Song Sining looked at the backend data, extremely excited:
"Especially Xiao Li Zi's female fans, whether Apple users, or Samsung and Nokia users, many have come to buy x buds. Today, x buds' sales volume can also break through one million!"
Wang Yi smiled:
"xphone 1 and x buds are both hot sellers, Xiao Li Zi's power is truly terrifying!"
For xphone 1 and x buds, many users placed orders directly once they liked what they saw.
There were also many users who were more cautious, thinking that Xingyi Technology was just a new brand that had just started making phones, and no matter how well the product was advertised, it might not be able to compete with established giants like Apple and Samsung.
Holding such a skeptical attitude, they still chose to wait and see.
But once the spokesperson Xiao Li Zi appeared, an international superstar and Hollywood movie emperor, Xingyi Technology's brand instantly elevated several levels.
Those users who were originally skeptical all changed their attitudes.
Not only did they no longer think that Xingyi Technology was an emerging small brand, but instead felt it was a promising big brand!
Naturally, they also bought like crazy.
The popularity of xphone 1 and x buds both rapidly soared, and sales and profits also steadily climbed.
The effect of a superstar endorsement was truly terrifying.
"The feeling of making money is really good!"
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"But we don't mind making a little more."
Song Sining understood Wang Yi's meaning:
"Chairman, since we've already hired the spokesperson, I'll contact CCTV and provincial satellite TV stations to heavily promote advertising, and all offline stores and malls will switch to Xiao Li Zi's promotional materials!"
"Yes, let's do that!"
Wang Yi nodded.
Consumers these days are divided into two major categories of groups.
One type is a youth-dominated online group, most of whom don't watch TV, surfing the internet every day; naturally, they are very familiar with Xingyi Technology, and they are also all aware of Xiao Li Zi becoming Xingyi Technology's brand spokesperson.
But in 2012, there was still a considerably large middle-aged and elderly group, who mainly watched TV and also used feature phones with keypads, and would not go online to check Weibo every day.
They even knew nothing about xphone 1 and x buds.
These people have mostly worked for many years, have some savings, high spending power, and are also high-value individuals.
Only through traditional TV advertisements could they be made aware of Xingyi Technology's products and thus prompted to purchase.
Also, offline promotional materials also need to be in place.
Currently, whether a phone's sales volume can exceed five million depends on product strength and cost-effectiveness.
But whether it can exceed twenty million depends on marketing and branding!
Whether xphone 1 can ultimately sell thirty million or thirty-five million is no longer a matter of product strength, but a matter of marketing!
Wang Yi changed the subject:
"Sining, overseas also needs a wave of promotion, especially x buds and "Happy Match-3", both extensively promoted and distributed overseas."
Song Sining nodded:
"Okay, Chairman. xphone 1 cannot go abroad for now, so let products like x buds and "Happy Match-3" first break into overseas markets and make a huge profit first before we talk further!"
"Indeed, it's also for shaping Xingyi Technology's brand, first building Xingyi Technology into a renowned international brand. This way, when we have accumulated more patents, the internationalization of Xingyi phones will be much easier."
"Chairman, should Goertek increase its production capacity?"
Wang Yi thought for a moment:
"Goertek's current daily production capacity is 150,000 units; let them increase it to 200,000 units per day this month to cope with this wave of hot sales and supply the international market. Next month, it will be reduced back to 150,000 units, and then dynamically adjusted based on market performance."
"Okay!"
Song Sining nodded repeatedly.
Originally, x buds' projected global sales volume was only ten to twenty million a year.
But now with Xiao Li Zi as spokesperson, it can not only sell explosively domestically but also rapidly open up international markets.
Then x buds' global sales this year will no longer be ten to twenty million, but thirty million, or even more!
After all, if x buds were placed five years later, it would be nothing special, or even highly controversial.
But placed in 2012, it was absolutely a dimensionality reduction attack, an epoch-making black technology!
Song Sining dialed Goertek's Chairman Jiang Hongzhi's phone number, and from there came Jiang Hongzhi's hearty laugh:
"Congratulations, Chairman Wang, congratulations, President Song, x buds sales continue to explode, which is truly gratifying."
"Thank you, Chairman Jiang, however, with sales skyrocketing, production capacity also needs to be increased, and we are considering placing additional orders later."
"Production capacity continues to increase..."
Jiang Hongzhi frowned slightly, because as x buds' production capacity continued to increase, Goertek was currently operating at almost full capacity!
"What, is there a problem?"
Song Sining's willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Jiang Hongzhi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said:
"No problem, absolutely no problem. In that case, this month, we will first increase production capacity to 200,000 x buds per day, and then adjust it back to 150,000 units next month? Is that alright?"
"Yes!"
Song Sining replied.
"Okay, President Song, I'll arrange it immediately and add the order!"
Jiang Hongzhi said with a smile before hanging up the phone.
Wang Yi is a major shareholder of Goertek, and even a sugar daddy.
With one phone call to make Goertek increase production capacity, Goertek had to increase it; to make them reduce production, they had to reduce it.
Even without Wang Yi stepping forward personally, Song Sining and Jian Ziyan were enough.
But his younger brother Jiang Hongwei was a bit anxious:
"Bro, our production capacity is already full, how can we continue to increase it?"
"A sudden increase of 50,000 units in daily production capacity means 1.5 million in a month, that's not a small number, there's no spare capacity left!"
Jiang Hongzhi sighed:
"Even without capacity, we have to create capacity."
Jiang Hongwei was speechless: "..."
Jiang Hongzhi took a deep breath:
"Here's what we'll do, reduce some of the production capacity for Apple earphones and transfer it to x buds! We'll adjust it back next month!"
"Is this... appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it?"
Jiang Hongzhi said coldly.
There was no other way, because of Wang Yi's strategic investment and x buds' tens of millions of large orders, Goertek's revenue and profit both soared, and its stock price and market value also doubled.
Naturally, they placed Xingyi Technology in the first position and fully satisfied its needs.
Even Apple's orders had to be slightly pushed back.
"For Xingyi Technology, we'd offend Apple?"
Jiang Hongzhi had a look of disbelief.
Jiang Hongzhi chuckled:
"What's the big deal? The Apple of the past was invincible, our biggest client. But today's Apple is almost being hammered into the ground by Xingyi Technology, it's hard to say who will win or lose in the future."
Jiang Hongwei realized with a start:
"That's true, iPhone 4s sales in China have sharply declined, our Apple orders will probably also be cut significantly, it's better to just give the production capacity directly to Xingyi Technology's x buds!"
"Brother, just wait and see, the mobile phone industry is about to change drastically! It's hard to say globally, but domestically, iPhone 4s really can't beat xphone 1!"
Jiang Hongzhi looked out the window, his gaze becoming profound:
"This year, iPhone 4s was expected to sell 25 million units domestically, but now it seems whether it can sell 15 million units is a question!"
"iPhone would be so bad?"
Jiang Hongwei was startled.
Jiang Hongzhi took out his xphone 1, smiled slightly:
"It's not that iPhone is bad, it's that xphone 1 is too outstanding, or rather, Chairman Wang is too terrifying!"
"This..."
Jiang Hongwei nodded:
"What if Apple sanctions us, forcing us to choose between Apple and Xingyi Technology, then how do we choose?"
"That's a good question."
Jiang Hongzhi smiled:
"In the past, it goes without saying, we would definitely prioritize Apple; Apple was our core. Goertek's first wave of stock price surge was due to becoming part of Apple's supply chain. But now, it's really hard to say, hehe."
...
Back at the apartment.
Wang Yi closed the door, made eye contact with Song Sining, and directly started cooking...
Not seeing each other for half a month, a brief separation feels like a new marriage.
What comforted Wang Yi was that the current Song Sining was becoming more and more romantic.
Many times, with just one look from Wang Yi, she knew what to do...
Two in the afternoon.
Xingyi Mobile's flagship store in Sanlitun was already packed with people.
Not only were there a large number of fans, but also many reporters with long and short lenses, surrounding the place so tightly that not even a drop of water could get through.
This scene was broadcast live across many platforms.
The bullet comments became lively:
"Dying of laughter, this morning's Apple fan meet-and-greet, Cook personally attended, yet no one was there. Now at Xingyi Mobile's fan meet-and-greet, Xiao Li Zi hasn't even arrived yet, and the place is already full, packed to the brim."
"More than just packed to the brim, Sanlitun is already impassable, completely jammed."
"Correction, this morning's Apple fan meet-and-greet wasn't empty, it's that Cook came and everyone ran away!"
"..."
"Cook: Are you being polite? Might as well say no one was there!"
"Hahaha, dying of laughter!"
"This wave, Xingyi Technology completely won, it's truly terrifying!"
"I really feel that Apple phones are no longer as good as Xingyi phones."
"Of course! xphone 1's domestic sales have already exceeded ten million, how many has iPhone 4s sold domestically? Only one million, right? One-tenth of xphone 1's."
"It's not fair to compare like that, after all, xphone 1 went on sale a month and a half earlier."
"Fine, then let's compare fairly: xphone 1's sales on its launch day exceeded one million, while iPhone 4s, after nearly a month of sales, only reached one million in sales."
"Hahaha."
"Apple fans grumbled as they left the group chat."
"Look, quick, Xiao Li Zi is here!"
"Holy cow, it's really Xiao Li Zi, he really came."
"Xiao Li Zi is so cooperative, how much did Chairman Wang spend?"
"Inside scoop: 51 million RMB per year, paid annually."
"Amazing, truly amazing, Xingyi Technology is lavish."
"Auntie is a die-hard fan of Xiao Li Zi, I'm switching to xphone 1 now, the whole family is switching to xphone 1, one for each person. Plus x buds, one for each person."
"Auntie, do you still need family members? I'm 18!"
"18? Is that age or..."
"Pah! Filthy!"
...
Xiao Li Zi, under the protection of security guards, arrived at the scene and greeted everyone with a smile:
"Thank you to all Xingyi Technology fans, thank you, everyone! I am Xiao Li Zi, Xingyi Technology's global brand spokesperson, and I am honored to be in the Imperial Capital, to be at Xingyi Technology's flagship store, and meet all of you."
"To be honest, I originally didn't know much about xphone 1, but once I got my hands on it, I regretted not meeting it sooner."
"It's hard to imagine that the mysterious East could produce such an excellent enterprise and create such excellent products."
"Personally, I feel that xphone 1 is superior to Samsung, Nokia, and even Apple; it's the best phone I've ever used, bar none."
"As an actor, I love watching movies and have extremely high demands for picture quality."
"xphone 1 features a 4.3-inch, 720P high-resolution large screen, which provides me with an unparalleled movie-watching experience."
"Also, Xingyi Video's self-developed H.265 decoding, with higher resolution, lower bandwidth, and faster loading speed, is simply made for mobile movie viewing; it's truly fantastic, I sincerely recommend everyone to experience it."
"And "Happy Match-3" is also a game I've been obsessed with recently, and will be a must-play game in my daily life from now on."
"As you all know, actors sometimes have to film for a long time, it can be very boring, and the pressure is also immense. At such times, I would open "Happy Match-3", play a few rounds, adjust my mood, and relieve stress; it feels great."
...
"I hope Chairman Wang will continue to make persistent efforts and strive further. Please launch the brand new Xingyi Tablet as soon as possible, and even Xingyi TV! I need a larger screen viewing experience!"
"Whoosh!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
The bullet comments also became lively:
"Certified personally by an international movie emperor, xphone 1 is currently the phone with the best movie-watching experience!"
"It's clear, Xiao Li Zi truly likes xphone 1, likes x buds, and likes Xingyi Technology's products."
"Nonsense, I like them too! If my wallet wasn't so thin, I'd buy a whole set and go straight for the Xingyi Technology family package."
"Xingyi Technology family package user passing by, brother, I've achieved your goal, don't be envious!"
"Damn, you sneaky one!"
"Xiao Li Zi spoiled it, Xingyi Technology will next have Xingyi Tablets, and Xingyi TVs!"
"Yes, definitely, otherwise Xiao Li Zi wouldn't have said so."
"Since Xingyi phones are made so well, then Xingyi Tablets must not be bad either."
"Xingyi TV + Xingyi Video, watching videos on a big screen, just thinking about it feels fantastic."
"That's right, Xingyi TV directly built-in with Xingyi Video resources, then the drama-watching experience must be awesome."
"Launch it as soon as possible, as long as it's released, I'll definitely buy it!"
...
Afterward, Xiao Li Zi interacted with fans for a while, and finally, still on site, played "Happy Match-3" live.
The entire fan meet-and-greet lasted for more than an hour, and finally, seeing the traffic pressure becoming more and more severe, it had to end.
Immediately after, a series of topics once again trended on hot search:
[Apple Fan Meet-and-Greet Deserted, Xingyi Technology Fan Meet-and-Greet Packed with People!]
[Two Meet-and-Greets on the Same Day, Two Outcomes, Highlighting Apple's Significant Decline in Influence.]
[Apple Fans No Longer Enthusiastic, iPhone 4s May Be Completely Abandoned.]
[Cook Personally Attended Apple Fan Meet-and-Greet to a Cold Reception, No Wonder iPhone 4s Sales Plummeted!]
[xphone 1 Sales Exceed Ten Million, May Hit Thirty Million After Xiao Li Zi's Endorsement!]
[xphone 1 Annual Sales Projected at Thirty Million, iPhone 4s Future Looks Bleak!]
...
Looking at these news reports, Cook's face turned extremely ashen:
"Fuck! Wang Yi's intentions are truly despicable, it's clearly aimed at Apple!"
"Too despicable!"
"This way, the entire Xia Nation will think that our Apple is no longer good and inferior to Xingyi Technology."
"They will all think that our iPhone 4s is not good and inferior to xphone 1!"
"iPhone 4s's already plummeting sales in Xia Nation will be exacerbated."
"Despicable!"
"Too despicable!"
Cook, with hands on his hips, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Apple, with all its prestige, had never suffered such humiliation?
Apple's Xia Nation Greater China President Cui Hao's expression was solemn, but in his heart, he sighed:
"Whose fault is this? I said long ago that Xingyi Technology has significant influence domestically and we shouldn't go head-to-head on the same day; you didn't listen, insisting on confronting Xingyi Technology in the morning, and as a result, Apple became the laughingstock of the century. Now, Xingyi Technology reclaimed its ground in the afternoon and stepped on Apple again, isn't that normal?"
"You're only allowed to cause trouble, but others aren't allowed to fight back?"
"What kind of logic is that!"
But unfortunately, such words could only be thought in his heart, and absolutely could not be spoken aloud.
Seeing the group of executives remain silent, Cook became even angrier:
"As senior executives of the Xia Nation Greater China region, do none of you have any ideas?"
Marketing Director Yang Jianxin spoke decisively:
"Chairman, I suggest immediate crisis public relations! The current public opinion is very unfavorable to Apple; if this continues, it will definitely affect Apple's brand and directly impact iPhone 4s sales!"
PR Manager Guan Tong's mouth twitched:
'Damn it, this guy has evil intentions, he wants to drag the PR department down with him!'
How could she not know Yang Jianxin's intentions?
He was just afraid that iPhone 4s sales would continue to plummet, and Cook would blame the marketing department and punish Yang Jianxin, the Marketing Director.
So Yang Jianxin immediately shifted the blame to the PR department!
It didn't matter whether the PR succeeded or failed; anyway, if iPhone 4s sales declined then, they could all blame the PR department!
It was precisely because the PR department handled the crisis poorly that iPhone 4s sales plummeted, and their marketing department would suffer less of the wrath.
Such intentions could be described as sinister.
But unfortunately, before Guan Tong could even speak, Cook's frosty gaze had already fallen upon her:
"Director Yang has a point, the most important thing now is crisis public relations. Director Guan, what plans does your PR department have?"
"This..."
Guan Tong fell silent, wanting to curse in her heart.
This just happened today, what plans could she possibly have?
Difficult!
Fortunately, at a critical moment, Greater China President Cui Hao stepped in heroically:
"Chairman, I believe Apple should not make any major moves at this stage."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Vice President Ye Ming snorted coldly:
"Could it be that President Cui wants to lie flat and do nothing? But Apple is already so passive; if we don't do crisis public relations and don't do something, won't it be over? Are iPhone 4s sales no longer wanted?"
Cui Hao frowned slightly; Ye Ming was his sworn enemy, always resenting losing to him by a few votes and targeting him everywhere!
"Indeed, President Cui, you've always been shrewd, how could you be so confused at a critical moment?"
Yang Jianxin decisively chimed in; he was promoted by Vice President Ye Ming, so naturally he spoke up for Ye Ming:
"President Cui, I know you have a good relationship with Director Guan and usually protect her. But there are also times, aren't there?"
Guan Tong's expression changed drastically: "..."
Cui Hao's mouth twitched even more violently: "!!!"
'What does this guy mean? Is he really so stupid as to be indiscreet?'
'Or is he intentionally saying this in front of Cook?'
'What a treacherous scoundrel!'
Sure enough, Cook's gaze wandered between Cui Hao and Guan Tong.
In large enterprises like this, the biggest taboo is employees having overly close personal relationships, especially among top executives.
The two of them, one being the Greater China President and the other the Marketing Director, both held important positions.
If they were involved together and conspired to harm Apple's interests, that would be big trouble.
Ye Ming, however, was in a great mood, wishing he could give Yang Jianxin a thumbs up, feeling his promotion and cultivation hadn't been in vain, as he truly delivered at a crucial moment!
He decisively continued to add fuel to the fire:
"President Cui, I can understand your personal relationship with Director Guan. But the current situation is serious, it concerns Apple's future, you cannot prioritize personal feelings anymore, Apple's interests come first!"
"I! @#￥%..."
Cui Hao's expression changed drastically, and he began cursing both of them in his heart!
'What do you mean by personal relationship?'
'What do you mean by prioritizing personal feelings?'
The implication was that he and Guan Tong had an ambiguous relationship?
For Guan Tong, disregarding Apple's interests?
Damn it, this blame is too severe, it's firmly pinned on him!
Sure enough, Cook's gaze towards him turned cold.
Cui Hao's expression sharply changed, and he snorted coldly:
"You can eat whatever you want, but you can't talk nonsense. Yang Jianxin is one thing; the marketing department has always been good at sweet-talking and talks out of tune. They only know how to blindly boast about sales every month, but fail to meet targets every month!"
Yang Jianxin's mouth twitched: "..."
This was a blatant slap in the face and retaliation!
"But you, Ye Ming, as Apple's Vice President for the Xia Nation Greater China region, how can you also speak so thoughtlessly and irresponsibly?"
Ye Ming: "..."
"Both Director Guan and I are already married, and our relationship is merely that of colleagues. Your slander like this will cause great trouble for both Director Guan and me."
"As for why I said not to engage in urgent PR, it's certainly not to protect Director Guan, but based on an analysis of the current situation."
"Oh? Elaborate!"
Cook said noncommittally.
Cui Hao elaborated calmly:
"Chairman, the current controversy is indeed unfavorable to Apple, the best way is to reduce its heat and let this matter pass as soon as possible."
"If we engage in crisis public relations again, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, it will instead exacerbate the impact of this controversy, which would be even worse for Apple."
Cook nodded, and also felt it made sense.
Cui Hao continued:
"That's why I said not to engage in crisis public relations for now, but it doesn't mean we do nothing. We can counterattack through other channels, retaliate against Xingyi Technology, and turn the tables!"
"Good, you spoke very well!"
Cook strongly agreed:
"So how exactly do we do it? Do any of you have ideas?"
Cui Hao sighed:
"We haven't come up with a good strategy yet, we need everyone to brainstorm."
Seeing this, Yang Jianxin decisively said:
"Chairman, we can start from the production link! xphone 1 is manufactured by BYD; as long as we persuade BYD to stop manufacturing xphone 1, then xphone 1 will face having no stock to sell! In exchange, we can give some of the iPhone 4s orders to BYD!"
Cui Hao, however, sneered:
"Idiot! Wang Yi is one of BYD's major shareholders, with more shares than Warren Buffett. Do you think BYD would abandon the xphone 1 tens of millions of large manufacturing orders for Apple? Would they betray their own major shareholder?"
"I..."
Yang Jianxin was speechless, he had forgotten that Wang Yi was a major shareholder of BYD!
This makes things difficult.
Then his eyes lit up:
"No, wait, although Wang Yi is a major shareholder of BYD, isn't he planning to reduce his stake in BYD? In this situation, if we offer them benefits, BYD might not be unmoved!"
Cui Hao still shook his head:
"It's useless. Wang Yi's reduction in BYD shares is only a partial reduction, it's just a small amount of BYD stock held by Xingyi Technology; the majority is still in his hands. Reducing a small portion, BYD won't turn against him."
Guan Tong, however, her eyes lit up:
"Since starting with xphone 1's contract manufacturer won't work, then let's start with xphone 1's supply chain; as long as we cut off xphone 1's core supply chain, then xphone 1, lacking key components, will also run out of stock!"
"Once xphone 1 runs out of stock, that will be our iPhone 4s's opportunity!"
Cook was overjoyed:
"This is a good idea, although a bit unethical, but effective!"
(End of chapter)