Top of the Great Era

Chapter 3027 Opposition to Acquisition

Zhou Buqi doesn't think Google would have any chance if it really bid for LinkedIn.

However, if Google can withdraw early and not get involved in this dispute, it will be very beneficial to Ziweixing International, and it can complete the acquisition of LinkedIn at a relatively low cost. If all parties compete, the highest bidder wins, and the price paid will be high.

It might cost $200 billion to complete the acquisition of LinkedIn.

In its previous life, Microsoft successfully acquired LinkedIn through a competitive bidding process, but was badly cheated by Google, which forced it to pay a 50% premium to complete the acquisition of LinkedIn, spending more than $100 billion more.

Zhou Buqi handled the relationship with all parties well.

This gave him the opportunity to operate under the table.

Zhou Buqi said: "The search cooperation between Yahoo and Microsoft is about to expire. I haven't decided whether to renew the contract with Microsoft."

"Oh?" This topic really hit Larry Page's soft spot. "In the search market, Google is the better choice."

Zhou Buqi nodded. "I have also considered this. If everything goes well, Yahoo's search business will use Google's search services. The cooperation terms can follow the Microsoft model, with a 50-50 split of advertising revenue."

After some internal discussion, Yahoo's proposal to rebuild its search business was rejected internally.

Because it makes no sense.

Even if Yahoo rebuilds its own search business, it will not be able to make any waves in this market, as Google's market share will still be as high as 95%. Once the search business is rebuilt, Yahoo's business structure will become even more bloated, with PC search and mobile search... To build both of these, at least 300 technicians will be needed.

Instead of focusing all our energy on this business that is destined to have no prospects, it is better to focus more on developing emerging businesses on the mobile side.

When the times change and AIGC emerges, we will re-plan the search business.

Larry Page was very happy. Search is Google's core business, and the fewer competitors the better. "This should have been done a long time ago! No problem, when are you free? I'll arrange the signing! I can send a technical team to complete the connection between Yahoo Search and Google."

Zhou Buqi said: "These are all trivial matters. The key is if Google and Yahoo return to the earliest stage to resume cooperation, what is Google's sincerity?"

It was indeed the same recipe and the same taste. Larry Page laughed and said, "Are you asking me to withdraw from the competition with LinkedIn?"

Zhou Buqi said as a matter of course: "You should have quit! You want to set up an independent car company, right? This is perfect. Focus on the past. If you acquire LinkedIn, you may not be able to integrate it in two or three years."

Larry Page said: "If I quit like this, the board might have some opinions."

"That's not a reason."

Zhou Buqi didn't want to listen to his explanation.

Larry Page smiled and said, “Then I will re-evaluate with the team to see if there is any conflict between Google+ and LinkedIn coexisting.”

Zhou Buqi said the same old thing: "I still say that even if you participate, you will get nothing. I hired someone to do the audit and analysis, and in the end I got nothing. With this time and energy, you might as well develop Google+ seriously!"

"I will consider."

“There’s no better advice than this: LinkedIn is not a genetically suitable fit for Google.”

“When can the cooperation between Yahoo and Google start?”

Larry Page turned to the topic that he cares about most.

Zhou Buqi said: "September."

Larry Page asked, “Have you talked to Microsoft?”

Zhou Buqi said, "Not yet. It's still confidential. I can tell you first. No matter what, Yahoo will not renew its contract with Microsoft. Either we cooperate and Yahoo search adopts Google's solution. Or I will rebuild Yahoo's search business and do it myself! If Yahoo rebuilds its search business, it will compete head-on with Google's core business, which is not what I want to see."

Larry Page said: "It's not necessary. It's better to cooperate for mutual benefit and win-win results."

Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "I will take a step back in the search business, and you will take a step back in the social business. That's just right." Larry Page pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Even if Google does not withdraw from the competition with LinkedIn, it will not put pressure on you. If Google makes an offer, it will only make an offer based on the real-time stock price, without any premium."

"can!"

Zhou Buqi's goal was achieved.

……

In the afternoon, go to Los Angeles.

He brought along two new secretaries, Wang Langli and Huo Hua.

It's hard to say about Wang Langli, Boss Zhou has to take care of her feelings. As for Miss Huo Hua, arrangements have been made, and she should be taken in the near future. After all, we can't let her down. This time when I come to Los Angeles, I will take them to see the world.

Don't rush to Hollywood yet.

Follow Boss Zhou and get to know American professional basketball first.

The Los Angeles Clippers are for sale.

The main reason why the team located in a big city like Los Angeles was sold at a time when the sports market is booming and on the verge of breaking out is due to a leaked recording.

Clippers boss Sterling cheated on his girlfriend and flirted with her young girlfriend.

This is nothing.

It’s a common occurrence among the rich and famous.

However, he was recorded on the phone with his girlfriend, and in this conversation, he made many racist remarks against black people, and even discriminated against the legendary NBA star "Magic" Johnson.

Basketball is a sport dominated by black people.

This time, we stepped into a fatal minefield.

He will never be able to stay in the basketball circle again.

This news was exposed last month, shocking the whole United States and the basketball world. Even Aunt Xue, who doesn't understand basketball, knew about it and warned Zhou Buqi: "Women outside are too dangerous, you must be careful!"

Zhou Buqi was also very alert to this, as many celebrities and wealthy people had fallen for women.

Fortunately, I am relatively restrained in this regard.

When he met Ballmer, Zhou Buqi smiled and shook his hand, saying, "This is a rare opportunity."

Ballmer asked curiously: "I heard that Sterling doesn't want to sell the team."

Zhou Buqi snorted, "If he doesn't want to sell, can he just not sell it? The NBA is a commercial league, and Sterling's behavior has destroyed the commercial nature of the entire league. This is no longer something he can decide. Besides, he is cheating on his wife, so his wife will definitely be unhappy."

Ballmer laughed and said, "I heard there was a lawsuit."

Zhou Buqi said: "This is probably how it will end. Even if Sterling doesn't want to sell, his wife can come forward on his behalf. There's no need to think about the outcome of the lawsuit. His wife will definitely win the case and be ruled to have the right to sell the Clippers. This is California, and she's a woman and black. Sterling has no chance."

"Okay, thank you very much!" Ballmer is a senior and enthusiastic fan. "I was a little worried before, but now I feel relieved. Next, I can prepare the funds with my financial assistant."

Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "Get ready. This will definitely work! By the way, where is Bill Gates? Have you contacted him?"

“Well, I told him clearly that I was against acquiring LinkedIn.” Ballmer paused, “At least not at this stage.”

(End of this chapter)