Perfect Life

December 29, 2003, 7:00 PM EST.

A junior suite in a four-star hotel in Atlanta, USA.

Glenn Shire, the executive president of Columbia Pictures, was standing in front of the huge half-length glass window, looking at the bright lights scattered outside.

His brow furrowed and his lips pursed slightly on his face reflected in the glass window.

He took over as the executive president of Columbia Pictures in August 2002. Before taking office, he served as production manager, corporate vice president, chief financial officer of Paramount Pictures for more than ten years. Officer etc. Since ten years ago, he has been known as the most promising Hollywood professional manager. Ten years later, at the age of 43, he took over Columbia and became the youngest head of the seven major Hollywood studios. That one has also caught the attention of the entire Hollywood.

The reason why Coca-Cola, who was the owner at the time, chose to dig him over to take the helm of Columbia is naturally optimistic about his ability. I hope that after taking over Columbia, he can use his extraordinary financial management ability and super production ability. , as well as the contacts in Hollywood and the American business community accumulated over the years, to bring the sinking ship of Columbia out of the mud.

At the beginning of taking office, Grenshire was indeed very courageous to carry out a wide range of reforms and adjustments to the top and bottom of Colombia.

However, this big ship has been sinking for a long time, and it has only been a year since he took office. No matter how strong Grenshire is, even if he has already started drastic reforms, the inertia of a company's operation is huge.

So, for the first full fiscal year after taking over, 2003, which is about to pass, Columbia will still be loss-making - most of the films the company released and released in 2003 were made before he took over. Some of them lose and some make money, but it has to be counted, and there is still a small profit.

And the sales of movie peripherals, which Grenshire has repeatedly emphasized since taking office, has also improved a lot in more than a year. In the past 2003, this aspect has begun to generate revenue for the company, which makes Colombia seem to be starting to Keep up with the direction of the operation of the whole Hollywood.

However, the huge administrative burden on the company, the huge debt of more than one billion US dollars, and the interest they generate are like blood-sucking worms attached to Colombia, not only sucking up the profits created by the company this year. , and will also cause huge losses to the company of about 80 million to 100 million US dollars.

If there is no sudden entry of Ming Lake culture, according to Glenshire's "Columbia Reconstruction Plan", several films that he personally participated in and led the production of in 2003 will be released in 2004 and 2005. By that time, He is confident that at least several of these films will bring strong cash flow to the company. At that time, once the film's box office becomes profitable, coupled with the better and better film peripheral sales, after two years of accumulation , he will be very confident to carry out a small round of deepening reforms within the company - repay a batch of loans that are about to expire, and no longer continue the loans, and at the same time, lay off 10% of the staff!

Moreover, because of the profit, he will have the confidence to make layoffs without being completely swallowed up by the huge backlash. Continuing to sit in this seat can only talk about the next step.

In short, even if it takes another two or three years, he can initially bring Colombia into a normal and healthy development track.

Even not long ago, when he met a Chinese company that came to the United States to seek distribution cooperation, he did not hesitate to push aside the arrogance of Hollywood filmmakers, and signed a contract with the partner China Minghu Culture Company. A fully equal five-film distribution partnership agreement.

In this way, in a growing market like China, Colombia will have a strong distribution partner - movie box office is still a small matter, the problem is, once the two sides start the distribution cooperation, once the Colombian production The films of 2019 have gained better distribution opportunities in China. At that time, the sales of film peripherals that he has always admired very much can completely keep up with it!

Think about it, before the hands of the other six Hollywood studios have reached out, Colombia has already begun to spread its film peripheral sales capabilities to the huge film company with a population of more than one billion and an annual box office of more than three billion US dollars. The market is up!

He has every reason to believe that once his plan is fully implemented, it will bring a total of more than 100 million US dollars of pure profit to the company every year, including movie box office share and movie peripheral sales-then But **** pure profit! The purest profit in Colombia!

New market, pure profit!

By that time, maybe his plan to lay off staff and cut loans to reduce the burden on Colombia could be planned and implemented in the second half of 2005.

However……

Originally thought to be a friendly partner, it is a Chinese company that will strive for good cooperation in the next few years, so that the other party can develop the Chinese film market for itself, and thus continue to supply blood for Colombia, which is still in the body, but it is a Chinese company. Only the giant crocodile that has opened its **** mouth.

To make matters worse, it was not until the news broke out on Wall Street that he, the CEO of Colombia, received the news and learned from those **** journalists that the company he was in charge was about to be acquired! This is just ridiculous and pathetic! ——It is said that Morgan Stanley has submitted an acquisition application and offer to the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta a few days before the Christmas holiday.

So, in fact, the attitude of Coca-Cola has been consistent for many years - as long as someone is willing to buy, and the price is very similar, then I will sell it!

They never really thought about revitalizing Colombia at all!

Never had!

No, that's not right, maybe when they just bought Colombia, they once thought they were buying at the bottom, and then as long as they find the right helm, they can fully revitalize this large piece of assets.

Only, they miscalculated.

Since buying Columbia for an astonishing $3.9 billion in 1987, the company's glory days have been gone forever -- and what's more, they have sold one after another in their sixteen or seventeen-year holding history. The Columbia issue has had as many as six acquisition talks with other companies!

And in the history of these sixteen or seven years, except for the first executive president appointed after they took over, who won a term of up to four years, all the other executive presidents had the longest tenure of no more than three years—— In 16 years, Colombia has changed seven helms!

As a result, Colombia has gone all the way in such continuous turmoil, with lower and lower valuations!

A bunch of **** businessmen!

…………

The hands in his trouser pockets were clenched into fists tightly, and Grenshire gritted his teeth tightly, the veins protruding on his face, and he looked extremely angry.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside.

Grenshire took a deep breath, and at this time, his assistant had already opened the door.

Grenshire turned around, walked over with a solemn expression, and stretched out his hand when he was far away, "Hey, Walter!"

Walter Foster came over, shook his hand, and smiled, "I hope you didn't wait for me to have dinner, you know, we met with Morgan's negotiator this afternoon. During dinner, Wilson and I Said, you have already come, and he said he will not invite you to dinner."

Grenshire pursed his lips and forced a smile, but quickly put it back, frowned slightly, clenched Walter's hand, and said, "Walter, you know, in another two years, it only takes two In a year's time, I'll be able to bring Colombia to profitability! I promise!"

Walter's face was a little helpless, but Grenshire didn't wait for him to say anything, and said directly: "It can only be sold at a price far below its own value and assets, believe me, even if it is to be sold. , at least two years, preferably three or five years later!"

Walter spread his hands, turned his head and nodded at Grenshire's assistant who was walking over, and said with a smile, "A cup of coffee, thank you!" When the other person nodded and walked away, he said to Grenshire, "OK, man. , don't get excited, let's sit down first, can we sit down and then talk?"

So Grenshire had to let go of his hand, and the two of them turned to sit on the sofa in the living room of the suite.

Walter smiled and said, "I see what you mean, Glenn, and I also believe in your ability, and I, and Wilson, and the company's board of directors, we all believe that you are a good manager, and we all believe that you can Turn Columbia into a profit, you know, I insisted on hiring you as CEO!"

"But, Glenn, you have to know that Columbia has been losing money for 20 years. We believe in your ability, but there are risks in everything, let alone rescuing a company that has been losing money for 20 years? Now, we have a If there is an opportunity, sell it and turn this non-performing asset, which is losing money every year, into cash, so that we can use it to invest in other better industries, what reason do we have to refuse?"

Grenshire heard the words: "But just give me another two or three years. After two or three years, since they want to buy it, they will still be willing to buy it, but at that time, they will definitely not. It will be the current price, and now in Colombia, the other party only made an offer of 2.4 billion, but two years later, his offer will be 4 billion U.S. dollars, believe me, Walter, I have the ability!"

Walter shrugged, laughing, "It's 2.44 billion, Glenn!"

This joke made Grenshire really unable to laugh.

Although it was only a few simple words, he had already fully understood what Walter Foster meant - and Walter Foster was his own biggest supporter within Coca-Cola.

Even he expressed his approval of the sale of Colombia, which has already shown in fact that Coca-Cola should have already held a meeting to unify opinions!

So, he bowed his head in silence for a moment, spread his hands, and said a little manicly: "It was agreed that the company would support me in carrying out a six- to eight-year transformation of Columbia, but now I do not pursue the company's complete implementation of this commitment, However, can't I just give me two more years? Two years, the negotiation can be dragged on, questions about asset audits, back-and-forth on quotations, etc., can be dragged for two years, By that time, it can be sold for a billion dollars more, or more? Wouldn't it be a good thing?"

Walter pursed his lips and looked at him seriously.

After he finished speaking and looked over, he nodded and said solemnly: "But, Glenn, two years is enough to drain the other party's interest, which will lead to the complete breakdown of this negotiation! Except for this company from Outside of a Chinese company, you know, we haven't had a suitable takeover party with enough cash for years."

Grenshire pursed his lips tightly, and said after a moment: "But now Colombia is still losing money, its assets, its brand, its influence, and so on, these values ​​will be seriously underestimated, and Seriously below normal levels! Coca-Cola will lose as much as $2 billion for this!"

Walter shrugged and laughed: "But if we don't sell now, we could lose $2.1 billion next year!"

Grenshire was stunned.

He knew that the other party was saying that Colombia lost another 100 million this year!

But he still couldn't help defending, "But I've only been in office for a year. Until next year and the year after, the company will really embark on my track and will execute according to my requirements. At that time..."

This time, before he could finish, Walter interrupted with a wave of his hand, "Glen, man, I know your ideals, I know your goals, we all know, we all appreciate you, but, man , no one can guarantee that Colombia will be able to turn over after two years! You can't, neither can I!"

Grenshire's face suddenly turned pale when he heard the words.

At this time, Walter spread his hands and said, "This afternoon, on behalf of Coca-Cola, I have made preliminary contacts with people from Morgan Stanley. Retention of the company's current management! I would advise the other party to continue to give you the opportunity, even if it is only for two years! After all, they are outsiders, and they need people like you to get a foothold in Hollywood, and even if you are To take over, they also need a period of time to buffer! This period of time can be as short as one year, or as long as two or three years, enough for you to do a lot of things!"

Grenshire suddenly laughed when he heard the words.

Walter Foster looked at him, but frowned slightly.

"Your suggestion? It can only be... a suggestion!"

Walter pursed his lips slightly, with some obvious displeasure on his face, "Hey, Glenn, this is something that has been determined within the company, something Wilson is pushing for, and neither you nor I can change anything! As an old friend, I'm already trying my best to buy you more time!"

Grenshire shook his head slightly and smiled miserably: "If it were you, after completing the acquisition, would you let a person you don't know or trust continue to exercise all power? Once the acquisition is completed, Can I decide to invest in a movie? Or can I decide to cut 10% of the company's workforce?"

Walter pursed his lips and stopped talking.

Yes, everyone knows that once the company is acquired, even if the original management temporarily stays in office, it is impossible to exercise the greatest power. At that time, the retention of the management is just a buffer, and the new boss is selected for the new management. The layer is set aside for a while.

And there is no doubt that this is the fate that Grenshire will face next after taking office for just over a year.

"Glen..." Walter tried to persuade.

But Grenshire suddenly shook his head and said, "I want to see Wilson."

Walter frowned and shook his head, "No, you won't see him!"

Grenshire said excitedly: "I only need twenty minutes. Believe me, I can convince him? Walter, please help me win it, I..."

Walter Foster shook his head directly, "Impossible!"

After a pause, he stood up, his face was calm, and he said indifferently: "Next, I will be responsible for negotiating with Minghu Culture from China and Morgan Stanley from Wall Street. Wilson and I both feel that at this time, you should Sit in the company and stabilize people's hearts."

When he was done, he turned to go, stopped again, turned back, "Ah, almost forgot. Glenn, greet your wife and daughter for me!"

After speaking, he smiled, nodded, and turned to the door.

Behind him, Grenshire suddenly said, "If I can't meet Wilson, Columbia management will make an announcement tomorrow, and we will boycott this acquisition!"

Walter Foster stopped and turned his head to look at Grenshire.

Grenshire seemed to have begun to calm down.

The two looked at each other, and he said slowly: "If this doesn't make Coca-Cola and Mr. Wilson change their minds, then I will lead the current management of Colombia and resign collectively!"

Hearing this, Walter Foster pursed his lips tightly and nodded slowly ~www.wuxiaspot.com~, as if he was thinking carefully. But after a while, he suddenly asked seriously: "Glen, do you think this can threaten us? Or... um, do you really think your control over Colombia is that powerful?"

Glenshire was stunned.

After a pause, Walter Foster showed a smile, nodded slowly, and said, "Good night! Have a good night's sleep, and fly back tomorrow!"

However, when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped again, turned around to look around, and suddenly smiled: "What a good manager! A financial manager can not only formulate a sound financial control plan, but also always lead by example. , is really commendable! But... Glenn, from now on, until you are fired, you can live in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel."

"If you want, this can be regarded as a little apology to you!"

"Good night!"

***

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