On the other hand, he had long disliked Zhào Lìchūn and wished he would suffer a major downfall. Now, it seemed, this precision electronics factory was the only thing that could bring Zhào Lìchūn down.
Building a factory wasn't hard; the hardest part was securing orders.
Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "Secretary Zhao!"
A man walked out, introducing himself as Bái Xiàomíng, a reporter from Southern Weekend, and asked if he could conduct a short interview.
Zhào Lìchūn took a deep breath and agreed.
"What is your opinion on the Qishan Precision Electronics Factory?" Bái Xiàomíng asked.
Zhào Lìchūn smiled and replied, "This is the largest investment in Hàndōng Province since the reform and opening up. It will greatly promote economic development and industrial structure adjustment."
"But!" Bái Xiàomíng interrupted, "Qishan Group has never been involved in precision electronics processing before. Isn't launching such a large project directly a loss for Hàndōng?"
Zhào Lìchūn narrowed his eyes and sized him up. "You're the type who looks for fault!"
Zhào Lìchūn smiled calmly. "The factory hasn't even started operation, and the orders haven't been secured. How can you conclude it's a loss?"
Bái Xiàomíng was taken aback. Zhào Lìchūn continued, "You say we lack experience. Then I ask you, who has experience from the start? Can't we learn if we lack experience? My friend, the reporter, you keep talking about lack of experience, are we supposed to do nothing at all?"
Qí Guāngyuǎn, standing nearby, couldn't help but glance at Zhào Lìchūn again.
This man was indeed good at speaking, stabilizing the situation with just a few words. However, that Bái Xiàomíng was quite stubborn and pressed on, "Secretary Zhao, why didn't you approach a major company like Foxconn, and instead chose Qishan Precision?"
Zhào Lìchūn glanced at him and said coldly, "I invited Foxconn, but they didn't come. Qishan is willing to come, so why shouldn't I choose them?"
Bái Xiàomíng hesitated slightly. Zhào Lìchūn continued, "I know Qishan isn't as good as Foxconn, but the only difference is experience. We'll catch up slowly."
Bái Xiàomíng was unconvinced. "Our management model is flawed, otherwise we wouldn't fail to get overseas orders."
Qí Guāngyuǎn couldn't listen anymore and said directly, "I studied management in the United States. Our model is fine. What Foxconn can do, we can do too, and we'll do it better!"
Bái Xiàomíng was stunned. Qí Guāngyuǎn continued, "This is just the beginning. There will be phase two, phase three, and phase four. We need to solve employment problems for at least 100,000 people!"
"The people of all of Hàndōng Province won't have to leave their homes; they can work right in their hometowns. We can also drive related industries, benefiting at least a million people!"
Bái Xiàomíng said, "Mister Qí Guāngyuǎn, do you know what you're saying?"
"My friend, the reporter, I suggest you quickly go ask Guō Taimíng," Qí Guāngyuǎn said coldly. "Let him tell you how it feels when orders decrease!"
Bái Xiàomíng was stunned for a moment before replying, "Are you saying you want to go head-to-head with Foxconn?"
"Whether we can succeed or not isn't up to you, nor is it up to me. It depends on the orders," Qí Guāngyuǎn took a deep breath and said with a cold smile. "Let's just wait and see if someone like me can pose a threat to Foxconn!"
Bái Xiàomíng couldn't help but laugh. "How is that possible?"
Qí Guāngyuǎn just sneered. "Then let's just wait and see!"
With that, Qí Guāngyuǎn waved his hand. "You can go now."
"Why?" Bái Xiàomíng's eyes widened. "Are you trying to kick me out? I still have many questions!"
Of course, he wouldn't leave so obediently. But before he could react, Qí Guāngyuǎn slightly raised his chin.
Then, Qí Guāngyuǎn said calmly, "My friend, the reporter, this is a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Many other reporters need to ask questions, and I can't just answer you!"
Bái Xiàomíng started to say something else, but suddenly, chaos erupted around him.
Some reporters began to ask questions.
Bái Xiàomíng could no longer interject. Then, he felt his neck being grabbed, and he was lifted into the air.
As if he were a chick.
"You..." Bái Xiàomíng tried to resist, but his mouth was covered.
The person had immense strength.
He opened his eyes wide, hardly daring to believe that in broad daylight, someone would actually dare to lay hands on him.
Afterward, he was dragged to a secluded spot.
Slap!
A loud slap landed on his face.
"Ouch! You hit me!" Bái Xiàomíng cried out.
Then, a group of people surrounded him and beat him severely.
Finally, Bái Xiàomíng, bruised and battered, was thrown out.
He felt injured and utterly defeated!
To be beaten like this?
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded, Qí Guāngyuǎn opened his order card.
Twenty billion US dollars in orders.
Provided by the system, he could choose any partner he wanted.
Back then, Foxconn had to negotiate orders one by one. But with this system, he didn't need to negotiate with anyone. As long as the twenty billion US dollar deal was set up correctly, the other party would proactively seek collaboration without him having to lift a finger.
Major companies like Compaq, Dell, and Intel had become Foxconn's clients, as had IBM. However, Apple hadn't yet connected with Foxconn. Qí Guāngyuǎn didn't mind poaching orders from Foxconn.
When Apple first started making phones, Foxconn even sent dedicated personnel to the United States to help with engineering design. Guō Taimíng often showcased the state of his employees, working hard and hungry, to Apple's executives, making Apple feel as important as a savior.
At the same price, Apple naturally preferred to entrust its orders to Foxconn.
Now...
Qí Guāngyuǎn had no intention of cooperating with the current Apple. Jobs was gone, and Apple held little appeal now.
The most important thing now was to snatch Foxconn's orders first.
Qí Guāngyuǎn pondered for a moment and decided on the allocation: five hundred million US dollars for his own VCD orders, and the remaining fifteen hundred million US dollars would be used entirely to seize Foxconn's overseas orders.
At the Qishan headquarters, Qí Guāngyuǎn slammed the table. "We only have one thing to consider: first, we must maintain stability in component manufacturing, product assembly, and dealer procurement!"
"Second, we are a labor-intensive enterprise. We need to manage recruitment, equipment purchase, and workshop construction well. This is operational efficiency. We need to create stable production capacity so that resources and equipment can operate efficiently, reducing the manufacturing cost per unit."
He scanned the group of senior executives.
Qí Guāngyuǎn said calmly, "What we need to do next is, after securing the orders, control the pricing so that international companies feel they can earn the most only by letting us do the work!"
The profit margins for these contract manufacturers were not high, but Foxconn had earned a considerable amount through its massive orders, with a profit margin of 10.2%.
The general manager promoted by Qí Guāngyuǎn was surnamed Ma, and his name was Mǎ Qiáo. He was an overseas returnee whom Qí Guāngyuǎn met while studying in the United States. He was also selected by Qí Guāngyuǎn after using his talent card, and was directly appointed general manager.
He was equivalent to the second-in-command of the group. When Qí Guāngyuǎn was absent, Mǎ Qiáo was responsible for managing many aspects of the company.
The order card guaranteed enough orders. However, this was a one-time deal. After this cooperation, whether future collaborations would be possible depended on the outcome of this one – the quality of your production and whether it met standards.
Secondly, there was the issue of price. Could you lower it further? The lower your costs, the greater my profit margin.
Guō Taimíng glanced at the newspaper in his hand, a disdainful smile curling his lips. "Qishan Technology in Hàndōng actually wants to surpass us at Foxconn? They're simply overestimating themselves!" His assistant chimed in at the opportune moment, "Exactly. Qishan Technology has shallow roots. Wanting to compete with us, relying only on more people and new machines, how can that possibly work?"
Guō Taimíng slowly exhaled, but his mind drifted to past events. He recalled how he had specifically chosen the name "Foxconn" to expand into overseas markets, how he had camped in a small hotel in New Jersey for five days waiting for a negotiation opportunity, and how he had been turned away by Compaq... Thinking of this, he shook his head and returned to the present.
Meanwhile, at another office location – the atmosphere within Qishan Technology was fervent.
Mǎ Qiáo grinned. "Boss, you can rest assured. Our equipment here is no less inferior to Foxconn's, and in some aspects, it's even better! From personal computers to game consoles and vending machines, we can independently design and produce them all, including mold development, molding, stamping, surface treatment, assembly, and inspection – the entire chain!" He paused for a moment before adding, "If you ask me, our desktop computer production volume is already among the world's top!"
Qí Guāngyuǎn nodded in agreement and suggested, "The key still lies in management. We need to find ways to reduce internal waste. I think we can implement a system for grassroots employees to offer suggestions, to see if we can simultaneously reduce costs and increase efficiency."
Just then, a senior executive, Qí Míng, tentatively proposed, "Boss, perhaps we could appropriately reduce the wages of the workers? This would save a significant sum. We're currently paying five hundred yuan a month, I think three hundred would be sufficient."
As soon as he said this, he was sternly rebuked by Qí Guāngyuǎn. "Anyone who dares to deduct workers' wages will face my wrath! I won't allow such a thing to happen, even if we incur losses!"
Qí Míng was stunned for a moment before stammering, "Understood... understood." Qí Guāngyuǎn's tone then softened considerably. "I can accept it if the initial projects don't make money for now. If we can persevere for three to five years, as long as we can bring Foxconn down, we will have a voice then!"
Mǎ Qiáo laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Boss, don't worry. Even if we're not doing well, we shouldn't be completely without profit, right?"
Qí Guāngyuǎn's lips curved upwards, and he said leisurely, "Then what is there to worry about?"
That order back then took immense effort to secure, running around and repeating myself countless times. Now you, wanting to build a factory, want to steal my business? It's not that easy.
What equipment, what management, none of that matters. The key is having orders. But now, Compaq, Dell, Intel, and IBM have all become Foxconn's clients. What can you, Qí Guāngyuǎn, use to compete with me?"
Just then, there was a rapid knocking sound. Guō Taimíng called out, "Come in." Wang Yǒnggāng, the marketing department manager, strode in and said, "Mr. Guō, something big has happened!"
"Something big?" Guō Taimíng was a little bewildered. He looked at Wang Yǒnggāng and asked, "What is it?\