Microsoft's small meeting room. All the directors are sitting together again for their regular meeting. But compared to last year, there is one less chair, and Paul Allen does not have the Qili beverage on the table.
After Feng Yu was kicked out of the board, Paul Allen was in a good mood. Other than the trip to Hua Xia, Paul Allen did not have any appetite for a month. Also, he felt disgusted when he saw ants on the roadside.
"Today's meeting is about our software sales. We expect our sales to increase in the second quarter. But compared to last year, the increase is much lower, especially for our Office software … "
The directors looked at each other and did not say a word. Paul Allen sneered. "Steve, the Asian market is experiencing the worst decline, right? As the CEO of the Asia region, shouldn't you say something? "
Ballmer gave Paul Allen a sidelong glance. "Should I say something? I had suggested to continue working with Feng or Lenovo Group, and you are the one who suggested to separate our Office software and operating system. In the end, our Office software sales are not doing well, and you are blaming me? "
Steve Ballmer did not like Paul Allen. When it came to software development, Steve Ballmer was not as good as Paul Allen. But when it came to company management, even Bill Gates had to ask for his opinion. Steve Ballmer was miles ahead of Paul Allen, who was always losing money on investments.
"You are the CEO of the Asia region and the company's Deputy CEO. You are in charge of our products' sales, and you are not doing your job. Even if I had suggested to separate our Office software, you should have thought of other solutions. I didn't expect you to be the one to blame! "Paul Allen shouted.
"Since you think my sales are not good, then why don't you take charge? Why do I remember that when you were in charge, there was a negative growth in sales? "Ballmer retorted without holding back.
After Feng Yu was kicked out of the board, Paul Allen had no one to target. In the end, he turned to Ballmer. Ballmer is not a pushover, and he will not let Paul Allen bully him!
What's more, Ballmer knew that Bill Gates supported him.
Bill Gates is regretting his rash decision. He should have waited until Microsoft had established their sales channels in Hua Xia before falling out with Feng Yu.
Now, Microsoft is at a disadvantage because of this. That Feng Yu is acting like he doesn't care about Microsoft's profits, and he did not expect this.
Ballmer had told him the real reason. It was because of Lenovo Group.
Lenovo Group has a subsidiary called Lenovo Kingsoft. This company has been producing application software, and their best-selling products are anti-virus and office software.
What caught Microsoft off guard was Lenovo Kingsoft's WPS97 is compatible with Microsoft's Office software. It also supports Win, and the price is only 1/5 of Lenovo Kingsoft's.
More importantly, it has more functions than theirs, and the Chinese language application is better than theirs. The interface feedback is also more popular than theirs.
Because of this software and Lenovo's support, no one is interested in Lenovo's Office software.
If there was a good and cheap one, who would use an expensive and useless one?
Also, Lenovo Kingsoft's software is bundled with each other. For example, Kingsoft Tyrant, Kingsoft Tyrant, and WPS97 can be bought together.
Not only the people in Hua Xia, but even the Americans will be interested in such bundled software.
It's just like Microsoft's Win and Office. The sales are very good, and it gives people the feeling that they are getting a bargain.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen had the same thought. They felt they had established a foothold in Hua Xia, and their operating systems are selling well. People should be used to using their Win operating system, and Office should not be a problem.
But Bill Gates did not expect this WPS to be so much better and cheaper than their Office. In the end, no one is interested in their Office software.
WPS also provides free upgrades, and the after-sales service is better. There are Lenovo after-sales service outlets in every city in Hua Xia. Even most of the counties have after-sales service outlets. With a strong network, Lenovo's Hua Xia's position as the market leader in Hua Xia, and no other brands can touch it.
In the past, it was still the PC, but now, even Office software is the same.
Also, Lenovo Kingsoft had developed drawing software, supermarket system, internet cafe system, corporate OA system, etc., which are very popular.
Microsoft had also developed these software, but they are not selling well in the US, let alone Hua Xia.
Could it be like what Ballmer said? Without Feng Yu, Microsoft will fail in Hua Xia's market?
Paul Allen is still arguing with Ballmer, and the rest of the directors kept quiet. Anyway, this is not something they are responsible for, and they do not want to get involved in this. Other than Bill Gates, no one in Microsoft can persuade Paul Allen.
"Alright, Paul, Steve. Stop arguing. The most important thing now is to get back our growth rate and market share. "Bill Gates said with a frown.
"Since Paul thinks he is better than me, then let him do it. I want to hear what he has to say. Someone who went to inspect the Gbox project and came back empty-handed, hmph ~ ~ "Ballmer sneered.
"Advertising. Advertise in Hua Xia and let more people know that this is Microsoft's product!" Paul Allen said.
"Easy for you to say. Where are we going to pay for the advertising? The Asia region's advertising budget does not include this area. Furthermore, Lenovo Kingsoft had done a software evaluation. They have all the functions of our Office, and we don't have the functions they have. Their prices are much cheaper than us, and they even have some other benefits. If you are a consumer, will you use our products? "Ballmer said with disdain.
You call this an idea?! Instead of spending money on advertising, Feng Yu might as well lower the price of his Office. This way, it might be more effective.
Microsoft might be a big brand, but in Hua Xia, Lenovo Kingsoft is also a popular brand. Also, Lenovo Kingsoft's products are also sold in Eastern Europe. Microsoft does not have any market in Eastern Europe.
Bill Gates looks at the rest of the directors. "Do you all have any good ideas?"
No one said a word. Ballmer slowly said, "The only way is to speed up the development of our office software. We must make our products better than theirs. Only then will we be competitive. Otherwise, even if we reduce the price, it will be useless."
Paul Allen kept quiet. He did not expect Microsoft's products to be inferior to Hua Xia's products. Since when did Microsoft fall behind in its strongest area?
… …
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