Reinventing the Millennium.

Chapter 572 Keeping it quiet (two in one)

The second meeting called by Stringer is over.

The time is shorter than yesterday, and the content of the discussion has also changed.

At [-]:[-] p.m., five Sony Group executives left, and five think tanks from different companies around the world who had a good relationship with Stringer also left.

A quarter of an hour later, Fang Zhuo appeared in Stringer's suite.

"Fang, why do you suspect that there is someone from Ryoji Nakabachi?" Stringer opened the cigar box and motioned for the young president to take it himself.

Fang Zhuo cut a cigar and said with a smile, "Isn't it normal for me to be suspicious of the Japanese?"

Stringer was slightly taken aback, and after turning his head, he realized what he meant. Fang was not suspicious of the five executives, but the Japanese... It was not the fault of the five executives, but the fault of the Japanese. .

"Besides, I don't think you are very familiar with them. I saw these five people for the first time today, and I don't know what the relationship is with you." Fang Zhuo took a sip of his cigar, "Since Ryoji Nakabachi is a representative of the local faction , it seems normal to install a couple of executives to listen to what Americans think.”

Stringer frowned and corrected: "Fang, I told you that I am British, and I have the honor of a knighthood."

In 99, Stringer was awarded the "Senior Knight" Medal of Honor and Jazz Honor by the British Royal Family in recognition of his outstanding performance in CBS, Sony America and his outstanding contribution to the television entertainment industry.

"Yes, Sir Stringer, I was the one to be rude." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Whoever made your performance in the United States so dazzling, no one can ignore the excellent performance of Sony America."

Sir Stringer nodded in satisfaction. This reason is very pleasant to say from the rich man Forbes.

The two smoked cigars quietly in the room for a while, each thinking about the meaning of this little temptation tonight.

If it's business as usual, that's fine, it's just a waste of an evening's meeting.

If there is a real situation, it will prove that Ryoji Nakabachi, the representative of the local elite, has the desire to attack under the "cautious and typical Japanese management style".

The five Sony executives tonight basically came here on their own initiative, and four of them had previous work experience in Sony America, and they were Stringer's orthodox company subordinates a long time ago.

If this kind of "initiative" is mixed with the instruction of Nakabachi Ryoji, and considering the unique "little chairman" power of the "representative director" he pursues in Japan, then this person's intention is very questionable.

Does it represent the meaning of a considerable part of Sony's local people-can barely accept a foreign chairman, but still have to master the company's strategy and development?

Even if Stringer becomes the head of Sony, will he be emptied?

In such a situation, Stringer, who may become Sony's first foreign chairman for an "unprecedented" time, has to consider it.

"I don't know the situation of today's meeting, so I didn't ask too much." Fang Zhuo smoked half a cigar, and said slowly, "If everything goes well at this shareholders' meeting, what action do you want to take against Sony?"

Stringer said without hesitation: "Reorganize the board of directors, introduce outside directors, and abolish the existence of 'representative directors'."

Any head of a company who wants to reform must have power, otherwise he will not be able to enforce his will.

Fang Zhuo shook his head and said, "No, I want to know your business thoughts on Sony Group, whether it's the shareholder meeting or the board of directors, the power they confer depends on the development of the group under your control, which is fundamental."

Stringer hesitated for a second this time before saying: "The group needs to cut bad businesses and lay off redundant employees."

He waited for a few seconds, but Jian Fang didn't give any feedback, and continued: "Sony's financial situation is not good, and it has lost its ability to innovate. It must focus on vibrant businesses and products."

"Not only the local group, including the United States and other regions around the world, must cut 8000-10000 employees, and at least ten product lines must be cut."

The British Jazz, who may become the head of Sony, used three "musts" in a row.

Fang Zhuo frowned slightly, and instantly remembered the revival of another famous Japanese company. Nissan Motor appointed Brazilian Ghosn as CEO. It was through drastic layoffs and reorganization that the company was rejuvenated.

However, although Sony and Nissan are both in a predicament, although they may both have foreign heads, the situation is still different. The latter is worse than the former. Sony is now a dead body, and such a large-scale reform is bound to encounter great damage. resistance.

To eliminate resistance, an airborne foreign chairman may have to do a lot of persuasion and exchange.

"Fang, you know Nissan, right? Just like its reform, Sony also needs to do the same." Stringer also mentioned Nissan, which had a similar situation in Japan.

Fang Zhuo nodded, and said after consideration: "It is not easy to mobilize the bloated structure and redundant employees. Have you communicated with Nobuyuki Idei?"

Stringer said with a smile: "To save Sony, this is something that must be done. I haven't talked with him about this. If possible, I hope to communicate with him one by one after being elected chairman."

Fang Zhuo was not very optimistic about such a reform direction, and thought: "Then you need a president who can cooperate with you."

The topic turned back to Ryoji Nakabachi.

Is this a suitable partner or an ambitious local elite who wants to remove the foreign chairman?

"The main reason is that I don't have much influence on the appointment of the president now. The only way seems to be to talk to Nobuyuki Idei about this position when I see him." Stringer was a little dissatisfied.

In particular, considering the reforms he wants to implement, it seems that no matter who becomes the president, he should get along with him in exchange for the other party's assistance.

"Fang, do you think I should be tougher?" Stringer asked.

He wanted to hear the opinion of the young president in this regard.

Fang Zhuo groaned again and again, shaking his head and said: "There is a word in Huaxia called 'Yi Jing Brake', since you have arrived in Tokyo, no matter when Idei sees you, he will always see you, similarly, no matter what the locals want to do What, they must also take your attitude into consideration."

"Braking with stillness, calm down with stillness."

"Let's first see what kind of Japanese elite Nakabachi is."

Stringer listened to the Chinese vocabulary translated by the young president, savored it, and took it seriously.

Thinking about it better, maybe Mr. Fang is suspicious?
……

That night, Yoshio Yoshino, the vice president of Sony Electronics, was very busy. He first attended the meeting of the vice chairman Stringer, and then hurriedly responded to the inquiry of the group vice president Ryoji Nakabachi.

At eleven o'clock in the middle of the night, Yoshino Yoshio met his boss Ryoji Nakabachi and several colleagues.

"President Zhongbo, today I met a person in the hotel who didn't come to the meeting yesterday. He is very valued by Stringer."

Yoshio Yoshino solemnly stated the latest discovery: "He is from Huaxia, he is Fang Zhuo, and he is the president of Yike."

All the top executives of Sony's local faction were shocked, it was him!

To talk about the reason why Sony is in trouble today, Yike, which destroyed the status of the Walkman music player together with Apple, must be mentioned. Compared with Apple, Yike is a company that many people in Sony hate.

Not only because it is a Chinese company, but also because its initial moat came from Sony Music.

It can be said that Yike has achieved today's situation by stepping on Sony's products and music.

For a long time, there have been voices in Sony, demanding that Sony Music tear up the contract with Yike. However, Sony Music, which held a small amount of shares in Yike from the beginning, made such an action even more impossible with the merger with Bertelsmann. .

Iko has become the third shareholder of Sony Bertelsmann Music.

"It's actually this person!" Shizuo Takajo, who was sitting next to Ryoji Nakabachi, patted the table with the biggest reaction.

Shizuo Takajo is the COO of Sony Group. He is 62 years old this year and is one of the strong supporters of Ryoji Nakabachi as president and even chairman.

However, no one in the conference room was surprised by COO's reaction, because it was he who participated in the design of the world-best-selling Walkman music player more than 30 years ago, and it was his painstaking efforts that were trampled by young oriental products.

However, to this day, even though many people in the conference room are on the same front, they have to admit in their hearts that perhaps, Shizuo Takajo should not obstruct the group's plan for similar Internet music products.

It is because a group of people represented by Shizuo Takajo do not want to see the disappearance of CDs, and Sony has not implemented actions similar to mp3 players-it is not that it has not been thought of, but it cannot be implemented.

Ryoji Nakabachi digested the latest news for a while, and asked, "What did he say at the meeting?"

"About him, there are two main points." Yoshino Yoshio had sorted it out on the way, "First, your 'representative director' request was blocked by him, which may be the reason why Stringer persisted. Second, , he thinks Stringer needs your support, and if you can, 'representative director' is a negotiable condition."

Nakaba Ryoji was shocked.

Neither did he expect that he had been deeply influenced by Fang Zhuo, nor did he expect that the position of "representative director" on the board of directors might turn around.

What kind of person is that Stringer?

He doesn't even understand Japanese.

Once Stringer does take over as chairman, will he be based in New York or Tokyo?
Probably still New York, where Stringer is familiar.

If the chairman is not based in Tokyo, the already powerful representative director will be further amplified.

Ryoji Nakabachi's heartbeat accelerated slightly, he squinted his eyes, and said softly: "Fang Zhuo said so, where is Stringer?"

"Stringer's attitude has changed after Fang Zhuo gave his suggestion. He thinks that if you agree with his reform plan, you can talk about this condition." Yoshino Yoshiohui reported.

Chief Operating Officer Shizuo Takajo said angrily: "That American and that Chinese must have an unclear interest in music copyright! Otherwise, how could this happen!"

Everyone has a similar feeling in their hearts. Why does Stringer value a Chinese person so much? Because this person has excellent business ability!

Nakabachi Ryoji did not echo, his attention is now on the word "representative director".

If you have the title of president + representative director, you will be well-known for reversing the development of the Sony Group.

Nakaba Ryoji believes that the series of basic reform measures currently adopted by Sony called "Transformation 60" just need time, and there is no need to implement too radical actions for the time being.

Seeing that his boss did not say anything, Yoshino Yoshio continued to report on today's meeting.

In fact, I didn’t talk too much today, the main reason is that the “representative director” is more important, and except for Fang Zhuo, the other four executives of internationally renowned companies are basically opposed.

Ryoji Nakabachi listened to his subordinates' retelling of the situation, and after thinking for a long time, he said: "I think I can have a face-to-face meeting with Stringer, and I can agree to some of his reform measures with a limited amount."

He glanced at the crowd and continued: "In addition, we should also strengthen our understanding of Fang Zhuo. If possible, I would also like to meet the external director of Sony Music tomorrow."

Shizuo Takajo suggested: "We can find someone from Huaxia to listen to their opinions. I have a subordinate who is the deputy chief transferred from Huaxia. When I meet Fang Zhuo tomorrow, I can call him. Maybe I can hear Fang Zhuo and the people around him. Chinese people also understand Chinese people better.”

Ryoji Nakabachi nodded, and Takajo-san's statement was to support the conditions for meeting to talk about "representative directors".

……

On February 2, the morning after Fang Zhuo arrived in Tokyo, he received a call from Stringer.

"At three o'clock in the afternoon, Ryoji Nakabachi wanted to visit me." Stringer's tone was calm.

"Maybe it's a normal discussion about development. The vice president is asking the vice chairman for advice." Fang Zhuo said with a half-joking smile.

"The timing is too coincidental, and it's close to the general meeting of shareholders, and we haven't communicated with each other before." Stringer seemed to sigh, "It seems that your temptation has worked, and he should have come for the 'representative director'."

The representative director is a delicious bait, and I accidentally hooked a fish.

What should I do if I catch a fish?

Fang Zhuo's thoughts turned quickly. Sony's shareholders' meeting will be held on the 2nd of next month. There is not much time left for several parties to negotiate. There are only 29 days in this month. Judging from the current situation, Ryoji Nakabachi and Kutaragi Jian is the two most popular voices to take over as president.

However, Ken Kutaragi publicly opposed Sony being run by a foreign chairman.

"Stringer, I think you should also meet Kutaragi Ken." Fang Zhuo suggested, "It's better to keep it a secret."

"Why? He was very opposed to me taking over as chairman," Stringer said.

"I heard that he has a very irritable personality, but he publicly opposed you at a time like this. It seems that it is not only because of his irritable personality, but also because of some voices opposing you within Sony." Fang Zhuo didn't regard the two people at this time as the same for natural persons.

Ryoji Nakabachi represents a part of the local faction, as does Ken Kutaragi, who publicly opposed the "unprecedented" foreign chairman, possibly in order to win more support from conservatives.

Although the two have the highest voices, it is not that there are no other candidates.

"The current Sony is a confused Sony. We can see whether they are opposing for the sake of opposition, or are they really dissatisfied with any conditions." He came to raise the price with Ryoji Nakabachi."

"Besides, Idei Nobuyuki never sees you is the most strange thing to me. What does his gesture mean?"

Fang Zhuo thought for a long time last night but did not understand what Idei Nobuyuki did.

Stringer also couldn't figure out the thoughts of the Japanese leader.

"How about this, at nine o'clock in the evening, we will have another pair of messages, and I will call out a former senior executive from Sony, Mito Tanaka. He may have a deeper understanding of Sony and is very reliable." Fang Zhuo said.

Stringer readily agreed, and it seemed that it was really right to invite Mr. Fang this time.

(End of this chapter)