Feng Yu was not making excuses when he said he had something to do. He was asking around about the directors of Microsoft. Before this, he did not know about them.
Among the directors in Microsoft, the only person that Feng Yu remembered was the future Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer. He was not the founder of Microsoft and had not invested in Microsoft, but he had gotten a high percentage of the company's shares!
When Microsoft IPO was held in 1986, Bill Gates owns 49% of the shares, Paul Allen owns 35%, Steve Ballmer owns 8%, and the rest of the employees owns 8%. Of course, these are the voting shares.
After Paul Allen left Microsoft, he invested in many companies, but all his investments ended badly. Last year, a cable TV company he invested in rejected his request to increase his shares. He sold all his shares in a fit of anger, and the company's market value increased by 50% after he sold his shares.
Paul Allen is considered the dumbest investor by many people. Feng Yu does not think highly of Paul Allen. Maybe Paul Allen was good with his technologies and ideas, but he is not a qualified manager. He still likes to do things himself and does not want to give up his authority.
Paul Allen and Bill Gates had quarreled more than once over the shares. Bill Gates wanted Paul Allen to sell his Microsoft shares because he had invested in other businesses. This will lower his authority in Microsoft, and he might as well sell his shares to Bill Gates. Paul Allen felt he had sacrificed himself once, and he should not lose out again. Paul Allen also had some complaints about Bill Gates giving so many shares to Steve Ballmer.
Steve Ballmer is only Microsoft's Vice President now. Other than the Chairman of an investment company, the rest of the directors were Microsoft's top management, including the Chief Financial Officer. What surprised Feng Yu was that there were only 8 directors on Microsoft's board of directors.
Seems like Bill Gates has a lot of authority. There are an even number of directors, and the votes are based on the number of shares. That means Feng Yu does not have much say in Microsoft's board of directors.
In history, when Bill Gates retired, the number of directors in Microsoft increased to 10. Eight years later, the number of directors increased to 11. At that time, Bill Gates was only an ordinary director, and his shares were no longer the largest.
Feng Yu looked at the list. The person he should recruit is Steve Ballmer. This is because Steve Ballmer is trusted by Bill Gates and will become Microsoft's President or CEO in a few years' time. Steve Ballmer's relationship with Paul Allen is not good.
If Feng Yu could convince Steve Ballmer to make some mistakes in his future decisions, like Microsoft not entering the hardware industry, then Lenovo will have a higher chance of rising!
…
A few days later, Microsoft's board meeting was held. All the directors looked at Feng Yu in surprise. Who was this young man? From his face, he seemed to be an Asian. How did he get in?
Paul Allen glanced at Feng Yu and snorted coldly. Steve Ballmer looked at Feng Yu curiously. This is the new director that Bill Gates mentioned?
The rest of the directors did not know about this. They did not know that from today onwards, the board will have one more member, and it is such a young member.
But they saw the Chairman did not scold this young man and even nodded to him. That means this young man and the Chairman know each other. From Paul Allen's expression, it seems he also knows this young man.
As for who this young man is and what he does, the rest of the directors have no idea.
"I have something to announce at today's board meeting. Feng from the East is the mysterious tycoon who had been buying up our shares. "
All the directors were shocked. Feng Yu nodded at them but did not stand up. The rest of the directors also did not mind. After all, Feng Yu's net worth is higher than them.
But Paul Allen was pissed. He felt that Feng Yu was not polite. But he did not know that Paul Allen does not look at the other directors.
"I had exchanged some shares with Paul and Feng Yu. That means Feng Yu owns 2% of the company's voting shares. That's why I nominate Feng Yu to join the board."
Bill Gates is the major shareholder, and he has the right to nominate Feng Yu to join the board.
Many people had the misconception that the members of the board must be the shareholders. But that is not the case. The board of directors is elected by the shareholders. Of course, most shareholders will nominate themselves, but there are many directors who are not shareholders. But it is rare in Hua Xia.
Those who can enter the board of directors will be given incentives to become a shareholder, even if they are only a small shareholder.
That's why even if Bill Gates does not nominate, Feng Yu can still nominate himself. But if Bill Gates does not agree, then Feng Yu will not be elected. Bill Gates still has a lot of control over Microsoft.
Actually, Bill Gates, Paul Allen, or Steve Ballmer can decide if Feng Yu will join the board of directors. That's why Bill Gates did not make a suggestion. He is only informing everyone about this, and there is nothing he can do about it!
The board of directors is the highest management body elected by the shareholders. If they can elect the directors, they can also remove them. Microsoft's directors had been replaced before. Hmmm … those who opposed Bill Gates's decisions were all replaced.
Bill Gates is the biggest shareholder, Chairman, President, and CEO of Microsoft. In many small companies, the President and CEO are the same person. But in many large companies, the management is more complicated, and the Chairman will appoint two people to manage the company. This way, they can keep each other in check.
Steve Ballmer is the Deputy CEO, and he is doing the work of the CEO.
After hearing what Bill Gates said, the rest of the directors applauded. Only Paul Allen acted as if he did not hear what Bill Gates said and continued to sip his coffee.
Everyone looks at Feng Yu. This person wants to enter the board of directors? From the looks of it, Bill Gates is very supportive, but Paul Allen isn't. Are these two going to fight again?
"Alright. Let's end the welcome ceremony. Next, I suggest to appoint Feng Yu as Microsoft's Asia Pacific Region's Deputy CEO. He will be in charge of Hua Xia's businesses."
Everyone finally understood why Feng Yu is an Asian. He should be working for Hua Xia. Is Microsoft going to enter the Hua Xia market?
Steve Ballmer asked. "Which businesses in Hua Xia will he be in charge of?"
Before Bill Gates can reply, Feng Yu smiled and said. "All of them. I will be in charge of all Hua Xia's businesses. I will not interfere with the company's other decisions. "
Steve Ballmer frowned. Hua Xia is such an important market, and it is too rash to let a young man handle it. Although Feng Yu is the major shareholder, he might not be a good decision-maker.
Why did Bill Gates agree? Could it be that this person from Hua Xia has a high status in Hua Xia?
Bill Gates added. "Feng can help Microsoft dominate the Hua Xia market. Everyone can rest assured. Do you all have any other suggestions? If not, we will end today's meeting. "
This meeting is because of Feng Yu.
Steve Ballmer noticed Feng Yu smiling at him a few times, and he is puzzled … …
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