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The competition is just too fierce.

If Xiaomi wants to survive, it is almost impossible not to resort to some extreme measures. It must plan business innovations that can subvert the entire industry. Only then will Xiaomi have a chance to stand out in this red ocean.

There were some things Lei Jun didn't say.

But his admiration for Zhou Buqi is sincere and comes from the heart.

In the process of founding Xiaomi, he repeatedly studied the growth history of Ziweixing in an attempt to learn some operating strategies.

Then, he really found the direction!

If Ziweixing wants to make Internet products, especially social products, it needs to face an almost insurmountable mountain - the threat of Penguin Company.

A lot of pressure!

However, after some operations, Ziweixing actually completed the feat of crossing mountains and ridges!

How did you do it?

In its early days, Ziweixing completed a series of disruptive industry innovations.

Many functional designs of Xiaonei.net, the information flow model of Friends Network, the promotion of social games, and the "five-stage rocket" strategy of Micropoint Search... The most representative one is, of course, Micropoint Antivirus.

At this point, Lei Jun felt particularly deeply.

Because he was managing "Kingsoft Drug Tyrant" at that time, which was one of the traditional products that was subverted.

At that time, the competition in the domestic anti-virus software market was very fierce. Especially with the opening of the market, more and more foreign anti-virus software also squeezed in... This led to a bloody storm.

There have even been many bottomless black-handed operations.

The reason why Ziweixing was able to acquire Dongfang Microdian so smoothly was because Ruixing had a shady hand on Dongfang Microdian... After Ziweixing took over Dongfang Microdian and launched a new version of Weidian antivirus, it was nothing. You are welcome.

Is the industry very competitive?

snort!

Sorry, I want to bring down the entire industry!

I would rather not live than let you all die!

Then, Micropoint Antivirus launched a wave of unprecedented operations.

Free antivirus!

Once this move came out, it completely brought the entire anti-virus software industry to its peak. All traditional anti-virus software manufacturers were on the verge of death.

Ziweixing does not make money by selling genuine anti-virus software, but it relies on the free product of Weidian Anti-Virus to obtain the traffic it dreams of... second only to Penguin Company in China!

That was the landmark event for Ziweixing’s success and the real disruptive industry innovation.

Lei Jun's feelings were too deep.

So this time when he started a business to make smartphones, he had to choose an accurate angle to imitate Micropoint Antivirus and lead Xiaomi to develop a completely different business model from traditional mobile phone manufacturers.

At this point, China is really different from Americans.

When communicating with Zhou Buqi, Larry Page unabashedly expressed his admiration for him, and said that he had been learning many of his business ideas, and he was like a little fanboy.

The Chinese are not so good, unless they are flattering. Although Lei Jun regards Zhou Buqi as his teacher in his heart, he is embarrassed to show it to his face due to his face.

The model he designed for Xiaomi is half imitating Apple, and the other half is imitating Ziweixing!

Zhou Buqi could understand the many difficult situations Xiaomi encountered at the beginning of its business, and said simply: "It doesn't matter, domestic suppliers... Ziweixing can help you say hello. Competition in the smartphone manufacturing industry will It’s getting more and more intense, that’s for sure. But compared to companies like Baidu, Alibaba, and Meizu, I’d rather believe in you!”

"real?"

Lei Jun was slightly stunned, a little unsure.

Even he himself does not have such strong confidence. You know, Baidu and Alibaba are both technology giants!

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "To judge a person's ability level, it depends on the person's social circle. The stronger the social circle, the better he is. Even if this person is a fool with insufficient intelligence, he can still be in a strong position." Under the influence of the circle, he became a well-known and successful person in society."

Lei Jun nodded, "Following the right person is more important than anything else."

Zhou Buqi said: "So, I don't know the person in charge of Baidu's mobile phone business, nor the person in charge of Alibaba's mobile phone business. I don't think I've met the boss of Meizu... But we are different. We are all like this." Many years of friendship.”

Lei Jun suddenly realized and laughed.

Zhou Shaoning couldn't help but laugh.

Boss Zhou, even though he has achieved such brilliant achievements, is still a young man in the final analysis, and he does have some of the "arrogant" temperament that only young people have.

How could he trust Lei Jun? He clearly trusted himself!

A person's level is related to his social circle.

Lei Jun is in Zhou Buqi's social circle, so his level is not too bad; but the heads of mobile phone businesses at Baidu, Alibaba, and Meizu are not in Zhou Buqi's social circle, so his level is not good.

sharp!

It's amazing. It's really boss Zhou's theory.

There is nothing Zhou Buqi can do about it.

He really couldn't find a better reason to demonstrate his trust in Lei Jun. He couldn't tell him: "Because I am a prophet, so I believe you, right?"

Lei Jun avoided this problem and felt a warm feeling of sunshine in his heart, "So...you will support me? Really?"

"Yes, I support it." Zhou Buqi nodded, and then it was time for him to perform, "But I have a few conditions."

"certainly."

Lei Jun raised his hand to signal him to go ahead and say it.

This is a business negotiation, and what is discussed is cooperation between companies, not a private affair between two people. There must be some tension between interests.

Zhou Buqi said: "First, the cooperation between Xiaonei.com and Xiaomi. More and more signs have shown that the future is the era of smartphones. However, due to economic factors, many college students are unable to buy smartphones. One step behind, and one step behind. We are falling behind. I don’t want our college students to be without a smartphone during the most important stage of their lives.”

"It should."

Lei Jun took a deep breath.

This is something he sincerely admires.

When it comes to the planning of Ziweixing's campus network and its support for college students, it is definitely not hype, marketing, or acting, but sincerely helping college students.

In the past year, Xiaonei.com cooperated with Asda to launch Astermini, a low-cost smartphone for college students. It is said that a lot of money was invested in subsidies.

Zhou Buqi then asked: "Lao Zhou, how was your cooperation with the school network in the past year?"

Zhou Shaoning said: "Asida cooperated with Xiaonei.com and sold a total of 3.2 million Ziyuan customized series mobile phones, with a total subsidy of 1.02 billion yuan, of which Xiaonei.com's subsidy was 870 million yuan."

Zhou Buqi sighed: "It's still too few. 3.2 million mobile phones can only benefit 3.2 million college students at most."

Zhou Shaoning nodded, "Yes, there are actually many people who are purchasing in large quantities for resale. Ours is a customized model for college students and is not sold to the public. However, many channel dealers have obtained the goods. I guess... ...It may reach a scale of 300,000-400,000 units.”

It was also the first time for Lei Jun to hear such data.

A subsidy of 1.02 billion was provided in one year!

The school network alone received a subsidy of 870 million yuan!

There should be some moisture in such data, which is understandable and is a necessity for marketing.

But this thing itself cannot be false.

Astar and Xiaonei.com collaborated to launch low-priced smartphones for college students. It was the most sensational event in the domestic Internet industry in the past year, even more shocking than the "Area 51" war.

Lei Jun said in a deep voice: "College students are the future of the country and the hope of the nation. This group is in a period of ideological collision and will be influenced by various domestic and foreign trends of thought. This is the group that needs the most care. The sunflower will always shine. However, there are some things where complaining is useless. I believe everyone will see what Xiaonei.com has done in the past few years. This is a great mission and a great project, and Xiaomi is willing to participate in it. It’s business, but it’s also my personal feelings.”

Zhou Buqi said happily: "Welcome!"

Lei Jun said in embarrassment: "But Xiaomi is just a start-up company. Our financial capabilities are limited, so I'm afraid we won't be able to provide much support for the time being."

Zhou Buqi said: "It doesn't matter, as long as the price is sincere enough. Today's smartphones are really too expensive. Especially in the domestic market, the prices are seriously inflated. The lowest-end smartphone costs 3,000 yuan." , this is not a healthy market. Letting traditional manufacturers and foreign companies dominate this market will harm the interests of the public."

When it comes to price, Lei Jun is confident, "Of course! Xiaonei.com is aimed at college students, and Xiaomi will definitely provide the lowest price to support them!"

Zhou Shaoning didn't give him a chance to show off his feelings and pointed it out directly, "With the resources of Xiaonei.com to help Xiaomi sell mobile phones, it will be difficult for Xiaomi to succeed."

Lei Jun's eyebrows were slightly embarrassed, and he laughed twice, "Being able to cooperate with a large platform like Xiaonei.com is of course a rare opportunity for Xiaomi. If possible, Ziweixing can make strategic investment in Xiaomi... "

Zhou Buqi waved his hand and interrupted him, "Of course the channel resources of Xiaonei.com are important, but for Xiaonei.com, the most important thing is not to make money by relying on the resources of the college student market, but to bring more to college students across the country. benefits.”

Lei Jun said with emotion: "Xiaonei.com should be the most respected Internet product in China."

Zhou Buqi waved his hand, "It's up to you what Xiaomi wants to do. I won't go into details. I believe Xiaomi will show its sincerity in front of college students across the country."

"Of course! Of course!"

Lei Jun was so excited that he wanted to go out for a couple of runs to calm down.

For Xiaomi's business, it is still a period of uncertainty. Faced with traditional mobile phone manufacturers and the current trend of Internet mobile phones, it is not certain whether Xiaomi can survive the competition.

What Xiaomi lacks the most in starting a business are two major resources.

One, supply chain; two, sales channels.

If we can reach cooperation with the school network, it will at least open up the sales channel of the university campus. College students are currently the main group buying smartphones.

How could we not seize the opportunity?

How is this a request?

It’s obviously a big gift!

Zhou Buqi glanced at him and then said: "Second, Xiaomi's mobile phones all have those apps pre-installed?"

Lei Jun was not surprised. He had almost guessed it, "Well, Xiaomi has just started its business, and there are relatively few cooperative manufacturers. There are no third-party pre-installed apps yet."

"Without a third party, there is Mi Liao, right?"

"have."

"Is MiLiao imitating WeChat?"

"This..." Lei Jun felt a little helpless, "I actually had the idea for the MiLiao product before Ziweixing launched WeChat. Do you believe it?"

"Yeah?"

Zhou Buqi seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

Zhou Shaoning coughed lightly and added, "This kind of instant messaging app on smartphones should all come from Helo, which is a product launched by Ziweixing in overseas markets. WeChat was launched a little late for the domestic market. ."

This is a hurdle that cannot be bypassed. Lei Jun was silent for a long time before finally admitting, "Yes, I got inspiration from the overseas version of Helo. But now the situation is very clear. In this field, Ziweixing's WeChat It has already dominated the market. Not to mention compared with WeChat, MiLiao cannot even compete with Penguin’s QChat.”

Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "Then what are your plans for Mi Liao?"

"Um?"

There was a bit of worry between Lei Jun's brows.

Zhou Buqi said calmly: "You just said you wanted Ziweixing to strategically invest in Xiaomi. This is impossible. Aisda is a company branched off from Ziweixing. It is impossible for Ziweixing to invest in Aisda's competitors. "

Zhou Shaoning breathed a sigh of relief.

Lei Jun was not surprised, but a little disappointed.

However, Zhou Buqi then changed the topic, "However, I can invest in Xiaomi in my own name, but there is a prerequisite."

Lei Jun basically guessed based on the topic just now, "Xiaomi is going to give up on MiLiao?"

Zhou Buqi said: "Yes, the competition for products like MiLiao is too fierce. Now there are only two major products, WeChat and QChat. As the situation becomes clearer, more and more giants will come in to participate. This Competition on the track is no worse than smartphone manufacturing. I think Xiaomi should still choose a direction and focus more."

"Um."

Lei Jun's reaction was relatively negative.

Zhou Buqi continued: "Xiaomi wants to give up MiLiao. This is the second requirement."

This request is too cruel.

This means that Xiaomi will lay off a team of 30 people.

However, this also illustrates the necessity of giving up MiLiao. The MiLiao team only has 30 people, while the WeChat team has more than 200 employees. It is normal to not be able to compete.

It's just that he was unwilling to do so.

Lei Jun's business venture this time is not a desperate move, but actually a bet in three directions.

First, the operating system is Xiaomi MIUI, which is well-known in the industry.

If this product is successful and most domestic smartphones are equipped with this operating system, then Xiaomi will become a system platform company.

Second, the social product is MiLiao.

If this product is successful and all domestic smartphone users use Mi Chat to communicate, then Xiaomi will be an Internet social company.

Third, it’s a Xiaomi phone.

If this product is successful, Xiaomi will focus on developing mobile phone manufacturing.

It is now early August 2011, and the first option of betting has failed.

There have been many modified Android systems in China, and those big companies simply do not like Xiaomi MIUI, even though this product is very popular among the small circle of enthusiasts.

The social product MiLiao has basically failed.

But it's not a complete failure.

If we give up now, Xiaomi will have only the last option for mobile phone manufacturing and will have no choice but to fight against the odds.