Reborn America, this is my time

Chapter 174 Investment has never been a business
"what are you saying?"

"You were kicked out by Ethan Jones?"

Winter of [-], Florida.

The sun was shining in Miami before Christmas, and the warm current from the Atlantic Ocean made it warm like spring. In the hilltop villa overlooking the beach, Lawrence of the Rockefeller family was lying on the rattan lounge chair in the sun room, enjoying the oncoming salty humidity Sea Breeze spread his body lazily, allowing two young girls in uniform to squat beside him, helping to relax the muscles in his legs.

After summoning the subordinates who came to report the latest progress of the incident, the old man in a white bathrobe slightly opened his eyes and looked at the two with puzzled eyes, "Ethan Jones scolded you?"

"Whoa - you guys are really good! Give me some fun as the holidays get closer -"

The boss's words made the two middle-aged white men stand still in place, not daring to move.

And if Ethan is on the scene at this moment, he will be surprised to find that the two of them are in the Wenlock investment team that he negotiated with earlier.

As Lawrence Rockefeller's direct subordinates, they shouldn't have mixed with Wenlock's guys, but Apple was a project handpicked by the boss, so they temporarily joined the negotiating team, and then witnessed Ethan Jones going Their investment manager scolded bloody.

then……

When they found that the investment was deadlocked, they could only come back and report the situation.

Generally speaking, an investment of tens of millions of dollars is a small project in Rockefeller's family. If the two of them can't solve it, it is because of their ability to solve it.

But many things don't count that way, right?
If it's just an ordinary project, they have a natural advantage when negotiating, so they can naturally win the boss's favorite project quickly, but when the background of the two parties is evenly matched, how dare they dare to offend the boss who is not afraid of Rockefeller? Where is Zhang Signboard?

Therefore, many times, many things are difficult for them to handle.

With their silence, Lawrence Rockefeller closed his eyes again.

"Tell me." He understood the embarrassment of his subordinates and ordered: "Tell me about the specific situation. I want to know what you have communicated with Ethan Jones."

The words of sympathy for the people let the two of them heave a sigh of relief. They hurriedly reported the process of yesterday's negotiation in detail. When he made a rebuttal on the issue of the investment column, the corners of his mouth slightly curled up while he was listening with his eyes closed; when the two of them produced the report that the expert team rushed to produce overnight, they said that Apple's business chaos might be just a superficial phenomenon. When Ethan Jones was able to refute their questions in technical terms cleanly, that clear thinking could at least prove that Apple is fine on paper. As for the actual operation... there may still be a little mistake... …

"This slip is referring to Ethan Jones?"

Lawrence Rockefeller heard the meaning of the panel's words.

"Yes."

The two subordinates nodded quickly, "Our people still feel that Apple needs to bring in a professional manager. Because it is impossible for Ethan Jones to have enough time to manage two companies at the same time."

"Hmm." This result made Lawrence Rockefeller nodded slightly.

Then he stretched out his right hand and said, "Minutes (meeting minutes)."

The two quickly handed over the bound documents.

After flipping through it briefly, this old man of the same age as Fred Terman suddenly laughed out loud.

"Actor!" he muttered.

Then asked: "What do you think about what Ethan Jones said yesterday?"

This question made the two subordinates a little embarrassed. They looked at each other and said, "Boss, we personally think that what Ethan Jones said is actually quite reasonable..."

"Snapped!"

As soon as these words came out, Lawrence Rockefeller immediately closed the document in his hand, threw it aside, then got up, and pushed back the servant who was giving him a massage.

As they left, the old man with his hands on the railing of the sun room looked at the blue sea and said with a smile: "Yes, your feeling is right. What Ethan Jones said actually makes sense."

"How to turn technological products into consumer goods needed by the public is the real beginning of a revolution. There are a bunch of patent results lying in various laboratories in our country. Everyone knows that those mean the future, but no one knows. Know when that future comes."

“So, a lot of the time we just sit there and wait, waiting for someone to discover what those patents do, and waiting for someone to bring them to market.”

"This process is always so long and tormented!"

"Because of this, every change is exciting!"

"Ethan Jones is right, the two Steves who can find the needs of ordinary people will definitely be remembered by the world. When this fact has been proved countless times by the world, our people use the words of class action to fight The management of the company is a kind of..."

"Unwise behavior."

Lawrence Rockefeller gave his assessment.

"Maybe they also want to complete the investment as soon as possible?" Two subordinates tried to explain.

"Hmph~" Lawrence Rockefeller turned around with a smile.

"But they caught Ethan Jones."

This remark made the two middle-aged white men a little speechless.

Before they could speak again, Lawrence Rockefeller made his decision.

"Open it."

"..." The expressions of the two subordinates tightened.

"Let the finance department clear their wages for them, and don't use them next year."

Lawrence Rockefeller leaned on the railing and said: "These people who add up to more than two hundred years old are not as sensible as a 22-year-old child? This kind of waste staying in the company will only ruin my mood!"

"Our investment company has been established for so many years, don't they understand what I mean?"

"Why should I invest in technology companies?"

"That's because Vannevar is right! Technological development is the future!"

"Many people have been missing the glorious days when Rockefeller sold oil, but the trading of resources is a business that cannot last long! And it will make countless people hate you!"

"Technology is different. This kind of field that can change the world and change human beings will always exist. If Rockefeller wants to exist forever, he must integrate into it!"

"This kind of integration is not like crazy financial investment like Morgan and Goldman Sachs, but to actually participate in the development of each company! Because the sole financial pursuit is easy to make people short-sighted in pursuit of profit! Just like I always feel that AT and T must not dismantle Bell, and IBM must keep Watson forever! A certain amount of research and development expenditure is necessary in many cases! But if it falls into the eyes of those engaged in finance, these are all garbage that drags down the financial report!"

"While our people did not exhibit such ignorance during this one negotiation, their disrespect for Jobs and Wozniak was enough to make them..."

"Fuck off!"

The serious words made the two subordinates nod hurriedly.

Following their responses, Lawrence Rockefeller also took a deep breath and changed the subject, "So, what about the documents that Ethan Jones threw to you?"

"A document with their needs written on it?"

"where is it?"

"I want to see."

This inquiry caused two subordinates to immediately open the briefcase and present a brown paper bag to Lawrence Rockefeller.

With a quick sweep, Apple's financing requirements immediately came into view.

First of all, it is Ethan Jones' pre-investment valuation of Apple. According to his calculation, Apple's net profit in 1000 should be about [-] million. According to the current development prospects of the personal computer industry, Ethan Jones They feel that Apple deserves a price-earnings ratio of [-] times, so Apple's current valuation must be [-] million. Lawrence Rockefeller must first accept this valuation before they can talk.

Secondly, after the investment is completed, Lawrence Rockefeller needs to give some help in the development of Apple, and there are two points that must be written in the investment agreement.

The first point is that Lawrence Rockefeller must promise to help Apple establish a full-meter sales channel in the next two years, so that Apple can get rid of the garbage operation of the US Postal Service with fast delivery, and realize the freedom of Apple's distribution of goods within the whole meter range. ;
The second point is that Lawrence Rockefeller must guarantee that in the next two years, he will help Apple enter universities across the country, realize educational procurement in all states, and make Apple a teaching tool and an educational machine.

If these three conditions only seemed to be relatively harsh, and it was not difficult for the Rockefeller family to implement them, then the fourth condition made the old man stunned on the spot.

Because it says that after the investment is completed, Lawrence Rockefeller needs to recommend several CEOs with extensive operating experience to Apple...

"So that's why you came to me, right?"

Lawrence Rockefeller asked, pointing to the fourth item on the cooperation letter.

"Uh... yes..." The two subordinates nodded with a smile, and said, "After seeing the conditions proposed by Ethan Jones, we don't know how to continue the negotiation."

"While he wants to continue to retain his power in the company, he does not give us the right to appoint and remove the CEO and CFO, and at the same time asks us to recommend a suitable executive for them..."

"It's kind of conflicting anyway."

"Oh——" Lawrence Rockefeller chuckled, "Can't you see?"

"I do not believe."

"You just dare not take responsibility."

This comment made the two white men laugh quickly.

And that pedantic action also made Lawrence Rockefeller shake his head, "Ethan Jones knew that Apple had problems, and he also knew that Steve Jobs might not be suitable to be CEO, at least not now, so he did it. A professional needs to be brought in to lead the company."

"He knew we had resources, and that's why he asked us to find them."

"But at the same time, he doesn't want to hand over the power to us, so he asks us to recommend it instead of directly appointing it. For this reason, he can have a debate with you."

Speaking of this, Lawrence Rockefeller suddenly smiled and shook his head.

"This young man is very interesting."

"How old is this year?"

"22? Or 23? I didn't expect to be so fancy about power."

Having said this, Lawrence Rockefeller suddenly stopped.

His eyes stared blankly ahead, as if his soul had already flown into the sky.

Such a situation caused the two white subordinates to swallow a mouthful of saliva and said badly in their hearts.

Because the boss's words reminded them of Nelson of the Rockefeller family, he was also very fond of power, so that Lawrence was unable to obtain the right to manage the family business for a long time.

If it wasn't for the other party's sudden desire to take an official career, their boss might have been suppressed forever.

"Oh—50 years have passed—"

After a while, Lawrence Rockefeller suddenly came back to his senses.

He smiled at the two seemingly incompetent subordinates who never made him angry, and asked, "What do you think of Ethan Jones's condition?"

Although it was a question, he didn't give them a chance to answer. He said to himself, "Are you ready for the CEO candidate?"

This question gave the two men an answer.

"Boss, we've searched for it a long time ago." They couldn't wait to say: "We think Harry Thornborn, Robert Canterlot, and Roger Corrien may all be more suitable."

Although Lawrence Rockefeller looked dazed after hearing the names of these three people, it was not important. He waved his hand and said: "After that festival, you will give the information of these three people to Ethan Jones, and let him Pick the CEO you want and we'll do the rest."

"At the same time, tell Ethan Jones that we can accept Apple's 1000 million pre-money valuation, but our investment is still only [-] million, but this time we only get [-]% of the post-investment. The nine-member board of directors remains the same. To establish, we will take seats according to equity this time.”

"Because whether it's the construction of the North American channel or the order of Quanmi University, they can make up for their money loss. Since they want to make the company's business continue to do better, they must show a little bit of their sincerity. , isn't it?"

“Then you guys are telling Ethan Jones, I need to see their next-generation product, a more competitive product, before I invest in it.”

The successive arrangements were faithfully recorded by two subordinates.

And while they were writing, Lawrence Rockefeller thought again.

Finally, I added a sentence, "After the investment is completed, you are making an announcement to the outside world, telling the outside world that we, Wenlock, have obtained 1000% of the equity of Apple, which is valued at [-] million, at a price of [-] million. And you will fire Steve Jobs' CEO position in the company."

'...'

When these words appeared, the two who were recording the boss's request had a meal.

"Boss, what do you mean?" They were puzzled.

"Your actions are conveying to the outside world a message that we are not in harmony with Apple!"

"Although we are currently in conflict with Apple, after the investment..."

"Aren't we a family?"

"after all……"

"Business is business?"

The two made suggestions anxiously.

"Ha ha ha ha--"

The subordinate's words made Lawrence Rockefeller laugh out loud.

"You two are right, business is business! But investment has never been a business!"

"Investment is not in enterprises, but in people!"

"At the same point in time, there must be many companies in an industry."

"Why should we choose Apple over anyone else?"

"One is because they are doing better than most of their peers! The second is because their ideas and technology are good! The third is because their founders seem more worthy of success!"

The two white subordinates frowned slightly.

Lawrence Rockefeller, who was in a good mood, smiled and explained to them:
"Do you know the difference between the rich generation and the rich second generation?"

"The rich generation is stepping on everyone's position! The rich second generation enjoys the awe of the world!"

"If the rich generation wants to be successful, then you have to kill all your competitors!"

"I don't know if there are any other ruthless people in the current computer industry, but Ethan Jones obviously has this awareness. He founded the company for two and a half years, but the giants have attacked three?"

"In that case, let him fight!"

"If he can keep winning, we will always hold Apple stock!"

"This may be a bit cruel to him..."

"But he'll thank me later!"

A wide smile spread across Lawrence Rockefeller's face.

But on this warm seaside, the two white subordinates still felt the cold of winter.

"Okay...Ok..."

They swallowed their saliva and answered carefully.

(End of this chapter)