Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 375 E-commerce Development Path
"Uchida-san, let Minister Nakayama in."

"Okay, President!"

Having made a good start by imitating Yahoo, Amazon naturally couldn't abandon its e-commerce business.

Zhongshan Jingming, who lived in Xinghai, was a genius whom he greatly admired.

Not only is he very knowledgeable about computers, but he also has very strong marketing skills.

Xinghai Foods' tea beverages have achieved a top-three market share in Japan, mainly due to his hard work.

The beverage industry is thriving, so it will likely do even better in the e-commerce sector.

Because e-commerce is a new thing, people don't trust it very much yet. Even with the backing of Xinghai Group, they can only list some simple items.

For example, books that are not easily returned by buyers, or items like CDs.

As for clothes and shoes, it may take some time before they are launched. They will be released once public acceptance has increased to a certain level.

Soon, Nakayama Kageaki arrived at the chairman's office, led by Uchida Miho.

"President, I'm sorry to bother you."

"It's me who's bothering you. What would you like to drink?"

Compared to Tanaka Aoki, Nakayama Kageaki is more cheerful and didn't seem nervous about meeting the big boss.

Masato Takeshita didn't chat for long, and asked crisply, "The company wants to set up an e-commerce website to sell things online. I wonder if you would be willing to take on the responsibility."

Zhongshan Jingming was more than willing and wished he could agree immediately. However, his steady personality prevented him from acting rashly.

"President, could you elaborate on what needs to be done?"

"What you need to do is very simple: sell books, records, movie tapes, game cartridges and discs online."

The young man then handed him a business plan.

Above is a model of Xinghai E-commerce, designed by Masato Takeshita based on later e-commerce websites.

Of course, the content inside is very simple, thus reducing reliance on internet speed.

These days, internet access is too expensive, so we must minimize users' internet costs when shopping.

"This is so comprehensive. With the chairman's plan that combines text and images, I am confident that I can successfully launch Xinghai E-commerce."

"Hmm, not bad, I believe you."

After Nakayama Kageaki excitedly left with the proposal, Takeshita Masato then had his secretary notify Yamaguchi Seiichi, the marketing manager from Seikai Garments.

This equally shrewd and capable individual helped Xinghai Garments build stores worldwide and deeply embed the brand's minimalist philosophy in people's minds.

"The company is planning to set up an online marketplace to sell products online. I wonder if you would be interested in taking over?"

"I will follow the chairman's instructions."

"My opinion is not important; what matters is your personal opinion."

Forced relationships are never sweet; employees need to be willing to do things. New companies need passionate leaders.

"May I see the chairman's plan in this regard?"

Although Seiichi Yamaguchi had never seen a website that sold things online, he knew what it was all about just from the name.

However, just to be on the safe side, he still felt he should take a look at the chairman's plan.

"Of course, please."

Ten minutes later, Seiichi Yamaguchi, who had been quiet all along, looked at his chairman with even greater admiration.

"The chairman wrote very well. I am confident that I can make the company's online marketplace project a success."

"Okay, I'll trouble you then."

After arranging the projects for the two, it's natural to find them competitors.

But he needs to put those aside for now and find the browser developers.

That's right. Although both Nakayama Kageaki and Yamaguchi Seiichi's projects are in e-commerce, their directions are not the same.

Zhongshan Jingming follows a self-operated model, similar to Amazon and JD.com.

The company needs to stock a large amount of inventory and needs to build an independent logistics system, which is equivalent to moving Walmart online.

Seiichi Yamaguchi followed a non-self-operated approach, which is the Alibaba model.

The company's website is a virtual shop rental platform, similar to a department store in the real world, where anyone can open a shop and sell things.

The advantages of this type of project are lower investment, greater flexibility, and relatively lower commodity prices.

As for quality, well, those who know, know.

Of course, Xinghai E-commerce, which mainly operates its own stores, can also open stores, but it won't be as effective for users as an online marketplace.

For most people, they prefer to buy from official sources.

Compared to e-commerce, the Star Browser project needs talent with both product management skills and R&D capabilities.

However, browser projects have limited prospects and are difficult to develop independently.

Masato Takeshita simply handed the project over to Masaharu Nishimura, president of Seikai Software.

He has projects in office software and operating systems, which would be perfect for developing a browser.

After swiftly and decisively completing the internal internet layout of Xinghai Group, Masato Takeshita began to contact high-end internet talents outside the group through various channels.

"The internet industry has great potential and may very well become a market no less than that of offline markets in the future."

"It's not enough to just incubate projects within the group; we need to stimulate our internal employees to strive for excellence through external talent."

The two projects are going head-to-head. The winner will naturally enjoy all the glory, but the loser is not left with nothing.

If the difference isn't significant, then it's acceptable to continue storing inventory as the second-largest supplier.

If there is a gap but it is not particularly large, then the two companies can merge, and the loser will take the position of first vice president.

As for a gap that's too significant, then I'm sorry.

The company won't fire you, but it will make you leave the industry and return to your original profession.

Of course, Xinghai Group is not entirely devoid of human touch.

After returning to the traditional model, employees can still get promoted step by step, but they lose the opportunity to soar to new heights.

After all, whether it's an e-commerce or portal website project, once it develops, its future market value will be at least several hundred billion US dollars.

More importantly, its industry influence far exceeds that of traditional sectors.

"Does the chairman mean we should poach talent from outside and establish a similar company to compete with companies like Xinghai E-commerce?"

"That's right, our company has plenty of money, so we naturally choose the method with the greater chance of success."

Takeshita Masato gave Kobayashi Hiroaki an approving look; the group headquarters needed someone like him.

However, Xinghai Life's business is not yet stable enough, so we need to wait a little longer.

"Understood, I will use my connections to find a suitable e-commerce candidate."

Xinghai Life deals with buying and selling in the clothing, food, housing, and transportation sectors, and is also somewhat in the same industry as e-commerce. He has a lot of connections in this field.

"Okay, hurry up, I'll give you a maximum of 3 months."

He can give the company's veteran employees a head start, but the advantage cannot be too great.

A three-month lead is not a short time in the internet world.

Because in many cases, even if you start half a month earlier, you can still achieve better publicity results.

First place always attracts more attention, no matter when.

"Yes, President!"

After explaining things to Hiroaki Kobayashi, Masato Takeshita looked at Haruaki Nishimura.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Nishimura, regarding the competitor of Thousand Degrees."

"Yes, Chairman, please rest assured." Nishimura Haruaki is very reliable in his work, and he is indeed at ease entrusting the task to this young man.

"Also, there's the demand for email on the internet. You should design a better free email service as soon as possible, focusing on the Japanese and developed European and American markets."

Before the 21st century, email was considered a pretty good project.

While he cannot increase revenue, he can bring internet companies countless traffic and users.

It will be much more convenient if the company wants to do something in the internet industry in the future.

"Yes, the company is already developing similar products."

"That's good. If the email accounts are given away for free, they should be available very quickly."

"Don't worry, boss, we know how powerful free services are."

Email services are easily replaced by other companies, so naturally, they have to go the free route.

Operating systems are also suitable for a free model, but this field has very high requirements for the software ecosystem.

Unless all software developers are willing to cooperate with you, there is no chance of development, which is extremely difficult.

Of course, at that time, there was a severe shortage of software worldwide, so there was still a sliver of a chance to succeed.

However, Xinghai Group has a huge stake in Microsoft, and Xinghai Software is simply a product of its own company, so naturally it has no intention of taking the free route.

On the contrary, Xinghai Group will crack down on this behavior severely.

"Very good, that's the spirit we need."

After presenting a series of projects, Masato Takeshita prepared to take a break.

His other trump card, an instant messaging project, still needs more internet users.

After the meeting, Masato Takeshita looked curiously at Vice President Zensuke Suzuki, who had not yet left.

"Suzuki-san, is there something you want to say?"

Masato Takeshita held this long-time employee, who had helped him stabilize the situation during his time at Matsumoto Manufacturing, in high esteem.

I often consult with him about things on a regular basis, but I don't know why he stayed this time.

Zensuke Suzuki took the initiative to approach the young man and gave him a serious response.

"Yes, President. I'm already quite old and don't intend to hinder the progress of young people any longer."

"This is my resignation letter. I hope you will accept it."

Finally, he took out a resignation letter that he had prepared beforehand, bowed, and handed the letter to Masato Takeshita with both hands.

"Why are you suddenly thinking of quitting? Has nothing really happened?"

Masato Takeshita was furious; he didn't want to give the outside world the impression that he had discarded his usefulness after using it.

"President, really no. I just feel that I'm too old and can't be of much help to the company anymore, so I'm thinking of leaving."

Zensuke Suzuki had wanted to resign for a long time because he found that he didn't understand many of the company's business operations.

In the long run, this will only harm the company's development.

"Oh well."

Seeing the determination in Vice President Suzuki's attitude, the young man reluctantly agreed in the end.

However, in order to take care of the elderly man, Masato Takeshita quickly added.

"Since you don't want to be the vice president, then go work on the board of directors. It's easier there."

The board of directors of Dongfang Company is mostly a figurehead, and Xinghai Group is no exception.

Suzuki Zensuke's attendance at the board meeting would satisfy his desire to step down from his leading role and also demonstrate the human touch within the Xinghai Group.

"Thank you, Chairman. Thank you for your help."

Zensuke Suzuki also felt that this position was better than leaving directly, and he smiled with satisfaction.

He wanted to witness firsthand the even more glorious future of Xinghai Group.

After Zensuke Suzuki left, the Xinghai Group lost a vice president in charge of external etiquette and public relations.

Masato Takeshita began to consider who was more suitable for the position.

"Rogers, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Takamasa Kamoto, or should we wait a little longer?"

Only three of the company's veteran vice presidents remain, but the subsidiaries are now somewhat reliant on them.

"Let's wait a bit longer. Once Kalinsky arrives, we'll let Rogers take up his new position."

Zensuke Suzuki's current position looks very good; he is second only to Masato Takeshita.

However, it is somewhat similar to the position of the Vice President in the United States, where all actions depend on the delegation of power by Masato Takeshita.

If young people are willing to delegate authority, then the new positions can offer significant power. If they are not, then the positions are essentially empty shells.

Hiroaki Kobayashi is ambitious and certainly wouldn't want to give up his powerful position as president of Seikai Lifestyle.

Jia Benlong is an upright person and willing to leave Xinghai Investment. However, his abilities are too specialized and he is not suitable for this position at all.

The only suitable candidate is Rogers from Starsea Entertainment.

He doesn't have such strong ambitions, is willing to step down and make way for others, and has outstanding social skills, making him the most suitable person to take over the position of First Vice President of Xinghai Group.

After having the idea, Masato Takeshita did not act on it immediately.

He also planned to hold a general meeting of all employees to bid a grand farewell to Zensuke Suzuki.

"How wonderful it would be if I could have such a day."

Hayato Hosokawa looked enviously at Zensuke Suzuki on the podium, dreaming that he could have such a day.

"If you envy us, then we should work hard for it. I'm going to be the president of the company. You're my good brother, so you can't fall behind."

Hiroyuki Yamashita was ambitious and always harbored the heart of an emperor.

"You really have wild ideas."

"Isn't this necessary? I joined Xinghai Group for this very purpose."

Hiroyuki Yamashita is an outstanding graduate of the University of Tokyo, and his academic ranking has never fallen below the top five every semester.

He has this confidence and is very confident in his abilities.

"That can't be right. I heard that Xinghai Group is dominated by Waseda."

"You're overthinking it. Look at the universities our company's vice president graduated from; our predecessors from the University of Tokyo are on par with Waseda University."

The Xinghai Group is indeed more friendly to Waseda students, but only to those at the Hitotsubashi and Higashi Kogyo levels.

Slightly ahead of Keio University, but behind Tokyo University and Kyoto University.

The quality of the students and the strength of the academic cliques are there for all to see.

Unless Waseda University becomes one of the top five universities in Japan, graduates will not receive the same treatment as graduates of the University of Tokyo.

Unfortunately, Xinghai Group is severely lacking in STEM talents. And such talents are mostly concentrated in public universities.

If you don't want to offend them, you can't let Waseda University have too high a status.

Even so, Xinghai Group has already taken great care of Waseda University students.

Because the number of students at the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University is limited, only a minority choose the Xinghai Group.

In this way, the number of Waseda University students who are only slightly short of the required number will naturally be greater.

Waseda University admits more than twice as many employees each year as Keio University.

However, the Keio University students who can join the Xinghai Group are all elites among ordinary people, and their competitiveness should not be underestimated.

As for the second generation, very few apply to Xinghai Group. The entry requirements are too high; it's not a place they can easily navigate.

It is precisely this fairness that makes Keio University's ordinary elites willing to join the Seikai Group.

(End of this chapter)