Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 913 A Spare Tire for Spreading Risks

……

On this day, Mike Markkula, chairman of the board of directors of Apple Computer, came to Zheru's office and met with Tang Huan.

In fact, the relationship between the two parties is not as distant as Apple Computer and Fangyuan PC. Perhaps it is more appropriate to describe it as hard to describe.

In April 1979, Tang Huan launched the world's first spreadsheet software, making the Apple-II the first personal computer with a wide range of practical uses in the business field, and then the sales of Apple-II skyrocketed, and the prospect of Apple Computer's IPO was bright.

It is also because of this that Tang Huan, a fledgling Chinese college student, quickly formed a strategic relationship of cooperation and win-win with Apple Computer.

Next, on the basis of the Apple-II hardware platform, Tang Huan non-stop developed hardware products such as display function enhancement expansion card and printing function enhancement expansion card, perfecting the hardware platform characteristics of Apple-II, making the new version Spreadsheet software, followed by word processing software and microcomputer database management systems, were able to provide richer functions for business applications.

Tang Huan created the ecosystem centered on Apple-II. The price of a complete set of products even surpassed the price of Apple-II at that time - 1200 US dollars, which made Apple Computer jealous and jealous. As a result, the relationship between the two parties was further improved-the fully-fledged Apple Computer Company and the fledgling Zheru Company held shares in each other. Tang Huan entered the board of Apple Computer Company and enjoyed the founder-level treatment, that is, he and Steve Jobs , Steve Wozniak, and Mike Markkula joined the ranks of billionaires with the help of Apple Computer's IPO.

There is no doubt that there is a honeymoon period between Tang Huan and Apple Computer Company, and the rift in their relationship began with everyone's differences in opinions on the development of personal computers.

After Tang Huan successfully verified his 8-bit personal computer, the first-generation Fangyuan personal computer, in markets outside the United States, he launched a new generation model in the American market—the second-generation 16-bit Fangyuan personal computer.

Apple Computer Company suffered a disastrous failure with Apple-II's successor, Apple-III. Therefore, in order to extend the product life cycle of Apple-II, Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula promoted the use of Apple Computer Company's Zheru’s shares took over the Apple-II ecosystem in Tang Huan’s hands.

This move once caused short-sighted criticism within Apple Computer Company, but Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula still brokered the deal.

After Tang Huan sold all the shares of Apple Computer in order to avoid conflicts of interest, there was no relationship between him and Apple Computer.

However, the three founders of Apple Computer—Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Mike Markkula—still own shares in Zheru and maintain a close personal relationship with Tang Huan .

After that, Tang Huan rose step by step, becoming Tang's richest man, Tang IT, and Apple Computer went up and down to today.

This is the deep connection between the richest man and Apple Computer that the media is talking about. Although there is inevitable intrigue, they get together and part ways without breaking up, and it has become a rare Silicon Valley story.

Among the many unofficially authorized biographies of Tang Huan in recent years, there is a common point of agreement, that is, Tang Huan's early entrepreneurial success and rocket-like becoming a billionaire all benefited a lot from Apple Computer. shallow.

On the other hand, Apple Computer, which once had troubles with Microsoft and Gates because of the graphical user interface, did not have any embarrassing disputes with Tang Huan even during the moody and unpredictable period when Jobs was in power. Dirty.

Now that Apple Computer is really in trouble, it does seem to have the capital to rest on its laurels and get help from the richest man.

What is even less known to the outside world is that there are similar voices among the top executives of Apple Computer. Apple's board of directors' use of the long-term personal friendship between its chairman, Mike Markkula, and Tang Huan is the best example. proof.

The chairman of the board of directors of a commercial company, according to the actual situation of each enterprise, can be divided into two types - the virtual head of state, or the real power.

The former is only an honorary position, just like the royal family or "spiritual leader" under the constitutional monarchy, which has an extremely honorable status, but it is not very important, and never speaks weighty words.It is mainly to maintain the situation through his own morality and prestige when the equity is particularly dispersed, and the relationship between major shareholders and executives is very complicated. , without any substantial power.

The latter is monopolizing the power, either through the majority of the shares he holds, or relying on the network resources of the business, or relying on the accumulated entrepreneurial prestige, he has the real power of life and death of the company. The board of directors is just its puppet. The president and general manager must be truly, not just nominally, responsible to him.

There is no doubt that Tang Huan is one of the few powerful chairman of the board of directors in the world, and Mike Markkula, a good old man who pays attention to the quality of leisurely family life, is a nominal representative launched by the shareholders of Apple Computer.

Mike Markkula and Tang Huan had no quarrel, so after chatting a few words, they turned to the main topic: "I was entrusted by the board of directors of Apple Computer Company to formally ask whether Tang Huan is still interested in Apple Computer Company. Empathetic and willing to lend a helping hand?"

"Play the emotional card as soon as you come up!" After this thought flashed in his mind, Mr. the richest man smiled gently: "It's not like you don't know, I am a very nostalgic person-but this help is based on the specific content. Say, at what level?"

Mike Markkula, who secretly breathed a sigh of relief, said frankly: "Apple Computer is willing to accept Don's acquisition."

Tang Huan picked up the teacup, took a sip, and was speechless for a while, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing this situation, Mike Markkula tentatively said: "Of course I know that after Don has the Fangyuan personal computer created by himself and has become the mainstream standard in the industry, he will not look down on other personal computers. But Apple The computer still has a very good value, for example, as a friendly supplement to Fangyuan PC in the market - as long as this situation can be maintained, then Fangyuan PC will not be ganged up by peers like Zheru software Attack them together."

Tang Huan laughed and said, "Since you've said that, how can I buy Apple Computer?"

Mike Markkula laughed awkwardly: "But you won't deny the value and significance of Apple Computer."

Tang Huan pondered and asked back: "I think Apple Computer must have never given up on saving itself?"

"Indeed." Mike Markkula nodded, "Launching a new product that is attractive enough to users has almost become the only option for self-help, but time is running out. Such a vital life-saving However, the project has stagnated at the level of the operating system—the Copland operating system that supports it has continuously introduced new features during the development process, and as a result, the internal test version is extremely unstable, to the point where it cannot be given up.”

Seeing that Tang Huan was holding a teacup and waiting for him to speak, Mike Markkula had no choice but to continue to expose his family ugliness and explained in detail: "In order to catch up with the progress of the project, CEO Jill Amelio tried to introduce an ideal from outside Apple Computer. operating system."

"For example, Jean-Louis Garcy, the former product development director of Apple Computer, led some Apple Computer employees who followed him, and founded Be in 1991, which developed a brand new operating system called BeOS."

Mike Markkula had a look of resentment on his face, "But the problem is that this guy in Canada is very familiar with the situation of Apple Computer Company, and he believes that this is a golden opportunity to take advantage of Apple Computer Company, and the lion is asking for 4 million yuan. US dollars, and Apple Computer’s assessment of Be Company’s total value will not exceed US$8000 million, so the counter-offer is US$1.2 million – but Canada still refuses to give in, and everyone is still in a stalemate.”

"Apple Computer won't really have nowhere to hang on the tree of BeOS, right?" Tang Huan joked, "Just like Michael Spindler, the former CEO of Apple Computer, once tried to push Apple Is it the merger and acquisition of computer companies with IBM, SUN, and Philips?"

Mike Markkula hesitated imperceptibly, and then replied: "You're right - there is another contact person, NeXTSTEP, the operating system of NeXT Corporation created by Steve."

Tang Huan asked playfully, "And then?"

Mike Markkula sighed, "I admit that when Steve left Apple Computer Company, everyone had a very unpleasant quarrel—for so many years, he and I, who used to be like father and son, were in Silicon Valley, But never met face to face."

"At Apple Computer, John Sculley, who used to be in direct conflict, and Jean-Louis Gacy, who was secretly informing, have all left, leaving only me who refused to support him at the beginning."

"But to be honest, I have nothing against Apple's possible partnership with Steve's NeXT."

"The real problem is that Apple's board members are skeptical of Steve. After all, he was too immature at the time - maybe he's better now, but NeXT's performance since its inception cannot be said to be true." How great it is."

Tang Huan was noncommittal about these entanglements, but pointed to the core of the problem: "How about the quality of NeXTSTEP, NeXT's operating system, and the conditions that Steve offered?"

"Steve's conditions are indeed more reasonable than Garcia's, and the quality of NeXTSTEP is also good." Mike Markkula replied realistically: "But the board of directors feels that NeXT's operating system NeXTSTEP adopts a lot of philosopher's technology. ——In this case, why don't we go further and get a better operating system solution directly from Zheru?"

"Extending from this, why doesn't Apple Computer seek cooperation beyond Jobs, who still has a knot in his heart, and Tang, who has a deeper relationship?"

"The reason why the previous CEO Michael Spindler was dismissed and replaced by Jill Amelio, in addition to the unsatisfactory business performance of the company, he also advocated Apple Computer and IBM, SUN , Philips' merger and acquisition, really let the board of directors down."

Tang Huan personally refilled Mike Markkula's teacup, and reminded him earnestly: "Old friend, have you ever thought that when Apple Computer asks me for help, there will inevitably be changes in the power structure, and your The position of chairman of the board of directors may also be lost.”

Mike Markkula expressed his heartfelt attitude: "Don, I have always agreed with you, and I believe you must understand me-as for me, I really don't have any ambitions now. In my life, I made three of the most correct investments by chance. , successively got the stocks of Intel, Apple, and Zheru, and earned enough wealth to enjoy life, and I am content! As for the chairman of the board of directors of Apple Computer, it is just that everyone thinks that I am suitable for this idle position."

Tang Huan nodded, waved his hand and said: "Although everyone is in Cupertino and can be said to be close at hand, I really don't understand the specific situation within Apple Computer Company - if conditions permit, can you arrange for me to Want to visit?"

Mike Markkula, who couldn't hide the joy on his face, cheered up and said: "I am very happy! I am very honored!"

……

Just as people were happily enjoying the benefits brought by the large-scale price reduction promotion of PCs, the media broke an unusual piece of news - Apple Computer Company, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, had just received a visit from the richest man in Tang Dynasty.

……

Could it be that the rumors of Tang IT's acquisition of Apple Computer are not just empty rumors?
It seems that in the field of personal computers, there will be another brand with Tang's seal.

……

Amidst the discussions, the spokesperson of Tang Huan's office officially announced a piece of news--Tang purchased [-] million US dollars of non-voting shares in Apple Computer in his own name.

Seeing this scene, industry observers were suddenly confused - let alone acquiring Apple Computer Company, it seemed that they were not even controlling Apple Computer Company. Could it be that Rich Tang was really throwing away [-] million yuan to give Apple the favor of old times? Computer company comes to the rescue?
……

No one knew what Tang Huan was thinking.

In fact, it’s easy to say—in Mr. Richest Man’s place, the sudden emergence of Google and the reborn Apple after a few years of time and space... Wait, there is really no need to appear again, but the current Apple Computer Company, It is a good spare tire to disperse risks, and these actions on the surface are just to deceive people.

(End of this chapter)