this man is not calm

Chapter 443 Frightened
This "big show" before New Year's Eve was still very satisfying for the fans of Beijing Northern United Football Team.

After nearly four decades of wandering in the lower leagues, the past glory is long gone and everyone has low expectations for the team's performance. The fact that they managed to avoid relegation last year is enough to make people dare not expect too much.

Apart from not spending big on buying "national players" and well-known foreign players, the club has done well enough. Compared with some "international teams" that have made rapid progress in performance, today's fans do not actually appreciate the "nouveau riche" who rely on spending money to poach players to achieve good results. The Beijing Northern United Football Club, which has a strong community atmosphere, will sooner or later promote commercialization and take big steps towards becoming a world-class team, but this does not mean giving up tradition.

This year, the first team promoted five youth players from the youth team. Three young and talented children who were not yet qualified for the adult team were also allowed to train with the team. These "familiar faces" made local fans very satisfied.

Just a charity warm-up match broadcast live by a local TV station attracted 65,000 fans, which shows that the team's appeal is still considerable.

At the post-match press conference, the team owner, who had not appeared for a long time, announced that the commercial income from the game, totaling about 2.1 million yuan, would be donated to schools in poor areas in the Midwest. He also personally spent 900,000 yuan to purchase necessary supplies, totaling 3 million yuan, which will soon be delivered to those in need.

Since the team was promoted to the top league, it has done more public welfare work such as visiting schools for left-behind children, volunteering in nursing homes, volunteering in orphanages, and doing publicity for greening the mountains and rivers. The benefits of increasing visibility in the Gyeonggi region are really huge.

Before the new season begins, the club has received good news about its commercial development. It is expected that the revenue next year will be the highest among the 14 teams in the A-League.

Just like in this charity warm-up match, the rolling electronic billboards on the sidelines sold 400,000 promotional spots, which exceeded one-third of the ticket revenue for the game.

In view of this, the broadcasting revenue for the 1998 season, as well as the costs of jersey advertising, sponsorship contracts, image rights and endorsements, are all set to rise significantly.

What makes Jin Shang most satisfied is that the advertisements of Jinxi Culture's new laptop computer, the Mars series of laptop computers, are shining all over the place, and the sales volume in the Gyeonggi region during the Spring Festival will definitely increase a lot.

Being located in the capital has this advantage. Once something becomes popular, it will quickly spread across the country, especially to the Northeast and North China, where its influence is astonishing.

Last month, the Ares series of laptops sold an astonishing 110,000 units, and this month sales are estimated to increase by 30 percent.

Originally, the Computer Federation estimated that domestic computer sales in 1998 would hit a low point due to the sluggish international financial market and Western technology stocks, and that a sales volume of 25% would be considered a success. However, in just over a month, Planet Intelligence, a technology company that was above the second tier but less than the first tier and under Jinxi Culture, achieved this goal, which really surprised many people.

But soon, everyone understood why there were such amazing sales volumes. A computer that cost about twelve thousand yuan was discounted by two thousand yuan in various ways. Although the discount was not very high, the unit price of a laptop is high. The price difference for one unit is just over two thousand yuan. This promotion was quite sincere.

A big sale at a loss is just to make friends. Consumers are not fools. If there is a bargain, they will take it.

After learning this, some furious colleagues cursed and even joined forces to file a complaint against Jinxi Culture for unfair competition.

This incident was once reported in the mainstream media and caused a lot of uproar, but after a while, it died down. It was the New Year, and no one wanted to make a big fuss over such a "small matter". The authorities also didn't want to comment on this kind of business dispute that could be managed or not, and after a week of cold treatment, it was left unresolved.

The good sales of laptops are one thing, and the market share of the Bai Ze 98 operating system in China has increased rapidly, and it has occupied half of the commercial office laptops. Combined with the share of the second-hand desktop market and the Internet cafe alliance, it has become the second largest system service provider in the country. Thirty-one percent of computers use Bai Ze or previous versions of the system.

The strategy of repairing the plank road in the open while secretly marching through Chencang has been largely successful. What remains is to build an application ecosystem around the system to retain users.

Thinking about the bright future that can be foreseen, Jin Shang felt that his "combination punch" publicity offensive in the one or two months across the New Year was quite successful.

Let’s put all these aside for now. On the night of the Little New Year, the third Spring Festival Gala jointly organized by related companies officially began. In fact, it was just a party held together by large companies that have cooperated a lot with Jin Shang and Mei Yingnian.

The program format is still based on the Spring Festival Gala, but it is not so serious and is mainly based on a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

With the experience of the previous two times, this time is more formal and more lively.

This year, Dai Yiqun, Mei Shuying and others do not have the task of performing on the Spring Festival Gala, so they are much more relaxed. They do not have to rehearse frequently and can have a happy holiday. As for the third Spring Festival Gala, it will not be so troublesome. They can just familiarize themselves with the stage with some invited guests in advance.

Originally this large-scale association, which was held for fun, has already made a name for itself in the art world with the foundation laid by the previous two sessions, and has gained a certain sense of presence. Big stars who have no shortage of exposure may not necessarily come for it, but many second- and third-tier artists still value this performance stage.

A total of two satellite channels and thirteen local stations jointly recorded and broadcast the program, which was really impressive during the Spring Festival when festive programs were everywhere.

As per convention, Mei Shuying, Dai Yiqun and others, as the most famous stars, performed the most important singing and dancing programs. Jin Shang also sang "The Sea", a song that was among the most requested in KTV, and won applause from the whole room, especially the ignorant little Jinfeng, who was extremely happy in such a lively room. When he saw his acquaintances on the stage, he laughed so hard that snot bubbles came out.

Since it was not a live broadcast, the performers were more relaxed and the effect was much better. There were fewer mistakes in the live singing, and the individual embarrassing scenes actually added a lot of fun.

There are also some programs that were "eliminated" from the Spring Festival Gala, but they were also invited to perform on stage. This would have been unimaginable two years ago, as they were unwilling to come even if paid.
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After the Little New Year, the employees' hearts were completely distracted. Employees from other places set out on the journey back to their hometowns, and the local employees on duty could not muster any enthusiasm for work.

This cannot be solved by incentives or "golden fingers". External forces cannot go against human nature, we can only go with the flow.

Jin Shang is not such an unkind boss. Except that some positions cannot be separated from diligent subordinates, he cannot ask for too much.

Among these, the data center is the top priority. Smart and capable people must be arranged to look after it at all times, and any problems must be dealt with in a timely manner.

In his spare time, Jin Shang would also call and ask about the situation.

On the night of New Year's Eve, after eight o'clock, everyone is basically free, either playing mahjong with family members or watching the Spring Festival Gala.

The recorded Spring Festival Gala in the afternoon is just a side dish, while the Spring Festival Gala in the evening is the main event.

Watching the advertisements of "Mars", "Xiaolingtong", "Venus 3 Game Console", "Mercury Mobile Phone" and so on that appeared from time to time on the TV screen, the Jin family members were all in the bright living room, eating snacks, drinking tea, occasionally chatting, or being amused by the programs.

Little Jinfeng couldn't hold out for long at night and felt a little sleepy around nine o'clock. With the help and protection of Jin Shang, he played with firecrackers and fireworks for a while and then was coaxed to sleep.

When Jin Shang came back, the yawning grandmother suddenly asked:

"Are the people from my hometown the ones you asked your housekeeper to find, A Shang?" "Well, business is business, and foundation is foundation. Some inconspicuous small companies may have surprises. I asked Lao Bian to find more people with skills. It's best if they have multiple talents. They can herd cattle, raise sheep, cut grass, tan leather, sew textiles, brew wine, boil sugar, etc. It's always a way to make a living."

These people are generally not young, with families and some even have apprentices. Jin Shang didn't expect them to help him make a lot of money. He just provided some resources and a symbolic 30% stake, and then they would run the rest on their own. These were considered some marginal businesses under the company, and the parent company could not do them personally, so a symbolic presence would be enough.

"You guys... I can't control so much, just do it yourselves. Support each other, but don't get too involved. A little help is a favor, a little help is a grudge. Keep a distance to get along with each other. After all, we are distant and not that familiar with each other. Just do what you need to do."

"I know!"

Madam Xian glanced at Jin Shang, who seemed a little absent-minded, nonchalantly.

"He was absent-minded, went out several times, and checked his phone from time to time. What urgent matter is there that you must care about today?"

If it were in previous years, Jin Shang would definitely not be so careless, but this year, especially tonight, the situation was a bit unexpected.

"Excuse me, there are three emergencies in the data center in one day. The people on duty are a little panicked. Do you need my authorization to activate the backup server resources and increase the power supply?"

"Oh? You're still so busy at this hour?"

"It's better to say that it's New Year's Eve that's why it's so exaggerated."

Jin Shang explained with a wry smile,

"There are more than 80 million Xiaolingtong users, and the demand for text messaging on New Year's Eve has reached an astonishing level. Let me put it this way, I once said that the Xiaolingtong business could earn 2 billion this year, but now it seems that one month is enough, and tonight, 80% of it has been achieved."

"Ok?"

Jin Shi, who had not paid much attention to the conversation between the grandfather and grandson, asked unexpectedly,

"There are so many? Text messages... is this how you make money?"

"The key is not revenue, but low cost. Apart from data demand and power consumption, it's basically easy money. And this stuff... is a regular expense. Even if there is no SMS boom, it won't save much. In comparison, the notebook computer business... I've worked hard for nearly two years, including software and hardware development, product design, technical research, and early acquisition and patent licensing expenses, material purchases. The cost is out of control. Selling one unit actually loses two thousand. Although it can be recovered later, it still hurts a bit. But the cost of Xiaolingtong SMS and Jinxi Chat is negligible."

In other words, from this afternoon until around ten o'clock this evening, the revenue is nearly 1.4 billion, which is pure profit.

Even someone as knowledgeable as Jin Shang was a little flustered when he saw such wealth that was about to hit him on the head and he had to make some money.

Even, it's a bit confusing.

In fact, Jin Shang discovered this business opportunity during the Spring Festival last year. The number of text messages sent by Xiaolingtong users during festivals, especially around New Year's Eve, soared hundreds of times.

Data retrieved from mobile phone users also proves that people’s social needs on New Year’s Eve are extremely strong.

There was no choice in the past, but now with mobile phones, when it is inconvenient to talk on the phone or in some awkward situations, it is normal for people who are not very familiar with each other to send a text message to say hello.

In his previous life, Jin Shang had seen his old father, who had just learned how to use a mobile phone, busy sending and receiving text messages on New Year's Eve. After twelve o'clock, because he was not proficient, he was so busy replying to other people's text messages that he did not go to bed until two o'clock.

Compared with the future when spam messages are flying everywhere and marketing numbers are emerging in an endless stream, people today are still relatively simple and honest. Even if they receive a greeting from an unfamiliar number they don’t remember, they will find out who it is and respond politely.

The custom and practice of courtesy and reciprocity has gradually spread to the field of mobile phones (Xiaolingtong).

In view of this, Jin Shang quickly built the data center, then connected the Xiaolingtong SMS service with Jinxi Chat, and developed a group messaging function for the first time, allowing everyone to quickly edit and send SMS in batches, especially on New Year's Eve, which was really appropriate.

The most important promotional day of the year is, of course, the Spring Festival. Jin Shang has made a lot of discounts on Xiaoling call packages and text message packages. Jin Xi Chat and a number of network services also have limited-time discounts. Originally, Jin Shang thought that with 200 text messages for 20 yuan and a 60% to 70% discount, the best he could make during the Spring Festival would be 400 to 500 million yuan.

As a result, reality gave Master Jin a huge shock.

Who stipulates that a person can only send 100 text messages? In other words, with such a big discount, isn't it natural to buy a few more text message packages?

Perhaps some Xiaolingtong users really cannot use up the 100 text messages in the package, but more of them have no control at all. The group messaging function has fueled everyone's interest, especially tonight, when they can send New Year's greetings with just the movement of their fingers, and there is no restraint at all.

This is just like online shoppers who clearly don't need that much, but are tempted by big discounts and buy enough shampoo, shower gel, laundry detergent, or oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, etc. to last for years.

There are many people who buy several SMS packages at a time, and send group blessings to several people, but a hundred messages won't last long.

In his previous life, Jin Shang had heard that the basic operators' SMS revenue on New Year's Eve was more than 3 billion yuan, and he thought it was just a rumor. Unexpectedly, it was very likely to be true.

"No wonder China Mobile's Fetion lost to Little Penguin in the end. The money earned from SMS is so lucrative. Why would they cut off the existing revenue and go for the Internet instant messaging or unstable data traffic billing that has no future?"

If it is a private enterprise, the boss will have the motivation to transform due to practical and strategic considerations, but for an enterprise that emphasizes a stable state-owned background, it is very likely that it will not take this risk.

Success does not necessarily mean achievement, but failure is definitely a fault.

How to do it is not a multiple-choice question at all, but a judgment question.

(End of this chapter)