Chapter 783 – Lenovo Kingsoft
Feng Yu, who was having a meal with Elena at home, received a call from Liu Chuanzhi. Liu Chuanzhi told him that Lenovo will separate their software department from the company to set up a new company with Kingsoft and Russian Bear Software company (The software company set up by Kirilenko). All Lenovo’s directors had agreed.
Feng Yu confidently told Liu Chuanzhi. “Old Liu, you will not regret your decision today. I dare to say this new software company will be the pride of China, Asia, and even the whole world!”
Feng Yu insisted this collaboration must include Kingsoft. It was because he felt Kingsoft had good software developing abilities, and they have the WPS office software!
Feng Yu had used WPS software in his previous life. Microsoft Office had slightly more functions than WPS, but the difference was not significant. WPS software was the best Chinese developed office software in China.
With Feng Yu’s “creativity,” WPS would be upgraded from its original form and could catch up or overtake Microsoft Office in no time.
Kingsoft had also started its development of antivirus software and had been doing well in its Han Card. They had help Lenovo significantly with these software and technologies.
Of course, Kingsoft still has one person who interests Feng Yu. Lei Dajun. He was always very young and was the General Manager of Kingsoft.
Feng Yu likes to use people around the age of 30 or younger for the top management of his companies. He does not want to employ people who were too old. Firstly, it was because after he groomed these older staff, they will retire after a few years. Secondly, older people were rigid and not flexible. Not everyone is like Li Mingde.
Lei Dajun was someone with strong personal beliefs and ambition. This was also one of the reasons why Feng Yu wants to recruit him. Another person Feng Yu wants to hire was Qiu Bojun. In Feng Yu’s previous life, he was known as China’s top software developer.
“Kingsoft agrees to this proposal? How many shares do they want?” Feng Yu asked.
The market value of Kingsoft was not high, and the company does not have many a.s.sets. But their products and technologies worth a lot. If they want a high proportion of shares, then poaching their people will be more worthwhile.
“We are still negotiating with Kingsoft, and it is not finalized yet. Manager Feng, you really think that with the Russian software developers joining us, we will be able to compete with the US?” Liu Chuanzhi was not very confident. They should be able to get some market share, but he felt it was impossible to compete with US companies.
“We should be able to beat them in some areas, like office software, antivirus, etc. As for the operating system, it has to depend on our developers.” Feng Yu also does not know if his developers could deliver what he wants.
Feng Yu want this company to develop two operating systems. One was Win 7, and the other was Android. Microsoft and Google had more software engineers than Lenovo in his previous life.
But even if one of the two operating systems were successfully developed, Feng Yu would be rich.
“Manager Feng, this is an important matter. Why didn’t you come back?” Liu Chuanzhi asked.
“I will be back when the company is set up. I still have some unfinished work here.” Feng Yu still have not acquired Amazon and have not met Kirilenko’s market a.n.a.lysts. He got to wait until all these were settled before he returns to China.
Feng Yu had successfully bought a stake in Amazon. What’s left was the paperwork. He had seen Amazon’s current website and was not satisfied with it.
Feng Yu decided to wait until he becomes Amazon’s biggest shareholder before asking Jeff Bezos to make all those changes.
If China’s internet was not so backward and the purchasing power of its people was not high, Feng Yu would set up a similar website in China.
“Ok. I will wait for you to return.”
Feng Yu turned to Elena after he hangs up. “Where do you want to go today? There will be a Broadway performance in a few days. We can go and watch it.”
Elena smiled happily: “I will listen to your arrangements.”
……
Qiu Bojun and the higher management of Kingsoft were sitting together to discuss whether if they should merge with Lenovo Software Company. Lenovo owns some of their company’s shares, and if they merge with the new company, it will be good for them. But Kingsoft will no longer exist.
“I think we should join Lenovo Software. Russian engineers will also be joining this company. We will be able to achieve our dream earlier.” Lei Dajun said.
“Our dream? Our dream is to set up the best software company in the world! If we merge with Lenovo Software, there will be no more Kingsoft!” A co-founder of Kingsoft said.
“Then what if we can keep the Kingsoft brand? Including our WPS brand?” Lei Dajun asked.
“What do you mean by keeping our brand? They are the biggest shareholders. Why would they use our brand? All the software produced by this company in the future will be using Lenovo brand!”
Lei Dajun laughed and shook his head. “Our WPS is China’s top Chinese Office software. Lenovo does not have such products and can only use ours. Also, we have been taking the lead in the joint research and development of new software. We are also experts in Han Card. We can use these to negotiate with them to let us keep our WPS brand. We can even request the next new product to be called Kingsoft.”
Qiu Bojun asked excitedly: “You are confident that they will accept these conditions?”
“Not only these. I think this new company should be named Lenovo Kingsoft Software Company. We must let people know that this is a merger. We are not being acquired by Lenovo!” Lei Dajun replied confidently. Lei Dajun was more suitable than Qiu Bojun as the leader of the company.
After Lei Dajun said these, the rest of the people at the meeting brighten up. If the new company is called Lenovo Kingsoft Software Company, then they don’t mind this merger. They will be shifting to a bigger office and will have access to more resources. This will help them achieve their dreams and make more money.
“Lei Dahun, can you persuade Zhu Linan? What about Liu Chuanzhi? Are you confident of persuading them?”
“I can tell that they really want us to join the percentage of shares they offered. They will surely agree to our request. We are Kingsoft and not some unknown brand!” Lei Dajun said.
Zhu Linan was sitting in a small meeting room in Kingsoft Beijing office. Qiu Bojun was still discussing with the rest of the management, and Zhu Linan was waiting for the outcome. He did not leave as he knew that Kingsoft will not reject his high offer.
Of course, Zhu Linan had offered lucrative terms to Qiu Bojun was because he wants Kingsoft people to stand on his side. This way, he will have higher control over this software company! When this company is listed in the future, he will gain more benefits.
Someone knocked on the door and entered. Zhu Linan frowned. It was not Qiu Bojun, but Lei Dajun?
“Manager Zhu, we have discussed your offer, but there are still some minor issues, and I hope Lenovo will agree to this.” Lei Dajun smiled.
“What is it?”
“This new company we are setting up cannot be called Lenovo Software Company. It should be called the Lenovo Kingsoft Software Company. Do you all agree to this?”
Translator’s note
Lei Jun (Author changed his name to Lei Dajun in this novel) Co-founder of Xiaomi