America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 244 The Rotation System and the NBC Television Network

Who can become the first CEO of Smith Media.

Now, this has become the most concerned thing of everyone at the conference.

But what Abel announced next surprised everyone.

For Abel said:
"In view of the fact that Smith Media has appeared for too short a time, and there was no connection between the internal parties before that."

"So I thought and thought, and finally I decided to implement a rotating CEO system in Smith Media."

The term "rotating CEO" surprised everyone.

This is a term that is very new in the American business world and no one has heard of it.

"Clap~"

Abel clapped his hands lightly, and someone from the advisory group came out and distributed several frivolous documents to several executives of the media group.

"This is Smith Media's definition of "rotating CEO". You can take a look first." Abel said.

It was a matter of everyone's own interests, and everyone looked at it seriously.

displayed on the file.

Smith Media will select several rotating CEOs within the group.

These CEOs are rotated once a year, and the rotating CEO is mainly responsible for the company's business management, strategic planning, and internal coordination.

Everyone is unfamiliar with this system.

Abel, who is in the main position, actually doesn't know whether this kind of management system that has received very good results in the future Chinese high-tech companies and Internet giants can be implemented in the United States, or whether it is useful to implement it.

This system first appeared in 2011 in parallel time and space.

Appeared in Chrysanthemum, a high-tech enterprise with many businesses.

This system has been used for several years and has produced very good results internally on the chrysanthemum.

For Abel, if this kind of management system can be implemented.For him, the chairman and his descendants, it is definitely the most suitable system.

"Rotating CEO", to some extent, is a check and balance on the company's power.

The rotating CEO will not have great power over internal high-level personnel issues, which will reduce personnel corruption.

In addition, this system can also reduce the risk of a company causing a lot of losses due to a problem with a certain person (mainly referring to the CEO), so that the fate of the company does not depend on a certain person.

There is a typical example of this, and Disney's current president, Michael Eisner, is this example.

ABC Disney Group can have the current scale and status.

Michael Eisner deserves credit.

It was Michael Eisner, who took over in 1985, that brought Disney to this level.

But over time, Michael Eisner was a perfect fit for Disney before.

Now it has gradually failed to keep up with the progress of the new century.

A typical example is parallel time and space. Without the efforts of Robert Iger and others, Disney would have parted ways with 3D animation giants such as Pixar.

If Michael Eisner had kept up with the times, he would not have stepped down in 2005 and replaced Robert Iger.

In the years from 1998 to 2005, Disney made many mistakes because of Michael Eisner's decision-making.

If it weren't for Disney's fate later, there would be a Mickey Mouse Robert Iger.

Without Robert, whether Disney will be able to acquire Marvel and Fox will be a problem.

This is a bit like many famous monarchs in ancient times.

These kings were wise and decisive in their youth and brought the empire or kingdom to its peak.

If you don't abdicate when you are old, many kings become fatuous and violent, and bring the empire or kingdom to the end.

For a company, this rotating CEO system can largely avoid such personal losses.

In addition, this kind of system can also avoid the problem that a group of backbones will be taken away due to the resignation of a certain CEO, which will greatly damage the vitality of the company.

In addition, every CEO will work hard to pull the car and drive the company forward during his rotation. If he goes astray, the next round of CEOs will correct the course in time.

In this business management system, the rotating CEO is made up of a small team.

Because of "harmonious but different", they can manipulate enterprises to continuously adapt to environmental changes, and their decisions are made collectively, which also avoids the rigidity of the company caused by excessive personal paranoia.

And the resignation of the rotating CEO after one year does not mean leaving the core layer.

They are still at the core of decision-making, and have not let go of their responsibilities and missions, and are fully prepared for the next rotation.

In addition, because he was worried about acclimatization, Abel also increased the term of the "rotating CEO" from half a year to one year.

If there is really no way to use this system, it can be changed directly later.

"Have you read it yet?"

Ten minutes later, Abel's voice awakened everyone immersed in this peculiar and very groundbreaking management system.

"Next, I will announce the list of the group's rotating CEO."

"Robert Iger, Michael Levine, Michael Ovitz, Richard Plepler, Dylan."

Abel said: "Currently there are only five of you as rotating CEOs. But in the future, if other companies join the group and have excellent leaders, it is also possible to become the new rotating CEO."

As soon as the list was announced, everyone in the audience reacted differently.

Robert Iger was a little disappointed, but acceptable.

After all, he is the first CEO. Even if he will step down after one year, Robert is still the CEO of MGM Entertainment under this system.

And after stepping down as the CEO of the group headquarters, he is still at the decision-making level and can still participate in the highest decision-making.

The power is not much less, and during this period, there is more control over other group subsidiaries. For Robert, who has not made any achievements, no matter how you look at it, it is a good thing.

The others who were still behind Robert were, of course, happier.

If there is no such system, then Robert will be the CEO, as long as he does not make a big mistake, he will always be the CEO.

Then other people will most likely be hopeless as a CEO.

Now this kind of "rotating CEO" system is used, which means that as long as the work is done well, it can be their turn no matter how they are arranged according to the time.

Especially for Richard Plepler and Dylan who were behind, they were simply overjoyed.

before this.

Of these two, one is in charge of TV station media and the other is in charge of paper media.

These two departments are currently very weak in the group.

Without the rotation system, there is a high probability that they will not be able to become the CEO of the group headquarters.

Now that they have a clear opportunity, they are naturally the happiest.

After looking at the people who had different reactions, Abel added:

"This kind of system is also the first time in the United States. So I decided that the first year will be temporary."

"If it doesn't work, it will change next year. I hope that everyone can make it fully implemented and develop the group better under this system. That will benefit everyone present."

The boss has said so, no matter what he thinks in his heart.

All the executives of the Smith Media Group, of course, nodded.

"Okay."

After announcing this, Abel had a smile on his face:
"The first thing has been finished, it may not be that good. Now let's talk about the second thing. This second thing should be considered a good thing for everyone present."

After Abel finished speaking, he turned his head and gestured to David standing behind him.

David Jones nodded, and said "PPT" to the entourage at the door.

The meeting room quickly dimmed, and a white screen was pulled out behind Abel, on which the projector played a PPT.

The people who participated in the meeting saw a logo that looked like colorful petals and a peacock's tail on the projection screen. Under the logo, there were three capital letters of NBC.

"As you can see."

Abel's voice sounded: "The second thing I want to announce is that Smith Media will launch the acquisition of NBC, which is the National Broadcasting Corporation of America!"

As soon as the words fell, the executives of Smith Media, who had been calm throughout the whole process, reacted a little bit.

"NBC?" Robert Iger couldn't help but said, "Boss, did I hear you right? Are we going to buy NBC?"

Abel smiled and nodded, as a response to Robert's question.

Everyone saw Abel's response to Robert, and immediately knew that Abel was serious.

It's no wonder they reacted so strongly.

You must know that NBC and the other two television networks have always been one of the three major commercial broadcasting and television companies in the United States.

The other two are ABC and CBS.

It's just that FOX, a News Corp., came out later, and the number of major American TV networks has now become four.

Add one under the control of the government, so there are currently five.

However, FOX is currently inferior to the three old commercial TV networks in terms of scale and brand power.

Among them, the CBS television network is currently owned by the Redstone family's Viacom Media Group.

The ABC television network was acquired by Disney in the 90s.

There is only one NBC TV network left, which has not yet been acquired by the media group.

There is no doubt that NBC is one of the most mainstream broadcast television networks in the United States.

It is headquartered in New York's Rockefeller Center, not far from the Woolworth Tower, and the TV station is marked by the peacock's tail.

It is part of the media conglomerate NBC Universal, which provides programming to more than 200 affiliated US television stations.

In 1926, NBC was established by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), and was founded by Sanov in New York in November 1926.

It was purchased in 1986 when its parent company, RCA, was acquired by General Electric.

This General Electric is currently the General Electric with the highest market value in the US stock market.

If Smith Media can really annex NBC.

There is no doubt that Smith Media will immediately become one of the top three American media groups.

Now the boss said that he wants to acquire such a behemoth.

Smith Media executives, including Robert, will have such a big reaction.

Abel could also understand everyone's reaction, and he said:

"This company cannot obtain a controlling stake through sniping. It must use normal negotiations to persuade General Electric to transfer its equity to Smith Media."

Everyone knows the boss is right.

NBC is not a listed company, and the vast majority of its shares are in the hands of General Electric.

If you want to rely on the stock market to snipe, you can't get it by the boss's best method.

But can you get it by negotiating with General Electric?

How likely is it?

Smith Media executives, they feel a little pessimistic.

General Electric, which just became the stock king last year, although its stock price has fallen a lot because of the collapse of Nasdaq.

From the peak of more than 5000 billion U.S. dollars last year, it has fallen to less than 4000 billion U.S. dollars now.

But it is still the listed company with the highest market capitalization in the United States, and even in the world.

It can be said that rich and powerful is used to describe General Electric.

At this time, General Electric was not short of money, not to mention its special status in the United States.

If it is unwilling to sell, even the US government will support him.

Just like in parallel time and space, the stock price of General Electric once fell to 0.02 US dollars per share, which belonged to pure "penny stocks" and "split stocks", that is, stocks that can be bought for a few cents.

It's all so exaggerated, it doesn't need to be delisted if it doesn't want to be delisted, and it didn't go bankrupt because of it.

But so cheap, who can buy it?
No kidding, even hundreds of billions of dollars can't buy it.

Such a technology pillar company in the United States is desperately holding NBC and is unwilling to let it go.

It doesn't matter who comes.

As far as Abel knew, General Electric didn't pay much attention to NBC.

General Electric had no hesitation in selling NBC as long as someone made the right offer.

In addition, General Electric holds only 80% of NBC shares.

Another 20% is in the hands of the French company Vivendi Universal.

Vivendi is also a giant group, fortunately it is a French company.

Since it is a French company, what happened to Alstom can also happen to Vivendi.
Therefore, Abel chose to start with the 20% stake in Vivendi.

As for how to do it, there is no need to tell everyone present.

Looking at the people who were arguing, Abel said: "I'm telling you, I'm just notifying you in advance. Let you be mentally prepared. Well, today's meeting is over, everyone go to work."

It is not the turn of these people to be responsible for the real acquisition work.

Telling them about this matter today is just to cheer up their hearts and prepare them mentally.

As for whether Smith Media's acquisition of NBC will leak, Abel is not worried.

Because even if it leaks, it's useless.

In the United States and even in the world, there are not a hundred companies that want to acquire NBC, but at least dozens.

Among them, either the financial resources are not enough, or the qualifications and status are not enough.

Those who are qualified and financially want to buy NBC as cheaply as possible.

The Eight Immortals of various companies are crossing the sea, and all of them are showing their special abilities.

It's just that in front of the US government and General Electric, these supernatural powers are useless.

Now that there is an extra Smith Media, it is no big deal.

And Abe is serious about buying NBC.

After the meeting is over.

Not long after, around noon.

In the brandy restaurant.

Two days ago he invited Dayao here, but today he invited someone to dinner here, an old white man named Bob Wright.

鲍勃·赖特，1969年加入通用电气；1980-1983年担任Cox有线网络公司总裁；1983-1986年担任通用电气金融服务部门的总裁；1986年9月担任NBC总裁和CEO。

Bob has been known to Abel for a long time.

It should be said that most of the upper-class elites in the United States are very curious about this young man who has quickly become one of the most influential people in the country in a very short period of time.

In addition, Bob also had an accurate guess about Abel's invitation to have lunch with him.

Sure enough, as soon as the two met, Bob heard Abel say to him with a smile:
"Mr. Wright, I want to acquire 20% of NBC shares held by Vivendi Universal."

Bob Wright smiled slightly: "Ha~Mr. Smith. From your investment perspective, you may see that NBC is profitable. Of course I can't comment on this, because this is your own decision."

Seeing that the old guy still wanted to make false claims with himself, Abel simply cut to the chase and said:

"Okay. I'll get straight to the point then. Mr. Wright, I want to buy NBC."

Hearing Abel's request, Bob Wright was not surprised.

This is already obvious.

Abe, a new giant in the media industry, invited Bob Wright, the CEO of NBC, to lunch.

The two had no friendship before, and they didn't even know each other.

Any normal person could guess what Abe was thinking, and so could Bob Wright.

"I'm sorry." Bob Wright said politely:
"NBC is not for sale to GE. We are not for sale, not even you, Mr. Smith."

"Really?" Abel smiled: "What if someone buys it with 1000 billion dollars?"

"Um..." Bob Wright, who had always been very calm, couldn't help but frowned, "Are you kidding me, sir?"

If only someone actually bought NBC for $1000 billion.

Then it is estimated that General Electric can slide and kneel all the way, and send NBC to the other party in a hurry.

Bob Wright couldn't help but look at Abel a few more times.

Mr. CEO knew it was impossible, but he still had some extravagant hopes.

What if Abe really wants to spend $1000 billion to buy NBC?
Didn't General Electric make a fool of themselves?

"Hahaha~" Abel laughed, "Of course I'm joking. If I had $1000 billion, I could already create at least three NBCs from scratch."

Bob Wright: "."

"Mr. Smith, your joke." He shook his head, "It's not that funny."

Fortunately, Bob Wright still has some expectations, even if he knows that these expectations are impossible.

But now that Abermin said it was a joke, Bob Wright was still a little upset.

"$1000 billion is impossible." Abel was deliberately teasing Bob Wright, because the guy was too calm before that.

It seems that Abel is determined.

Now that it's like this, Abel is willing to have a good talk with him.

"1000 billion is impossible."

Abel said, "But what about $200 billion?"

Having to say this number made Bob Wright feel relieved for a while.

Because the offer of 200 billion US dollars is almost the highest offer that General Electric has received in more than ten years.

But Bob Wright still shook his head, knowing that the group would not accept the offer.

Bob Wright rightly said: "NBC is not for sale, and General Electric is not for sale."

What responded to him was Abel's new offer.

"What about the $250 billion?"

(End of this chapter)