[Chapter 834: A Legend]
Spending money at the end of the year was a common occurrence. Even if people didn't spend, they still had to pay taxes. Instead of letting the governnt use their money, it felt better to save the stray cats.
"Xiao Liu , what's going on with Mobile here?"
"Sir Wang, I'll check it out."
"Okay, go ahead!"
The launch of the Legend phone in China was quite creative. After all, it was like a young woman being carried off in a bridal sedan.
"Mr. Wang, people are lining up to buy the phone. It's the one called Legend that's been advertised for the last month."
"Isn't it supposed to be better than Motorola? I heard it's made in South Bay."
"Mr. Wang, I asked, and it's a global launch; we're the first to sell it today, while Aricans will have to wait until tomorrow."
"Seriously? That's sothing. Wait, so the phones from South Bay are ant for export?"
"Exactly. I heard the owner of Motorola is behind this. The advertising has been huge, and I believe the price is higher than Motorola."
"Wait, are you telling that a hogrown product is more expensive than one from Arica? And people are actually lining up for it?"
In that day and age, even if one were buying pickles, it was common to be addressed as 'Sir'; it's just how business was done.
The frenzy for the phone made sense. Compared to what he had in his pocket, a Legend phone felt more like a work of art.
"Sir, we just got a call from China. It's a miracle; every phone we sent has sold out."
"Yes, that's more like it. Filson, check with Jason Garrison if they've sent back the footage yet."
"I asked; they're organizing it now. The morning news will have a segnt. Jason said Arican products are quite popular in China."
"Cough, cough, that jerk. Well, let him have his fun. anwhile, let's ramp up production at the factory."
"Got it, boss."
The phone, priced at $599, wasn't exactly cheap. It was at least 30% more expensive than Siens or Ericsson.
However, the eager fans lining up didn't seem to care about the price difference. They had grown accustod to the idea that any product from Legend would require queuing up. It was just the norm now.
Lou Gerstner fiddled with the new Legend phone his team had just brought him. He felt at a loss for words. It seed their phone project had taken a turn in the wrong direction.
In terms of technology, IBM's phones featured a touchscreen. Well, they could even send faxes.
Of course, he had no idea that IBM's phone had already been frad by William White, as a reminder that cutting-edge technology was useful, but one shouldn't get too carried away. One could easily trip himself up if he took too big of a leap.
"What do you think, Martin?"
"Sir, besides the blue screen, it doesn't seem that special."
"No, that's not the point. Didn't you notice? Their quality control is quite impressive. By the way, are these made in the Taobao factory?"
"No, they're from South Bay, boss. Isn't China a poor country? Could it be just hype?"
"Ha, maybe it is true. Doesn't Arica have any underdeveloped areas? By the way, arrange for to see it in person."
"Sure thing, boss."
Gerstner's thoughts obviously differed from his team. If Legend could produce phones, they could probably assemble computers as well. Even if they weren't setting up a factory now, it was essential to keep learning.
Soone else holding that very phone was Christopher Galvin. William White had kept it under wraps until just recently.
Prior to this, he had mocked them for being secretive. With all the advertising they were doing, what could they possibly still be hiding?
"Damn it, are they selling that well?"
"Yes, boss. Except for the larger stores, they're sold out in Chicago. I just checked with a friend in New York; it's about the sa there."
"Cough, Al, is that what this is? A case of scarcity marketing? How many units did they actually distribute?"
"Sir, if you include Asia, they've sold at least 500,000 phones."
"Cough, cough, damn! Why are they selling so well? It's just a blue backlight! Is this what that jerk ant by an IQ tax?"
Sure, he could speak freely, but his subordinates were more cautious. After all, William White was known to be quite petty. Besides, the quality of their phone was clearly excellent. If he weren't so tied up with work, he might consider trading his in for one.
The communications market was a fierce battleground. Competition was just as cutthroat in Europe.
Legend World?
Why couldn't they just stick to making video gas?
From scratch, a phone brand was effortlessly taking the world by storm. The current situation was certainly a surprise to many investors.
Let's be real, it wasn't because of William White. Who knew there was even a factory in South Bay?
The ones most lanting were Motorola's shareholders. Honestly, these sales should have been theirs.
"Starting a factory in the Arctic? Go for it.
He just created himself a formidable competitor. There's no need to think; today's stocks will surely plunge."
"A drop of 13.5%? Is that exaggerated? They're overreacting!"
"Yes, boss. Ever since we left, their stock price has been declining."
"I see. Filson, if it drops over 20%, let the investnt team take action. Hahaha, they're still on top; how could one phone change that?"
"Right, I agree. Sir, China is working overti; they will ensure deliveries. But is that going to be a problem?"
"A problem? Are you worried about the long overti hours?"
"Yes. If they extend hours like that, it could lead to complications."
"China won't. By the way, increase their al subsidies. Also, give them an extra 50% overti pay."
"All right; I hope they will be satisfied with that."
"Ha, they will be satisfied. The only way they won't be is if you don't let them work overti.
Filson, the workers in China are the best in the world, no contest."
"Okay, even if I'm not sure why, they really are terrifyingly industrious."
"Ah, you know it's obvious. Compared to hard work, what they fear more is poverty."
Filson could only manage a wry smile. Of course, he felt so concern; after all, the workers had unions too.
Cultural differences were sothing outsiders just couldn't grasp.
Running a factory in China ca down to getting salaries paid on ti. As long as the boss paid up promptly, he would be regarded as a decent man. If he could also improve the cafeteria and living conditions, he would have a moral enterprise.
The issue with overti wasn't necessarily driven by managent's desires. After ten hours of work, productivity often suffered. Efficiency dropped significantly after dinner.
For products with such low added value, it would be best to keep it simple. Even if you raised overti pay by 50%, the boss wouldn't make a profit.
Of course, today's generation, not just those born in the 2000s, but even the 90s crowd, are increasingly resistant to overti work. Society was evolving, and eventually, manufacturing jobs like these would disappear from China.
Operating in India had originally been a decent option, but past investnts had mostly flopped. The situation for old Guo in Taiwan was pitiful, having lost everything in Arica, and now facing issues in India too. If progress continued along this trajectory, old Guo would be in serious trouble.
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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