Chapter 2851: Thunder
Zhou Buqi never intended to let go of Google.
But judging from the current general situation, it is difficult to compete with Google's core business, such as search. In the global search market, Google's market share now exceeds 90%. Except for a few countries, Google search is a monopoly.
In comparison, Yahoo search is weak.
Even because of historical issues, Yahoo search is now just a shell, and the core is actually Microsoft's Bing search, which serves Microsoft.
In the short term, don't even think about competing with Google in this regard.
However, in the future era of artificial intelligence, everything will be hard to predict. Especially the emergence of generative AI can be said to provide a new direction for search. If you want to do a good job in artificial intelligence, it is still a bit weak to rely on your own team alone. You must rely on the help of the open source community and call on developers around the world to participate.
At this stage, we should engage the open source community for long-term planning.
In particular, promoting open source and supporting the construction of open source communities can bring a good reputation to Boss Zhou.
Zhou Shaoning already had the latest progress on Qualcomm, but Zhou Buqi didn't answer the phone, so he went directly to the headquarters of Ziweixing International and went straight to his office in a hurry.
"What's the matter, so anxious?"
Zhou Buqi invited him to sit down.
Zhou Shaoning said: "I have made an appointment with Mollenkopf and shared some of our ideas. He seems a little shaken. If you come forward, you might be able to convince him."
"Mollenkopf? Who?"
"Qualcomm CEO."
"Ah?" Zhou Buqi raised his eyebrows, "Isn't the CEO that little Jacob?"
The founder of Qualcomm is Jacob Sr.
But he was too old and his technology had long been outdated, so in 2005, his son Jacob Jr. took over and became the CEO of Qualcomm. That is to say, since 2005, Qualcomm has started a series of forced bundling strategies and engaged in various monopoly operations.
For business founders, of course they don’t like doing this.
But in fact, Qualcomm’s power is not in the hands of little Jacob. Instead, the Jacobs had to look to other directors and executives and cater to them. Because Qualcomm has been established for so many years, the Jacobs family's shareholding in Qualcomm has been reduced to 0.13%, which is almost negligible. In Qualcomm's shareholder list, the Jacobs' family's shareholding amount is not even in the top 100. They have lost their status as "major shareholders" and "core shareholders".
This has led to Jacob Jr.'s leadership of Qualcomm always being a bit precarious.
what to do?
The only thing we can do is to please the board of directors and the shareholders who have more shares and more say. We can only think of some crooked ways to make more profits by relying on monopoly sidelines and rack our brains for shareholders. Earn more money.
Zhou Shaoning said: "There has been a change. The one who just changed, Jacob Jr., was removed from his position as CEO and became chairman. This Mollenkopf was elected to lead Qualcomm. According to Qualcomm's own statement, it is to Prevent Microsoft from poaching.”
Zhou Buqi was a little surprised, "Microsoft?"
Zhou Shaoning said: "The patent portfolio held by Qualcomm has a strong monopoly advantage. Now the only one that can compete with Qualcomm on patents is basically Microsoft. Because Microsoft acquired Nokia. In terms of mobile phone patents, Nokia also Not much worse than Qualcomm, the two sides are engaged in a patent lawsuit in the United States. Microsoft has also sent out signals that it wants to poach Qualcomm’s COO Mollenkopf and promote him to CEO.”
"What reason is this?"
Zhou Buqi thought it was quite nonsense.
Mollenkopf is already Qualcomm's COO and second in command.
If you were poached by Microsoft, where would you rank?
Can he really replace Ballmer and become Microsoft's CEO?
This is not a field at all.
Zhou Shaoning said: "This Mollenkopf is still very capable. He has actually been leading Qualcomm's patent strategy in the past few years. Many people have said that Microsoft intends to invite him to join and lead Microsoft."
"The risk of job-hopping across industries is too great. Qualcomm's reputation is so bad, I don't believe Bill Gates can like him." Zhou Buqi shook his head, "I don't think this is a reason, maybe it's elegance. The office politics played by the Gebu family.”
"ah?"
Zhou Shaoning is a little funny.
Zhou Buqi hummed: "The Jacobs' family's shareholding in Qualcomm is so small, but it still has such a big influence. It's nothing more than good office politics and being able to win the support of more shareholders. Let me see, This time Mollenkopf came to power, it is very likely that he was the one who was shocked.”
"Isn't that true?"
Zhou Shaoning thought he was a bit exaggerated.
"Whether it's true or not, if he dares to refuse, then I can force him out of office before he is the CEO!" Zhou Buqi's visit to the United States was not a friendly negotiation with Qualcomm. If you use excessive binding tactics, you must give a warning and a lesson. "Since we have made an appointment, let's go see him!"
Zhou Shaoning said: "Yes, he happens to be here in Silicon Valley. He will leave tomorrow. You have to get there quickly."
…
In the afternoon, Zhou Buqi and Zhou Shaoning met the newly appointed CEO of Qualcomm, Steven Mollenkopf.
He is old enough to be Zhou Buqi's father.
But Zhou Buqi didn't treat him well at all. After a simple handshake, he asked rudely: "Do you know why I came to you? Is Qualcomm's chip bundling strategy for smartphones too much?"
Mollenkopf was a little embarrassed, "Mr. Zhou, we still need to discuss this matter. I just adjusted my job position recently, and I need some time to understand the situation and make further arrangements."
Zhou Buqi didn't accept his explanation at all. He waved his hand and said, "Don't give me this. I'll give you three days. If you don't come up with a sincere solution within three days, then we can only handle the matter impartially. In my business belief, justice will never be absent!"
"Three days?" Morenkopf was frightened. He was startled, "This is impossible, Mr. Zhou, three days is not enough. I also know that some strategies involve radical behavior. Give me three months, and I can give you a guarantee! After three months, Qualcomm can renegotiate with Estar and provide Estar with more favorable cooperation terms."
"Estar?" Zhou Buqi sneered, "Steven, do you think I came to you for the benefit of Estar? I came for the entire smartphone industry! It is the scientific and technological achievements of the information age that human society has accumulated with great difficulty! Qualcomm's use of its monopoly position to suppress mobile phone manufacturers has seriously damaged the healthy development of the technology industry!"
The big hat was put down, leaving Morenkopf dumbfounded.
It was too harsh!
It was too much!
Morenkopf was a little angry. If it was someone else, he would definitely leave.
But the person sitting opposite was Zhou Buqi, so he didn't dare to get angry, and could only be scolded.
Zhou Buqi didn't give him any face at all, and said lightly: "You want to bribe me, want to promise Estar benefits, and then let me ignore Qualcomm's various behaviors. I think you are insulting me."
Mollenkopf hurriedly said: "No! Absolutely not, Mr. Zhou, I really want to cooperate with you sincerely, um... friendly cooperation."
Zhou Buqi didn't respond, and sighed, "Steve, you are in danger now, do you know?"
"You mean?"
"As far as I know, South Korea has already taken action. The Fair Trade Commission of South Korea has launched an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm, right?"
"Yes."
Mollenkopf could only admit it.
Zhou Buqi said, "I don't know if you understand the situation in Korea. The legal system in Korea is totally different from that in Europe and the United States. Qualcomm can step on the legal red line and walk in the gray area in the United States and the European Union. Can it do it in Korea? I can even tell you that Jacob is willing to give up the position of CEO to you, and then he will step down to the second line... In fact, it is to let you take the blame! When the monopoly fine in Korea comes down, Qualcomm's stock price will be cut in half, and you will resign. Then he can come forward to clean up the mess. What do you think? You don't have such worries? If you want to secure the position of CEO, what should you do?"