America: My Time

Chapter 30 Meg Whitman

Chapter Thirty: Meg Whitman

Even when poaching talent, one should start with the easier targets and gradually move to the more difficult ones. Robert Iger presents too many variables, and Legendary Entertainment's need for a CEO isn't particularly urgent. Only Dreamworld cannot be taken lightly. While Dreamworld currently possesses great potential, its internal management is severely lacking. Dreamworld is currently staffed entirely by software and hardware engineers, all busy developing new software and hardware. Managing a company with a group of engineers is simply inadequate!

"This matter can't be delayed any longer. We must resolve this issue before heading to Japan. Without proper management, the development of Dream World will be greatly affected. We can ignore it now because there are still few people, but it will be too late when we have more and more talent. Getting Dream World on the right track in advance will make it easier to accelerate its own development!"

John racked his brains, searching for suitable candidates, and Meg Whitman came into his view. She was a remarkable woman: a Harvard MBA, a management consultant at Bain & Company's San Francisco office, Vice President of Consumer Products Marketing at Disney, President of Stride Rite, President and CEO of FTD (the world's largest floral products company), President and CEO of eBay, and President and CEO of Hewlett-Packard! Meg and Whitman were currently in Procter & Gamble's customer service department—perfect candidates for him to recruit!

"Phew, finding the right person is really difficult. I hope she'll accept my invitation and be willing to host Dream World!" John wasn't sure if the invitation would be successful. Although Dream World was quite good now, not everyone was optimistic about it. Currently, Dream World was facing pressure from Apple and IBM, and Microsoft was being supported by both Apple and IBM, aiming to disrupt Dream World's office software landscape.

Dreamworld is a new company that has a huge impact on Apple and IBM. Even if Dreamworld can increase their sales, they are unwilling to be controlled by Dreamworld in personal computers and unwilling to accept Dreamworld's monopoly on office software. This means that they will have to bow to Dreamworld in the future!
First-mover advantage is not easy to break. The patent barriers in the Dream World are terrifying. Even with the strong support of Apple and IBM, it is impossible for Microsoft to break through the patent barriers unless Microsoft stops using text formats. Otherwise, it will not be able to get rid of the patent barriers.

John understood the treachery of Apple and IBM, and the threat posed by Microsoft. That's why he increased his investment in Dream World, researching his own operating system and adapter cards. This was to prepare for future counterattacks and for a real war, accumulating enough ammunition from this moment on.

A few days later, John got off the bus outside a coffee shop near Stanford University. It was rush hour, and the coffee shop wasn't crowded. Without needing a waiter to guide him, John saw Meg and Whitman sitting on the left-hand side by the window.

Meg Whitman is only in her early twenties now. Wearing a simple white shirt and sporting a neat short haircut, she gives off the vibe of a capable and efficient career woman. Her aura is clearly not that of a powerful businesswoman, but rather she maintains a gentle smile, giving people a very approachable feeling.

Meg Whitman also noticed John's arrival, waved to the waiter who was walking towards John, and personally got up to greet him. Everything was so natural and generous, giving people a friendly and approachable feeling!
“Hello, Mr. Bayard, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Meg Whitman said, extending her hand to John as she approached him.

John shook hands with her and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Whitman, but I seem to be late."

Meg laughed and said, "Of course not. I've been coming here every afternoon for a while lately, so I'm just a little early."

John sat down opposite Meg Whitman and noticed a black notebook and several newspapers in front of her. He couldn't help but glance at them a few more times. It was obvious that Meg Whitman was prepared, and the chances of him inviting her to join the Dream World were very high!

Meg Whitman also noticed John's observation and smiled calmly, "I've been studying Mr. Bayard's matter these past few days, and I happen to have many questions that I hope to get answers from you."

When John made the appointment, he didn't hide his intention to invite them to meet. After hearing Meg and Whitman's words, he smiled and said, "Of course, no problem. Feel free to ask me anything. You can call me John. Do you mind if I call you Meg?"

Meg Whitman nodded and said, "John, why do you think I'm qualified for this job? You know I'm young, don't have much work experience, and know even less about software engineering!" John shook his head and said, "Meg, I can't be sure. This job is completely new to you, an industry you've never worked in before, and it's the same for me, and for everyone in Dreamworld. Work experience isn't what I value, and Dreamworld doesn't need you to dictate the company's direction. Right now, Dreamworld needs a head steward, and someone recommended you to me. After getting to know you a bit, I also think you're a good candidate."

However, Dream World doesn't give you much time to adapt to this job; you only have one year. Within that year, if your performance is unsatisfactory, you'll have to leave.

Meg Whitman frowned slightly upon hearing these harsh conditions. Although she was just a newcomer to the workplace, she was unwilling to hear such inhumane words! However, considering John's status, Meg Whitman swallowed back the words she was about to say in rebuttal.

Although this young man is also a newcomer to the business world, his status has far surpassed that of many others. Many people are amazed by his abilities; he is a powerful figure with unlimited potential!

John observed Meg Whitman's reaction and smiled calmly, "Meg, it's not that I'm being heartless, but Dreamworld doesn't have time for you to adapt to this job right now. In software engineering development, every project is a race against time. Getting the patent first can sweep the entire market and limit the development of competitors. The development of this industry is more ruthless than ordinary industries. Those engineers are a group of persistent guys, so I really don't have much time for you. One year is the best I can handle. Dreamworld can't stay in chaos forever."

“Mr. John, your company has enormous and immeasurable growth potential. I trust my own judgment and insight. Your keen understanding of corporate development strategy is astonishing. But frankly, in terms of corporate management, you are hardly any better than an outsider. Your company's current success is largely due to your own abilities. Even an average professional manager would have done much better. If you had an excellent professional manager to assist you, your future and that of your company would be limitless. I don't understand what you value in me that makes you think a newcomer like me can manage such a company.”

"Potential? I think you have that potential, and I believe in Harvard's strength! As for being a newcomer to the workplace, that's nothing to worry about. Everyone starts as a newcomer. If I had to say something, what I value most about you is your service experience, and women are generally more meticulous than men!"

Finding a beautiful female CEO for a group of programmers would be a great choice; men and women working together makes the job easier! However, John couldn't say these things aloud; he could only think them to himself!
Seeing that Meg Whitman was still somewhat hesitant, John continued, "Actually, there's one more thing: as long as you manage Dreamworld well, there's no ceiling here. You have the ability to stay in this position and become a top-notch professional manager."

There are various kinds of "glass ceilings" in American society. For example, no matter how outstanding your abilities are, a white boss will not promote you to a senior position. At most, you will only be a middle manager. There is widespread discrimination against women in the workplace. If there are two employees, a man and a woman, even if the female employee is more capable, the promotion opportunities will mostly go to the male employee. Female CEOs are very rare in this era.

As John said, Meg Whitman, a woman, is already an exceptional case to have risen to a senior position in Procter & Gamble's service department; climbing further wouldn't be easy. John believes there's no ceiling; everything depends on Meg's abilities, and this promise is crucial for Meg Whitman.

Meg had also learned about Dreamworld's potential. It did indeed have an advantage in the personal computer software market, and it was no exaggeration to say that it was the next Apple. In fact, it might even have more potential than Apple after its IPO. Dreamworld held patent barriers, and no one in the office software market could compete with it!

At this point, John was really foolish not knowing what to do. He added fuel to the fire and pressed on, saying, "I won't lie. I won't tell you that I completely and utterly trust you, and you understand that's impossible. As long as you can implement the corporate development strategy I've set, I guarantee that no one will threaten your position. This can be written in the contract, and you will also receive the equity rewards you deserve when the company goes public."

In an instant, Meg Whitman felt as if she had been struck a heavy blow. She was tempted; the offer was too tempting for her to resist, especially after seeing the future of Dreamworld Corporation!
After a moment of silence, Meg Whitman smiled and said, "I really can't find a reason to refuse. At least you are much more honest than P&G. I accept your invitation. Give me seven days. I need to take care of some personal matters."

“Okay, it’s a deal!” John stood up and shook hands with Meg Whitman. With her joining Dreamworld, he could finally relax and no longer worry about what those guys might do!

(End of this chapter)