asked.

Fang Zhuo replied seriously: "It's a coincidence, it's not a coincidence. Besides, you've already answered, ours is iMusic, so it's logical. However, theirs is similar, coincidence, coincidence."

Yu Hong always felt that this was not the case, but it made sense logically.

She pondered for a moment and said: "Everyone is generally not optimistic about our entry into the mobile phone market. From what I saw from Steve Jobs's reaction, they have probably reached a stage where Google still needs more urging, and the scale of the R\u0026D department also needs to be further expanded. ."

"No problem, it can be regarded as setting a banner and recruiting people with a good reputation." Fang Zhuo mentally reviewed the progress of Yike in all aspects and said, "Although the player business is still growing, mobile phones are our life and death. We must not be careless in fighting, the priority must be raised, and we must not imitate Sony.”

Yu Hong agrees with this judgment. Other companies can say that once Apple starts making mobile phones, it will definitely take into account the music business, which will directly squeeze Yike’s living space.

The two continued to exchange views until the internal phone number of the CEO's office rang one after another.

Fang Zhuo opened the evaluation document of Morningstar Semiconductor and asked the internal caller what to report.

"Mr. Fang, there is an administrative team from Sichuan Province who would like to make an appointment to come to the company for communication."

When Fang Zhuo heard that it was Sichuan Province, he guessed that it was related to Changhong. He thought about it for two seconds and refused: "I declined politely and said that the company is very busy recently."

There has always been no shortage of administrative exchanges here at Hang Lung. However, these often have little practical information. They are either looking for local business from Yike and Tesco, or they are seeking investment in the name of the richest man in the mainland.

Fang Zhuo is usually very busy, so he is usually received by the vice president, trying not to offend anyone.

But there are also people who want to see him by name, so they have no choice but to offend them.

Administrative figures are sometimes strange. Although their positions are not high, their spirits are high from time to time. Fang Zhuo is unwilling to make such remarks. Over time, he can be forgiven for being semi-passive.

"Mr. Fang, they said there is a development reform over there..." The voice of the report on the phone was slightly prolonged, and a key name was given.

If there is such a relationship, it will be discussed separately.

Fang Zhuo got to know a lot of people there during his several work trips, and his brother Zheng Danrui was also from there.

"Then make an appointment tomorrow afternoon, um, three o'clock."

He was trying to save face, guessing that this relationship was not a lobbyist for the replacement of the head of Changhong, but maybe just a stepping stone.

The time is set, and I will most likely have to express my stance in person tomorrow.

Fang Zhuo doesn't think it's a big deal. Changhong's current development is much better than before, and he has a clear conscience.

He drank a cup of tea and began to carefully read Ice Core's evaluation of Morningstar Semiconductor.

Morningstar Semiconductor was established in May 2002. It is headquartered in Hsinchu Science and Technology Park, Baodao, where there are hundreds of companies and a complete semiconductor ecosystem. Among them, Taipei, UMC, and Acer are all very famous.

From May 2002 to March 2006, Morningstar was founded less than 4 years ago, but it can already be said to have a firm foothold. It relies on chip solutions and high-quality services to capture almost 1/5 of the mainland market. .

This speed is quite astonishing, because we also have to consider the contract issues between some manufacturers and their original chip partners. For example, Philips provides solutions that are not just procurement, but also have additional requirements.

If this contract is finalized, Morningstar Semiconductor's business territory will definitely be able to expand.

Moreover, its business is not limited to the mainland, but is also actively expanding into the European and American markets.

Fang Zhuo read the document carefully and thought carefully about the basis for cooperation between the two parties.

Indeed, as Lao Ni said, Morningstar is developing too fast. If you really want to spread the ice core industry chain up, now is a good time.

But there are also some objective problems. Although Morningstar has set up departments in different cities in the mainland for business and services, its main research and development is still in Baodao. Even if it is acquired and the R\u0026D team is divested, only the R\u0026D team will be left. The name is empty.

There is no shortage of semiconductor entrepreneurial environment in Hsinchu, and there is no shortage of IC design-related positions. Coupled with certain circumstances... it is really inconvenient to force acquisition.

Bingxin once took advantage of TV Baxiong's opportunity and offered Morningstar a 10-20% shareholding condition. In the end, it was negotiated for 5%. The overall valuation at that time was 1.7 billion.

Its development prospects this year will definitely be unstoppable with 2 billion.

Fang Zhuo drank tea and thought silently.

What he wants is not Morningstar's prospects in TV chip design, but Morningstar's talent team and design expansion. Violent premium acquisitions are not advisable, and threatening the mainland's TV business is not appropriate either.

Fang Zhuo thought about it for a while and felt that he should still touch gently.

He called Xiong Xiaoge from IDG.

"Old Xiong, I remember you told me that you wanted to reverse acquire IDG America. When will you do it? I'm back from Turin." Fang Zhuo asked something that Lao Xiong had mentioned.

As for the clinker, Xiong Xiaoge was completely ungrateful and said bluntly: "If you have anything else to do, just tell me quickly and don't try to make friends. I will meet the project person in ten minutes."

Seeing how ruthless he was, Fang Zhuo had no choice but to say: "There is something. Do you know Bingxin's partner Morningstar Semiconductor? It is developing at a speed that surprises me. I think it is a high-quality target suitable for investment. "

"Purpose, purpose, just tell me your purpose." Xiong Xiaoge urged.

"Morningstar has a listing goal, but it is considering listing on Baodao. I wonder if we can introduce investors from the mainland and then let it be listed on the mainland or in Hong Kong, preferably in the mainland." Fang Zhuo said to himself. considerations.

Xiong Xiaoge was startled: "What do you want to do?"

"I want to have a closer relationship between Bingxin and Morningstar. Although it was established not long ago, its core technical team is very mature and comes from TI. I am very optimistic about its efforts in the field of IC design." Fang Zhuo said seriously. .

Xiong Xiaoge chewed on the words "closer relationship" and speculated on Mr. Fang's intention for Chenxing's detour.

After a while, he asked: "The research and development of Morning Star is not in the mainland, right?"

"Morningstar needs to develop. With new investment, it can open up the LCD TV market faster. If investors promote its listing in the mainland, some teams may consider coming to Shanghai." Fang Zhuo said his plans in a steady stream.

If Morningstar is allowed to go public on Baodao step by step, the talent team in Hsinchu Science and Technology Park will definitely be extremely strong. On the contrary, the promotion of investors and the increase of mainland factors will bring about prospects that are more in line with the requirements.

Xiong Xiaoge thought for a while and said, "I need a comprehensive and detailed assessment."

Fang Zhuo replied: "It's in my hands. I'll send you an electronic version later. What I mean is that, taking advantage of the financing opportunity this time, I can get a few more people to invest together and try to get as many shares as possible."

Xiong Xiaoge always felt that these words were full of malice.

He said noncommittally: "Send me the information first."

"Okay, let the people at IDG know more about it and don't listen to my one-sided words." Fang Zhuo said considerately, "I'm hanging up. I'll contact you tomorrow night."

Xiong Xiaoge was just about to continue talking when she heard a blind tone.

He called the phone again a little annoyed and asked, "Why did you hang up so quickly? Did you forget something?"

Fang Zhuoyan said concisely and concisely: "You say it."

"Where is the domestic version of Quora?" Xiong Xiaoge reminded.

"Oh, I know, within two months." Fang Zhuo didn't care much about this, mainly doing it for fun.

Xiong Xiaoge was a little dissatisfied with Mr. Fang's nagging: "Research on Morning Star will take time. When Zhihu goes online, we will talk to Morning Star together."

Fang Zhuo said concisely: "Okay, it will be online within a week."

Xiong Xiaoge felt that this person had to be wiped out.

He finally asked: "Who are you trying to get to vote for the Morning Star?"

"Shenxin Science and Technology is a more suitable role. After it invests, it can promote it more. Others can be done by our own people." What Fang Zhuo values ​​​​is Shenxin's local state-owned assets background.

"Have you considered acquiring Morningstar?" Xiong Xiaoge asked out his suspicions.

"It depends on the situation. From now on, it is inappropriate to talk about acquisition. It depends on Morningstar's attitude and the development of ice core." Fang Zhuo said truthfully, "This possibility may not be ruled out in the future, Lao Xiong. As you know, our money is now deposited in the bank."

Xiong Xiaoge knew that his money was deposited in the bank, but Mr. Fang couldn't be sure.

He ended the call, confirming that Mr. Fang had the idea of ​​​​acquisition, but it was just a matter of time.