Chapter 784 – The Irresponsible Director
It was Microsoft’s director meeting. Bill Gates and the often-absent Paul Allen were present today. But one director did not show up. This director had asked his assistant to call up to say that he had some important work.
“Hmph! Someone is not executing his duties. He does not fit to be a director!” Paul Allen grumbled and looked at the empty seat.
The rest of the directors were unhappy too. They felt this Director Feng was too arrogant. Even if he was the third biggest shareholder of Microsoft, he should not disrespect the rest of them.
Bill Gates was also not very happy with Feng Yu. Although Microsoft’s product sales had increased for the Chinese market and Feng Yu had achieved what he promised, but the company had not made any profits. The selling price of their products to Lenovo was too low.
Feng Yu had completed his duties and had even achieved more than required. But he did not show up in the company on most days. Although Feng Yu was a shareholder and the director of the company, he should not do this!
If Feng Yu were only an ordinary shareholder and had invested in Microsoft for money, it would be fine for him to not come into the office. But Feng Yu was one of the company’s directors. He was one of the higher management of the company!
“I heard Director Feng had been bringing a woman around the City every day. Two days ago, they went to Boeing and wanted to buy a helicopter.” One of the directors said.
“I also heard that Director Feng had gone to Amazon. He wants to invest in that small company. What’s there to invest in that company?” Another director said.
The rest of the directors started to grumble about Feng Yu for being irresponsible. This meeting had become a grumbling session about him. However, only Ballmer did not say anything.
The rest of the directors did not notice it, but Bill Gates and Paul Allen saw it.
Paul Allen asked: “Steve, Feng is the Deputy Asia-pacific President under you. I would like to hear about your plans for the Asia-pacific.”
Ballmer replied confidently: “The market share for the Asia-pacific region has been increasing. Except for Japan, India, and some small areas, we hold the biggest market share for operating systems, office software, and Internet Explorer. The increase in China’s market is the highest. Director Feng had already completed his task.”
Paul Allen was pissed. You don’t know what I want you to say? Did I ask you to praise that brat?!
“As the President of the Asia-pacific Region, shouldn’t you reprimand him for not coming to work?” Paul Allen continued.
Ballmer replied with a puzzled look. “Paul, Feng is not getting any salary. Even his assistant is not paid by us. He is paying everything from his own pocket. He said that the company is not giving him any salary and he can don’t show up in his office. I can’t rebut him. Can you tell me what I should say to him?”
Paul Allen was furious. He had said that Feng Yu’s salary cannot be too high because Feng Yu does not have much work. Feng Yu’s reply to him was that he will not take a single cent from the company. He only wanted the company’s shares. His assistant was also paid by him. Paul Allen thought he had embarrassed Feng Yu then. But who knows, this was Feng Yu’s plan.
There’s nothing wrong with not coming to work as Feng Yu was not paid. Also, Paul Allen did not appear in the company most of the time. Among the directors, he was the least qualified person to judge Feng Yu’s actions. Even Bill Gates goes to the office at least 3 times a week.
“Fine. I will speak to Feng. Let’s stop the discussion about him. Without Feng, Microsoft will not achieve such good results in China. When the Chinese users get used to our software and operating systems after 3 to 5 years, the rest of the software companies in China should be almost bankrupt. We will increase the price to the same as other countries. Our profits will surely improve!” Bill Gates said confidently.
This was the reason why Bill Gates agreed to Feng Yu’s demands. To be honest, the spending power of the Chinese cannot be compared to Western countries. He needs to wait and occupy the market shares first. Microsoft can increase the prices after they got the monopoly of the Chinese market.
Even the prices were very low now, but Microsoft still has some profits.
The rest of the directors, including Paul Allen, stop talking about Feng Yu after Bill Gates said those words. Microsoft was able to be so successful today was due to the contract signed between them and IBM initially. After that, they signed contracts with various PC manufacturers to increase their market share.
After Microsoft got control of the markets, they also gain control over those PC companies. Their profits were higher than the PC manufacturers. They were using the same strategy in China now. Although it was more extreme, China market is a vast market. When the selling price is increased to be the same as the Western countries, Microsoft’s profits will increase by 50%!
…….
At the same time, as the directors meeting, the ‘irresponsible’ director, Feng Yu was signing the contract with Jeff. This was the official contract of Feng Yu investing in Amazon.
After Feng Yu signed the contract, he will be Amazon’s biggest shareholder. He had also asked Ralph to meet with the rest of the shareholders. All of them had thought of selling their shares for profits.
To Feng Yu, this was not a problem. As long as Jeff and the staffs he trusted were still in Amazon, Amazon will be worth investing.
Feng Yu requested Amazon to keep him out of the limelight for this investment. Amazon can announce his investment to the public, but Feng Yu does not want to appear in front of any cameras. He told Jeff to tell the media that a mysterious tycoon had invested in Amazon. People will be curious to find out more, and this would be an excellent way to gain awareness.
Also, Ralph had told Feng Yu a piece of information. Jeff was selling his bonds and shares to raise funds. He seems to want to buy the company’s shares from other shareholders.
Feng Yu was glad to know about this. Jeff Bezos wants to dump all his assets into Amazon. This way, he will not leave Feng Yu’s side.
After leaving Amazon, Feng Yu received a call from Ballmer.
“Feng, Paul and the rest of the directors were complaining about you not showing up at the office. I think you better speak to Bill.”
Ballmer felt it would be better for Feng Yu to look for Bill Gates to give an explanation, instead of Bill Gates going to him.
“Ok. Thanks for telling me my friend.”
Feng Yu also wanted to speak to Bill Gates. He felt he should get a well-deserved vacation. He needs to go to New York and then return to China. All these will take at least a few months.
If Microsoft needs Feng Yu for anything, they can give him a call or send him an email. There’s no need for him to be in the office every day.
“Hello, Bill? I’m Feng. I am calling you to inform you that I will be taking a long break from work.”