Chapter 1934 Conflict of Interest

Silicon Valley, Google conference room, Schmidt made a final summary speech, "So, the proposal for shareholder Yiping Feng to pledge his 3% of Google shares is passed,"

As soon as he finished speaking, Page stood up and walked out. With so much work, how could he have so much time to waste on these things?

This matter couldn't be clearer. Feng needed to raise funds in the United States, and the Google shares he held were the easiest assets to value.

As for his failure to repay the debt when the shares were pledged, which would bring new shareholders to the company, please, let alone this 3%, even if he pledged all of his own 15% of the open and hidden shares, he would not be able to repay the debt when the shares were due.

Didn't you see that he intended to raise funds this time, except for local ones, from the east to the south to the north, which qualified bank manager in China didn't come to Silicon Valley?

Including those old European banks, their managers are also either in Silicon Valley or on the way to Silicon Valley.

Besides, with Feng's love for the company and its stocks, would he be willing to give up those shares like this?

Therefore, it is a waste of time to attend such a meeting where the result is known from the beginning.

But I have to come.

Technology has developed to such an extent, why are some jobs still the same as in the last century? If I want to innovate the process and method of convening the board of directors, what should I improve and how should I start?

The first thing should be the relevant laws. Tsk, don't say it, the difficulty of changing this is really not small.

"Hey," Brin followed and walked side by side with him. In the conference room behind him, a series of chair-moving sounds were heard.

Other directors who came to attend the board of directors, in addition to the meeting, did not have no questions to tell them, but at this time, looking at their backs that clearly showed, "We are very busy, please do not disturb us", they all retracted the words they were about to call them, shrugged each other, and smiled at each other to eliminate the same embarrassment.

He also found excuses for the two, "They are much busier than us,"

"Indeed,"...

Faced with these two founders who have supported the company's stock since its listing, including the independent directors, who can find fault, who has the nerve to find fault?

Now Google not only has a good stock price and good performance, but also has a very good image in the public's mind.

These two, plus the younger Feng, are people who have ideals in the minds of the majority of shareholders and look forward to changing the world through their own efforts.

Therefore, as the public is increasingly dissatisfied with Microsoft's various overbearing terms and disappointed with Yahoo's decline, Google is the most popular among the listed companies in Silicon Valley.

Although no one, including its own people, calls it a great company, everyone knows that it is already on the road to becoming a great company.

As for the other Yahoo that calls itself "a great company", haha, let it be great as it can.

"Hi everyone," Schmidt smiled as he walked through the large group of directors at the door with his bag, and chased the two people in front of him in the same polite but firm manner.

Although he is also a director, his board seat is relatively less stable than these directors.

If he performs mediocrely in his current position, then it is obvious that he will lose his CEO position and board seat at the same time.

What worries him is that he now feels more and more that his position in the company is becoming increasingly marginalized.

"Wait for me," he strode forward to chase.

…………

"Have you heard that Feng defeated the chief in China again," Brin was sharing the good news with his good friend with excitement.

Although some people compare them to Peter Pan, and although they do dream of changing the world, this does not mean that their private words and deeds are as impeccable as saints.

No, they are Silicon Valley people, straightforward and true to themselves, or Silicon Valley people who dare to live out themselves and let themselves go from time to time. They are pursuing to change the world, but no matter how lofty the goals are, they will not let them succumb to those goals.

For example, although they can now look at or look down at the giant Yahoo that they once had to rely on, as long as they hear embarrassing things about Yahoo, they will be as happy as children who have eaten candy.

"Haha, it's just expected. Want to compete with Feng in Feng's home court? How is it possible? Does he really think of himself as a chief?"

"That's right," Brin patted Page on the shoulder happily, "Do you think that although they are not without smart moves, they always seem to be unable to recognize the overall situation,"

Page smiled, "Isn't this good?"

"Hehe, yes," the two of them were arm in arm, laughing a little obscenely, and now they were a little like Big Bear and Little Bear who finally stole honey, full of joy.

Hearing Schmidt's greeting, they looked back, but did not really stop, "How is your place?" The two asked the same question almost at the same time.

Then they answered at the same time, "Okay,"

Schmidt finally caught up at this time, "Page, Brin, I have something important to discuss with you, come to my office,"

"Can't send an email?" Page frowned and asked.

"No, it's better to discuss it in person, and I think it's time to discuss this issue," Schmidt said, "Please,"

"Okay," Brin pulled Page.

Considering that Schmidt's work did allow him to at least have some free time, and seeing that he said it solemnly, Page was still cooperative this time.

"Both of you, I have thought about it for a long time. Now, I think we must discuss an issue. Is it appropriate for Feng to serve as our strategic director?"

Knowing their temperaments, Schmidt immediately asked the question without any foreshadowing as soon as they sat down.

"Furthermore, is it appropriate for Feng to still have a seat on the board of directors?"

"After a long period of consideration, I feel that Feng's identity as an entrepreneur has created a serious job conflict with his director of Google's strategy, including his director of Google's board of directors,"

"I think it's time to talk about these conflicts of interest,"

He looked at the two young founders. The strange thing was that this time, including Page, he did not see any look of impatience or disdain on their faces. Those two were obviously considering this issue seriously.

In other words, judging from their current performance, those two may have considered this issue a long time ago.

Vincent felt a little regretful, so why should I do this? Objectively speaking, Feng Yiping has helped him ease his relationship with Page and Brin many times, and he can also support himself with a professional attitude on many issues.

It can be said that he is the one among the four leaders of Google who is easiest for him to win over.

"Schmidt, in what ways do you think Feng has conflicts of interest with the company?" Brin asked.

Seeing you like this, are you worried? Schmidt said to himself.

But who makes himself anxious and talks about this issue?

“The most obvious ones are naturally Feng’s NEXTDOOR and his Facebook, which have already, or will soon, compete with us in the field of online advertising,” Schmidt said.

This is a problem that everyone knows. "This is a problem. From a broad perspective, any Internet company has conflicts with us in this regard," Page said.

Indeed, which Internet company today would ignore the revenue from online advertising? In other words, online advertising is the main source of income for many Internet companies.

"But this is not a problem. First of all, Feng's company has just entered this field. Although it has a good momentum, it is currently not among the top ten in terms of share. Our biggest competitor is still Including these companies, led by Yahoo,"

Schmidt wanted to shake his head when he heard this.

Yes, although Feng Yiping's company currently does not occupy a large share in the field of online advertising, you also know that even on NEXTDOOR, in order not to affect the user experience, they are just trying to let advertisers place ads. Advertising, if they relax this restriction, the share will definitely rise quickly.

Also, it’s impossible that you haven’t seen the advertising potential of Feng’s social networking site, especially after Sandberg joins. As long as they start advertising on Facebook, it will definitely Is our strongest competitor.

"And because of the issues of competition and conflict, we have set up a secret coordination group with him to coordinate the conflicts between his company and us. At present, there is actually no substantive impact,"

"Secondly, the online advertising market is large enough to accommodate both our company and Feng's company. Even from a long-term perspective, if one day Feng's company becomes our biggest competitor in the field of online advertising, "

"This is actually not a bad thing," Brin actually took over and came to such a conclusion, and it seemed that Page actually agreed with it. Why is this?

Schmidt, who couldn't figure it out, even forgot to say what he had prepared. If Feng's company would be Google's biggest competitor in the future, would this be a good thing?

Why can't I notice it?

"Why? Why do you think so? Don't you see the huge potential of Feng's social networking site in online advertising?"

Page waved his hand and did not answer his question, "In what ways do you think Feng still has conflicts of interest with the company?"

I suddenly don’t want to talk anymore, okay? Schmidt wanted to answer this.

But he could only think about it.

"It's also his social networking site. As the company's strategic director, shouldn't he stand on the company's side and propose that the company develop such a project?"

"Similarly, whether it's Netflix, YouTube, or now Marvel, he obviously wants to build a complete content industry chain. We also know the importance of the content industry in the future. Could it be that, judging from his position, he Shouldn’t we propose that the company develop this business?”

Schmidt is also willing to take risks.

"You're right," Page said.

Looking at his look, Schmidt immediately understood that they had obviously considered this issue a long time ago, otherwise, how could they be so calm?

"But we must see, when did Feng start founding NEXTDOOR? That was when he first came to Stanford as an exchange student and had no contact with us at all,"

"At that time, who among us realized that this was a good direction?"

"Yes, Facebook was indeed a product launched when he invested in us and became our partner and collaborator, but we also need to recognize the continuity between this product and NEXTDOOR,"

"He didn't come up with this idea after joining Google, but had this idea when he founded NEXTDOOR,"

"As for the content," Brin said.

Seeing Brin speak, Schmidt was even more certain that the two had been thinking about these issues for more than a day or two, otherwise they wouldn't have cooperated so well.

"From Feng's series of actions, we can see a complete train of thought, that is, when he unexpectedly acquired Coin Star and no one in the market could understand his intention, he set the general direction for the future,"

"Yes, now we can understand his roadmap, but when he acquired Coin Star, who could know his ultimate goal? You or me?"

"So, similarly, whether it was his acquisition of Netflix, the launch of YouTube, or the current acquisition of Marvel, they were all plans he had already set, with clear time points,"

"How can we say that his decision-making has a conflict of interest with the company because of his long-standing plan?" Brin asked him.

"Yes, according to your point of view, is Feng's current e-commerce business also in conflict with the company in the long run?" Page said.

This is also what I want to say, Schmidt said.

"Extending the point, according to your point of view, in fact, Feng's company, no matter which field it is involved in, is in conflict with us," Brin laughed.

"Have you forgotten that Feng transferred all his ongoing projects in the field of electronic maps and cloud computing to us?"

"Have you forgotten why Feng's product and development strategy for us solved so many problems?"

Schmidt "..."

You have said everything, why am I doing this?

…………

Page and Brin walked slowly in the corridor where there were not many people, and a sentence sounded faintly, "Have you convinced yourself?"