Reinventing the Millennium

Fang Zhuo returned to New York from Washington, and intern reporter Eve's report had not yet been published in the Washington Post.

But her personal Twitter has happily posted updates.

"I am very grateful to Mr. Fang for accepting my exclusive interview. Mr. Fang is a good man."

Just like China's Weibo first showed its brilliance with the debut of smart phones, today's Twitter is developing rapidly due to the release of smart phones from brands such as Yike, Apple, Samsung, and Nokia, and it is already one of the latest online platforms.

Eve is very keen on new media like Twitter and has accumulated many fans.

But as soon as her tweet was posted, it immediately became her most liked piece of content. Many people were waiting for the next day's "Washington Post" to see what would happen to Yike, who has been involved in a public controversy with Nokia in recent days. What kind of official response.

As for Fang Zhuo, who returned to New York, he was also thinking about the public opinion this time.

In fact, it’s okay for Kallasvuo to speak out frequently. In the past, you didn’t need to pay too much attention to it. In the end, products and markets would speak for themselves, but this period of time is just right to use such public opinion to release news.

Brother Wang’s Shenxin Science and Technology Innovation is a wind vane, but the wind vane also needs to have wind.

With a slight breeze, Shen Xin Kechuang suddenly sold out all its stocks, which was not good for Brother Wang either.

There is also Huanyu Capital in Xiangjiang. In fact, Fang Zhuo has always been respectful to each other. There is really no more familiar contact, but the impression in my heart is that the other party is quite calm.

This kind of stillness requires more stimulation and stimulation.

The night he returned to New York, the head of Yike briefly informed the president of the United States about the interview. Before the news came from the Washington Post the next day, Stringer, the head of Sony, called.

Different from Fang Zhuo's previous visits to Sony, this time Stringer took the initiative to visit Mr. Fang.

Since Stringer took charge of Sony, he has laid off employees, cut projects, reorganized the board of directors, and established new standards. The company has had a good two years and successfully turned a profit. However, it soon encountered a financial crisis and fell into recession again in 2008. Loss.

This loss is still huge!

Employees have been being laid off and projects have been cut. Even if we continue to increase the scale, it seems difficult to reverse the decline in returns.

At this juncture, Stringer thought of his good friend again and hurried over after learning that he was in New York via phone.

Fang Zhuo respected the head of Sony very much, and after a while of pleasantries, he heard the real purpose of his visit.

"Mr. Fang, are you interested in Sony Music's shares?" Stringer sat in the president's office of Yike in New York and talked about his thoughts.

"Didn't Sony just take the shares from Bertelsmann last year?" Fang Zhuo said with a smile.

It was earlier a joint record company between German giant Bertelsmann and Sony, in which Yike held 5% of the shares. However, the former had always had the idea of ​​selling its shares, and was finally bought by Sony for 50% of the shares for US$1.2 billion in August last year. The company The name is also more Sony Music.

Fang Zhuo initially considered buying one cent of Bertelsmann's shares, but Sony was very determined and its future prospects were definitely declining, so he gave up.

Unexpectedly, just five months later, the old Jazz took the initiative to come over.

"The environment is not good." Stringer sighed.

Although there were some circumstances in August last year, who knew it would be so bad later?

Therefore, Stringer made the decision at that time, believing that the advantages of acquiring Bertelsmann shares outweighed the disadvantages.

As a result, discordant voices emerged within Sony after the financial crisis.

Even though Stringer is cultivating factions and even though he has reorganized the board of directors, Sony is a company rooted in Japan after all, and he is always under a lot of pressure.

"Indeed, it's not your fault." Fang Zhuo has heard similar words many times in the past few months, and his mood has not fluctuated at all. "Then what should we do now? Exchange Sony Music shares for money?"

Sony is losing money!

Why the loss? Short of money!

Wouldn’t there be money after selling the shares?

Complex problems are simplified.

Stringer has experience in this area. He once exchanged shares of Android Company for a sum of money to improve financial reports. This time he easily thought of regular customers.

However, he felt that Mr. Fang's tone was a bit disrespectful to him.

The old jazz man said slowly: "No, Mr. Fang, what I mean is that the trend of the record industry is declining. In this case, Sony Music needs to introduce new strategic partners to achieve better development."

Fang Zhuo reminded: "Sir, we are already strategic partners."

Yike's iMusic is the best cooperation with Sony Music.

Stringer corrected: "It is to increase strategic cooperation with partners."

Fang Zhuo nodded and asked directly: "How much does it cost?"

Stringer was silent for a while: "25% of the shares, US$480 million."

Fang Zhuo calculated in his mind and decided to give a 20% discount, which was not a very high discount.

He shook his head: "Sir, Yi Ke doesn't have much money now."

Stringer took a sip of tea and said: "Yike has made many small acquisitions recently..."

Fang Zhuo admitted: "You said it was small."

Stringer had to be frank: "I read Yike's financial report, and the net cash flow is still 3.39 billion, and the accounts receivable are 1.187 billion."

He looked at his old friend who was a director, his old friend who was a rich man, and his old friend who was the second best CEO in the world.

Fang Zhuo laughed.

Gone.

Just playing haha.

Stringer couldn't wait for a response and found it boring.

He said solemnly: "Mr. Fang, how about 400 million US dollars? Sony Music can help Yike build a better ecosystem."

This is already 6.6% off.

Fang Zhuo put down his tea cup, not wanting to treat his old friend cruelly and in a business-like manner.

He asked with concern: "Sir, what's going on with Sony this year? We are friends, you can tell me directly, I'm not worried about Sony, I'm just a little worried about you."

Just like Stringer is concerned about Yike's financial report, he is also very concerned about Sony's financial report. However, Sony's financial report for fiscal year 2008 has not been released, and it is impossible to see how miserable it is.

Stringer remained silent for even longer this time.

It becomes embarrassing over time.

Fang Zhuo sighed slightly, stood up and gave the old knight another cup of tea.

Or maybe this action showed warmth, Stringer said an important number: "Sony lost $1 billion last year."

"Oh." Fang Zhuo nodded and added with concern, "This...how can you lose so much?"

Stringer feels that this answer is not easy to answer. Both the electronics business and the gaming business continue to suffer losses. The reasons are very complicated...

He opened his mouth a little uneasily, as if the chairman was accepting ruthless inquiries from the directors.

But in the end nothing was said.

Fang Zhuo sat back on his boss' chair and thought about the old Jazz's situation. It was okay. Didn't he make money for Sony in 2007 and 2006? Although it is not enough to spit it all out in one year, Stringer cannot be given all the blame.

"Sony Music's shares are negotiable." He relaxed, "It used to be Sony Bertelsmann, but now it's no problem if it becomes Sony Yiko."

Stringer exhaled slowly, as long as it can be discussed.

"But, Sir, you also know that Yike itself holds 5% of Sony Music's shares, and the copyright cooperation between the two companies will not change much due to the increase in shares." Fang Zhuo said seriously. "Besides, Yike has now transformed from a music player company to a mobile phone company, and the importance of the music ecosystem to us has been greatly reduced."

"We are now competing with Nokia, Samsung, and Apple. Spending money on Sony Music shares at this time cannot enhance this competitiveness."

Fang Zhuo's eyes were bright.

Stringer heard something and asked: "Yike wants to have more cooperation with Sony mobile phones?"

If he is short of money and looking for money, Mr. Fang can certainly make up for his lack of competitiveness.

The problem is that Sony mobile phones don’t seem to have much to offer. Could it be that Mr. Fang still wants to win Sony mobile phones into the Android camp?

However, Sony mobile phones have reached an agreement with Microsoft and will continue to be equipped with Microsoft WM system in the future.

Unlike the weak Android system, Yike still has to compete with Nokia on patents. Microsoft, which is a big company and has a big business, will hardly have such serious problems.

Stringer was in a dilemma and didn't think he should agree to such conditions.

Fang Zhuo shook his head: "No, Sir, to be honest, even though Yike Company has money in its account, we still have a lot of follow-up actions. The money is actually not that generous. The music shares can be discussed, but the amount It certainly can’t be what you said.”

Seeing the change in the old Jazz's expression, he explained: "I'm not lowering the price. Yike doesn't need so many shares. We can negotiate for about 15%."

That’s a value of more than $200 million.

Stringer nodded silently, which was not bad.

Fang Zhuo hasn't finished speaking yet: "However, Yike Company does not have sufficient funds. Bingxin Company is discussing investment from an international consortium. I wonder if the shares of Sony Sensor Company will be sold?"

Stringer frowned.

Fang Zhuo further explained: “If Ice Core can make a breakthrough in this area, I hope to take this opportunity to obtain more financing from international consortiums.”

It sounds like the same thing, but ice cores need more names.

Stringer hesitated slightly. Sony Sensors was separated from Sony and has already cooperated with Bingxin on a production line in Shanghai, China. The effect is quite good.

In the past, Sony CMOS sensors lagged behind Canon. Driven by Yiko smartphones, sensor technology iterations have been very good. Now they have overtaken Canon and occupy the first market share.

He has realized the value of Sony sensors, which are good now and will definitely be better in the future.

Stringer put down the tea cup and said with some boasting, "Mr. Fang, you are really accurate."

To his surprise, the head of Yike across from him directly admitted: "Sir, to be honest, I am very optimistic about the prospects of Sony sensors."

"But this is not the point. International consortiums are not fools and will not invest in things that have no value."

"Ice Core does not seek control of Sony Sensor Company, but only to further enhance its technical capabilities and business scope to make it look like more than just a foundry company."

“Before I flew to the United States, Bingxin’s shareholders and investors approached me to discuss Bingxin’s listing plan.”

"If Ice Core wants to have a higher valuation, it must change the market's perception of it. This is where the big money comes from."

Fang Zhuo spoke eloquently, heart-wrenchingly.

Stringer fell into deep thought. Mr. Fang was indeed the kind of person who made a lot of money.

At this time, Fang Zhuo added: "Except for the US$200 million that Yike acquired Sony Music, Bingxin can make up half of the remaining deficit."

Half of 800 million is 400 million.

If an agreement can be reached, Sony's net loss of US$1 billion in the fiscal year will be only US$400 million.

Losses of 1 billion and 400 million sound like two different feelings.

After all, the impact of last year's financial turmoil was too great, and losses are normal.

Stringer is very hesitant. The local forces in Sony sensors are the most influential, which can easily arouse greater opposition.

Fang Zhuo observed carefully: "This still can't make up for the shortfall. Let's do this. If Yike squeezes out another 100 million, Bingxin will also find a consortium to raise 200 million more. There will still be a loss of 100 million. You can think of a way on your own. Whether Sony will suffer losses this time or not depends entirely on the Jazz."

Stringer let out a long breath. Yi Ke’s extra 100 million yuan was nothing. Sony Music was going to sell its shares. With Ice Core’s extra 200 million yuan, the sensor subsidiary would sell even more equity.

He had already made up his mind and nodded slightly: "It is precisely because of the cooperation between the sensor and Yike that our technology can develop rapidly and surpass Canon. I think this kind of cooperation is worthy of further in-depth development."

As long as you are brave, you can take home the profits!

Fang Zhuo asked with concern: "Sir, when will Sony's financial report be released?"

"March at the latest," Stringer said.

"Then we have to speed up the time." Fang Zhuo continued to ask with concern, "Will the Sony sensor go smoothly?"

"No problem," Stringer assured.

It’s just about increasing cooperation with partners.

Fang Zhuo nodded and comforted: "That's good. I am willing to join hands with Jazz, but I have to say that Sony must speed up the pace of reform. This year, Sony Ericsson mobile phones should probably focus more on Android."

Stringer was noncommittal: "I'll see where this goes, but the most important thing is to complete our music and sensor collaboration."

Fang Zhuo hesitated to speak, forget it, just continue to support the Jazz next year.

He never treats his friends badly.

After the main problem was solved, the atmosphere of the chat between the two people changed, and everyone changed from pragmatic to pragmatic.

After chatting with the world's richest people like this, Stringer felt that his steps were much lighter when he walked out of the Yike office building.

In other words, who else could fill the company's shortfall so easily?

Although Mr. Fang has many things on his mind, he is willing to exert force at critical moments.

Stringer believes that in addition to such factors, the strong board of directors he reorganized can also play a big role now.

The company's decision-making must be accelerated. If Yike loses the patent competition with Nokia, I am afraid that there will be great variables in this discussion.

Stringer has come and gone, gained a lot, and plans to revive Sony Mountain River after this time.