Reaching for the stars with one hand

Chapter 114 The French Boss
Zhang Yong came to the Mag representative office again.The front desk ushered him into the reception room.

In addition to the smiling Fang Shu, there was also a polite and slender Frenchman with glasses in the meeting room.

"Hello, Brother Yong, my name is François. Celina has mentioned you to me more than once. We can meet today. I am very happy to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." Zhang Yong shook hands with the other party and took the other party's business card.But in my heart, I don't understand how cois can be pronounced as "color baby"?Weird French.

Xiao Sewa briefly introduced herself. He is one of the three regional sales directors of the Mag Group, with five sales offices covering China, Asia, Russia, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Zhang Yong nodded, this level should be similar to Skydon's Robert and Eka's Hans, and belonged to the upper class.Moreover, Mag does not have a president, and the highest level is the vice president, so this position is already second only to the top leader.

But this little color child is obviously much more easy-going than the high-level executives of SKydon and Eka, a bit similar to Fang Shu, not only does he not want to maintain his majesty, but he also intentionally or unintentionally creates a harmonious atmosphere of complete equality with each other.

"I heard that you have a little issue with Eka?" Xiao Sewa was very cautious in her words, and did not directly mention the dispute between Zhang Yong and Eka.

"I left, but the issue with Eka is not completely over. Many people want me to go back, but I have not made a final decision. Sorry, François, Celina didn't say you were there, only that she was a friend of hers. So I didn't prepare anything, and I don't know what you're going to talk to me about."

Xiao Sewa smiled gently, "She is right, I am indeed her friend. She has always hoped that you can join the Mag Beijing representative office, and I am here to have some frank communication with you on this issue. So today is not an interview, but some informal communication. I can introduce our business and company situation, and you can also ask me some questions. Of course, if you don’t mind, I also have some questions for you. As for whether you will Accepting Celina's invitation, I think after this conversation, we can all think again. What do you think?"

Zhang Yong nodded seriously, "Thank you very much for your friendliness and frankness, I think this will be a pleasant conversation between us."

Fang Shu smiled next to him, "François is a good boss, I believe your communication will be very pleasant. Zhang Yong, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. As for the business you want to talk about today, just talk to him directly, I believe Me, he is more professional than me, and he can make decisions more than me. I just remind you..."

She switched back to the Chinese channel: "Although I report to him in terms of work relationship, he can't be regarded as my boss. My management is not in Mag. He said that I am his friend, and there are reasons for this. So, you just Talk to him, if there is any difficulty, you can ask me for help at any time, and I will help you deal with him."

"Thank you, Mr. Fang, you are busy first."

Xiao Sewa looked at Fang Shu, then turned to look at Zhang Yong, "The two Chinese must be plotting to deal with me, I have to be careful."

Fang Shu smiled and said: "No, I said you are the best leader, let Brother Yong listen to your advice more." This time she spoke French, and it was Zhang Yong's turn to be confused.

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"I see that you have worked in both SKydon and Eka, can you tell us about their similarities and differences?"

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"What is your most proud and most disappointing thing in SKydon and Eka?"

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"How do you evaluate Mag? I know that Techtech's winning bid for the engineering center is actually due to your contribution. Even then, I heard your name."

Zhang Yong gradually relaxed, and he became more and more comfortable answering questions.

"Mag's biggest problem is its complicated background. He has a military background, a communication background, a navigation background, and a high-precision measurement background. The last point, as we all know, refers to Titanium. But the business scope is broad It's not all good, especially several parts that don't fit together. While each part is good, they don't work together. In the high-precision market, Mag can only be ranked behind Eka and Skydon, and even Japan Kang Mu is also surpassing Mag step by step."

Xiao Sewa smiled, "Although you're not here to apply for a job, I'm still asking you from the perspective of a manager in China. However, your answer is clearly that of a CEO." Zhang Yong couldn't help laughing.

"Actually, SKydon and Eka are also related to multiple product lines. Are they so different from us?"

"All their product series, whether it is optics, GNSS, aerial survey, laser, or software, are all about high precision. They can also be combined with each other to form different industry solutions. Mag does not have such a product series. Speaking of which, Skydon and Eka are high-precision measurement manufacturers, and GNSS is only a part of them. And Mag is a professional GNSS navigation manufacturer, but there is an extra high-precision product like Techtech, which seems incongruous and abrupt.”

"Then how do we make the Tico series well? Will it never be as good as Skydon?"

"It is obviously difficult to measure with high precision, but it is still possible to maintain a certain share. I am very interested in a certain part of Mag's business, but I don't understand why Mag does not pay enough attention to this business."

Under Xiao Sewa's gentle smile, suddenly a sharpness flashed in her eyes.He asked, "You mean the OEM business?"

Zhang Yong was shocked by Xiao Sewa's reaction. He found that this seemingly easy-going Frenchman was actually the same as Xiaowei, a guy with a brilliant mind.

He admitted, "Yes."

"OEM is a relatively traditional part of Mag. The shareholders of the company have changed. There has always been controversy about whether this department should exist. Conservatives believe that their existence will compete with Mag's own products, and the profit is unimaginable. High, it should be closed. Radicals believe that OEMs are too conservative and always provide products that are behind our latest technology generation and sell them to users. They think Mag should sell OEMs that are exactly the same as their own products to users.”

"May I ask, which faction do you belong to?"

"I belong to the action group. Any group without specific plans and accurate assessments of the market is nonsense. But I think the OEM department must not be closed. Maybe there will be greater opportunities in the future. Now some old products are still supporting us. Facade, our investment in OEM is very limited. So don't close it at will. What do you think?"

"I don't care what Mag executives think, I only care about the Chinese market. As you can see, this is the era of China's fastest economic development, and Chinese manufacturing is also on the rise. OEM business will have huge potential in China, which is far better than Your survey-type business. Frankly speaking, I have not promised Celina, and there is another reason, I am afraid that you will pin your hopes on the second phase of the Engineering Center on me. I am not afraid of taking responsibility, but I can tell you now , This is difficult. The chances are slim. So, instead of competing in a battlefield where you don’t have an advantage, it’s better to find your greatest advantage.”

Xiao Sewa carefully wrote down Zhang Yong's views on OEM in the notebook, "If you can have better data support, I think I can give the boss a complete report."

"Let me think about it. There is another question. Will you consider letting go of the high-precision OEM business, just like Canada's Jieke?"

Xiao Sewa suddenly froze and didn't speak for a long time.

Zhang Yong didn't know what happened, and didn't press him to ask.

After a long time, Xiao Sewa said: "If you are willing to join Mag, I will let you come to France in the future and join me in convincing François about the OEM. Now, I can't answer you anything. About Jie Co, and Mag, there is actually a story, are you interested in hearing it?"

"Of course, I like stories."

Xiao Sewa smiled, "Jieke's previous business was also a measurement receiver, but it was not considered a success, and it was not even as good as Techko."

Zhang Yong nodded, "I know a little bit."

"As for the product director who made Jieke win the OEM business, I don't want to say his name, let's call him Dr. X. X used to be my colleague. He is what I call a radical. He has been urging Mag's executives to open up. OEM business, to make a high-performance commercial OEM board for sale. Unfortunately, his opinion was repeatedly rejected, so he left in a rage, and Jieke is today. Jieke’s board, and Mag’s high-precision OEM, these are forbidden words in Mag, and almost no one mentions them. I tell you this story, so that one day, you really join us, be careful of these restricted areas, and you may offend the boss.”

"Is that so?" Zhang Yong couldn't believe it, "I think the right thing to do is not to review our wrong decision, X is right, should we catch up?"

Xiao Sewa smiled and shook her head, "I heard you talk about Eka, such political struggles never happen in Mag, we are still a relatively coordinated group. However, the politics within the enterprise, every company has , Mag is no exception. We just have less human politics."

Zhang Yong nodded, "Understood. But do you know what Celina said, what is the business I want to talk about?"

"Is it OEM?"

"A little more extreme."

Xiao Sewa sighed, "Brother Yong, your ambition is too big. It is difficult for me to help you with high-precision OEM. Of course, if you come over, I can arrange for you to have a direct conversation with the boss. The premise is that you are not afraid He was fired as soon as he got started."

"I was fired by Eka just once, and I don't seem to be particularly afraid. If you don't consider the company's principles, technically, is there any problem in providing high-precision OEM?"

"There are also many problems. You know, although our equipment uses the same technology, it is a combined system, not a complete OEM board. If you want to make this board, it will cost less money and manpower. Less. This is also the reason why the boss did not agree to let go of the OEM business."

Zhang Yong was a little disappointed, although he liked Xiao Sewa very much, it would be good if he got along with such a boss.

"Brother Yong, what do you think? If we let go of the OEM business, what will you do?"

"I want to operate your OEM, but not simply sell, but cooperate with Mag to develop and customize together, and make a product comparable to Jieke. Nowadays, Jieke is the only one in the Chinese market, and I want to get a share. I also want to give Chinese manufacturers more choices."

"You know Celina has always wanted to go back to France. Her husband's job is in Paris and he can't leave."

"She told me."

"So she recommended you to replace her. If you agree, then you will be the chief representative of China for a transition period of at most one year. I believe that this is a very good position. Doesn't it appeal to you?"

"Yes, the position of boss in China is a kind of temptation to everyone. It's just a temptation to me, and it's not as big as the temptation of OEM."

"This is what I want to say. I just said that if you can enter the door, I can take you to convince the boss. It is you, not me. Whether you can convince the boss is your business, not mine. I think it is difficult. But at least, there is a chance. If you don’t come to work, young man, do you think I have any reason to take you to see the boss? Why does the boss listen to an outsider, even someone from Eka to teach him how to do things? Do you want to think about it?” A sly smile appeared on Xiao Sewa's face.

"Francois, you know that the Chinese call your behavior painting cakes."

"What do you mean? Sorry, I don't know much about Chinese culture."

"One person was hungry, and the other person drew a piece of cake on the ground for him to eat. The painted cake was for the hungry person to eat." Francois laughed, "It's a good image. Chinese humor is actually connected with European culture. "

"You didn't promise me anything, just promised to give me a chance to meet the boss, and let me come to work for such a picture. You are too smart, will it be stressful to be your subordinate?"

Xiao Sewa continued to laugh, "I'm easy to get along with and almost never puts pressure on people. I'm not exactly drawing cakes. I've always considered this matter. I'm actually a radical, but I haven't found it yet. It's the right opportunity, but I don't know how to take the next step. When you come, we have one more person to communicate with the boss. I have read your report on the Mag handheld, and it is very good. If you can still come up with With such data, we feel that our chances are much greater. Think about it, if I lose this opportunity, I will also feel a pity. In fact, it is not difficult to determine the candidates for the China region. There is really no one. It is also possible to promote one. But for those who want to discuss OEM business with the boss, I am afraid it will be difficult to find a second one...."

"I sincerely hope that you will be with us."

Zhang Yong was silent for a while, "Sorry, François, I'm afraid I can't make a decision now. I need to think about it. When will you leave Beijing?"

"I'm leaving tonight. But it's okay, I said, we can all make a decision after today's conversation. When you have a decision, you can tell Celina and she will send an official email to me and François. "

"It's so hasty, do you have time, I'll treat you to dinner tonight, no matter what happens or not. Come to Beijing and be my guest."

Xiao Sewa shook her head, "Thank you, Brother Yong. But I was rejected by others, and I'm not in the mood to eat." After that, he smiled, "I'm just kidding, I'm afraid I don't have time for a meeting with Celina at night. I hope , every time you come to China in the future, you can treat me to dinner here."

"The last word, Brother Yong."

"You said."

"There are not many companies in the world that can provide OEM, but with a complete production line, IP, and many years of experience in high-precision products, it may be difficult for you to find another one except Mag."

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Not long after leaving the Mag representative office, Zhang Yong received a call on the way.The number is very familiar, which makes him feel mixed. It is the phone number of Eka China.

"Who will look for me? Ma Xiaoqing?"

After all, he answered the phone, "Hello, Zhang Yong, I am Wang Youbin, the new vice president of Eka China. There are still some problems with your work contract with Eka. We need you to come back and deal with it."

"Hello, Mr. Wang. My contract is finished. You mean the consultant contract."

"No matter what the contract is, I hope you can come once. I invite you personally, okay? I know Eka China is unfair to you, and I apologize to you."

Zhang Yong was a little apprehensive, but he felt warm in his heart. He had never received such respect in Eka.

"Mr. Wang, I dare not take it seriously. When you have time, I will visit you."

(End of this chapter)