Xiao Qi did not doubt whether the Americans would add insult to injury.
Because the Yankees are adding insult to injury, that’s for sure!
No one likes to be a shit stirrer and a bastard more than a Yankee.
As long as they see an advantage and can take advantage of it, the Americans will definitely follow suit. Although Skype is an American company, the companies that control its equity are all from overseas financial free zones. In terms of taxation, the United States can take advantage of it.
Not much cheaper.
Besides, Xiao Qi is not an American. If the company can be run by Americans and control the network communications industry, there will be many benefits.
Xiao Qi had thought before that if the road to Europe was cut off, he would still have the United States, Canada, South America, Japan, South Korea and other countries where he could develop.
But now if the United States also follows the investigation of Skype, then basically all Skype routes will be cut off, and it will be completely meaningless.
Let alone US$8.5 billion by then, even the current US$6 billion offered by Microsoft will not be reached!
No wonder Microsoft gave this price. It turns out that they had already known about the difficulties that Fairy Company was about to face.
Since Ballmer took charge of Microsoft, his attitude has been much tougher than Bill's. From the fact that he knew the news as soon as possible and came to take advantage of it, we know what Microsoft's attitude is.
Microsoft, as a company, has never been a fuel-efficient company.
In the era of personal computers, they were the software overlords of the computer industry and could be called the world's largest giant.
This expressiveness is not only reflected in Bill's title of the world's richest man for more than ten consecutive years, but also in Microsoft's absolute control over computer software.
In that era, no other company dared to do what Microsoft wanted to do, because no matter who you were, you would only be crushed if you encountered Microsoft.
Of course. In the current Internet age, Microsoft's dominance has been greatly weakened. In a few years, Google will become the existence that Microsoft was back then, surpassing them.
But even in 2013, Microsoft still showed great dominance in the electronics industry, and Bill was still among the top three super-rich people in the world.
Microsoft has actually noticed the decline in the past few years, otherwise there would not have been Ballmer taking over as CEO to seek breakthroughs again.
Ballmer is no ordinary professional manager. He is a super rich man himself, with a net worth of more than 10 billion U.S. dollars now, and it will exceed more than 20 billion U.S. dollars in the future.
Therefore, his abilities are far beyond what professional managers can match, and his means and vision are world-class.
There are actually many factors that led to the failure of Microsoft to regain its glory in his previous life, and mainstream people on Wall Street did not criticize him too much. This is already a kind of appreciation for Ballmer.
Now, as Microsoft wants to swallow up Skype, Ballmer personally negotiates with Xiao Qi. On the one hand, it puts pressure on Xiao Qi, and on the other hand, it also expresses the importance of Microsoft.
Xiao Qi's thoughts were spinning in his mind, but his words did not fall behind, "Stephen, if the United States is also planning to target us, it seems that we have no choice but to sell Skype. Silver Lake Capital and Green Pine Capital have all contacted us before. Price
It’s much higher than your Microsoft.”
Ballmer was stunned, "Are you planning to sell Skype?"
There was uncontrollable joy in his heart.
Microsoft originally thought that with Xiao Qi's character, it would be absolutely impossible for him to spit out the meat he got, so they thought it would be best to occupy 50%. If not, they could buy less first.
Anyway, the momentum of Skype is developing so well that Microsoft also wants to get involved in it, and then slowly enjoy the huge benefits it brings and its influence within the industry.
The previously mentioned US$3 billion investment for 50% of the shares was purely a test, and Microsoft had no intention of breaking up with Xiao Qi.
When doing business, you always have to be willing to do it. The best way to cooperate is to make money together.
What he didn't expect was that after he threatened him, Xiao Qi actually said he wanted to sell Skype!?
This was an unexpected surprise for Ballmer.
If Skype is swallowed up, Microsoft will immediately become the dominant player in the network communications industry, and will have a big head start in future network development.
More importantly, Skype will have more benefits for Microsoft's network layout and can be extended to many more projects, such as the online video market, online advertising market, etc.
As soon as the thought came to his mind, Ballmer made up his mind.
Once Xiao Qi says he wants to let go of Skype, then Microsoft must win it!
As everyone knows, although Xiao Qi doesn't know what the cunning Ballmer is thinking, Xiao Qi also knows that it was under Ballmer's support in his previous life that Microsoft bought Skype for a sky-high price of 8.5 billion U.S. dollars. At that time,
Skype is not as developed and promising as the current Skype in this life.
Therefore, after knowing that the US government was likely to add insult to injury, Xiao Qi immediately made a decision and prepared to sell Skype in advance.
There are many restrictions when it comes to using Skype, so it’s better to get rid of it now if the price is right.
It is impossible to have everything in your own hands when doing business. Skype was originally planned to be sold after it grew and grew. Although you will get less when you sell it now, it is better than waiting until it is investigated and restricted by Europe and the United States.
Sold well.
Since Ballmer was very interested in Skype, Xiao Qi naturally knew that selling to him would be the most cost-effective option.
"They gave me a valuation of 10 billion U.S. dollars, and I expected to sell it for 12 billion U.S. dollars." Xiao Qi said with a smile, "So if you want to buy half of it, you have to double it to 6 billion U.S. dollars!"
"No, no, no! It's too expensive!" Ballmer shook his head directly, "Skype's current market value is only a little bit more at most. How can it reach as much as 10 billion US dollars? Qishao, don't lie to me!"
"It's up to you whether you believe it or not." Xiao Qi smiled, "Thank you for telling me the reaction from the United States, Stephen, then I will contact the buyer."
"Wait a minute!" Ballmer immediately called out, "Qi Shao, you are going to sell it to someone else anyway, so why not seriously negotiate a price and sell it to us, Microsoft?"
"You want to buy them all?" Xiao Qi said in surprise.
"If you want to sell, then Microsoft is willing to accept it." Ballmer said seriously.
"Then let's take 11 billion US dollars." Xiao Qi said thoughtfully.
Ballmer laughed angrily, "Qi Shao, it's not like I don't understand the market. You have invested no more than 5 billion US dollars in total. How come the price has more than doubled now? How much time does it take?"
"This is different, Stephen." Xiao Qi shook his head, "Skype is in my hands, that means I have invested in the right owner. Although it is only worth seven or eight billion US dollars now, considering its future growth, I will give
Its valuation of US$11 billion is definitely not high.”
"But if you don't sell it, once it is investigated by Europe and the United States, will the value still reach 11 billion U.S. dollars? I'm afraid the 6 billion U.S. dollars will be on the line?" Ballmer asked rhetorically.
"If the price I want cannot be reached, I would rather cooperate with communication operators in Europe or the United States." Xiao Qidao, "Although my shares will be much smaller at that time, in the long run, I will
The profit gained must be more than 11 billion US dollars."
Ballmer was silent for a while.
He knew that Xiao Qi was not trying to scare people, but that it was really possible to do this.
After all, no one would be willing to sell a company with great growth potential at a low price.
In this case, it is better to give up part of the benefits and tie it up with the giants in the industry. This will not only solve the customer difficulties, but also make huge profits in the long-term future, which is far more cost-effective than selling it at a low price.
The only difference is that Fairy Company can no longer control Skype, or even hold a controlling stake, but is only one of its shareholders.
"For 8 billion U.S. dollars, Microsoft will acquire it all." After a pause, Ballmer said to Xiao Qi seriously: "As long as you agree, we can sign the contract today."
"No." Xiao Qi also replied directly to him, "Stephen, let's do this. We are also acquaintances. I will give you the most conservative price, 10.6 billion U.S. dollars, which is a little more than Silver Lake's bid. If you are not willing,
, then it’s as if I didn’t say that I will continue to act according to the previous plan.”
"Wait a minute!"
Ballmer sighed, "Well, don't go negotiating with those communication operators first. Give me three days, and we will discuss the price carefully. 10.6 billion US dollars is too much, you have to give me a little bit."
"
"Okay, I will specifically entrust the management of Skype to talk to you." Xiao Qi said, "But if you don't reply after three days, then Microsoft will lose the qualification to bid."
"OK!"
Ballmer nodded.
Although he is the CEO of Microsoft, he does not always stick to his word.
When encountering such a large acquisition, he needs to discuss it with Chairman Bill Tongshoe and reach a consensus with the board of directors before he can do his best to acquire Skype.
But Ballmer is also confident.
Because he knew how much Bill Gates regretted losing the opportunity in the Internet era. The previous US$45 billion acquisition of Yahoo was an excellent proof that he wanted to participate in the Internet era.
Now Skype is another excellent opportunity, and its development potential is not much smaller than that of Yahoo, and the price is not expensive. Of course, Bill Gates will not miss it.
Microsoft is not short of money.
If you have money, you don’t need to go to fields with great development potential in the future. This is a lesson that Bill Gates and the Microsoft board of directors will definitely not want to have again! Skype, that must be won! (To be continued.)
ps: Brothers are so enthusiastic, 172 votes, which is comparable to the number of votes cast before this month! Thank you for your double monthly votes, thank you for supporting Xiucai!