Chapter 530 Seize the moral commanding heights

Chapter 530 Seize the moral commanding heights

Li Weidong returned to China from Japan, and this time he returned home victoriously.

In order to keep his job, Sang Ye's professional service finally succumbed to Li Weidong's consumption downgrade theory and allowed Puppy Electric's products to be fully settled in Yamada Electric's chain stores.

For Li Weidong, this is a strategic cooperation, which means that Puppy Electric's products finally have a channel that can officially enter the Japanese market.

Among the world's major economies, Japan's market is probably the most difficult to access.

Japan has set up many physical and non-tangible barriers to foreign goods entering the Japanese market, man-made or non-man-made.

In terms of technology, Japan has set strict technical standards and specifications for imported products, which means that almost all goods entering the Japanese market need to be specially produced for Japan.

In terms of non-technical aspects, Japan has special requirements for product packaging, labels, signs, environmental protection, certification standards, intellectual property rights, design instructions, etc., and the requirements are very cumbersome.

These two points alone form a shackle that inhibits the entry of foreign goods into the Japanese market.

These two shackles are difficult for Western companies to break through. Since the Industrial Revolution, the West has been the rule maker, making the world run by the rules they set.

The same is true in business. Western companies set the rules for commodities and then sell them to the world. They don't make technical standards and specification options for other markets.

But for Chinese companies, these are not problems. Chinese companies are very good at producing various requirements according to customer requirements. As long as the money is in place, it is no problem to modify the specifications overnight.

In addition to the technical and non-technical shackles, there are also barriers to trade.

Such as tariff barriers, anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and other non-tariff barriers, of course, each country has this.

The other is the channel barrier. Japan's manufacturing industry is strong, and the connection between local Japanese manufacturers and distributors is also very close. It is difficult for foreign manufacturers to enter the system of Japanese distributors.

The channel barrier in Japan is not only a problem faced by Chinese companies, but also faced by countries around the world. In order to solve this problem, many foreign companies simply acquired Japanese brands and then entered the Japanese market through backdoor access.

Now that Li Weidong has taken control of Yamada Electric, it can be considered that the obstacle of the channel has been settled.

All of the above can still be solved by human beings, but cultural differences cannot be solved by human beings.

Japan is an island country with the characteristics of an island country's thinking, such as being relatively conservative, having a strong sense of crisis, holding an attitude of exclusion to outsiders, and being relatively closed to the economy.

Many island countries in the world, especially those that have always maintained aboriginal rule, have a similar situation.

For example, the United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries are relatively conservative countries in the European region. In the future, the Brexit can show the British's xenophobia.

This bias towards conservatism and exclusion is also a hindrance to foreign goods.

After all, the United Kingdom has been a scumbag in Europe for so many years, and it has been integrated into Europe to a large extent in terms of culture. It has Anglo-Saxon relatives such as the United States and Canada, and is more open than Japan.

Japan's language, culture, habits, and values ​​are all independent and can be described as their own.

Although Japan has been influenced by Chinese culture, it was hundreds of years ago. Today, the cultural differences between China and Japan are similar to those between China and the West.

If foreign products want to enter Japan, they must meet the cultural characteristics of Japan.

In addition, the Japanese are extraordinarily superstitious about domestic products, which makes it very difficult for foreign products to have a place in Japan.

Due to the xenophobic awareness of the islanders and the collectivist concept pursued by the Japanese, the Japanese are more willing to buy domestic products, especially in areas where Japan has its own advantages.

The home appliance industry is obviously one of the areas Japan is best at, and it is also the most difficult area for foreign brands to enter.

It took Haier more than 20 years to gain a market share of about 10% in the Japanese market. Hon Hai acquired Sharp and Midea acquired Toshiba, respectively, and obtained 10% and 9% of the Japanese market.

However, there is still some gap compared to Panasonic's 20% market share in the Japanese market and Hitachi's 15% market share.

And the same product from Panasonic and Hitachi, even if the price is more expensive than Haier's, Japanese consumers are still more willing to buy Panasonic and Hitachi.

This is also one of the characteristics of Japanese consumption. The loyalty to domestic brands is very high. As long as economic conditions permit, they are willing to spend more money to support local brands.

Japan's manufacturing categories have always been relatively comprehensive, ranging from sophisticated high-end machine tools to small clothes, shoes and socks, all produced in Japan. There are many low-margin industries that Japan has not given up.

For example, in the production of urea, China is the world's largest producer and the world's largest exporter.

The profit of urea is not high, the production difficulty is not too big, and the production process needs to use coal, which will cause energy consumption and pollution. If the production scale is not large, it will lose money.

Therefore, many developed countries have abandoned the production of urea and imported it from other countries. For example, South Korea closed its last urea plant in 2011.

Japan is so close to China, it stands to reason that it is the most cost-effective to import urea directly from China.

However, Japanese companies have always maintained the production of urea, and the Japanese are also very willing to purchase urea from their own countries. Even if the price is five times more expensive than the urea imported from China, Japanese urea companies can survive.

From an economic point of view, preferring to spend money on more expensive products is a difficult consumer behavior to understand, and it can probably only be explained by cultural differences.

Looking at the world, only Japan can form such a unique consumption system.

In other countries, even if consumers are willing to continue to buy, entrepreneurs see that this line of business is not making money, and it is impossible to continue to do it, and they have already changed their careers.

However, Japanese companies rarely change their careers. Whichever line they are in, they will continue to work until they go bankrupt.

Japanese companies tend to be managed by family, coupled with the existence of the lifetime employment system, which makes it difficult for Japanese companies to transform.

Therefore, many longevity companies can be seen in Japan.

The number of Japanese companies over 100 years old is twice that of the United States, and the number of companies over 200 years old is five times that of the United States. These longevity enterprises are forced to survive.

Japanese entrepreneurs would rather go bankrupt than transition, and Japanese consumers would rather spend more than change their consumption habits. That's why some people say that the Japanese are dead brains and don't know how to be flexible.

...

Opening the sales channels in Japan, Li Weidong was very happy, and he was all smiles on the way back to China.

As soon as the plane landed, Li Weidong's pager vibrated continuously.

As soon as there is a signal, it's coming to intensive bombing! Li Weidong picked up the pager and flipped through the messages one by one. There were quite a few people looking for him.

He Yu, the father-in-law, Wang Jing from the electrical appliance factory, and Zhong Yemao, the marketing director of the Puppy Group, are all looking for themselves.

Li Weidong still called back to his father-in-law first.

Dad, do you have something to do with me? Li Weidong asked.

Wei Dong, what's with the ten million dollars? Father He asked.

What ten million dollars? Li Weidong was a little confused, and then he continued: What happened? I went to Japan to discuss business and just got off the plane.

The newspaper said you caused a loss of 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange. Is that true? Dad He replied.

Li Weidong was stunned and asked, Which newspaper?

It has been written in several newspapers, and the content is similar. It is estimated that they are reprinted by each other. Father He replied.

Li Weidong replied: The newspaper must be talking nonsense. I have a lot of foreign trade business here, but I have always been earning foreign exchange! I don't do business that doesn't make money, how can it cause foreign exchange losses!

Father He reminded: Wei Dong, you should investigate carefully first, if there is a problem in that link, take measures to remedy it as soon as possible.

Although 10 million US dollars is not a small amount, it should be affordable for you. If it can be solved, solve it as soon as possible. Don't lose the big because of the small!

Li Weidong nodded: I understand, Dad, don't worry, I will handle it.

Li Weidong called Wang Jing again.

During the phone call, Wang Jing said, Chairman, where are you? Just got off the plane? That's great! You should not go back to Qinghe for now. Many people are looking for you! Most of them are reporters who want to interview you. , and there are people in the city who are asking about ten million dollars.”

They've all found Qinghe! Okay, I know, I'll deal with it here. Li Weidong frowned, feeling more and more that what happened this time was not a trivial matter.

Li Weidong called Zhong Yemao again. This time, Li Weidong was the first to ask, Old Zhong, are you asking me about ten million dollars?

Chairman, you already know! Zhong Yemao said.

I know a wool! Li Weidong replied angrily, and then said: I have been negotiating with the Japanese these days, and I just got off the plane, and then a bunch of people asked me for ten million dollars! Now! I'm still stunned!

Chairman, why don't you come to me, I have collected some information, you will understand at a glance. Zhong Yemao replied with a smile.

...

Li Weidong came to Zhong Yemao's marketing department, and Zhong Yemao handed a lot of newspapers to Li Weidong. Li Weidong understood at a glance what had happened.

I signed Kobe Bryant as a spokesperson in the United States. It happened in 1996. Why is it only mentioned now? Li Weidong pointed to the content of the newspaper, and then said; Don't say it, the information quoted above is still all over the place. It was in 1996, when Kobe was just entering the NBA draft.

Zhong Yemao put a copy of the Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post on the ground, and then said: I checked it, and this newspaper was the first to do this report. Other newspapers reprinted this Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post.

Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post? A newspaper in the Pearl River Delta? I've heard of this name! Li Weidong said.

This newspaper has always been known for its bold style and sharp comments, and the content of the reports is also very attractive. There are often some exclusive special reports, and it is quite famous. It is normal for you to hear it. Zhong Yemao said.

No. Li Weidong shook his head: I usually read newspapers of the People's Daily and Xinhua Daily. After all, I have to seriously understand and study the country's policies. How can I read the Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post? The short content of these parents!

That's because this newspaper reported on you before. So you have an impression. Zhong Yemao said.

It's possible! Li Weidong said, frowning and thinking carefully.

A few seconds later, Li Weidong suddenly had an epiphany: I remembered! The report of the ghost castle was written by this newspaper. At the beginning, I was scolded by the dog's blood, thanks to Focus Talk for helping me restore the truth, It seems that the slap doesn't hurt, and now it's coming to trouble me again!

Zhong Yemao said, Actually, signing a brand spokesperson is a business act, and it can also be regarded as an investment in brand awareness.

This is true in business activities. Doing business is about losing money and making money. Whoever stipulates that the brand finds a spokesperson must make a steady profit without losing money! But the key comment content is really murderous!

Zhong Yemao pointed to the content of a comment in the newspaper and continued: Chairman, look at this comment, it says that our country's industrial sector needs to import advanced equipment, and the science and technology sector needs to import advanced technology.

All these require foreign exchange. If the tens of millions of dollars are used to purchase advanced equipment or introduce advanced technology, how many enterprises can be upgraded and how many scientific research projects can be made breakthroughs!

It is also mentioned later that so many people in impoverished mountainous areas are still below the food and clothing line, and many children in the western region cannot go to school. If 10 million US dollars are spent on impoverished mountainous areas or children out of school, how many people can be fed Belly, how many children are let into the classroom!

It would be better to say without these comments, but with these comments, it is standing on the commanding heights of morality and criticizing you. Even if the US signing a spokesperson is a purely commercial act, after seeing these comments, it will inevitably be linked to morality. This is quite bad for you.

I understand, moral kidnapping! Li Weidong shook his head helplessly, and continued; This time, Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post has learned to be smart, and knows how to occupy the commanding heights of morality and criticize first! How can they not pick on their faults? .

Chairman, since the moral commanding heights have been lost, I suggest to deal with it coldly! No matter who asks about this matter, ignore it. After a long time, or if there is a new focus event, the public opinion will forget about it! Zhong Yemao said.

Li Weidong shook his head: No! Since I have lost the moral commanding heights, I will seize it again! Besides, I have been a company for so many years, and it is not that I have not assumed social responsibilities!

Aren't they doing things in poor mountainous areas? My Fukang Agricultural Machinery donates agricultural machinery to impoverished mountainous areas every year! My puppy electrical factory employs a large number of workers from impoverished mountainous areas every year.

Over the years, at least I have helped tens of thousands of families get out of poverty and become rich! Next, the electrical factory will expand its production capacity, and I will hire more people! In the past, I was doing things in silence, but now I take the opportunity to hype it up!

As for the out-of-school children, then set up a fund, contact the Hope Project, donate books, donate desks and chairs, donate to schools, donate everything you can! Let's build hundreds of schools of hope and let the society know what a conscientious entrepreneur is!

Hearing this, Zhong Yemao couldn't help but give Li Weidong a blank look, and secretly said in his heart, the rich and local tyrants do things simply and simply, just throw the money directly, and don't force it!

However, Zhong Yemao still said: Chairman Li, although this can be countered on a moral level, the foreign exchange loss of 10 million US dollars has not been resolved!

Who told you that $10 million was lost? Li Weidong looked at the date on his watch, and it was almost time for the NBA All-Star Game.

Then Li Weidong continued: Don't worry, you will soon know how much the endorsement fee of ten million dollars is worth!

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