Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chen Jiajun has two solutions for dealing with Nefertiv.

The first option is to inject capital, and the second is to acquire the entire company.

However, having learned from Wang Zhiyuan's experience, Chen Jiajun is determined to gain the upper hand in this negotiation.

Reed Hastings immediately launched into a long and enthusiastic spiel about Netflix's promising future. If Chen Jiajun hadn't known about Netflix, he would have thought the streaming service had already launched!
After listening to this guy boast for so long, Cao Wei finally couldn't help but interrupt, "Mr. Hastings, as far as I know, your Nefi's business seems to be only doing well in online DVD rentals. As for the rest... forgive me for being blunt, but it seems to be no match for Best Aid!"

“But Netflix’s model can absolutely replace Bestar in the future; Netflix represents the future!” Reed Hastings said seriously, “This is a company with unlimited potential!”

Reed Hastings repeated these words countless times while seeking investment for Netflix.

As he talked, even he began to believe it.

Otherwise, given his past business practices, he would have sold Nefertory long ago.

Cao Weicai nodded and said, "That's right. It's precisely because Netflix has such a close relationship with the internet that we approached you. However, in my opinion, Netflix's model isn't new. If necessary, we can replicate Netflix's miracle on Amazon!"

"Mr. Hastings, you probably don't know how many users Yahu has now!"

Upon hearing Cao Weicai's words, Reed Hastings, who had been boasting non-stop, was immediately rendered speechless.

Indeed, compared to Yahoo's tens of millions of users, what is a six-figure Netflix?
To put it bluntly, if Yahu were to truly compete with Netflix, even just one-tenth of its users could easily beat Netflix to a pulp.

Upon hearing this, Reed Hastings fell silent.

Even Mark Randolph, who was standing next to him, looked grim.

If Yahu really engages in vicious competition with Nefic, it would be a devastating blow to Nefic.

However, the two of them were clearly overthinking it.

Cao Weicai's words were just meant to scare people.

Yahoo is now making a fortune in the search industry, with its stock price changing every day.

How could they possibly abandon their core search business and turn around to compete with Netflix? That would be insane!

Moreover, rashly changing the business strategy would cause an uproar, especially on David's side.

Most importantly, it could easily affect Yahu's current stock price.

Cao Weicai said calmly, "Let's be frank, Mr. Hastings. We are interested in Netflix only because we believe it can inject fresh blood into Yahu. Moreover, Yahu's current revenue model is too singular, so I have my eye on other sectors."

Reed Hastings dared not boast any further at this point and agreed with Chen Jiajun, saying, "Then Netflix can absolutely meet Mr. Chen's needs without any problem!"

“That’s right, we have a natural basis for cooperation!” Cao Weicai continued.

Reed Hastings tentatively inquired of Cao Weicai, "I wonder how United Aerospace Capital will conduct our cooperation?"

Mark Randolph, who was standing nearby, also pricked up his ears, intending to hear Cao Weicai's offer.

The best way to cooperate is to jointly invest in Netflix with Aerospace Capital, without interfering with Netflix's independent operation.

But such a thing is obviously impossible.

Cao Weicai's attitude shows that Netflix is ​​not a necessity for United Aerospace Capital.

Cao Weicai nodded and said, "United Aerospace Capital will offer Nefertory two cooperation options!"

The two men didn't speak, they just looked at Cao Weicai.

Cao Weicai continued, "First, we will join forces with Aerospace Capital to inject capital into Nefi, just like Yahu did back then!"

Upon hearing Cao Weicai's words, Reed Hastings' heart sank.

If the investment were to follow a model similar to YaHu, United Aerospace Capital would definitely need to acquire absolute controlling interest.

This is not a good thing for Reed Hastings.

It's important to know that Netflix is ​​not a publicly traded company. Apart from a few scattered shares held by Mark Randolph and others, all the remaining shares are in his hands.

If he accepts this type of investment, his shares will inevitably be diluted significantly.

How many shares will he have left by then? If things are going to continue like this, it would be better to just sell Nefarian for a good price.

Moreover, Reed Hastings' personality doesn't seem like that of a wage earner who would work for someone else!
So upon hearing Cao Weicai's words, Reed Hastings asked without hesitation, "What about the second one?"

“Unite with Aerospace Capital to acquire Netflix entirely!” Cao Weicai glanced at Reed Hastings and said slowly.

Hearing this, even though he had been somewhat prepared, Reed Hastings still felt uncomfortable.

His contributions to Netflix were no less than those of its founder, Marc Randolph.

Although he did not directly operate the company's business, he was always the one handling the finances.

However, due to the withdrawal of loans, he has been cornered.

So after a moment of silence, Reed Hastings said to Cao Weicai, "I wonder what price you intend to offer to acquire Nefertory?"

Upon hearing Reed Hastings' words, Mark Randolph's eyes widened: "Reed, this isn't what we agreed on! We agreed on..."

Reed Hastings shook his head, stopping Mark Randolph from continuing, and then said to Chen Jiajun and Cao Weicai, "Could we pause for a moment? We seem to need a little time!"

Chen Jiajun glanced at his watch, smiled, and said, "This is important, please proceed!"

Reed Hastings nodded and pulled Mark Randolph out of the conference room.

The two then asked the staff for a rest room.

After the two sat down, Reed Hastings said to Mark Randolph casually, "Mark, have you thought about Bank of America?"

"United Space Capital has at least run a successful internet company. What do you think will happen if the company is taken over by the bank, split up, and then sold off?"

Mark Randolph opened his mouth, but for a moment he couldn't say anything.

Nefertari's condition is now so serious that there is no hope of recovery.

“Instead of waiting for United Space Capital to inject capital and dilute our shares, we should sell Netflix for a good price!” Reed Hastings said seriously to Mark Randolph. “If we do this, at least you and I won’t have to sleep on the streets, understand?” Even though Mark Randolph was reluctant, he could only compromise in the face of the current situation.

If the bank takes over the company, causing the two of them to go bankrupt, the consequences will be far worse than death.

After persuading Mark Randolph, the two returned to the conference room.

Reed Hastings then said to Chen Jiajun, "Mr. Chen, we agree to jointly acquire Netflix with Aerospace Capital!"

Now that the general strategy has been agreed upon, there's no need for people of Chen Jiajun's or Cao Weicai's caliber to be present.

The rest can be left to the lawyers and agents to negotiate, as long as the deal doesn't fall apart.

A few days later, Chen Jiajun spent $80 million to acquire 88% of Reed Hastings' shares, becoming the de facto controlling shareholder of Netflix.

Reed Hastings made at least forty million from this deal, and he was very satisfied with the guy.

At least for the investment over many years, not only have the costs been recovered, but there has also been a profit.

As for Mark Randolph, he was also quite helpless about the company he founded being acquired.

However, circumstances dictate his actions; without funding, he could do nothing.

After leaving the business center in Los Angeles, Mark Randolph looked dejected as he prepared to go home.

But at that moment, a Rolls-Royce stopped in front of him.

After the car window was rolled down, Chen Jiajun's face was revealed.

"Mr. Randolph, do you have a moment to chat?" Chen Jiajun said with a smile.

Mark Randolph looked at Chen Jiajun with some surprise, wondering why this big boss, who had already acquired his company, still wanted to talk to him.

"Are you planning to mock me?"

The thought popped into his head, but he immediately shut it down.

He has no personal grudge against Chen Jiajun, and they only met for the first time in the last few days.

Moreover, he didn't think that wealthy people who make hundreds of thousands or millions every minute would be so bored as to make fun of him.

So after hesitating for a moment, he got into Chen Jiajun's car.

After sitting down, Mark Randolph couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Chen, what brings you here?"

Chen Jiajun said to Mark Randolph, "Mr. Randolph, I've always felt that you are the true creator of Nefic!"

Upon hearing Chen Jiajun's words, Mark Randolph was moved, but on the surface he still humbly said, "It's just the result of everyone's joint efforts."

“That’s true.” Chen Jiajun waved his hand and said, “Compared to the outdated and cumbersome Bestone, if Nefi can get funding to continue, it might be able to replace Bestone as the giant in the DVD rental industry!”

Upon hearing Chen Jiajun's words, Mark Randolph's eyes lit up: "Mr. Chen thinks so highly of Nefi, does that mean he won't treat it as an expansion business for Yahu?"

Chen Jiajun smiled slightly and said, "I have never had that idea."

"Then how..."

Mark Randolph quickly realized what was happening.

Negotiation is negotiation, and it's understandable to use some commercial fraud tactics.

Clearly, Chen Jiajun was more farsighted than Reed Hastings, who rushed to sell as soon as he saw Netflix losing money.

Thinking of this, Mark Randolph gave a wry smile: "Mr. Chen, no wonder you've been able to build such a large business! But the acquisition is already complete, and I don't understand why you're telling me this!"

Chen Jiajun said with a smile, "Because I'm quite optimistic about it!"

“Hmm?” Mark Randolph immediately looked up.

“You created the Netflix model from scratch. I don’t think anyone understands Netflix better than you, and no one wants to make Netflix bigger and stronger than you! Isn’t that right?” Chen Jiajun said with a smile. “Therefore, I would like to invite you to come back as Netflix’s CEO and to recall Netflix’s old employees!”

Since Nefertory received investment from Reed Hastings, Mark Randolph's original team has been completely dismantled.

Many people were even laid off.

The two were good friends, and when the investment was made, it was agreed that Mark would only be responsible for operational matters.

He had absolutely no way to deal with Reed Hastings' actions.

Hearing that Chen Jiajun was actually planning to recall veteran employees, Mark Randolph was overjoyed.

His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Mr. Chen... are you telling the truth?"

“Of course it’s true, and in order to prevent the company from becoming unstable due to changes in shareholding, I will not adjust the original structure of Nefi! This is to stabilize morale!” Chen Jiajun continued.

Upon hearing Chen Jiajun's words, Mark Randolph took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Chen, this matter is too sudden. I need some time to think about it carefully."

Chen Jiajun nodded: "I suppose so, but Mr. Randolph, please don't think about it for too long. I won't be staying in Los Angeles for very long!"

“Of course, I’ll give you a specific answer in three days!” Mark Randolph said quickly.

Chen Jiajun nodded and didn't say anything more.

Westerners are more direct; when they say they'll consider it, they really mean it, rather than politely declining.

Chen Jiajun could afford to wait a few days.

After getting out of the car, Mark Randolph immediately rubbed his face, then took out his phone and dialed a number...

A few days later, the employees who had worked with Mark Randolph to start the business gathered in Los Angeles to meet with him.

He then agreed to Chen Jiajun's request and officially became the CEO of Nefi.

And he, along with his original subordinates, was ready to make a big splash. (End of Chapter)