Chapter 63 Loans

As a motivated boss, Li Zetian lived a very ordinary but fulfilling life.

In fact, Li Zetian has a very heavy workload, and all three companies under his name are involved in multiple development projects.

Projects Apple is involved in: Mac laboratory projects (including graphical interface operating system, mouse and related driver development), Apple-ll personal computer, Mos6502 microprocessor, "Star Wars" investment, and special effects technology development of Industrial Light and Magic.

Microsoft: BASIC compiler, Excel spreadsheet office software.

Sunbird Company: "Chinese Cube", "Pac-Man", "Super Arkanoid", "Donkey Kong".

The Mac graphical interface operating system is based on the Unix operating system developed by AT \u0026amp; Currently, the Unix operating system is free and open to the public, but when AT\u0026amp;T realizes the value of the Unix operating system, it will definitely adopt a licensing fee model.

When Li Zetian came to the Mac laboratory, Jobs gave him a heads-up and suggested that Apple take advantage of AT\u0026amp;T's current lack of attention to the Unix operating system and buy the permanent license of the Unix operating system at a low price, so as to get rid of it once and for all.

"Mr.li, AT\u0026amp;T Company published an article on the Unix operating system at the ACM of the International Computer Society in July 1974. This was the first contact between UNIX and the outside world. As a result, it aroused widespread interest in the academic community and Therefore, Unix is provided to universities for teaching purposes under the "for educational purposes only" agreement, and has become a model teaching material in current operating system courses. Various university companies began to carry out various research on Unix through Unix source code. Various improvements and extensions. As a result, Unix became widely popular. But sooner or later those idiots at AT\u0026amp;T will discover the value of the Unix operating system, so we'd better get a permanent license for the Unix source code!!!" Steve Jobs said At that time, I was full of disdain for AT\u0026T. Such a good thing as the Unix operating system actually released the source code. It was so damn stupid!

Li Zetian thought about it, what Jobs said makes sense! ! !

"Well, I understand, I will talk to AT\u0026amp;T!" Li Zetian nodded.

Later, Li Zetian went to Tian Shuai's office and asked him to send an invitation letter to AT\u0026amp;T in the name of the company's CEO.

At this moment, Tian Shuai is meeting an Australian businessman. With the help of JWT Advertising Company, Apple has contacted many overseas agents for Apple-l personal computers, and its products have entered the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, RB Korea, and Hong Kong. , Taiwan, Singapore and other regions.

Li Zetian waited outside for a while, and after the two of them finished talking, he went to Tian Shuai to discuss the Unix operating system.

Ten minutes later, the Australian businessman came out of the office.

Li Zetian came to Tian Shuai's office.

“Have you reached an agreement with the Australian retailer?”

"Well, it's settled!" Tian Shuai smiled and nodded, "Now we have established overseas agent channels in more than ten countries around the world. As soon as Apple-ll personal computers are released, they can be sold all over the world. Yes. Now I'm more worried that Apple-ll's production capacity can't keep up with our sales!!!" Tian Shuai is full of confidence in Apple-ll, otherwise he wouldn't say this.

Li Zetian thought for a while, and it was indeed true. The size of the Apple factory was average, and it could only produce 1,500 Apple-ll units in a month at full production. In addition, the first-generation computer Apple-l has not been discontinued, and it is still producing 200 machines per month.

"Tian Shuai, what suggestions do you have?" Li Zetian asked. Although he already had an idea, he wanted to hear Tian Shuai's suggestions first!

If you listen to one side, it will be dark; if you listen to both, it will be bright.

As a boss, you still need to listen more to your subordinates' opinions, and at the same time, you can also make them feel that you value them very much, so they can work harder.

"I think the factory should be expanded immediately! It's just that the current Apple-l personal computer has been impacted by market competitors, and sales have dropped sharply, resulting in Apple not having sufficient funds. At the moment, the fastest way to obtain funds is to choose external financing. , so far, more than a dozen venture capital companies have investment intentions; the second is to obtain bank loans."

Li Zetian nodded and said: "You are right. Apple does need to expand its factory immediately. Otherwise, Apple-ll's reserves will be insufficient and the release date will have to be postponed. Compared to external financing, I am more inclined to seek bank loans! "Li Zetian will not let Apple raise funds at this time. After the release of Apple-ll, Apple will definitely make a lot of money and go public directly!"

Of course, it was very difficult for Chinese people during this period to get loans from American banks. At this time, Li Zetian thought that Bill Gates' grandfather was a big banker, so he could ask Bill Gates to help.

"Tian Shuai, I will find a way to deal with the bank loan. If it doesn't work, we will refinance! By the way, I'm looking for you this time about the Mac laboratory. Jobs suggested that I put AT\u0026amp;T's Unix operating system Get the permanent license! Once AT\u0026amp;T realizes the value of the Unix operating system, it will ask us for a fee. If we have to pay AT\u0026amp;T $50 for every Mac computer sold, then 1 million units That’s $50 million!!!”

Tian Shuai was shocked and obviously frightened by this number.

Li Zetian continued: "So, we need to take advantage of AT\u0026amp;T not realizing the value of the Unix operating system now and buy its permanent license at a low price! Tian Shuai, please contact AT\u0026amp;T immediately in the name of Apple CEO , ask them to talk, I will go with you then!"

"Okay, I'll make the call now!"

With that said, Tian Shuai picked up the phone and dialed AT\u0026amp;T. A few minutes later, Tian Shuai said to Li Zetian: "Three days later, they invited us to the AT\u0026amp;T headquarters!"

"Okay! We'll set off tomorrow afternoon!"

"Um!"

AT\u0026amp;T is headquartered in Texas, the largest state in the southern United States.

In the evening of that day, Li Zetian invited Bill Gates out for dinner and then made his request.

"Bill, Apple is planning to seek a loan from the bank in order to expand its Apple-ll production plant! Do you think you could introduce your grandfather to me?"

Bill Gates smiled and said: "No problem, I will call him later!"

Microsoft is a partner of Apple. The better Apple is, the better it is for Microsoft. At least for now, yes. And based on Bill Gates’ understanding of Apple-ll, once it is released, it will definitely sell well! Therefore, it is not a big problem to get grandpa to agree to lend money to Apple!

"By the way, Chronos, how much does Apple want to loan?"

"$10 million!!!"

"Expanding the company requires so much money?" Bill Gates was stunned.

"Haha, since I have borrowed money from the bank, I will simply borrow more. In addition to using it to expand the factory, I also plan to build Apple retail stores across the United States!"

"But $10 million isn't enough?!"

"It's indeed not enough! However, what I want to build is a flagship store. I plan to build one in each of the five cities of New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and San Jose first! When I have money, I will cover major cities in the United States!"

"Flagship store?" Bill Gates asked doubtfully. Obviously, this was the first time he heard this term.

Li Zetian explained: "Flagship store is actually the name of the brand center store. In short, it refers to the establishment of a store with the largest scale, the most luxurious decoration and the best service in a prosperous area. It usually only sells a series of products or products. Products of a certain brand! The purpose of establishing a flagship store is to better display the corporate brand image to the outside world and let more people know about Apple and understand Apple’s products. It can be said that flagship stores are a powerful means of brand competition. , is of great significance to the enterprise itself.”

After a pause, Li Zetian laughed, "Actually, to put it bluntly, flagship store marketing is a marketing technique of psychological respect. Everyone is eager to get respect and attention. Flagship store marketing shows off dignity on the one hand, and worships the brand on the other. Satisfy consumers’ psychological desires.”

High, really high!

Bill Gates couldn't help but give Li Zetian a thumbs up, secretly saying that Microsoft will also learn from Apple in the future and build its own flagship store! ! !

At the end of the dinner, Bill Gates said before leaving: "Chronos, I will have a good talk with my grandpa, and I will contact you tonight!"

"Okay, bye!!!"

…

At night, Li Zetian was lying on the sofa reading the newspaper, but his eyes would look at the phone not far away from time to time.

At around 9 o'clock, the phone rang. Li Zetian immediately put down the newspaper and went to answer the phone.

"Bill, how's it going?"

"My grandpa wants to talk to you! It will be at noon tomorrow at the corporate headquarters of First Intercontinental Bank."

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