Chapter 530 Seize the moral high ground

Li Weidong returned to China from Japan, and this time he returned to the court in victory.

In order to keep his job, Mr. Sangye finally succumbed to Li Weidong's theory of consumption downgrade and allowed Xiaogou Electric's products to enter Yamada Denki's chain stores.

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

Of the world's major economies, Japan's market is probably the most difficult to enter.

Japan has set up many tangible or intangible obstacles for foreign goods entering the Japanese market, artificial or non-artificial.

In terms of technology, Japan has set strict technical standards and specification selection for imported products, which means that almost all products entering the Japanese market need to be produced exclusively 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 have formed a shackle that restrains foreign goods from entering 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 according to the rules they made.

The same is true in business. Western companies formulate product rules and then sell them to the world. They will not specifically formulate product technical standards and specification options for other markets.

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

In addition to the shackles of technology and non-technology, there are obstacles to trade.

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

The other is channel barriers. Japan's manufacturing industry is strong, and the connection between domestic Japanese manufacturers and distributors is also very close. It is difficult for foreign manufacturers to break into the Japanese distributor system.

Channel barriers in Japan are not only a problem faced by Chinese companies, but countries around the world are also facing the same problem. In order to solve this problem, many foreign companies simply bought Japanese brands and entered the Japanese market through a back door.

Now that Li Weidong has taken care of Yamada Denki, it can be regarded as settling the obstacle of channels.

All of the above can still be resolved by humans, but cultural differences cannot be resolved by humans.

Japan is an island country with the thinking characteristics of an island country, such as relatively conservative self, strong sense of crisis, repelling attitude towards outsiders, and strong economic closure.

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

For example, the United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries are relatively conservative countries in Europe, and Britain's xenophobic awareness can be seen in the future after Brexit.

This conservative and exclusive character is also a hindrance to foreign goods.

Anyway, the UK has been a crap stick in Europe for so many years, and has largely integrated into Europe in terms of culture. It also has Anglo-Saxon relatives such as the United States and Canada. Compared with Japan, it is still more open.

However, Japanese language, culture, habits, and values ​​are all independent, and it can be said to be a school of its own.

Although Japan has been influenced by Chinese culture, that happened hundreds of years ago. Today, the cultural differences between China and Japan are similar to the differences between Chinese and Western cultures.

If foreign goods want to enter Japan, they must cater to the cultural characteristics of Japan.

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

The xenophobic consciousness of the islanders, coupled with the collectivism concept pursued by the Japanese, so the Japanese are more willing to buy domestic products,

This is especially true in areas where Japan has its own advantages.

The home appliance industry is obviously one of the fields that Japan is best at, and it is also the field that is most difficult 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 obtained 10% and 9% of the Japanese market respectively through the acquisition of Sharp and Midea through the acquisition of Toshiba.

However, compared with Panasonic's market share of 20 in the Japanese market and Hitachi's market share of 15, there are still some gaps.

Moreover, even if the same product of Panasonic and Hitachi is more expensive than that of Haier, Japanese consumers are still more willing to buy Panasonic and Hitachi.

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

Japan's manufacturing industry has always maintained a relatively comprehensive range, from large and sophisticated high-end machine tools to small clothes, shoes and socks, all of which are produced in Japan. There are many low-profit industries, and Japan has not given up.

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

The profit of urea is not high, and the production difficulty is not great, and the production process requires coal, which will cause energy consumption and pollution. If the production scale is not large, it will lose money.

Therefore, many developed countries have given up 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 domestic urea, even if the price is five times more expensive than the urea imported from China, so Japanese urea companies can survive.

From an economic point of view, preferring to spend money to buy more expensive products is a difficult consumer behavior that can only be explained by cultural differences.

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

In other countries, even if consumers are still willing to continue to buy, entrepreneurs see that this industry is not making money, and it is impossible to continue, so they have already changed careers.

However, Japanese companies seldom change careers. They will continue to work in whatever industry they are in until they go bankrupt.

Japanese companies tend to be family-style management, coupled with the existence of the lifetime employment system, making it difficult for Japanese companies to transform, and they often go all the way to the black, even if they lose money, they will die.

So you can see a lot of longevity companies in Japan.

The number of companies in Japan that are more than 100 years old is twice that of the United States, and the number of companies that are more than 200 years old is five times that of the United States. These longevity enterprises are all carried over by life and death.

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

After opening up the sales channel 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.

The signal has just been received, and the intensive bombing is here! Li Weidong picked up the pager, flipped through the messages one by one, and 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, were all looking for him.

Li Weidong called his father-in-law first.

Dad, what do you need from me? Li Weidong asked.

Weidong, what happened to the ten million dollars? Papa 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 I just got off the plane.

The newspaper said that you caused a foreign exchange loss of 10 million U.S. dollars. Is there such a thing? Papa He replied.

Li Weidong was stunned, and asked, Which newspaper?

It has been written in several newspapers, and the content is similar. It is probably reproduced by each other. Dad He replied.

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

Father He reminded: Weidong, you should investigate carefully first, in case there is a problem in that link, take remedial measures as soon as possible.

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

Li Weidong nodded: I understand, Dad, don't worry, I will take care of 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'd better not go back to Qinghe for now. Many people are looking for you! Most of them are reporters, saying they want to interview you , There are also people in the city who are asking about 10 million dollars.

I've already found Qinghe! It's okay, I know, I'll take care of 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 took the lead and asked, Old Zhong, did you ask me about the 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 10 million dollars! Now I'm still confused!

Chairman, why don't you come to my place, I have collected some information, you can understand it 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 what happened at a glance.

I signed Kobe Bryant as a spokesperson in the United States in 1996. Why did I mention it now? Li Weidong pointed to the contents of the newspaper and continued; It was in 1996, when Kobe had just entered the NBA draft.

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

Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post? A newspaper in the Pearl River Delta? I've heard of that 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. It is quite famous, and it is normal for you to have heard of it. Zhong Yemao said.

No. Li Weidong shook his head: I usually read newspapers like People's Daily and Xinhua Daily. Short content in these parents!

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

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

A few seconds later, Li Weidong suddenly had a flash of inspiration: I remembered! The report on Ghost Fort was written by this newspaper. It was also the one who scolded me at the beginning. Thanks to Focus Talk for helping me restore the truth, It seems that that slap didn't hurt, and now you're here to trouble me again!

Zhong Yemao said: In fact, signing a brand spokesperson is a commercial act, and it can also be regarded as an investment in brand awareness. If the spokesperson is not strong, at most it has a bad vision. Is it an investment failure!

This is very true in business activities. In business, there are losses and profits. Whoever stipulates that the brand finds a spokesperson must make sure that there is no loss! But the key part of this comment is really murderous!

Zhong Yemao pointed to a comment in the newspaper, and continued: Chairman, look at this comment, it says that our country needs to import advanced equipment in the industrial field, and advanced technology needs to be imported in the scientific and technological field.

These all 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 line of food and clothing, and many children in the western region cannot go to school. If the 10 million US dollars is used for impoverished mountainous areas or children who are out of school, how many people can be fed? Belly, how many children are allowed to enter the classroom!

It’s okay without these comments, but with these comments, it’s standing on the commanding heights of morality and criticizing you. Even if the signing of the spokesperson by the United States is a purely commercial act, after seeing these comments, it will inevitably be linked to morality. This is quite detrimental to you.

I understand, moral kidnapping! Li Weidong shook his head helplessly, and continued; This time, the Nanzhou Metropolis Morning Post has learned to be smart, knowing how to take the commanding heights of morality before criticizing! No matter how hard it is to find fault with them .”

Chairman, since the moral high ground has been lost, I suggest that it be dealt with coldly! No matter who asks about this matter, ignore it. After a long time, or a new focus event appears, public opinion will forget about this matter! Zhong Yemao said.

However, Li Weidong shook his head: No! Now that I have lost the commanding heights of morality, let's seize it back! Besides, I have been in business for so many years, and it's not that I haven't taken social responsibility!

Aren't they doing things in the impoverished 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, I have at least helped tens of thousands of families get rid of poverty and become rich! Next, the electric appliance factory will expand its production capacity, and I have to hire more people! I used to do things silently, but now I take this opportunity to make a big splash!

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

Hearing this, Zhong Yemao couldn't help but give Li Weidong a blank look, and thought to himself, the rich and local tyrants do things simply and simply, just spend money directly, not too much force!

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

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

Then Li Weidong continued: Don't worry, you will soon know how worth the tens of millions of dollars in endorsement fees!

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