Reinventing the Millennium.

Chapter 543 Featured Director (Two in One)

In the last few days of the last month of [-], Fang Zhuo's last major activity before leaving the capital was to visit the production line under construction by BOE.

This is a fifth-generation TFT-LCD production line, which is expected to be put into production in the middle of next year at the earliest and at the end of the year at the latest.

Fang Zhuo and Ni Runfeng visited the construction accompanied by Chairman Wang Dongsheng. Originally, he also invited the heads of Konka and TCL, but they were politely rejected.

The panel screen is the upstream of the industrial chain, a market dominated by foreign countries, and an important cost component of LCD products. Such an invitation is different from the dispensable technical support for rear-projection TVs, and may involve major corporate strategic decisions.

Therefore, Fang Zhuo and Ni Runfeng were the only ones who made the trip.

However, with Wang Dongsheng's introduction, Ni Runfeng also felt that he wanted to withdraw. Although Mr. Fang didn't say it clearly, he did know something in this man's mind.

"Mr. Wang, my trip came relatively suddenly. I am very glad that we also have a fifth-generation production line in China. Although the road ahead is difficult, I believe there will be a bright future."

"I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate in the not-too-distant future."

Fang Zhuo visited and visited, ate and drank, but his final statement to Wang Dongsheng inevitably disappointed the other party.

Wang Dongsheng felt that this was more like a cliché, but after thinking about it, this Bingxin's stall was also a more costly project, which was probably more difficult than his own BOE, so he put away his disappointment.

On the way back, Ni Runfeng couldn't help sighing: "It's too difficult, Mr. Fang, you don't know if you don't visit, and you only know how difficult it is after visiting."

Fang Zhuo knew what Lao Ni meant by difficulty. It was not the difficulty of production and construction, although this was indeed difficult, but the difficulty of the competition faced by the fifth-generation TFT-LCD production line.

The chairman of BOE did not beautify the industry when he accompanied the explanation. The production line they built is mainly for 17-inch display screens. When the line was built, the price per piece was around US$300, but now it has dropped to US$200 by the end of the year.

Moreover, this decline has not stopped. It is foreseeable that when BOE goes into production, it will face even lower product market prices.

This also means that the production line independently constructed by BOE will inevitably end up in a huge loss.

This is not a situation that can be reversed by manpower, but a cyclical recession of the global industry.

Although BOE itself has learned the counter-cyclical investment construction style of Japan and South Korea, such a loss situation is still enough to shake people.

"It's really difficult, no wonder those two don't want to come." Fang Zhuo said flatly.

Ni Runfeng nodded silently.

"They can all see some of my ideas. In fact, if possible, it would be best for domestic TV companies to take the lead in investing together. If the panel industry is controlled by foreign countries, it will shorten a lot." Fang Zhuo said thoughtfully.

However, this faces a most immediate problem.

Now if you want to invest in the panel production line, you will inevitably lose money. Who can convince your board of directors to make such a major decision?

Even Ni Runfeng, who visited together because of his personal relationship, was not sure that he would get such a decision-making power when Changhong's strategic transformation failed.

Ni Runfeng didn't answer.

Fang Zhuo was not angry, but just said with a smile: "The wave of liquid crystal products must be getting faster and faster. When you are all hurt by the panel cost, you will still think of BOE. There will be a chance then."

Seeing that Mr. Fang's mood was really okay, Ni Runfeng also said, "Let's leave it to the future head of Changhong to consider."

Fang Zhuo glanced at Lao Ni, and gave a meaningful and predictive opinion: "This day will probably be sooner than you think."

CPT TVs must be upgraded, whether they are plasma or LCD. At present, with Changhong's shift in China, they are basically on the LCD side.

However, the panel problem in the upstream of the industry chain cannot be solved, which will inevitably cause severe pain to domestic TV companies.

It's useless to say it, the real pain will force companies to find a solution together.

Fang Zhuo didn't reveal a clear idea of ​​taking the lead this time, but everyone was like a mirror in their hearts, so they died without a problem.

In fact, he is not in a hurry about this, and it won't hurt if he doesn't do TV, so he will definitely have the opportunity to take the lead in doing things next time.

"Old Ni, do you think that Zhang Xuebin is tempted?" Fang Zhuo changed the subject to a lighter one.

"I'm afraid it depends on the internal situation of Skyworth. I heard that Mr. Huang is actively dealing with legal issues." Ni Runfeng said, "If I were Zhang Xuebin, I would be moved when I heard what you said, Mr. Fang."

Ni Runfeng continued: "Although Changhong's position is a bit empty, it is definitely possible to start with the general manager of Meiling. This is not just a matter of our attitude. In the end, whether it will work or not will ultimately depend on his own ability."

Fang Zhuo thought about it and said: "This stage is quite good. If he is ambitious, he should come. Let's see when."

Ni Runfeng nodded, the peak period for changing jobs after the new year.

"Old Ni, you can talk to Zhang Xuebin before the Spring Festival. If you don't talk about anything else, just talk about today's trip." Fang Zhuo finally said, "Skyworth's current situation may not have the energy to consider the upstream issues of the industrial chain, no matter whether Changhong can Participation, your attitude and perception of the industry are important signals.”

Zhang Xuebin is different from Ni Runfeng. He is in his prime, and he should have long-term consideration and thinking about the industry.

Ni Runfeng agreed, saying that he really admired this capable person of Skyworth, and it was not taboo to discuss Changhong's future job arrangement.

The two chatted all the way back when they went back. Instead of talking about Skyworth, they chatted about the B2C Tesco project for a while.

Dazhong Electric provided the nutrients for e-buy to hatch in advance. From now to the Spring Festival, Fang Zhuo’s problem is how to better combine Dazhong and e-buy to form an effect of 1+1 greater than 2.

However, this matter cannot be done in a hurry. Dazhong Electric has its own offline system, and e-buy B2C also has its original project plan, and the brutal pursuit of efficiency will not bring better results.

On the contrary, from a more medium and long-term strategic point of view, the cooperation between e-buy B2C and manufacturers is more valuable.

On this point, Ni Runfeng, an old expert, is the best subject to discuss. He not only has rich experience in cooperation with channels, but also to a certain extent, his own.

B2C must burn money, but it also has to compete with manufacturers and other channels for the right to speak.

Fang Zhuo hopes that he can handle it better. When it comes to the success or failure of the project and word of mouth, he hopes that there will be no public opinion disturbance like this one.

On the last day of [-], Fang Zhuo returned to Shanghai by plane. E-buy had to discuss some considerations with the project executives, and had to deal with the company's key affairs before the Lunar New Year.

However, in the afternoon when Fang Zhuo landed, he received a call from New York just as he arrived at Plaza [-].

Stringer from Sony called.

It was at the moment when he saw the number that Fang Zhuo suddenly remembered that he was still an external director of Sony Music, which also belonged to his own internal communication.

Stringer had nothing else to do on the phone, and after a while of pleasantries, he talked about the changes in Sony's situation.

Fang Zhuo had made some small suggestions with this guy last time, and now, the chaotic Sony has come up with a new power change plan after many wrestling.

Last time, Sony internally asked Stringer and the current leader, Nobuyuki Idei, to co-govern the group. This time, seeing Sony's anniversary celebration approaching and the shareholder meeting not far away, Nobuyuki Idei made another concession.

After the general meeting of shareholders, Nobuyuki Idei will no longer hold a specific position, but only assume the title of consultant. Sony’s highest power distribution is to let Stringer, who represents Western-style management, be the chairman, Ryoji Nakabachi as the president, and Katsumi Ihara as the chairman. CFO.

This is a shocking proposal.

If it can be implemented, Stringer will become the first foreign chairman in the history of Sony Group.

Stringer was overjoyed when he heard the plan, and he was inclined to agree to it, and his team also suggested that it was acceptable.

However, after a day, Stringer, who was a little calmer, remembered Fang Zhuo, who had predicted Sony's situation, and wanted to hear this little friend's opinion.

"Well, it's a very good plan. Sony is willing to accept a foreign chairman." Fang Zhuo was unavoidably surprised when he pondered.

Stringer on the other end of the phone waited patiently for advice.

"I think the bottom line that has been breached once will always be breached repeatedly." Fang Zhuo smoked half a cigarette, first gave this opinion, and then said, "Sony is willing to let you be the chairman. First, Sony Entertainment The business is excellent, and the second is that they believe that Western modern corporate management can save Sony."

"That number one point won't change, Sony Entertainment is already great no matter what."

"The second point will not change either. Sony, which is in decline, must have more modern management. I believe they have gradually reached this consensus internally."

"The only thing that changes is how much power they're willing to give you as chairman."

"Stringer, I don't think you should underestimate the difficulty of integrating the group's local and global businesses."

Fang Zhuo returned the content to the specific power plan: "Ryoji Nakabachi served as the president and replaced Kuniwei Ando as the representative director. This is actually a reduction of your chairman's power. You may not know whether the representative director here in Sony is still Different from your ordinary directors over there."

Representative director is a system unique to Japan and South Korea. The reason why Nakabachi can take over the seat of substitute director is that he is now the executive director of Sony.

Simply put, the representative director must be selected from among the directors, he is a director among the directors, and has the right to represent the company.

That is to say, when Ryoji Nakabachi is alone, he can express his will independently, which can be regarded as the will of the Sony Group.

Then, on different occasions, it is not certain what the chairman Stringer and the representative director Ryoji Nakabachi will focus on.

After all, Ryoji Nakabachi has considerable influence in the local area of ​​the group. His current position is vice president and chief operating officer in charge of the microsystem branch and EMCS, and he has a strong personal ability.

Fang Zhuo felt that Stringer might not be aware of the Japanese and Korean characteristics. Such a "little chairman" would greatly divert authority, and another senior CFO of the group was also the local Katsumi Ihara.

This is a continuation of her position, and her years-long CFO experience clearly allows her to firmly grasp the financial power.

Looking at it this way, with the young chairman Ryoji Nakabachi and the old CFO Katsumi Ihara, it will take a lot of effort for Stringer to fully control the Sony Group.

"Representative director? This..." Stringer really hesitated.

He really didn't know such a unique system.

Who has nothing to study this?

Fang Zhuo researched it a little, mainly because this thing looks strange, directors are directors, if you want to be a "representative", then take a good look at what it represents.

"If you can't flex your muscles, why give up the entertainment business that is getting better and better now? If you want to flex your muscles and save Sony, you must be able to exercise power smoothly. Otherwise, what's the point of becoming the chairman Use?" Fang Zhuo said, "The power in the quagmire is meaningless to you."

Stringer was lost in thought.

It wasn't that he felt that it was meaningless, but he suddenly felt that such a representative director with Japanese characteristics symbolized many subtle things.

A representative director appears, is there more below?

Is there such a factor in Sony's decline now?
Therefore, Sony is in need of modern management reforms.

As the vice chairman of the group, Stringer has strengthened his understanding, and the first step is to reorganize the board of directors.

"Fang, do you think I can get the position of president?" He asked after thinking about it.

"I don't have to ask you to be the president. Do they have any other candidates? What about Ken Kutaragi?" Fang Zhuo asked.

I have previously studied the outstanding leadership of the Sony Group. Nakabachi Ryoji and Kutaragi Ken are both key candidates. The latter is known as the father of PS and is also a very eye-catching existence in the current decline.

Stringer was silent, and the name seemed to be somewhat impressive.

"Fang, you know Sony better than I do." He spit out a few seconds later.

Fang Zhuo was very calm: "I am in China, and I am too close to Sony. Many times, Sony is my object of study."

"Do you think this Kutaragi Ken can replace Nakaba Ryoji?" Stringer wanted to hear Fang Zhuo's evaluation of this person before inquiring about Kutaragi Ken.

"He is more technical. Compared with Ryoji Nakabachi, who can serve as a representative director, I think it is easier for him to fully implement the power of your chairman. As for the other CFO, there is no reason to shake her now." Fang Zhuo said Said.

Stringer agrees.

"If Ryoji Nakabachi can be taken down, or at least his representative director, this plan has the motivation to be accepted. Then, Sony's board of directors must be reformed, and the scientific light of modern management must illuminate Sony again." Fang Zhuo sighed, "It must not be easy."

Not easy, certainly not easy.

But who doesn't want to be a hero.

Thinking this way, Stringer made up his mind to resign again.

(End of this chapter)