Chapter 946
The Birth of "Century Electronics"
"Chen Fan has been fired."
"As for the new company after the merger, you can discuss the selection of the president of Four Seasons Electronics later."
A closed-door meeting of the group's senior management.
Lu Yang told Wei Shu and many other senior executives of Century Group about his decision.
In an instant!
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
Almost everyone present looked puzzled and confused.
Only Wei Shu, the female president of the group, nodded slightly.
"Since the chairman has made the decision, it means that Chen Fan is indeed no longer suitable to serve as the new president of Century Electronics. Gentlemen, are there any new suitable candidates you can propose? If not, you can go back and consider them carefully. Today, the matter of the president of Century Electronics will be put on hold for the time being. Let's move on to the next topic."
Having said that, he gently brushed it aside.
They didn't give anyone present time to react.
Little Prodigy has just delisted from NASDAQ in North America and completed its privatization. Immediately afterwards, it will merge with Little Genius Electronics and Wan Yan Technology to form a new company.
This is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
At the very least, the internal organizational structure needs to be rebuilt.
There were also personnel changes.
Resource integration, etc.
Capable people are needed in every aspect.
Chen Fan was a perfect fit, with sufficient qualifications. After years of studying abroad, everyone in the company knew the name of this Asian stock market guru.
But now.
The most suitable candidate was vetoed by Chairman Lu Yang.
They even made the decision to dismiss him.
The fact that Wei Shu didn't break down on the spot demonstrates her composure and the calm and collected personality she has cultivated over the years as the president of Century Group.
Lu Yang also knew that it was not the right time to immediately select a successor for Chen Fan.
So he nodded slightly.
"Then let's move on to the next topic. After the group's resource integration is complete, should the first product of the newly formed Century Electronics continue to produce the old products, such as VCD players and desktop computers, or should we launch a new flagship electronic product? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?"
This is actually another test question.
Everyone present immediately fell into deep thought.
He knew that if he answered well, he might have a chance to get a glimpse of the position of president of Century Electronics.
Be very careful. Think it through carefully and thoroughly before you open your mouth.
Wei Shu frowned slightly at this moment.
He gave Chairman Lu Yang a deep look.
"Could it be..."
"Does he really intend to do that?"
"Should we choose someone from among everyone present to serve as the president of Century Electronics?"
Based on her understanding of Lu Yang, she knew he would never speak without reason.
Knowing full well that asking this question would make the senior executives of the group present mistakenly believe that he was going to choose one of them as the president of Century Electronics, he still... said it anyway. Did he really intend to do that?
It wasn't that she didn't think highly of the people present.
There really wasn't a suitable one.
Century Electronics is a new generation of unicorn company that delisted from the US stock market and then integrated two domestic companies in the same industry.
VCD sales alone account for more than 50% of domestic sales.
The new DVD business is even more outrageous, accounting for over 70% of total national sales.
There are almost no capable fighters in the country.
While foreign companies also have competitive products with quality comparable to those of Xiaotiancai DVD, Xiaoshentong DVD, and Wanyan DVD before their resources were integrated, their prices are far higher than those of Century Group companies, whose product design concepts are similar, due to factors such as tariffs and shipping costs.
Naturally, they would have no competitiveness.
However, I've recently heard that several domestic companies in the same industry have been contacting these foreign companies in the same industry.
Let's see if there's any possibility of cooperation.
Could we "help" the other party move their factory to the mainland by establishing a joint venture?
Reduce transportation and tariff costs to increase product competitiveness.
Lu Yang also knew about this.
He had even seen through it all long ago with his eyes that could see into the future.
Because he was certain that soon, joint ventures and factories like these would spring up like mushrooms after rain in mainland China.
But he did not stop it.
Because it's impossible to stop it in the first place. Even if you spend time and effort, and the resistance is very strong, you can only delay it for a little while.
But would that be useful?
Moreover, he was actually happy to see it happen; one flower blooming alone does not make spring, but a hundred flowers blooming together is spring.
It's about reform and opening up.
Reforming without opening up is not an option.
What Lu Yang wants to do is to be a trendsetter of the times, always standing at the forefront of the times, rather than a former ruler of the times, standing on the opposite side of the times, and trying to stop the torrent of the times.
Otherwise, no matter how wealthy or insightful one is, there will always come a time when one's strength is exhausted.
I've thought this through.
Then the other problems will be easily solved.
"No need to stop them."
"There's no need to create any obstacles for them. Just let them cooperate. No matter how much money they're willing to invest, where they set up their factories, or how many workers they plan to hire, I'll take them on."
"But of course, we won't fight a battle we can't win. Little Prodigy, Little Genius, and Wan Yan have all been developing independently for some years. Over the years, they haven't been working together in the same direction, which has led to a lot of wasted resources. I've decided to secretly launch an asset restructuring plan to integrate resources and create a new technology giant that belongs solely to the Century Group, integrating R&D, production, and end-user sales. I've even thought of a name for it: Century Electronics."
This is what Lu Yang said when faced with the increasingly serious situation of foreign counterparts choosing to invest and set up factories in the mainland, and forming joint ventures with their mainland counterparts.
"I'll go first."
"I think the new company shouldn't just follow the old ways. It should look for new development opportunities. For example, in the computer sector, besides desktop all-in-ones, I think ultra-thin and portable laptops are also inevitable. Why don't we wait until the new company is established and make a laptop? We can use the logo of our Century Electronics. After all, this is a business we haven't ventured into before. What do you all think?"
He is Lu Yang's cousin and also the CEO of Xiaotiancai.
Today, Lu Youyi was also fortunate enough to attend this closed-door meeting of senior executives of the Century Group.
As the only blood relative of Lu Yang present, he was indeed the right person to stand up and speak first.
"I agree!"
"Regarding laptops, although our company has never released any mature products in this area, I have been researching it for a long time. With our existing technology and production lines, with a few minor modifications, it shouldn't be a problem. At the latest, within six months, after the new company is established, I am confident that we will be able to launch a laptop product that is no less competitive than any domestically produced laptop on the market..."
Chen Guanjun and Lu Youyi are longtime partners.
The company Xiaotiancai Electronics was able to grow from nothing thanks to the support of these two individuals. Although its eventual development was far less than that of Xiaoshentong Electronics today, this was not something they could control. Factors such as the company's geographical location, local policy support, and investment of funds and connections played a significant role.
There are many other reasons as well.
As a tech enthusiast who, starting from nothing, managed to handcraft a variety of tape recorders, televisions, and LD players using only parts salvaged from a junkyard, Chen Guanjun's position in the newly established company was unshakeable.
Furthermore, Lu Yang had already made a promise to him. All that was left was for the new company to be established.
He was automatically promoted to CTO of Century Electronics, serving as the new company's chief technology officer in charge of technological innovation and core technology research and development!
Let's say that.
He hadn't wanted to attend this closed-door meeting of the group's top executives.
He made a special trip from the company's laboratory in Hunan Province this time.
Or perhaps it's because the new company's experimental building has already been completed.
Only the final technical staff are needed to move in.
As the chief technology officer, he is responsible for the final signing and acceptance.
Lu Youyi said all the nice things.
Given his position, and the fact that today's closed-door meeting of the group's senior management focused on the new company "Century Electronics," it was essential for him to attend the meeting and learn about the situation.
So he postponed the date for inspecting the new company laboratory building.
I came straight here from the airport as soon as I got off the plane this morning.
Chen Guanjun's thoughts were written all over his face.
He and Lu Youyi have worked together very well over the years.
If possible.
Naturally, they also hope to continue this partnership.
With Chen Fan, the originally chosen candidate, unable to return to his post and publicly announced by the boss as being fired without any future opportunities, Chen Guanjun's vote was essentially cast for Lu Youyi. He was a strong supporter of Lu Youyi's transition from president of Xiaotiancai Electronics to president of Century Electronics after the merger of the three companies.
"Then let me say a few words too."
"What President Lu and President Chen just said makes a lot of sense. It is indeed not advisable for the new company to do nothing after its establishment and continue to use the old product series. After all, the brand effect of our Little Genius computers, Little Magic VCDs and DVDs has been immeasurable through our continuous efforts over the years, and the people also recognize them."
"If we suddenly replace them with another trademark, even if we believe that this trademark should better represent these products, what if the public doesn't accept it? And even if the public accepts it, what if some of the public doesn't?"
Niu Lili, the acting president of Little Genius, with her neat short hair and standard professional attire, stood up and looked at everyone present.
"We can't take this risk, and there's no need for us to."
Who among those present wasn't an elite?
They all nodded in agreement.
Lu Youyi's face showed a serious expression.
When he saw his cousin sitting in the main seat with a slight smile on his lips, his heart skipped a beat.
Niu Lili turned her gaze to Lu Yang, who was in the main seat.
She noticed that Lu Yang was giving her a slight nod with his eyes.
With even greater confidence, he turned his gaze to the crowd and continued, "I don't deny that the new company will be making laptops, and this business is indeed a very good sector, but..."
The moment she uttered the word "but".
Everyone present held their breath, waiting for her to continue.
Lu Youyi sat up straight.
Chen Guanjun cast a scrutinizing and inquisitive look at her.
Niu Lili took a deep breath. "I'm not targeting anyone here, but the laptop market is indeed a good market, but it's not suitable to launch the first product after the new company is established."
"reason!?"
"Exactly, hurry up and tell me the reason."
"I'm also curious, why is it unsuitable?"
Chen Guanjun's face was somewhat gloomy at this moment.
Fortunately, he has been cultivating his character and temperament over the years, and his self-restraint is much better than before. He is no longer like he used to be, arguing with people until they are red in the face at the drop of a hat.
Niu Lili took a deep breath; what she was about to say might offend someone.
But for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For their own future.
What needs to be said still needs to be said!
She mustered her courage, looked directly at Lu Yang in the main seat, and under Lu Yang's calm expression, said word by word: "Chairman, a desktop computer is a computer, but isn't a laptop a computer too? Saying it's not innovative is an understatement; it's simply inappropriate."
Chairman, you overcame all opposition and invested so many resources to merge the three companies. You certainly didn't want to see them continue down the same old path as in previous years.
Therefore, what a new company needs is innovation, the future, and a product line that is different from the past, and the market must be able to accept it once it is launched.
Moreover, it needs to be a resounding success. After all, given our size, if we can't even achieve this, then I think the new company should consider dissolving on the spot. It's a waste of so much manpower, resources, and energy—especially yours, boss. It's not worth it.”
"Clap clap clap!"
Everyone present was still deep in thought.
Lu Yang had already started clapping, and the applause in the room was thunderous.
Then everyone seemed to wake up from a dream and joined Lu Yang in clapping.
Your palms are all red from clapping, aren't they?
Lu Yang pressed his hands down.
The applause stopped.
Smiling, he looked at Niu Lili, who was blushing slightly from his applause, and said, "What you just said was very good. New Century Electronics does need a groundbreaking product, but you only put forward its essentials and rejected other people's proposals in the process. So, what about your proposal?"
Niu Lili understood.
The real test from the boss has arrived.
And a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is right in front of us.
She took a deep breath.
He glanced at his colleagues present.
He then looked at Lu Yang, who was in the main seat, and said in a deep voice with a slight tremor, "I think we should either not do it at all, or we should make a groundbreaking product, such as a cordless phone based on 2G cellular network technology, implementing the GSM standard, which can make calls, send messages, and log in to the web, and is a mainstream mobile phone in the current mainstream market."
I believe that with our group's strength, if we cultivate this sector deeply, we definitely have the opportunity to challenge some world-class brands.
For example, Motorola, Ericsson, etc.!
These foreign brands are not invincible in the domestic market. Apart from Nokia, as long as they can secure a place among the top five in national sales, given our large population and ever-growing mobile phone user base, it's foreseeable that this blue ocean market is worth at least hundreds of billions. Chairman, we absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!
After she finished speaking, she looked at Lu Yang, who was in the main seat, with an expectant expression.
My heart was pounding in my chest.
She awaited Lu Yang's reply.
Lu Yang smiled, a very happy smile.
He originally thought that after Chen Fan's accident and his decision to abandon him, he would not be able to find a new president for Century Electronics for a while.
Today was definitely worth the trip.
Hmm, it's kind of like finding a new path after a long and winding road.
So he pondered for a moment.
He was holding a gold pen in his hand, twirled it between his fingers twice, and then tossed it to the other person.
"then."
"You're in. The position of president of Century Electronics is yours from this day forward." (End of Chapter)