Chapter 479 383 Take Care of Yourself!!!

Qing Zhiyuan invited Iwata to be the company's manager and future CEO, but he did not want to completely give up his power. After that, he would still retain the position of chairman and the company's highest decision-maker.

As the company's daily manager, decision-maker and executor, Iwata was equivalent to the general manager.

One was the chairman and the other was the general manager.

In this way, Qing Zhiyuan could be freed from the tedious affairs and daily management, and handed it over to Iwata. He would focus on the company's general direction, the formulation of the grand strategy and the operation of important projects.

Qing Zhiyuan believed that their future cooperation would be very pleasant.

…

In May 1998, one month after Qing Zhiyuan invited Iwata to dinner, Japan still could not get out of the shadow of the Asian financial crisis.

The yen depreciated sharply and had broken through the 130-point mark. Countless people were wailing in their hearts.

This means that the wealth of many people, especially those doing import and export business and physical enterprises, has shrunk significantly.

In the Japanese game industry, several helmsmen have retired in the midst of the storm, and the successor is undecided, which has become the most worrying time bomb in the hearts of countless people.

It is hard to say whether it is a time bomb or not. Whether the company's future will get worse or better is still unknown.

It can only be said that whether it is Rendance, Sega or Sony, there is huge uncertainty before the successor is finalized. The future is a blind box, and you never know what will come out next.

The first to announce the answer is Sony Group.

What no one expected is that --

President Norio Ohga made a very bold and courageous decision before retiring. He directly bypassed 14 senior directors and appointed Nobuyuki Idei from the last executive director to the new president of Sony.

President Norio Ohga will retain the position of chairman and then hand over the CEO to Nobuyuki Idei.

Although he still retains the position of chairman and can exercise the highest decision-making power and personnel appointment and dismissal power, if there is no particularly big controversy or a decision beyond Nobuyuki Idei's ability, Nobuyuki Ohga will most likely be a hands-off boss and hand over the company's power to Nobuyuki Idei.

However, for the board of directors, although Nobuyuki Idei is the CEO and chief executive officer, the most important thing for this CEO is the word "execution".

When making decisions at ordinary times, Nobuyuki Idei will basically not be hindered, but when encountering major problems, he must make decisions through board meetings.

For example, in his previous life, Nobuyuki Idei also served as the CEO of Sony Group after Nobuyuki Ohga. He once proposed a crazy idea -

Acquiring Apple in the United States.

At that time, Apple had not yet grown and developed, and Nobuyuki Idei's reason for acquiring Apple was also very simple. In his opinion, Apple has the potential to make electronic products. If it is acquired, it may be able to launch the next generation of digital electronic devices.

Idei is optimistic about the broad prospects of combining Apple's PC technology patents with Sony hardware, so he proposed to acquire Apple, which is still in trouble and has a plummeting market value.

Just because the idea was too avant-garde and Idei's foundation was unstable, the acquisition proposal was quickly rejected.

From this incident, we can see that although Idei Nobuyuki is the CEO of Sony, his power is not as great as that of Yamauchi Hiroshi of Rentendo, even if he wants to make reforms and mergers and acquisitions...

Many large-scale decisions still need to be decided by the board of directors, so no matter how forward-looking and creative the proposal proposed by Idei Nobuyuki at that time seems to be in the future, it can only be rejected if the board of directors does not pass it.

If the acquisition was approved that year, maybe the future of Sony and the future of Apple will be another story.

…

In the previous life, Idei Nobuyuki was appointed earlier, and he became the CEO in 1995.

In this life, Ohga Norio is in good physical and mental condition, and he did not let go until he was 68 years old this year.

However, he did not let go so thoroughly. He just handed over the permanent management rights to the new CEO Idei Nobuyuki, and retained the position of chairman.

There are several considerations for doing this.

The first is that Nobuyuki Idei's foundation is not stable enough. It is bound to be controversial to promote him directly from the last director to the group's CEO. Micky Schulhof, the president of North America, will definitely be the first to disagree.

In order to calm down the situation and let Nobuyuki Idei take over smoothly and get through the initial period, Norio Ohga must continue to serve as chairman until Nobuyuki Idei can fully control the situation, and then he will transfer the position of chairman to Idei.

The second reason is also because Idei's foundation is unstable and controversial, so Norio Ohga's retention of the chairmanship is also a wait-and-see. If Nobuyuki Idei fails to lead Sony to a better path and his ability is not enough to convince the public and become the new helmsman of Sony, then Norio Ohga will have to exercise his personnel appointment and removal power and promote a new CEO.

...

In short, in May, Norio Ohga made this decision with difficulty.

In the interview with reporters,

Mr. Norio Ohga explained it this way,

The president of Sony must be a "person who understands technology", and because Sony owns the world's largest film and music companies, he must also be a "person who has the ability to understand software".

The only one who meets these two conditions is Deji.

But in fact, the situation of Deji who took over Sony at this time was not ideal, and it could even be described as internal and external troubles.

Due to Sony's expansion over the years, it has spent a huge amount of money on mergers and acquisitions, acquired many companies, and its expenditures in various aspects are also increasing.

So don't look at Sony's annual financial reports. It made nearly 20 billion US dollars last year.

In fact, Sony's debt is already quite terrifying, reaching an astonishing 1.8 trillion yen, which is equivalent to wiping out all the income, and the company still has 14 billion US dollars in debt to pay.

There are also constant contradictions within the company. The factional struggle within Sony is very fierce, no less than Sega. Each department is independent. Those who are engaged in games, music, and film and television don't care about the life and death of other departments. They just hope that they can develop better. The company's resource allocation itself is limited. Under the snatch, it will inevitably lead to departmental infighting.

There are also many conflicts between Sony Neon and Sony North America.

The current president of North America, Mickey Schulhof, is a good friend of Akio Morita, which means that he is older than Nobuyuki Idei in terms of qualifications. There are many such board members in the company.

When Norio Ohga was in office, he could not suppress Schulhof, let alone Nobuyuki Idei?

So Nobuyuki Idei was appointed as the company's CEO at this time, which seems very glorious on the surface. After all, Sony is an international group and a top company in the world. Being the helmsman of such a company is something that many people dream of.

However, given the current situation of Sony, Nobuyuki Idei can only be said to be surviving in the cracks.

It's a mixed blessing.

…

When Sony announced that Nobuyuki Idei would replace Norio Ohga as the new CEO, Sony's stock price plummeted.

Countless people outside were not optimistic about this guy.

Nobuyuki Idei has no advantage in age. He is now 61 years old. Norio Ohga was ridiculed for finding a guy who is similar to himself.

Moreover, Nobuyuki Idei's qualifications are not convincing, although he has worked at Sony for 38 years and was only the last one before.

The outside world is actually full of huge doubts about whether such an old leader can cope with Sony's future challenges.

However, from another perspective-

Now that Sony has a new CEO, the succession storm has finally come to an end.

Let's not talk about whether this newcomer has talent or not. At least the Sony Group now has a new leader, so all the manufacturers in the industry who deal with Sony are relieved.

With a goal and a person in charge, everything is easy to say. At least you have someone to talk to, and you can also understand how to better cooperate and compete with Sony in the process of dealing with it.

It's not like a headless fly bumping around everywhere.

So before this, no matter how many people were not optimistic about Nobuyuki Idei and didn't like him, now they all came to visit with gifts, invited him to dinner, and wanted to continue to discuss future cooperation matters with him.

And competitors also began to analyze the preferences and abilities of the new CEO and make better responses.

…

Now, only Sega and Rentendo remain undecided.

However, the rumors that Nakayama Hayao and Yamauchi Hiroshi will retire have not diminished at all.

Given the age and physical condition of these two people, countless people are worried about the future of these two companies.

…

At the same time, in the president's office of Rentendo.

Iwata Satoshi, the president of HAL Research Institute from Tokyo, is sitting in front of Yamauchi Hiroshi.

Yamauchi seems very happy about the arrival of this young man today.

During this period of time, he was not only tortured by the affairs of Rentendo, but also worried about the future successor.

After meeting Iwata Satoshi, Yamauchi Hiroshi can finally relax a little, change his mind, and stop thinking about the future.

The two chatted for a while.

Yamauchi Hiroshi asked with some doubts, "Why did you think of coming here today? I didn't see you come to my place before."

Iwata Satoshi's body stiffened, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and stood up.

Yamauchi Hiroshi looked at him in surprise.

At this time, the expression on Iwata's face became extremely serious, as if something terrible was brewing.

Yamauchi Hiroshi's heart jumped for no reason.

He seemed to have seen a similar expression before, the last time was when Yokoi Gunpei resigned.

It was an expression of reluctance and determination.

"Iwata, you..."

"President Yamauchi, I came here to say goodbye to you."

"Huh?" Yamauchi Hiroshi opened his mouth, a little surprised.

"Maybe it can't be called a farewell in the exact sense, but..."

Iwata had already made a decision, but when he really wanted to say it, he found that the lines he had thought of long ago were now blank.

Sometimes, when it comes to really important things, people always become excited and incoherent, no matter how well prepared they were before.

At this time, he realized that all those were useless.

All the lines are high-sounding excuses. Even if they are used to comfort people, they cannot be made up at this time.

So Satoru Iwata could only go all out and tell the truth.

"Actually, I have resigned from the HAL Institute."

"ha?!"

Yamauchi was shocked, he did not expect such a thing to happen.

"Why so sudden?"

"Well, it may be quite sudden for you. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you before." Satoru Iwata bowed to Hiroshi Yamauchi and apologized, "But this is a decision I made after a month of careful consideration. "

What qualifications do I have to ask President Yamauchi to advise me? This kind of thing, Qing Zhiyuan's invitation to me, I will be scolded by President Yamauchi just for opening my mouth, right?

And no matter how close the relationship between Rentian Tiantang and HAL Research Institute is, they are still two different companies.

So Satoru Iwata could only make his own decision.

Because no matter what, as long as he talks to Hiroshi Yamauchi, he will definitely want him to stay.

But what reason did President Yamauchi use to let him stay?

Iwata felt that he should not throw the problem to President Yamauchi. This was his own problem and his life.

You need to take charge of your own life.

So after careful consideration, Iwata came to Kyoto alone.

Just like when he came here to ask President Yamauchi to help HAL get through the difficulties.

Only this time, when he saw President Yamauchi again, he found that the old man was much older and more haggard than he had imagined.

Even during the chat, Hiroshi Yamauchi cheered up and pretended to be fine, but Satoru Iwata could still feel the fatigue in his eyes.

We shouldn't have caused any more trouble to Rentian, especially at this time.

However, there are people who Iwata must respond to.

On the other side, there is a young and handsome man, waiting for his answer.

Deep down, he seems to identify more with the creative and passionate Qing Zhiyuan.

Perhaps Qing Zhiyuan's appearance itself was the answer he wanted.

That's all.

…

In this life, the relationship between Hiroshi Yamauchi and Satoru Iwata is no longer as deep as in the previous life.

In his previous life, Satoru Iwata has been involved in the production of Rentendo since 1995. Although he is not an employee of Rentendo, he is still considered to be one. He was most involved in "Pokémon Gold and Silver"

However, this game is no longer in Ren Tiantang's hands now.

Naturally, Satoru Iwata had no reason to participate in the development. During these years, he was in Tokyo and Hiroshi Yamauchi was in Kyoto. There was not much interaction between them.

The butterfly fluttered its wings and caused a tsunami.

This is a series of chain effects, and this chain effect was brought about by Qing Zhiyuan.

…

"Yes."

Satoru Iwata choked up and said, "It's a very difficult decision for me to make, but I have already thought about it. I may no longer be able to cooperate with you as the president of HAL Research Institute in the future."

Iwata himself couldn't explain why his voice trembled when he spoke.

As soon as I opened my mouth, I felt the urge to cry.

Maybe it's because it's too hard to talk about it, but just thinking about it makes me feel a little unbearable to have to terminate cooperation with someone who has been kind to me in the past and become his competitor from now on.

The person who turned him from a small employee at HAL Research Institute into the president was Yamauchi.

On the other hand, it may be because he feels that Qing Zhiyuan cannot be let down. If he misses this time, he may never meet another Qing Zhi who understands and trusts him so much and is willing to give him a bigger stage and opportunity. source.

Just thinking about this expectation made his heart tremble.

Iwata's fingers were touching the seams of his pants, shaking.

My heart was shaken badly.

But the reason for the wavering was precisely because he had already made a decision.

Before coming here, Satoru Iwata had already cut off his own escape route.

Not only did he resign as president of the HAL Research Institute, he actually signed a contract with pokeni.

Qing Zhiyuan also generously and quickly issued an offer to him, just waiting for him to join the job.

This is already an unchangeable fact.

The reason why I am standing here today is because Satoru Iwata feels that no matter what, I should say something to President Yamauchi. Whether it is saying goodbye or making an explanation, I must come and make it clear in person.

…

President Yamauchi's eyes were confused, and it took him a long time to react.

His dull eyes moved, as if he couldn't believe what Satoru Iwata said just now.

But when he looked at Satoru Iwata, he already had the answer in his heart.

This guy is not here to ask for his advice or opinions, nor is he here to ask for his permission to stay. This guy Iwata is here to say goodbye.

Inform him that he has left.

That's all.

Hiss...

President Yamauchi took a deep breath and let it out again.

A smile appeared on his face, "So, have you found a good place to go? Where are you going?"

"That..." Satoru Iwata opened his mouth, hesitating a little.

"Sony?" Hiroshi Yamauchi asked with a smile, "If you go to Sony, I want to bless you. Judging from the current situation, the future should belong to Sony."

Iwata Satoru still didn't speak.

Hiroshi Yamauchi was stunned.

It took him two seconds to react as if he had just woken up from a dream.

"Pokeni!!!"

"Damn it!"

Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was originally very calm, suddenly ran away, stood up and clenched his fists, without looking at Iwata, just walked to the window and looked at the sunset outside the window uncomfortably.

"Why Pokeni?!"

Any company is better than Pokeni and more acceptable to him!

But why Pokeni? !

Damn Qing Zhiyuan!

How did he think of looking for Iwata?

Obviously Iwata is not from Rentendo.

But... Although Iwata is not from Rentendo, he has dealt the greatest blow to Yamauchi.

At this moment, his brain buzzed, and he felt that the world was dark.

The whole world was spinning and dim.

Yamauchi staggered and almost fell to the ground.

"President Yamauchi..."

Fortunately, Iwata reacted quickly and supported him immediately.

…

Yamauchi recovered from the dizziness a little, pushed Iwata's hand away, and sat on his leather chair.

"Go away, don't come back."

Yamauchi Hiroshi held his forehead with his hand, and felt his temples beating violently.

His heartbeat was also getting louder.

Boom. Boom.

"President Yamauchi."

Iwata took a step back, took a deep breath, and looked at the furious old man in front of him.

Although he was scolded by Yamauchi to get out, Iwata didn't feel angry at all.

On the contrary, he felt that Yamauchi Hiroshi in front of him was a little pitiful.

"President Yamauchi, maybe my going to Pokeni is not a bad thing for me or Rentendo."

Iwata hesitated, and the rest of the words were not too straightforward.

But the meaning was actually conveyed.

In the business world, there are no eternal enemies. What if? When Rentendo cooperates with Pokeni in the future, maybe he will be the most important link.

Yamauchi did not respond but just waved his hand.

"Then I'll take my leave." Iwata swallowed his saliva, picked up his briefcase, and turned to walk out the door.

...

Hmm?

Yamauchi suddenly raised his head.

Looking at Iwata's back as he left, there was a moment when Yamauchi wanted to reach out and call him.

Keep this person.

Maybe the position of president can also be given to him.

However...

In the end, Yamauchi's fingers just trembled slightly, and he did not take any action.

Perhaps deep in his heart, there was still a trace of concern that prevented him from making that impulsive decision.

Iwata walked to the door, thought of something and turned back, looking at the old man sitting on the chair with infinite emotion.

He bowed deeply to Yamauchi.

"Take care of yourself."

...

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Recommended book: "The Prince of the Han Dynasty"

As the son of Liu Bang, the happy story of hoping his father will become a dragon

There is another chapter tonight (this chapter is over)