Vol 4 Chapter 312: Not hesitate to cut

The two have been partners for so many years, and of course they know each other very well.

Randolph's temperament, Hastings is very clear, very stable, the more serious things happen, the more calm he becomes, and his sometimes irritable temperament has formed a perfect complement in the past.

Hastings knows one thing deeply. Once Randolph is as decisive as he is now, then what he was doing at the time would not have a 90% success rate, so there would be at least 60%.

Hastings immediately expressed his objection. He manipulated it on his computer. "Dear directors, I just sent you an email about the benefits of our cooperation with Wal-Mart. Said, I hope everyone can make a decision after reading this email."

"We have to think about it," said the old director who repeatedly criticized him. "From your speech just now, I vaguely saw the passion when you came to pull investment a few years ago, but, oh ," He sighed, "Hastings, what you are talking about now is not the original dream, but how to get a company to buy us."

Between the words, the disappointment was overwhelming.

Why did I become like this? Hastings himself can’t say clearly, “Trust me Mr. Exxon, I make any decision for the company and for the benefit of shareholders.”

Having said this, he really couldn't say anything else at this time.

"I happened to be studying Wal-Mart recently," said a well-known university professor among the independent directors. "As far as I know, it has always focused on acquiring companies in the retail industry. It does not involve mergers and acquisitions of companies in other fields. Second, will it break this tradition?"

"When doing sales, it may choose to do leasing incidentally. However, let him devote more resources to focus on leasing. I am not sure whether they will have such determination."

He said so, obviously not optimistic.

"Tradition is always to be broken," Hastings said.

"Even if Wal-Mart intends to acquire, how likely is it that it will bid with NEXTDOOT?"

The independent director who spoke was the CEO of another Silicon Valley company. “We all know that Wal-Mart is known for its frugal approach to using every dollar. Besides, NEXTDOOR and Wal-Mart are not in the same industry.”

In the acquisition battle, the white knights introduced are often in the same industry as the ones who initiated the acquisition, and they are originally competitors. In this way, the white knights will also take proactive actions for their own interests.

He shook his head, "I also think that it is very difficult to promote such a merger. Within a certain range, we are still Wal-Mart's competitors. If we take the initiative to find the door, will the opposite result be achieved?"

Hastings felt his heart dripping!

Originally, asking someone to buy it again always reminded him of the humiliation he had received at Blockbuster. He overcame the shame, and once again took the initiative to propose such a plan. He never thought about it, but he didn’t think so. Approved by everyone.

Could it be that I should go to Blockbuster again? No, never!

Although he believes that if he finds Blockbuster again this time, Blockbuster will definitely welcome him. The CEO of Blockbuster John Antioco, who had drooped his eyelids and looked at him sideways, would definitely meet him at the gate in person.

However, Hastings will never give them such an opportunity again.

"Trust me, I have repeatedly weighed the related risks, and this is also explained in the email," he can only say this at this time.

"In that case," Randolph also operated on the computer. "This is the reason why I agree with the acquisition of NEXTDOOR. Please consider carefully."

Hastings wished to move to remove Randolph from the board of directors on the spot, but this is currently not realistic.

Not to mention the rules of procedure of the board of directors, there are strict regulations, and the chairman of the board cannot change the agenda of the set agenda at will.

In addition, the appointment and removal of directors is also very serious. For similar meetings, when the board of directors is called, the matter must be explained in the notice, clearly indicating the identity of the director, so that the directors can prepare.

Just say that if he really did that at this time, he would definitely shoot himself in the foot.

In the current situation, if Randolph is proposed to be removed from the board of directors, the direction will be obvious-because Randolph is on the opposite side of him.

In this way, it will definitely affect his prestige on the board of directors, and win more sympathy for Randolph. Not only does he inevitably qualify as a director, but it may also make this proposal that is not originally approved, let alone get it. Support from everyone.

This time, the rare Hastings walked out of the meeting room after staying in Randolph. He eagerly communicated with every director, but turned a blind eye to Randolph.

Of course, Randolph's attitude is no better than him.

…………

In the lower reaches of the Mississippi River, in a small town in southern Arkansas, Wal-Mart's vice president, Gary, who is also in charge of DVD leasing, ended a meeting and hurried back to the office. The secretary reported to him with a notepad, "Gary, there is someone who claims to be Netflix Hastings, the president of the company, called and asked to talk to you."

Hastings from Netflix called? Gary was taken aback. He hadn't seen this person, but he had naturally heard of it. However, the current relationship between Netflix and himself is not very harmonious. The following department reported that Netflix is ​​also following some new initiatives by the company. , What does he mean by calling this time?

He looked at his watch, and there were nearly five minutes left before the next schedule, "Connect him now,"

Although Wal-Mart has not surpassed Netflix in related business fields at present, Wal-Mart at this time was named the largest company in the United States last year. How can there be any pressure on Netflix at this time?

The call was quickly connected, "Hello, this is Gary,"

Hastings over there is probably chatting over the phone, and Gary really doesn’t have time to listen to this. "Mr. Hastings, I also admire Netflix’s success in the DVD rental field. It’s just a few minutes later. Attend a meeting, then I just ask, what can I do for you?"

This was originally a greeting that would be used directly in the supermarket, but Hastings on the other end of the phone heard a very familiar feeling from this sentence, just like when he took the initiative to find Blockbuster. In politeness, arrogance cannot be concealed.

But what can be done?

"Hope to talk to me as soon as possible?" Gary pondered for a moment. "So, the day after tomorrow, after four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, I can spare half an hour. Can you come? Okay, I'll be waiting at the company. ,"

Gary is also a little confused at this time. If you talk about companies like Hills, Kmart, Carrefour, and Metro, he knows what major events happened yesterday and where they opened new branches. But Netflix is ​​a company that is only slightly related and has no direct business dealings. He really has no time or time to follow it.

"Help me collect Netflix's information and recent developments, and notify the manager in charge of DVD online rental. I want to listen to his business report at noon on Thursday, so I will arrange it at lunch time," he told his secretary.

In Silicon Valley, Hastings put down the phone and exhaled a long breath, as if to let out the unhappiness in his heart. However, next, an urgent question lay before him. Tonight, who should I visit first? director?

Judging from the reaction of the meeting just now, my plan is at a disadvantage. This is certain. To get the approval of the directors, I must first get the approval of the most influential one of the directors.

In the past, this person was naturally Randolph, but now, well, let's just leave it alone.

Hastings, who has not been going well lately, really feels awkward at this time.

After thinking about it, he still thinks that the old Exxon who is the least polite to him today is the best target. The independent directors have no commercial connection with Netflix, their status is aloof, and they think about their reputation. aloof.

But Exxon is a shareholder director, and he values ​​returns more than non-independent directors.

…………

"I knew you would come," Exxon was sitting in the hotel suite living room with a bulldog leaning on the chair. "Say, what reason do you want to convince me?"

"Eric, I didn't expect that we would be targeted by so many people, maybe because we are too good, since this time it seems that Netflix's acquisition is inevitable," Speaking of this, he still bears I can’t help but feel a little sad, but it’s also a moment of emotion, "So, Exxon, you should know that in the process of being acquired, one more bidding is always good for our shareholders. Are you right? ?"

For shareholders, this is of course a good thing. If one more bids, the price of the company will be higher.

…………

Just over ten minutes later, Hastings hurriedly went downstairs. What annoyed him was whether he was supporting himself or supporting Randolph, the old fox of Exxon, until he left. He still did not reveal a word, but , Hastings believed that the reason he said must have been heard by Exxon.

While waiting for the waiter to drive his car, a Prius parked at the entrance of the hotel. Just looking at the license plate, you knew that it was Randolph's. Obviously, what the brothers saw was the same.

Hastings turned his head to the side, Randolph walked towards the hotel without squinting. The two former partners and friends were now strangers.

Randolph naturally saw Hastings, but he didn't have any worries, because he believed that everyone could see that his choice was ultimately beneficial to the company.

Exxon still waited in the living room, watching Randolph nodded, somewhat distracted, "Sure enough, you are here too, let's talk."

"Exxon, first of all I want to apologize to you. Netflix has developed to the point where it is today, and I bear a great responsibility."

Exxon nodded for the first time today.

"Although I think I have worked very hard, judging from the current results, I should not have worked hard enough. In other words, our ability in some areas is still very limited."

"But Exxon, now we have a good opportunity to have a visionary and capable person who is willing to lead Netflix to move forward like he has led other companies that have stalled. The key is that he already has I have taken a very good direction and prepared meticulously. You know who I’m talking about, right?"

"Of course I know," Exxon nodded again.

Even if he didn't know before, now NEXTDOOR has such big moves, why doesn't he know Feng Yiping behind that?

"Then what I want to say is very simple, Exxon, do you hope that Netflix, which you once favored, becomes a promising company?"

"Do you believe him?"

"I believe him very much," Randolph said without hesitation.

…………

At 10 o’clock noon on Wednesday, the Netflix board of directors held another meeting.

The second agenda is very simple, it is a continuation of the last temporary meeting, that is, voting.

The meeting room was very solemn, where the secretary of the board of directors read out the agenda according to the book. The 12 directors, almost all with one expression, all looked solemn.

This is understandable. After all, this temporary meeting is related to Netflix's future.

Hastings is no exception. In front of directors who know the inside story, he didn't make the appearance that everything is under control.

"Now we will start voting on Mr. Hastings's motion," the supporter finally said.

"I object," Randolph said loudly immediately.

This is natural. Hastings looked at Exxon, and Exxon looked at Hastings and shook his head, "I object,"

Hastings' heart sank suddenly~www.wuxiaspot.com~ his face was darker than Xiao Ohei.

Among the five non-independent directors, including him and Randolph, a total of four company executives, CFO and COO, are naturally on his side, so he has 3 votes for the guarantee, and Exxon has 4 The votes, 7 independent directors, won 2 votes, he is sure, won 3 votes, not sure.

However, in any case, Exxon does not support it, so his proposal will never be passed.

Sure enough, Murphy's law once again played normally. With the "opposition", his face became darker and darker. Finally, he was very suitable for coming to China to do black toothpaste ads.

The final result is that, including him, 4 votes in favor, 7 votes against, and 1 abstention.

…………

This time Hastings walked quickly from the conference room, and he immediately called to book a ticket by himself, "I want to go to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport tomorrow morning."

What if the board fails? In major matters, he has never been a conformist.