game trailblazer

Chapter 36 Microsoft at the end of the road
Microsoft's current life is very difficult. Although the annual sales revenue is still increasing slowly, the profit is deteriorating. If it continues, the company may close its doors in a short time.

In the first half of the year, Microsoft had seen a glimmer of hope.At that time, Gates took people to participate in the spring Comdex exhibition, and launched a secretly developed Windows 1.0 demo version at the exhibition.Gates also personally operated the mouse and keyboard to demonstrate the control of the window, which soon attracted many curious spectators to watch. Some of them looked like business representatives of large companies, which made Gates a little proud a handful.

The situation at the exhibition seems to indicate that Microsoft has another chance. The motivated Microsoft employees worked hard to work overtime, and finally handed over the official version of Windows 11 in November.In order to build momentum, Microsoft also held a grand reception to entertain the press and software distributors.What makes Gates feel helpless is that, apart from representatives from the press, not many software distributors come.In the seemingly empty hotel, Microsoft executives stood on the stage with embarrassing expressions on their faces. The expected good start turned into two or three kittens. The passion and pride disappeared in an instant.There is a "bubble piece" medal hanging on Gates' chest, which was hung by a reporter at the beginning of the reception. At that time, Gates still kept a smile on his face, but when the reception ended, Gates' face Apart from embarrassment, there was only a wry smile left. He knew that Microsoft was in big trouble.

What happened afterwards was similar to what Gates expected. A few weeks passed, and only less than 1000 Windows 1.0 orders were received piecemeal. It seems that Microsoft will continue to struggle this year.Soon there were some discordant notes within Microsoft, and the first one to pop up was Gates' entrepreneurial partner Allen.

Alan felt that he was wronged. The company's operation has been good in the past few years, and the value of the equity in his hand has been rising. He originally planned to struggle for a few more years. As long as the company goes public, he can make a lot of money immediately.But ever since I received the orders from IBM, I have been in constant trouble. First, Gates randomly took orders when he had nothing in hand, and he had to go all over the street to find them. Get a working OS for a small buck.I thought I could rely on Gates for the development, but I didn't expect that the operating system that was changed in a hurry had many problems. I thought I had time to change it slowly, but who knew that a VisualSystem company suddenly appeared and took the order away.Well, the operating system is really not working, so let’s not do it. It’s not bad to do the promising business of making office software. I didn’t expect it to be blocked by VisualSystem, and there are two more competitors, who abruptly beat Microsoft. The pressure is down, if not for some overseas orders, I don't know what it will be like.

Allen felt that he was worthy of Gates. If it were someone else, he might have retreated a long time ago. How could he support Gates to take another risk on the operating system.This time it's all right, I'm completely relieved, and I don't have to think too much about the company's listing.Allen felt a little discouraged. Two days ago, he had a big fight with Gates over the company's prospects. Gates, who was once full of confidence, can't find his way now.What makes Allen even more angry is that in the past few years, many people had a great interest in the equity in their hands, but they couldn't even get in if they went to look for it during this period of time.Allen was very depressed. Could it be that his struggle for so many years will turn into running water.

The hard feeling in his hand brought Alan back to his senses, and he looked at the business card in his hand carefully again, feeling a little hesitant in his heart.But after careful consideration, Allen still secretly made up his mind: "Bill's old classmate, don't blame me. Now that the company is like this, I am also a victim. It is better for everyone to die."

Allen picked up the phone and dialed the number on the business card, and the phone rang a few times and was quickly connected.

"Ms. Yang, hello!...I'm Alan from Microsoft. You visited last time....I've thought about what you talked about last time. Although it's difficult, it's not impossible. I don't know In terms of price, can you... Okay, okay, just follow the conditions you mentioned last time. I don't know when you can sign the contract?... The sooner the better, then tomorrow is better....Okay, I will wait for you at home tomorrow Phone....Okay, see you tomorrow, bye."

Allen, who put down the phone, let out a long sigh of relief. Although he felt a little unbearable when he occasionally thought of Gates, he soon became happy again when he thought of the numbers on the contract.

Gates has been in a depressed mood during this time, especially after the release of Windows 1.0, he looked at the people around him so unpleasantly all day long, and he had a fight with his old buddy Allen a few days ago, and he didn't Knowing how it happened, an evil fire suddenly appeared in my heart.Since the quarrel, Gates has not seen Alan for several days. In fact, Gates regretted it a little from the next day. He wanted to find a chance to talk to Alan again. After all, we have been together for so many years. My friend, Microsoft is also made by everyone.Although the current situation is very critical, it is not completely without opportunities, but if the people on their own are not united, then there is really no chance to stand up.Gates thought about it, and decided that if he still couldn't see Alan during the day, he would go to Alan's house in person at night. After so many days, Alan should have calmed down.Gates was thinking about future opportunities in his mind when he suddenly saw the red light on the phone on the desk light up.

Gates reached out to press the button and asked, "What is it?"

The voice of the front desk lady came from the phone: "Mr. Gates, there are several people looking for you at the door, and they don't have an appointment."

Gates was a little strange: "Who? What's the matter?"

"They claim to be representatives of Visual System, and they say they need to talk to you directly about our company. They won't tell you the details, but they can only talk to you."

"It turned out to be from VisualSystem. Could it be that they want to come to see our predicament?" Gates couldn't help becoming angry again. He reached out and grabbed the water glass in front of him and took a sip. There is no meaning to things, can things turn around?"

Thinking of this, Gates ordered the front desk lady to take the visitors to the meeting room first, and then he went there.

The conference room on the second floor of Microsoft...

Gates pushed open the door of the conference room and walked in. He saw three representatives of VisualSystem company sitting on one side of the round table leisurely, with a cup of steaming coffee in front of them.

Gates pulled out a chair and sat down, looking at the people in front of him: "Are you representatives of VisualSystem? What's the matter?"

"Mr. Gates, nice to meet. I am Yang Xinxin, the CEO of VisualSystem, and these two are my assistants Matt and Mulgore." One of the women stood up and stretched out her hand to Gates.

Gates was upset, but stood up and shook hands for basic etiquette.

Yang Xinxin sat down, took a document from the assistant and handed it to Gates, and said with a smile: "Mr. Gates, we are here this time to talk to you about the future of Microsoft."

Gates took the information suspiciously and flipped through it, still muttering in his heart: "The future? Microsoft's future has nothing to do with your VisualSystem company."

When he turned to the last part of the information, Gates' pupils shrank suddenly, and he stood up all of a sudden.

"No, never, I will never sell Microsoft, especially you." Gates roared angrily.Due to his excitement, Gates' hands trembled slightly.

"Mr. Gates, don't get too excited, sit down first, let's talk about something slowly." Yang Xinxin still maintained a professional smile.

Perhaps because of the need to maintain a demeanor in front of the lady, Gates calmed down after panting violently for a while, and sat down slowly.

"There is nothing to talk about. Microsoft will never sell it, and I believe Allen will refuse it." Gates said confidently.

"You are really so sure, why don't you read the equity transfer agreement first." Yang Xinxin took another document from the assistant and handed it over.

Gates took a look at the information and found that it was really an equity transfer agreement. After looking through it carefully, he saw that the agreement was written very rigorously based on his half-baked lawyer knowledge, and there were no loopholes.When he turned to the last page, Allen's famous name came into view. Gates felt that the strength in his body disappeared at once, and he leaned weakly on the chair.

"Mr. Gates, I think you should understand the meaning of this agreement. Our VisualSystem company already owns 40% of Microsoft's shares, and we already have the right to influence Microsoft's operations." Yang Xinxin still smiled.

Gates thought about it for a while, read the agreement carefully again, and finally gave up his resistance: "Okay, let's talk about the conditions."

"We hope to acquire at least about 40% of the equity from Mr. Gates, and we hope that Microsoft and VisualSystem will become partners in the future." Yang Xinxin threw out the first condition.

"This can be considered. I still need to discuss with the company's management, but it should not be a big problem. If I really need it, I can transfer all the shares in my hand." Gates replied calmly.

"We hope that all current Microsoft employees will stay, including you, Mr. Gates." Yang Xinxin threw out the second condition.

"The employees should have no problem, but is it necessary for me to stay?" Gates was a little disappointed.

"In fact, our VisualSystem company is still very optimistic about Microsoft's current team. The early stage of business failure is mainly due to bad timing. As long as you are given the right opportunity, you should have a good performance." Yang Xinxin saw that Gates was still a little bit frustrated He got up and changed the topic: "Mr. Gates, don't you want your BASIC language to run on every computer?"

"Alright?" Gates sighed.

"Of course, as long as we become a partner, you will immediately have a more ideal platform." Yang Xinxin smiled.

Gates' eyes lit up, the software market is so big, there is no need to compete in the operating system and office software, there is still a lot to do in other places, and his own BASIC language can be changed to a better platform.Gates suddenly felt that his chance had come again, and his mood immediately improved. He also smiled and said: "Miss Yang, I need to find a more professional person to discuss the details. Can you wait a little longer?"

……

After a fierce confrontation between professionals, the two parties reached an agreement that VisualSystem would exchange 5% of the equity for Gates' 40% of Microsoft's equity, and VisualSystem would become Microsoft's controlling shareholder.In order to appease Ballmer, a more important manager in Microsoft, VisualSystem also provided him with some options.The next period of time is the business reorganization of the two companies, and Microsoft's office software and operating system-related technical personnel and resources will be placed in VisualSystem. , FORTRON, COBOL, etc., excluding C compiler), office software, operating system sales, and other application software development and sales. VisualSystem will mainly focus on the three businesses of operating system, office software and C compiler.

(End of this chapter)