Chapter 56
Johnstone Group China
“Now I want to hear about Ma’s business. I heard you recently set up an internet company. Can you tell me that? ”
“Ah I’ve just started a company called Alibaba.com, and I only have two employees. It’s not a level we can argue with yet. ”
When I heard the story, I was too frustrated to work for a government company to leave the company. He founded the company with all the wealth he had saved so far, and it cost him a lot of money as a native Chinese president.
Now, $100,000 in capital in China is not a bad thing. There must have been a lot of money in addition to that, so I had 150,000 dollars. It’s worth more than it looks.
“Clarkson told me. You were together when you first created the directory service? ”
“Yes, I had a lot of help. I was a beginner, actually. Haha.”
Ma and I talked about forum activities at the time. Turns out, those forum members helped Ma create a yellow page later on.
“You were in the forum at the time!?” I’m surprised that I was in the forum for a moment, “said Ma,” because I think there was an invisible relationship five years ago.
It was a very memorable time for me too, so we were able to break down each other’s walls to some extent. The owner of Ma said it was a time of passion and ignorance, but it was also a small story, so it became an interesting conversation.
“By the way, ma’am! ”
“Yes?! He says,” Ma’am, I’m suddenly being serious, so she stops a little bit.
Huh.This is my trick. Open the door to your heart first, and dig! Stab. Memories are memories and business is business.
“I have a high opinion of Ma. It’s amazing how you can think of setting up such an Internet company in such a harsh environment in China. The first Internet company in China, I think.” I looked him in the eye and said,
“Ah, yes. Well, you could say that.” I look a little embarrassed when I raise my voice.
“No one can see farther than anyone else and see through the core. And that’s pretty amazing. Perhaps, if you were in the United States, you would have done something extraordinary. ”
As I keep raising my head, I see a happy expression on my face.
“Oh, I’m ashamed that you keep saying that. ”
I am not a friend or ordinary person, and I continue to take my compliments seriously after achieving my own reputation and achievements. I notice that I like it while thinking with pressure.
In fact, my ‘skill of praise’ is based on facts to say what I like to hear. Of course, the other person naturally accepts my compliments and increases my appeal.
She said to an ugly woman, “You’re so pretty. ‘I’m more likely to be complimented and slapped, but if I say the same thing to a decent-looking woman, she says,’ Am I really pretty? ‘It is the same as falling into a delusion.
“But can I ask you a question? ”
“Yes? Of course.” Ma’am was a little embarrassed when my tone changed again.
Now I move on to phase two. I’ve done this a few times, and it’s very natural.
“I told you about the three components of my success. But even if it’s your first luck, you’re not very good at the next timing. What do you think, Ma? ”
“Yes?! He said,” She was hesitant about how to answer my questions.
Hmm. It won’t be easy to answer my vague question. This is my question style, which is usually confusing.
“I see you’ve started a new company. So you think this was the right time? And how do you apply your skills? ”
He seems to understand my adjunct description, but I think I can think about it now.
It is also one way to give time to think. I can hear the sound of my head rolling.
“Haha. Have you thought about it? In fact, it’s hard to answer, so let me tell you what I think first. ”
I was hesitant to say it out loud, so I went first. The power of conversation has been passed on to me for a long time.
“Timing is neither bad nor good. I think it would have been great if I had started three years ago. because it’s been a while since the Internet boom started, and it’s been spreading a little bit in China. But what about now? It became one of many companies, rather than a leading group. ”
My words make his eyebrows twitch. I won’t deny the fact that I have a head, but I can’t be comfortable with being judged like that.
I didn’t care and kept talking.
“Of course, with all the experience I’ve accumulated so far, you can say that you are still at the forefront of the competition. Ma, you’re a hands-on developer, but you’re not better at developing things than others, are you? ”
Ma takes a breath and nods at my words. Stabbing is upsetting, but it’s not controversial.
“I developed my own search engine. They didn’t have to be taken away or depended on. So we were able to move quickly. By the way, Ma, what would you do if the people you work with set up their own company? Besides, patents and regulations here in China are very disadvantageous to the United States, aren’t they? ”
“Well, I’m aware. It’s all true, but I’m not sure what you mean.” For the first time, answer me directly.
I think I already realize that if something is simple, I don’t talk like this.
“Haha. Did I set the tone too hard? ”
I called the waitress to get a new car to help me relax.
When I brought in the new car, I followed her to the boss first. Now I catch my breath because it’s time to slowly conclude.
“I’d like to hear your conclusion. There must be a reason.” When I ask you to bring the car at an important moment and you drag the time out, the boss says to me first that he won’t be able to tolerate the frustration.
“Yes, Ma has an excellent eye and business sense, but lacks in terms of timing and support. If this doesn’t work out, it’s likely to be eaten by other venture capitalists that just swoop in from behind. ”
“Kmm. If you say so, you have a plan.” ”
I’m the same guy, so I stab him in the core. I stared at the boss. I see in his eyes the eyes that are listening to my words seriously.
“Of course. I’m a great person for Ma’s drive and vision. But unfortunately, there’s not enough left over to guarantee the outcome. But with the money and the technology I have, I can supplement my timing and skills. ”
My boss said nothing to me for a while. I enjoyed the silence and drank the tea quietly.
“I want to hear the terms. ”
I thought it would take some mojo, but the boss asks for the mojo condition.
“Huh! This guy is quite decisive. I would have thought a little more. No, is that how persuasive I was? ’
“I’m going to set up an Internet company in China this time. And that’s why I came here. ”
“Yes?! Internet company?” She was surprised, but she felt hostility in her eyes.
“Oh, you don’t have to be so nervous. We haven’t set the right direction for our business yet, but what about portals and search providers? I know the business you started was a little different. ”
Even though I turned around and said it, I hinted that my funds were in here and I had a considerable plan, and in my walk, Madame Ma lights up in a bewilderment.
‘Huh. you’re going to feel the pressure. A company with a hundred thousand dollars in capital can go after just one punch. ’
I’m not just a man with money, I’ve been successful in many places, and I have skills, so I can’t be nervous.
“Hmmm. I take it you haven’t mentioned the terms yet?” Ma seems to be feeling a little warm. I can feel your legs wiggling a little.
As with all negotiations, the one who deals first loses. I smiled in my heart of victory. Heheh. I haven’t done this once or twice, but I can’t help but catch it.
“I would like to acquire Mr. Ma’s Alibaba dotcom in the format in which I am investing. Now, of course, the company has nothing to do with investing. What’s this, an investment in the boss? And I’ll tell you about equity issues. ”
When I paused, I felt the muscles of Ma’s face tense. I have a complicated head to bet on.
’20,’ 30, ’40? I have a lot of thoughts, but time flies. Chet, how much is this for one number?
Numbers rush through my head, but one catches on to my gut. I placed a big bet.
“I’ll give you 40 percent. This is something I’ve thought about a lot. It’s absurd to invest two million dollars in a company we just founded a few months ago and give them 40 percent of their shares. ”
Mr. Ma has no words from Katabuta. It’s a pretty dramatic condition, and for me it’s a measure that considers his abilities.
“For the record, if the president of another company you’re about to set up knew about this, he wouldn’t stand by. You know the deal that’s going on here has to be kept secret, right? ”
In other words, I treat you special compared to other presidents.
In my judgment, it was better to take such a person as the Chairman of the Board away from the beginning. 60% is not difficult to control.
“You can understand 40% stake. It’s a better condition than I thought, to be honest. But the one thing that doesn’t change is that I’m an employer who can get fired at any time. ”
My proposal doesn’t seem to be too bad, even though he thinks it is. And in fact, who gave us 40 percent of the shares from the beginning? I was just so considerate because I wanted to use that ability everywhere.
But I’m worried that when the company grows up or gets into orbit, it’s ridiculous to get kicked out.
“Haha. No company gives employer ownership of 40 percent. And you think you’re going to get kicked out with that kind of stake? Did I overestimate you? ”
Just as Ma had already crossed a threshold when she asked for terms, she had a neurological battle over detailed equity issues and treatment, but eventually decided to follow my proposal.
We concluded the acquisition of Alibaba dotcom, which we now founded in Johnstone Group, and decided to complete the migration next month as the company is currently located in Hanju, but is still a small company of two employees.
After we confirmed to be together, we were able to talk more openly.
After five years of Internet business in China, Ma could have been a veteran, but the more I listened, the more satisfied I was.
‘As expected, China should be left to the Chinese. Localization is different from localization. But… you’re a runner, and I’m a runner. Hehe.’ A flea is a flea if you have a layer of clear controls.
It is hard to move others’ minds as well. I felt a little tired from the rope puller with Ma. But I had a plan. I had a vigilante. After lunch, I interviewed Robin Lee.
“Oh Robin, it’s been a long time. How are you?”
Robin left the United States earlier than expected because he wanted to come to China sooner. I heard you were eager to get in before your family, but your face is more awkward than I thought.
“By the way, your face is glowing. What’s going on?” I thought I was a little worried, but I’m actually curious because I don’t think anyone who’s going to do business with my money looks like this.
“Yes?! No, it’s just… it’s hard to get through. It’s not as easy as I thought. ”
“Haha. It’s been less than a month now. What have you done already?” ”I thought I was doing things too soon, so I gave him some advice.
Don’t the Chinese know about this? No, that’s not good for me.
“Thank you very much. I’m just a little nervous because the boss came. After living in the United States and coming back to China, I don’t like the way things are going. ”
Robin says he hasn’t gotten used to coming back from the United States in eight years.
“You don’t have to. I wanted to talk to you about that. I’ll help you with everything you need to know about setting up your company. Just focus on your business plan, Robin. ”
“Yes? You’ll help?” ”Robin seems a little confused.
“Yes, in fact, we will establish a Johnstone Group China here. Do you know Jack Ma? ”
“Hm. I don’t know. Who is he?” Robin probably doesn’t know the boss yet. I thought he was a bit of a celebrity in China, but Robin doesn’t know. Does this guy not know the importance of information?
“Do you know China Yellow Page? ”
“Yes? China Yellow Page? Isn’t that the site you were looking for a business or a business contact a few years ago?” I don’t know the name of Ma, but I know the representative.
“That’s right, the man who started the company is Jack Mar, and he decided to start an Internet company with me. ”
Robin’s expression was a little crazy when he heard that he was an Internet company. He’s like, “What are you talking about, you’re supposed to be with me? ‘.
I told Ma that the founding of Johnstone Group China and Robin would also operate under the Baidu Group. In fact, both companies are Internet companies, so if you put them in one place, you can do server and other IT-related tasks in one place, so you can operate more efficiently.
Moreover, two places can help each other with technical issues, and all fields, including HR, Finance and Marketing, can support both companies as a single support organization.
“Phew! This is a brilliant configuration, even for me!” It’s like catching two birds with one stone. ’
I am pleased to be able to save money while maintaining the autonomy and independence of individual companies.
Artwork Reviews
This led by Robin Li of Baidu.com, a dual mountain range in the Chinese Internet industry, and Jack Ma of the Alibaba group.
By the way, Yahoo bought 40% of Alibaba.com’s shares for $1 billion in 2005, which he sold back (20%) last month (September) for $7.6 billion. So, $22.8 billion is a simple calculation? Ah, of course we’ll have to wait a little longer.