After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 216 Blowing the Battle Horn

This kind of business competition seems common to Zhou Haoran.

But from today's perspective, it is too cruel.

They have new factories and new equipment imported from abroad, while we have old factories and obsolete equipment... There is a technological gap between the two sides, so how can we compete?
Jiang Xiong was so worried that he smoked cigarettes all morning.

Li Changxing was also very anxious and rushed over to discuss countermeasures.

This is the limitation of the times.

Not to mention domestic companies, even world-class companies currently have a very shallow understanding of corporate operations and industry competition.

For example, the industry that global technology giants are now frantically competing in is computers.

Lenovo is not a leading company in the country and is a rising star.

Although it is also a state-owned enterprise, it is a wild child let loose under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was released to fend for itself because its family could no longer afford to raise it. It receives far less policy support than a group of large state-owned enterprises such as Great Wall, Inspur, Donghai, Panda, Founder, and Tongfang, which are its own children.

In this situation, Lenovo took the initiative and eliminated all these powerful domestic competitors.

Even under unfavorable conditions such as backward technology, supply chain restrictions, and a harsh geopolitical environment, it has entered the international stage and defeated many world-class computer giants.

The key to success is choosing the right operational and competitive strategies.

Every step is at a critical point.

However, looking back at Lenovo's growth path from Zhou Haoran's perspective thirty years later, it seems very ordinary, and the competitive strategies adopted are all very ordinary and common.

There's nothing clever about it!
Later, when the smartphone industry was in chaos, the various and dazzling competitive tactics were more fierce than the last, which was unimaginable in the 1990s.

This is the difference in perspective in this era.

In this era, computer giants such as IBM, Compaq, Sony, Toshiba, Gateway, and Acer all have strong technical teams and market capabilities.

But without exception, they all failed in the competition.

Because even if Lenovo adopts those competitive strategies that Zhou Haoran thinks are very ordinary and conventional, these companies today will not do it!
When they meet on a narrow road and can't even make a move, it's no surprise that they are eliminated by the market.

Similar examples include Samsung, LG, Haier, Huawei, Asus and other companies, which all broke through the siege of the joint suppression of European, American and Japanese technology giants in the 1990s.

They all grew into world-class giants step by step by relying on correct competitive strategies despite the disadvantages of weak technology, poor foundation, poor brand and low market recognition.

Changxing Publishing House does have outdated equipment and backward technology.

So what?

Even in the technology industry, there are ways to make up for technological backwardness through market means.

Is it fatal for the traditional publishing industry if it lags behind in technology?
There is no such reason!

Zhou Haoran was very confident.

Not so much for others.

After Li Changxing came over, his face was covered with gloom, and he said bitterly: "This order may be lost again. Lao Jiang, isn't this an order from the Writers Association? You have acquaintances there, go find them!"

Jiang Xiong said helplessly, "I've already looked for it. How can a multi-million dollar project like this be decided simply by favors?"

Zhou Haoran expressed his understanding and said with a smile, "The Writers Association is already poor. This time, they have come up with such a large cultural project. It is indeed difficult to operate it just by relying on personal connections."

Jiang Xiong nodded. "I've been trying to find connections all morning. There's no other way. This matter is extremely important. The publicity and cultural departments of the entire harbor are attaching great importance to this project and want to ensure its success."

Li Changxing sighed, "The Sancai Printing Factory is coming with such force this time, they won't give us any chance to survive!"

Jiang Xiong said in a heavy tone, "It's not just us. I contacted several other printing houses, and they've all been hit by orders. Some printing houses haven't been operating for half a year."

Li Changxing said dejectedly, "The printing and publishing business was so prosperous a few years ago. How did it take such a sudden turn for the worse?... The Sancai Printing Factory bought all brand-new Japanese equipment. How much loan did it take?"

"Loans?" Zhou Haoran's eyes lit up. "They are burdened with huge loans?"

Li Changxing said, "Of course. That latest equipment is estimated to cost over 10 million. Who can afford it? Their loan is at least 8 or 9 million, if not 10 million."

"Good! Good things!"

Zhou Haoran was very happy.

"Good thing?"

Li Changxing smiled bitterly. He was almost crying with anxiety. Mr. Zhou was still making sarcastic remarks.

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "Our printing factory has outdated equipment and is in need of a new world-class machine. Applying for loans, applying for foreign exchange, overseas purchases, customs clearance... the whole process is not easy. Now it's good, they've helped us solve it."

"Ah?" Li Changxing was slightly startled. "Mr. Zhou, what are you talking about?"

Jiang Xiong looked bewildered. "What solution?"

Sheng Wenwan and Qiao Nuo didn't understand either.

But they had no say.

Sit quietly aside.

No one interrupted.

"The logic behind both sudden wealth and sudden poverty is increased leverage. Loans of several million, such massive leverage..." Zhou Haoran laughed, offering a theoretical assessment. "They could be on the path to success, making a fortune, or they could be on the path of shrinking assets, relying on selling off their property to pay off debts."

"Ah?" Li Changxing and Jiang Xiong looked at each other, both with shocked expressions.

Zhou Haoran said coldly, "What we have to do next is to fight this Sancai Printing Factory head-on! We will make them gasp under the weight of their huge debts and eventually go bankrupt!"

"how is this possible?"

Li Changxing was in a state of despair, not knowing where Mr. Zhou got his confidence from.

Jiang Xiong thought that he didn't understand the situation, so he asked Li Changxing to fully explain the strength of the two printing factories.

Don't make any misjudgments.

Zhou Haoran waved his hand and said with a smile, "Don't be so nervous. I told you, this might be a good thing! I originally planned to unify the private printing industry in Haigang, but if I rashly killed my peers, it would easily offend people. Now it's good, I have a reason."

"Any reason?"

Jiang Xiong really couldn't keep up with his train of thought.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "Sancai Printing has been constantly snatching orders from us. We've been fed up and are forced to fight back. We're not trying to wipe out all our competitors; we're simply defending Sancai Printing."

"Huh?" Li Changxing was a little amused. "What's the point of this?"

Zhou Haoran said seriously, "It's of great significance. This allows us to stand on the moral high ground and avoid offending anyone. Even if our competitors are angry and resentful, they will only blame Sancai Printing for offending the wrong people."

Jiang Xiong and Li Changxing were confused.

Qiao Nuo couldn't help herself. She had been with her master for a long time and understood his thinking very well. "To put it bluntly, we want to divert the blame. We'll kill all our printing colleagues and make them hate tri-color printing."

"Finally, we'll recruit those colleagues who can't make a living. In the end, they'll all thank us!"

Zhou Haoran's words really shocked everyone present.

Isn’t this too gloomy?

"No, wait!" Jiang Xiong became increasingly confused as he listened. "Mr. Zhou, I understand what you mean. But aren't we targeting Tricolor Printing? Why are we wiping out all of our competitors in the harbor?"

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "When the city gate is on fire, the fish in the pond will be affected. As long as we fight against the three-color printing, those small fish and shrimps will die first! In other words, it means 'I will destroy you, but it has nothing to do with you.'"

Qiao Nuo blinked his lively eyes and covered his mouth with his hands to laugh.

I think the master is really interesting, naughty but also a little cute.

Li Changxing's mind was in a mess at this time, with various thoughts competing with each other in his head.

Jiang Xiong could barely keep up, and said thoughtfully, "Mr. Zhou, I basically understand what you mean. This is truly a great plan. However, to realize this plan, there is still one most crucial link, which is that we must defeat tri-color printing."

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Yes, we will use their grabbing of orders as an excuse to kill them."

"But our printing factory is inferior to tri-color printing in every aspect. How can we beat them?"

Jiang Xiong asked the most crucial question.

Li Changxing seemed to come to his senses and said repeatedly, "Yes, that's the point. Mr. Zhou, let's face it, we are not competitive right now. All the orders have gone to the three-color printing team."

Zhou Haoran nodded. "So the first step we need to take next is to spread the word and let our peers know that Tricolor Printing's actions are too abhorrent. We must retaliate and fight them to the end!"

Qiao Nuo added, "Let's stand on the high ground of business ethics. This is legitimate defense."

Or you could say they are master and disciple, they have a tacit understanding with each other.

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Well, tell our colleagues that we need to defend ourselves, and then take action against the three-color printing. The second step is to try to win back this order from the Writers Association."

Jiang Xiong said, "I can inform my peers. I know almost everyone in the Harbor Publishing industry. However, I really can't do anything about snatching orders."

Zhou Haoran took the lead and said, "I'll do it!"

"This……"

Jiang Xiong took a breath in surprise and looked at Li Changxing.

A rosy flush of morale appeared on both of their faces.

This scene reminded them of the glorious days when they cleared out the inventory of the Children's Encyclopedia under the leadership of Mr. Zhou.

Zhou Haoran said solemnly, "I now declare that the 'combat team' is officially established. I will be the team leader. Lao Li and Lao Jiang, you two will be deputy team leaders. Manager Sheng will be in charge of finance, and Qiao Nuo will be the assistant team leader."

"it is good!"

Qiao Nuo responded crisply, her pretty face showing unconcealable excitement and sparks dancing in her eyes.

Zhou Haoran glared at her and said sternly, "The battle horn has been sounded, and everyone must take it seriously. Starting today, unless there are unexpected events, we will hold a meeting here at 12 noon every day to exchange information and report our respective situations in a timely manner. Now, we have entered a combat state!"

"it is good!"

Li Changxing was in high spirits.

Jiang Xiong also seemed to be full of ambition, "Since we want to fight, then let's fight!"

Sheng Wenwan said softly, "I will follow the leader's instructions."

Qiao Nuo blushed and whispered, "I will also follow the leader's instructions."

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Lao Jiang, tell me first, what exactly is going on with this cultural project of the Writers Association? If we want to get the order back, we must deal with the Harbor Writers Association! Favors are not enough, there are also benefits!"

(End of this chapter)