Chapter 2674 Microsoft Is so Bold

"Bill, Paul, we can't wait in silence any longer."

In Microsoft's headquarters, inside the spacious CEO's office, Ballmer spoke sternly to Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Bill Gates has gradually retreated to the second line in the past two years, and no longer specifically manages the tedious affairs of Microsoft. It can be said to be very relaxed.

But if you think that he is no longer interested in Microsoft and has no more influence, then you are very wrong.

Most of Microsoft's current staff are still Bill Gates' cronies, and as Microsoft's largest shareholder, he is the biggest reliance to ensure his own strength.

Not to mention that after Paul Allen came back, as a staunch supporter of Bill from the beginning of his business, he would not go against Bill.

Therefore, Ballmer knew that he could only do Paul Allen's work after he had convinced Bill first.

"Paul, what do you think?" Bill turned to his friend and asked.

Paul Allen, who returned to the board of directors of Microsoft, did not do much in specific affairs. He was more involved in Microsoft's world influence and software monopoly. However, he has invested in businesses outside for so many years and has so many Experience is also what Bill values.

Just because Paul Allen has squandered for so many years, and now his family property has not decreased, we know that he has stumbled and is already a successful investor.

Bill Gates is not as good as him in this regard, because Bill Gates' greatest thoughts from the beginning to the end are only spent on Microsoft. There are so many investment opportunities, he is not willing to do it.

Of course, it is precisely because of Bill Gates' concentration that Microsoft has been at the forefront of technology companies for so many years, and it will not be surpassed by GOOGLE and Apple until a few years later.

Paul Allen pondered and said, "I have dealt with Xiao Qi before. This person is very difficult to deal with. He has a strong attachment to his own company. From this point of view, he is somewhat similar to Leader Joe. And because he is A true genius, so it is even more difficult to deal with than the leader of Qiao Gang. From the way he invests in SKYPE. This is a typical Xiao Qi style, using the best strategies and methods, using the largest investment, to maximize Open up and occupy the market, thus forming the scale of the industry leader.

If we want to acquire SKYPE, we must first look at the value of SKYPE. I personally think that SKYPE still has great potential for development. After all, the network communication market has great prospects, especially in today's integrated Europe. Less cost, better service quality, more excellent service items, etc., these advantages are possessed by SKYPE, and they are also the most important advantages in the network communication market.

Now we have to consider two points. The first is the price that Microsoft can offer, and can it overwhelm other acquirers? Xiao Qi, if you want to buy something from him, if you don’t pay enough, he won’t talk to you at all. second. After buying SKYPE, can we withstand the investigation and suppression of the EU? What is the opinion of the US Department of Commerce? "

Listening to his friend's analysis, Bill Gates nodded slightly. He said to Ballmer, "Stephen, what about the Ministry of Commerce?"

"Should be no problem." Ballmer Road. "I had dinner with Secretary Wardward before. He also hoped that SKYPE could be controlled by our American company. If it is Microsoft, then there is no reason for the US Department of Commerce not to help us!"

"So what about the EU?" Bill Gates asked again.

"Not to mention the European Union, Microsoft has a large network of contacts in the European Union, and our Windows system has involved all aspects of them, since they dare not talk about the Windows system, they will not use SKYPE to embarrass us Microsoft, because it doesn't make any sense at all. We Americans are not so easy to bully!" Ballmer said confidently.

"Okay, so here comes the most important question." Bill Gates said. "How much do you think we can pay? How much is appropriate, and how much is meaningful to buy?"

Ballmer thought about it and said: "The highest offer now is from the Saudi National Consortium. It is said that the real offer has reached 12 billion U.S. dollars, and another prince of Kakuwait is said to bid no less than this price. If Microsoft bids, I think it should be no less than the 11 billion US dollars that Xiao Qi said, only in this way can we hope to get SKYPE.”

"Isn't Xiao Qi very greedy for money? Why is he willing to sell it to us when we offer it so much cheaper?" Bill Gates mused, "He's not using Microsoft to raise the price, he just wants to use us, right? "

"From the perspective of Xiao Qi's previous trading company, there is no such thing. After all, this is not speculation, but a normal business transaction." Paul Allen said, "Can we understand it from another aspect, that is SKYPE It is also Xiao Qi's hard work. He thinks it is better to fall into the hands of Microsoft than to fall into the hands of those oil tycoons? SKYPE is in our hands, and its development potential must be the greatest!"

"Well, I think so too. Xiao Qi doesn't want someone to hold SKYPE but not be able to exert its power." Ballmer said the same.

"Eleven billion dollars..."

Bill Gates began to ponder.

For Microsoft, they are not short of money, nor are they short of liquidity.

As a software company, Microsoft spends more on product research and development, and saves a lot of manpower and financial resources in the sales and after-sales links, so their working capital is usually around 50 billion US dollars.

Of course, as their replacement, GOOGLE's liquidity has reached as much as 100 billion US dollars.

Then when Apple became the hegemony, they didn't know how to spend more than 200 billion U.S. dollars. How could they be so rich?

The topic is off topic.

Just because there is enough cash in hand, when Microsoft wanted to acquire YAHOO, more than 40 billion US dollars was nothing.

Moreover, they can also issue additional company shares to exchange for other people's shares.

Now Bill Gates thought of this trick, "You say, we will give 5 billion US dollars in cash, and then give 6 billion US dollars worth of Microsoft shares, will Xiao Qi agree?"

"I don't know, but I guess Xiao Qi would not agree." Ballmer smiled wryly, "If he meant it, he would have done it long ago when we wanted to acquire the shares of Dream Pad and Dream Stars. Facts have proved that he is not optimistic about Microsoft. Or he is not optimistic about the development of Microsoft."

Bill Gates frowned, but he couldn't get angry.

ten years ago. Whoever dares to talk to him like this is purely reckless.

But now that we have entered the Internet era, seeing GOOGLE, Apple, Samsung, Fairy and other companies have surpassed Microsoft and become upstarts one by one, Microsoft has no better way to catch up with them.

From the absolute overlord to the backwardness of others, the gap in Bill Gates' heart can be imagined. This is more uncomfortable than losing his throne as the richest man in the world.

Clenching his fists, Bill Gates finally nodded, "Let's start with the rise of SKYPE! Microsoft will return to its peak one day!"

Ballmer breathed a sigh of relief, with a look of joy on his face.

In the past two years, Bill Gates' investment strategy has become more and more conservative. Even HTC was won by Ballmer with great difficulty. He was afraid that SKYPE would fail.

It seems that Paul Allen's words are indeed correct, he must use the success of Fairy Company to stimulate Bill, so that he will be aroused to be competitive!

Looking at Paul Allen, Ballmer found him just smiling. If he hadn't been one of the parties involved, he would never have thought of it before this meeting. The two of them have already reached a consensus, but the only obstacle is to convince Bill in front of him.

Paul Allen has never lacked the ambition to make a fortune!

...

"Microsoft's quotation is like this. At present, 11 billion US dollars is not only the highest quotation, but also the most detailed follow-up plan." SKYPE CEO Lang De respectfully said to Xiao Qi.

yes.

Many companies and groups offered SKYPE quotations, but the most expensive among them was the prince of Qatar, who offered a price of US$10 billion.

In fact, Saudi Arabia only gave 8 billion US dollars, which is even less than the Cowell Group.

The Duke of Saatchi in the United Kingdom, the one who sold the View Cinemas to Qiao Guoer, really wanted to buy SKYPE, but all his recent funds have been invested in the great cause of real estate speculation in London. The quotation is really 10 billion U.S. dollars, but only 3 billion U.S. dollars in cash. In the next five years, the remaining 7 billion U.S. dollars will be repaid without interest. Even if Xiao Qi and him are acquainted, there is no way to agree to such a condition.

Under such circumstances, Microsoft can offer an offer of 11 billion US dollars, and it is all a cash transaction, which is really full of sincerity.

"Do you think it's better to wait or agree to Microsoft directly?" Xiao Qi asked him.

"This..." Lund gritted his teeth and said, "I don't think the matter can be delayed any longer. Before the unfavorable clauses for us in Europe come out, I quickly find Microsoft to take over and let it deal with the EU. This is the best way to make SKYPE develop better!"

After saying this, Lang De immediately lowered his head.

Encouraging him to sell the golden baby in front of the boss, this is really embarrassing, it's a bit of a taste.

But if you want to negotiate slowly, you don't allow much opportunity.

Because there are too many variables in the EU, if they wait until they sanction SKYPE, then SKYPE will have to work harder to resume its development in Europe.

He was afraid that Xiao Qi would be angry, but Xiao Qi laughed when he heard it, "Since you all agree, then let's do this!"

"Uh!?"

Rand thought he had heard wrong.

"I agree to the quotation of 11 billion US dollars, and the next step is for you to discuss the details of the sale!" Xiao Qi said seriously, "I hope SKYPE can grow stronger in your hands!"

"Yes Yes!"

Lang De stood up, bowed seriously to Xiao Qi and said: "It is the honor of my life to be able to work under you! SKYPE can have today's achievements and future development expectations, all thanks to you. Yes! Don't worry, we will definitely do a good job on SKYPE!"

"That's good."

Xiao Qi smiled and said, "But having said that, I also want to congratulate you, each of you has earned tens of millions of dollars, and you can expect to become billionaires in the future!"

Of the 11 billion US dollars, they own 4% of the shares and they account for 440 million US dollars, while the management and R&D team only have more than 20 people, so naturally they have gained a lot.

European and American company executives have always talked about money without hesitation. Hearing this, Lang De also smiled: "We not only want to thank Qi Shao, but also thank Microsoft for being so generous!"

Even a year ago, they would never have imagined that SKYPE would be where it is today.

With a market value of 11 billion US dollars, this is an extremely high valuation for any Internet company!

So, thanks to Microsoft's generosity, it is a matter of course! (to be continued ~^~)