Chapter 725 IBM

Watson was in a dilemma.

On one side was the big cake that Li Zitao had drawn for him, and on the other side was Li Zitao's mouth wide open, trying to bite off the thickest piece of the fat he had prepared.

He wants to use ideas and $3.5 million in exchange for 51% of IBM's shares, which means that what he wants is a controlling stake.

IBM's current market value is US$14 million, which is considered a medium-sized company, but considering its professionalism and monopoly in the computing field, this value has to be raised further.

"Charlie, you want too much." Watson shook his head hesitantly.

"A lot? How much is this idea worth, Watson, you should be very clear." Li Zitao pointed to the drawings on the table and smiled.

"I admit that this idea is very creative, but whether it can be realized or not is just unknown, Charlie, you can't think so much with just one sentence."

One sentence will set off $3.5 million, which sounds normal in the 21st century, when some good ideas are worth millions.

But in this era, Li Zitao is a bit too greedy.

"How about a gamble?" Li Zitao said suddenly.

"Oh? How to bet?" Watson asked with interest.

"5 years, if it is still in theory after 5 years, 3.5 million will be regarded as a gift from me to the company,

If it succeeds after 5 years, I want the board of directors to compensate another 9% of the shares. "

Hearing Li Zitao's gambling conditions, Watson frowned and fell into thought.

5 years, in his opinion, is not a long time. He has never understood the analytical machine, but he knows IBM's punching machine very well.

It cannot be said that it is impossible to go from mechanical to electronic within five years with the current technology, but it will be very difficult.

However, seeing the confidence on the other party's face, Watson felt that he had to add a layer of insurance for himself and the board of directors to make them more at ease.

"For 3 years, if you lose, IBM owns the ownership of this idea." Watson shortened the time again by 2 years, which is his insurance.

Li Zitao lowered his head to think as if in a dilemma, and seeing the hesitation on his face, Watson looked at him proudly and nervously.

"3 years and 6 months." After a difficult mental struggle, Li Zitao raised his head and said fiercely.

"Deal." Watson agreed decisively.

From his point of view, the extra 6 months are just to give Charlie Lee a face. What can be done in 6 months is just the time for project preparation.

An agreement satisfactory to both parties was reached, and the signing was carried out the next day. Li Zitao asked the legal department to draw up the contract, and Watson also had an extra lawyer.

After the two parties checked that there was no problem with the contract, they signed a formal cooperation agreement in the room of the Tawarman Hotel.

"Happy cooperation, Charlie, I hope you can lead IBM to complete the research and development as soon as possible." Watson smiled like a cunning old fox.

"Thank you, I won't let you down." Li Zitao also smiled happily.

Three and a half years or five and a half years, or one and a half years, is not a problem for him at all. All he wants is IBM's R&D team and their patent reserves.

IBM can occupy 85% of the market because they have spent 1 million US dollars in 32 years to build IBM's own research laboratory.

IBM's punching machines, card counting machines, and commercial processors exported to the Far East were all developed by IBM's research laboratories.

During the period of gambling, Li Zitao's shareholding rights were greatly restricted, and he could not trade, reduce, increase, exercise voting rights, etc.

After paying such a high price, Li Zitao will be fully responsible for the research and development direction of the IBM research laboratory for the next three and a half years.

What scientists care most about is research, honor, interests, the feeling of having a common idea, being understood and being valued.

Li Zitao, who owns the Skunk R&D Center, Stark Laboratory, Osborne and Pioneer Technology Laboratory, thinks he knows a lot about scientific researchers.

If they could be treated better,

Study the environment, trust and unconditional support and they will drop everything for you.

What company is loyal? If it weren't for Li Zitao pouring a lot of money into it, the company's treatment is the best in the United States, and the research environment is more comfortable and comprehensive than the national level.

The four major research laboratories have all achieved great fame in their respective fields, and Li Zitao also played a more or less key role in these researches.

Convinced those proud researchers, I am afraid that the laboratory has been poached long ago.

Now that he is in charge of the IBM Research Laboratory, the first thing he does after taking office is to improve the welfare of researchers.

Then implement the rules of the skunk, as long as there is a specific research direction, a reasonable report can be made, and a team can be formed, Li Zitao will approve his project.

To put it simply, it is to give them the greatest research freedom, sufficient funds and unconditional support. This is Li Zitao's plan.

Doing so is bound to anger the board, especially if there are no immediate results.

At that time, Li Zitao will stare at the pressure, unconditionally support their research and development, and let them fully display their talents. Think about it?

Then don't treat him as a real father, ask for money for money, ask for freedom for freedom, help them solve all the troubles without making any demands, and the real father is not so good.

Comparing the two sides, do you think they will complain to the board of directors? Although the two sides will not have direct contact, the conflict must be getting deeper and deeper.

Compared with Li Zitao, the board of directors is a "villain big boss organization," but he is a friend and a messenger of justice.

If they can succeed in research in three and a half years, he will have nothing to lose to IBM's absolute holding.

If nothing is researched, Li Zitao will be out at that time, and the board of directors, which has deep grievances, will be the first to attack the research laboratory.

Li Zitao only needs to wait for the new manager to take office, openly carry out reforms on project approval, welfare, and management, and hook his little hands when the researchers who have enjoyed freedom are angry, and he can immediately empty out IBM's R&D department.

What IBM does not have a research laboratory, and it is just an inconspicuous member of all living beings.

Watson thought his goal was a shareholding, a holding of IBM, which is true, but it is not the only option.

Li Zitao didn't set his sights on IBM from the very beginning, it was just a 'bonus' incidentally, and the talents in its research laboratories were his real goal.

Both of them laughed brilliantly, but who can laugh will only be proved by time.

But from now on, it seems that Li Zitao is going to win first, and Watson has misunderstood his purpose from the beginning.

"Armonk City, wait for me, you will soon be mine." Looking in the direction of Amonk City, Li Zitao said silently in his heart.