Although Xiao Yun agreed to return to Beijing to participate in Anxin's board of directors, Chen Yuanming was finally distracted by another incident. In mid-January, a long-awaited olive branch finally arrived in front of him.
AOL sent out an invitation to cooperate with Netscape.
The weight of this invitation is not too heavy. You must know that AOL is now one of the several major Internet access providers in the United States. In the era of dial-up Internet access, it basically represented a license to log in to the Internet. The browser is the gateway from the computer to the Internet. Now this gate is guarded by Netscape. Just last year, the market share of Netscape browser exceeded 75%, ranking at the top of the Internet world.
It can be said that these two companies are the top Internet companies today, and they are also the first winners to taste the sweetness of the Internet gold mine, but such advantages cannot make people intoxicated, because they also have a common and extremely powerful enemy: Microsoft.
Although not aware of the potential of the Internet in time, Microsoft's famous "imitation and crushing" method is unmatched by anyone. Just last year when Netscape went public, Microsoft launched its own web browser, Internet Explorer, and online service MSN threatened AOL's presence. Today's Microsoft is not the little known company ten years ago. The release of Win95 directly made it crush all the enemies who dared to stand in front of him and became an invincible beast.
With a common enemy, an alliance of interests is naturally essential. But for Netscape, this alliance does not seem to exist in their consciousness. The market share of Netscape browser is too high, Hotmail and ICQ have brought him more than a powerful force, and AOL is a typical consumer company, which runs counter to the technical characteristics of Netscape. This difference has caused different opinions within Netscape, and not most of them agree with the cooperation.
The original character and selection tendency of a company are almost innate, and like the DNA of the company, it is a stereotype rooted in the minds of every veteran. The reason why Netscape became Netscape is precisely because of his technical strength and arrogance. This arrogance can not only make him surf the wave when he first gets into the Internet, but also make him become blind and reckless and want to go head to head. A giant like Microsoft. Challenging a dragon like Don Quixote is an admirable courage, but it is not in the interests of businessmen. It is even more inconsistent with Chen Yuanming's.
Netscape is great, but the company is so weak today that Microsoft's $7 billion in cash is enough to swallow it countless times. In order to compete for Internet access, Microsoft invested 2 billion US dollars in one go. When the Windows system starts to bind the IE browser rigidly, and all browsing software on the market becomes a free product, what value does this Netscape have? To know the future era, no one will pay for the browser.
Therefore, walking on the big tree of America Online is an effective way for it to avoid facing Microsoft directly. But convincing the stubborn Netscape executives was not so easy. Fortunately, at this time, the preparations that have been paving the way bear the ideal fruit.
Just two months ago, SoftBank and Touchstone had a deal. Chen Yuanming exchanged his Yahoo shares for Netscape shares held by SoftBank. For Softbank, this is a good deal. On the one hand, it is his demand for control of Yahoo. On the other hand, because Microsoft has just announced its own Internet plan, it has increased its investment in IE, and officially opened the door to the Internet. King's offensive. This tough stance once caused Netscape's stock to drop, and many smart people chose to sit on the sidelines or even fall into the trap.
But Chen Yuanming did not. As an angel investor in Yahoo and the biggest beneficiary of the rising supernova, he finally gave up his Yahoo stock for Netscape. Such perseverance, as well as the considerable benefits brought by Hotmail and ICQ, finally moved these stubborn technicians. Chen Yuanming is an investor who can communicate and trust, and a shareholder who truly values the potential of technology. Even in Silicon Valley, such good shareholders are extremely rare.
For this trust, Netscape executives will naturally carefully consider the opinions put forward by Chen Yuanming. What really makes them succumb is the operation mode of ICQ.
"So far I have not used ICQ to charge, because it is free, it has occupied more than 87% of the instant messaging market. My capital is not strong, and even my main business is not on the Internet, I can still maintain the operation and research and development of such a company. , then will Microsoft, which is inevitable for the Internet, take the same approach and even bundle the IE browser in its own system?"
This is a question that needs no answer. Most of the people in this room are from Silicon Valley. They know the nature and old style of Microsoft, and they are very aware of the disastrous consequences that this can bring. Even with antitrust laws, can they survive until the day they win the lawsuit
"And the more important point is that Netscape can occupy more than 90% of the browser market, but after occupying these markets? Is it for 100% efforts? No, after occupying more than 70% of the market, no matter how much effort It's not important anymore, the only key is to open up new ways to make money. Today our technology is very powerful, but the profit is not enough. The true core of the browser is not yet in our hands. It is not just a simple software , Just like using a computer must go through the operating system, and connecting to the Internet must also go through a browser, this is the root of Microsoft's commitment to crushing Netscape. The era of personal computers is coming to an end, the next era belongs to the Internet, and browsing The device is the key to everything.”
"AOL can bring us more influence and advertising revenue, and we can give him a broader development prospect. This is a win-win situation and the greatest possibility to challenge Microsoft. What we need now is not to move forward blindly, It's about building a solid fortress to secure what has been gained. Therefore, I recommend everyone to put aside their pride and stubbornness and think about the future of Netscape. What do we want? An unparalleled browser software, It is still a company that controls the Internet portal platform, and it is also an Internet giant like our current enemy, Microsoft."
Chen Yuanming is not a pure Silicon Valley person, but these remarks are insightful Silicon Valley theories. In the end, Netscape chose the answer without the slightest suspense.
On January 29, Netscape and AOL reached an agreement at a speed of almost lightning, and the Netscape browser officially became the default browser of AOL, providing it with a high-quality service platform, and at the same time selling the browser in the browser. Load AOL Quick Links. AOL, on the other hand, provides Netscape with exclusive sales channels, and uses its own customer base and advertising channels to maximize the benefits of Netscape.
As soon as the news came out, the stock prices of Netscape and AOL both went up, which officially sounded the clarion call to fight against Microsoft.
After dealing with all this, when Chen Yuanming returned to China again, Anxin's board of directors had come to an end. Completely missed the agenda, but Xiao Yun couldn't blame the tired-looking young man in front of him, and finally just patted him on the shoulder.
"Every time I see you being so busy, I'm embarrassed to instruct you again..."
"Tsk, uncle, your capitalist habits are getting heavier and heavier. Hurry up and count the dividends to be true." There was a slightly sarcastic joke in his mouth, but Xiao Junyi's eyes contained a little concern that could not be concealed.
Chen Yuanming smiled at his uncle and nephew, "It's a great thing to be able to share profits without effort. This time Anxin's performance has doubled again?"
"It has expanded to more than 40 prefecture-level cities in 7 provinces." Xiao Yun also smiled, "Don't say anything, your profit this year is 10 million yuan, is it enough?"
This figure is a dividend, and now Chen Yuanming's 5% stake in Anxin has become a huge amount that ordinary people can't imagine, and it will gradually expand with the development of Anxin.
"It just happened to be used to buy a new house." Chen Yuanming smiled calmly, and could not see any surprised expression, which made Xiao Yun very unfulfilled.
Hearing this, Xiao Junyi's eyes lit up, "Ah, don't say, there seems to be news of a villa being built in Xishan recently. Go there and book a set. It's a good place for leisure and vacation."
"That's true." Xiao Yun rarely refuted, "Our family also has the idea of buying a few new houses in Xishan. After all, it is relatively close to the old man's rest house. If you go back and live there, it will be convenient to take care of it."
It is estimated that it would be more convenient to steal love.
Ignoring Xiao Junyi's shining eyes, Chen Yuanming replied with a smile, "I have long thought of buying a villa in Xishan, and I will think about it when I look back."
"Okay, then Anxin doesn't have anything important anymore. I'll ask someone to organize a copy of the meeting materials. If there are any proposals that need to be added, just send them to me. As for Hongshang, the handheld computer has just been launched, and the sales volume is still high. The statistics have not been completed, and it is estimated that the meeting will not be held until after the Spring Festival, when you, the major shareholder, will not be able to escape."
"I understand." Chen Yuanming's answer was more straightforward this time, there was no way, the memory card was under Feiyan's command, and he, a dual shareholder, would not be able to escape.
Seeing Chen Yuanming's tired face that he couldn't hide, Xiao Yun shook his head, "What about these two days? Are you going to go home directly, or stay in Beijing for two more days?"
"Let's stay for two more days, just in time to deal with some private matters."
"Oh? Do you want to help?" Xiao Yun glanced at his nephew who was sitting beside him, and saw that the boy was leaning in the seat leisurely, but he couldn't see anything. When he came back this time, he heard from his sister-in-law that the relationship between the two seemed to be closer, and he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, but when they met, he felt that the relationship between the two could be natural. No doubt.
"Just seeing a few old friends, it's not a big deal." Chen Yuanming smiled and answered frankly.
Xiao Junyi's peach blossom eyes narrowed, old friend? It seems that there are not many "friends" in Beijing for this kid...
"Haha, that's fine, just relax and go to your house when you have time." Without seeing any problems, Xiao Yun naturally felt relieved, smiled and chatted with Chen Yuanming for a few more words before letting go. People go home to rest. Without seeing any chance of intimate contact, Xiao Junyi lowered his eyes slightly and made a small calculation in his heart.
Romance is too tiring, and I have to say something or the author has something to say: I'm really late today, I'm really sorry for QAQ proofreading, I'll come back tomorrow...