Chapter 612 [What I like, no one can take it away]
Monday, June 19th.
Lin Zuhui came to Japan for inspection. He has a lot of investments in Japan, but there are no real estate projects.
The reason is simple. Even after the bubble crisis, Japan's real estate industry is still not suitable for bargain hunting. It will take 17 years of continuous downward trend and it will not be possible until Lehman in 2008.
At present, Tokyo's office buildings still rank second in the world, second only to Xiangjiang. After the financial crisis in the previous life, Tokyo's office buildings plummeted by 80%. Li Zekai thought it was an opportunity to buy the bottom, so he invested nearly 10 billion near Tokyo Railway Station. If not
Li Chaoren saved him, but he was afraid he would die.
Lin Zuhui first came to Sony for a visit, and Sony's president and director Nobuyuki Idei personally received him. After all, he is the richest man in the world. When he came to Sony for inspection, it was natural that he should be received by the president.
As soon as the two parties met, they acted very friendly, especially Nobuyuki Idei, who bent down and bowed, showing full courtesy. As for Lin Zuhui, he naturally did not follow the etiquette, but he behaved elegantly and easy-going without losing his grace and etiquette.
.
"Mr. Lin, let me accompany you to visit our working environment!"
"Thank you for your work, CEO!"
Then the group visited the Sony headquarters office building. During this inspection, Lin Zuhui also brought many people with him. Senior executives from both companies, New Era Group and Wanhui Media, followed him.
Lin Zuhui's impression of Sony's headquarters is that it has a strong sense of hierarchy, its employees are serious and efficient, and its management system is good. Overall, it is a company with excellent management.
Of course, there is no problem with the management of Lin Zuhui's companies, but it is more humane.
In Japan, many companies will reveal this meaning to new employees: after joining this company, you will work for the company for the rest of your life. This is almost always the case. The way of expression may be different, but the meaning is this
mean.
In Lam Cho-fai's companies, he will not emphasize these, but use some Confucian ideas to influence his employees; the results are similar, but the methods are completely different; and in Lam Cho-fai's companies, the turnover rate should be the lowest in Hong Kong
At that level, companies are managed by Western systems and employees are managed by Chinese Confucianism. Because of this, Lin Zuhui's company will be so successful. Otherwise, the company would not be able to develop today just by relying on some memories.
After the visit, everyone came to the large conference room, where Lin Zuhui and Nobuyuki Dei sat side by side on chairs.
Nobuyuki Idei first said: "Thank you New Era Group for trusting Sony Group and investing in our company's stocks!"
New Era Group's purchase of Sony's shares was a public announcement of its holdings, and it was not diversified or offshored. And Nobuyuki Idei raised this topic first because it was meant to be a test.
Lin Zuhui said calmly: "I am very optimistic about Sony's future development, especially Sony's prospects in the cultural game industry, so we expect to hold 3 to 4% of Sony's equity and make long-term investment projects."
Before the Hanshin earthquake, Sony's market value was about US$22 billion, but now it has fallen below US$20 billion; because the Nikkei index has dropped from 19,500 points to around 14,500 points.
After hearing what Lin Zuhui said, Sony was immediately relieved. Of course, they were not afraid that Lin Zuhui wanted to acquire Sony. After all, it was almost impossible, but they were worried that Lin Zuhui would become a speculator and affect Sony's stock price. If it is a long-term investment, then it is completely fine.
Accepted.
Nobuyuki Idei nodded and said: "We very much welcome the investment of New Era Group. If there is an opportunity, the two parties can further strengthen the cooperative relationship."
Sony's management has discussed it in advance and feels that New Era Group's investment in Sony stocks is a good thing and can increase the confidence of investors. After all, Lin Zuhui is a world-class stock god; of course, even if New Era Group holds 3 to 4% of Sony stocks,
The board seat will not be given to Lin Zuhui.
Lam Cho-fai took the opportunity to propose: "We are building a 'Cyberport' in Hong Kong... I wonder if Sony can consider setting up a branch or an R&D center in the Hong Kong Cyberport?"
He is the founder of Cyberport, so he has always spared no effort to use his connections to attract customers to Cyberport; of course, it must be a high-tech company, which is the first condition.
Nobuyuki Idei thought for a moment and then said: "Hong Kong is a free trade port where Chinese and Western cultures meet. I am very optimistic about the development of Cyberport. Sony will seriously consider this issue. I personally think Sony should establish an organization in Cyberport."
Lin Zuhui nodded and said, "Thank you for your company's support!"
Then, Nobuyuki Idei said: "This time, "Resident Evil" was installed on the Sony PS game console and achieved very good results and reviews. I hope we can have more cooperation like this in the future."
Starting from early June, the "Resident Evil 1" game developed by The9, a subsidiary of Wanhui Media, has been officially launched on the dual platforms of Sony PS game console and Sega Saturn (SS). After the game is launched, it will be released in Japan
Excellent performance in terms of sales and reviews.
Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Of course, The9 has become a partner of Sony's game department, and we, The9, are also committed to becoming a large game software company."
No one doubts Lin Zuhui's words, after all, he has proven it with facts.
Next, executives from both sides communicated one after another, and Gao Kelin, the president of The9, was also invited to communicate with Sony’s game department.
After Lin Zuhui completed the inspection, he and Liang Zhenxun came to an office in Tokyo.
"How is the purchase of Sony shares going?" Lin Zuhui asked.
After the Nikkei fell below 15,000 points, Lin Zuhui ordered the securities department of the New Era Group to buy Sony stocks again, with a total investment of about HK$5 billion. The New Era Group made a profit of about HK$2.5 billion from short-selling the Nikkei Index.
Directly take back 2 billion Hong Kong dollars in cash from the headquarters.
Yang Zhenxun said: "The progress is already 80% and it will be completed this week!"
Lin Zuhui said with satisfaction: "Well, this wave of T was done perfectly!"
I started investing in Sony in the second half of last year, but I didn't expect to lose 200 million Hong Kong dollars. Then New Era Group sold it before the Hanshin earthquake. When I sold it and bought it, the price difference was HK$670 million, which is equivalent to making a profit.
Today, Sony's market value is less than 20 billion US dollars. When the market value is 110-120 billion, it is a good opportunity to cash out. A six-fold increase in value is also considered a relatively good profit.
In the next two days, Lin Zuhui inspected LEIT Group and Wanhui Media Group's business in Japan before returning to Hong Kong with satisfaction. The Japanese market is so big, and as a market second only to the United States, it has always been a market that Lin Zuhui can say he has conquered.
Of course, we have only achieved small results so far, which are not worth mentioning at all. We must continue to work hard.
Back in Hong Kong, The9, a subsidiary of Wanhui Media, announced the current results of "Resident Evil", with sales of 500,000 units in 15 days. It is expected to become the first original game for the PS game console to exceed one million sales.
game.
After being exaggerated by the media, Xiangjiang citizens were all in disbelief for a while. Mr. Lin Zuhui was really like a "god". He could succeed in anything and achieved impressive results overseas.
In the previous life, there were so many rich people in Hong Kong, but only Li Chaoren was rated as a world businessman because he made far more money overseas than in Hong Kong and the mainland.
But now, Lin Zuhui's career is obviously even better.
.......
At the end of June, Barings Bank Singapore Trading Department.
Peter walked into the trading room and announced the good news: "Brothers, the delivery is complete, and the headquarters has arranged a vacation in Hawaii for us. You can bring your girlfriends and wives, and the company will pay for it."
"Wow, awesome!"
"I love Barings Bank and I love the boss!"
For a moment, everyone howled excitedly.
Peter smiled. He had not expected that the company would be so generous. After all, they were just executing orders; but he vaguely knew that the company also hoped to use the Singapore Trading Department as a publicity promotion - a classic example of turning defeat into victory and washing out Bahrain.
Bank past history.
This short selling of Nikkei only made a profit of US$170 million again. Adding the profit of US$180 million in May, the total profit reached a profit of US$350 million.
Compared with the previous loss of 1.4 billion US dollars, the money earned this time is only a fraction, but precisely because of this, it has been well received by all parties. It is stable and profitable, so why not do it!
at the same time.
Octopus Bank also bought 110 million US dollars of Nikkei futures (25 times leverage). The current average buying point is 14,850 points; this is not over yet. Lin Zuhui’s instructions are that as long as it operates below 15,000 points, it will still take daily
If you buy Nikkei futures for US$10 million, there will obviously be opportunities, and you may eventually invest around US$150 million.
.......
New Era Group.
Corbett came to Lin Zuhui's office and handed over the Langham Hotel Group's expansion plan.
Lin Zuhui flipped through the book. According to the plan, three Langham hotels (five-star hotels) will be signed this year, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Los Angeles, the United States, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;
The number of Langham hotels owned by Times Group will reach four.
He read the plan very quickly, and Colbert waited patiently. He knew that the boss would give him a reply soon. The boss had such a huge career, so he liked to handle things on the spot.
Lin Zuhui said: "I strongly agree with using the local cultural elements of Sao Paulo and Riyadh and integrating them into the Langham Hotel; including the Langham Hotel in London, we have done the same, which is very good... Well, remember, London
If the Langham Hotel opens, we can create an 'afternoon tea' culture. London's celebrities and aristocrats will come to our Langham Hotel to have afternoon tea... In this way, it can be regarded as one of our characteristics."
Colbert immediately said: "Okay, I will write it into the plan right away."
It's just a small suggestion, nothing.
Soon, Lin Zuhui said with satisfaction: "The plan is very good, I hope you will implement it well. Langham Hotel Group is committed to becoming a global hotel group, so your team has a heavy task."
Colbert said seriously: "Don't worry, boss, Hong Kong-branded hotels have always been an important force in the world's hotel industry. Moreover, we have been developing overseas for so many years, so we will definitely live up to your expectations."
The people of Xiangjiang are indeed good at making hotels. In the past, the top ten hotel groups, Hutchison Whampoa, and Shangri-La Hotels Group, were all ranked at the top. Behind them are New World, Hang Lung, Lui Che-woo and other hotel tycoons, who are all in the world's hotel industry.
It also has a great impact.
However, Lin Zuhui's ambition is even greater, and he must be at least among the top five, or even the top three, hotel groups.
Lin Zuhui said: "I would like to make a few more requirements: first, Langham Hotels must develop at a rate of three contracts per year; second, your management team must always pay attention to the advantages that information technology brings to the hotel industry, and
The first is to integrate the Internet into all aspects of the hotel field; the third is to develop in Europe and the United States first, and then in Asia."
Corbett immediately said: "I remember it!"
Langham Hospitality Group has three business segments: hotel management (light assets), hotel group (heavy assets), and cultural tourism (light heavy assets).
Corbett is the president of the entire group, but mainly manages the hotel group; the hotel management company is headquartered in the United States, and it is also a listed company, and the president is a native American; the Cultural Tourism Group is a cultural tourism industry based on Club Med, including Beauty
The tourism company of China Group will eventually be included in this group. The president is a former executive of Disney France and is very capable.
There are naturally many benefits to operating the three businesses separately. Even Marriott Group formed this model in 1993, operating light and heavy assets separately.
The hotel business as a whole has just developed. Without the strong financial strength of New Era Group, it will soon become a global group.
.......
In early July, Lin Zuhui heard a "surprising" news, and immediately took a private plane to the United States.
It turns out that Marriott Hotels is also interested in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group and is contacting Holmes and others with the intention of acquiring the remaining 52%.
Of course, Holmes still told Langham Hotel Group about this because the two parties had agreed that Langham Hotel Group had the right of first refusal.
Now, the only option is to immediately spend money to acquire the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Although the price is huge, it is not unaffordable.
Lin Zuhui first came to the New York headquarters of Langham Hospitality Group and met with Colbert, Li Mingtao and other senior executives.
"What is the status of the talks between Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel? Has Holmes disclosed that?"
Colbert immediately said: "It hasn't been disclosed yet, but it can be seen that the price offered by Marriott is not high, otherwise Holmes and others would not be so kind to notify us as soon as possible. And it can be seen that Hall
James and others want to sell all their shares at a high price."
Lin Zuhui nodded. The $800 million offered last time was indeed too high, so Holmes and others quickly agreed. As a local brand, Marriott Hotel cannot be so generous.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group should only be worth 1.2 to 1.5 billion US dollars, but Lin Zuhui directly valued it at more than 1.6 billion US dollars.
Of course, this is how business is sometimes done. If you see a brand you like, you can buy it at a premium. If it is a normal purchase, you can naturally bargain.
Lin Zuhui immediately said: "Well, let's go to the Ritz-Carlton Group tomorrow and acquire the remaining 52% of the shares! It just so happens that the group recently made more than 500 million US dollars in Nikkei futures and foreign exchange, so spend some money
I’m not heartbroken either!”
All the hotel executives laughed. At Langham Hotel Group, everyone focused more on the hotel's location selection, decoration, and operation. The financial work was relatively easy.
...
At the same time, Marriott Hotels President Bill Marriott came to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group again and met with Holmes and his party.
Bill Marriott wants to make a quick decision and take 52% of Ritz-Carlton's shares before Langham Hotel Group reacts. At that time, he will force Langham Hotel to hand over the remaining 48% of its shares.
You know, Ritz-Carlton is the originator of luxury hotels, which is very important to Marriott Hotel Group. What's more, Langham Hotel Group is a Hong Konger. So what if he is the richest man in the world? Do Chinese understand luxury hotel operations?
"Mr. Holmes, US$750 million, we are willing to pay this price to acquire the remaining 52% of your equity. You know, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel is only worth US$1.2 billion, and we have already paid a huge premium."
Seeing Bill Marriott's eager mood, Holmes and others found it funny. They did not tell Bill that the last time Langham Hotel Group acquired 49% of the shares for US$800 million.
Holmes smiled and said: "President Bill, to be honest, we are very dissatisfied with this price! Because others are paying more!"
Damn, those rich old people from Xiangjiang have learned to buy and buy all over the world in the past few years, Bill cursed secretly.
"How much did they give last time?"
Holmes shook his head and said: "This is kept secret for the time being. For the remaining 52% of the shares, we will let you bid and decide. The one with the highest price will get it. You can bid together tomorrow. If it is the same price, we will give priority to Marriott."
. And I can also tell you that the price they offered last time was a little higher than your price today."
Bill Marriott said unwillingly: "Compared to the newly established Langham Hotel Group, we, Marriott, are better able to inherit the Ritz-Carlton hotel business philosophy."
Holmes said: "That's why I have the same price and will consider you!"
.......
The next day.
When Lin Zuhui brought people to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group, he was told that Holmes and others hoped to determine the remaining 52% equity through bidding.
He agreed, but also made a request, that is, the current president of Ritz-Carlton, Horst Schulz, must stay at Ritz-Carlton for half a year to complete the assistance work.
Horst Schulz said with a smile: "Thank you for Mr. Lin's consideration, I agree to this request. But I am curious as to why Mr. Lin doesn't want me to stay forever."
Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "I see ambition in your eyes, and I guess you will continue to start a business and establish a high-end hotel brand of your own."
Horst Schulz was shocked and secretly sighed at Lin Zuhui's keen eyesight. He did have this idea. It was not him who wanted to sell the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, but the other partners. However, he considered that the Ritz-Carlton Hotel
After all, the brand was born by the European 'Ritz Hotel', not created by them, so the idea of setting up a high-end brand of its own was born.
"Mr. Lin's success is a matter of course!"
After everyone chatted for a while, Bill Marriott also brought people to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel again. There was a sense of tension when the two met.
After all, Langham Hotel Group has already intervened in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and Marriott Group still wants to grab it, which is obviously disgraceful. The 48% stake in Langham Hotel means that it will control the whole. If it cannot control, what is the point of the shares?
mean.
He didn’t say anything harsh, but the look in Lin Zuhui’s eyes told Bill Marriott that from now on we would all be competitors in the hotel field.
During the bidding, Lin Zuhui directly paid US$980 million!
Not surprisingly, Langham Hospitality Group acquired all assets of the Ritz-Carlton Group, including brands, properties, etc.
When Bill Marriott left, he said unwillingly: "Mr. Lin, you are really rich for buying a Ritz for US$1.8 billion!" The implication was that Lin Zuhui was taken advantage of.
Lin Zuhui said calmly: "The price was originally three years from now. If the Marriott Group hadn't intervened, we wouldn't need such a high price!"
In fact, it may be higher in three years. Lin Zuhui just said this deliberately.
Bill Marriott knew he was wrong and left the Ritz-Carlton Group.
Next, it is about Colbert and Horst Schulz. Lin Zuhui hopes to complete the seamless acceptance in half a year. After that, he will work hard to develop the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
.......
American media reported that Langham Hospitality Group spent a huge sum of 1.8 billion US dollars to buy the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group, which aroused great public opinion for a while; some people said that the world's richest man was too fond of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, so he did not hesitate to pay a premium of 3 to 5
Cheng bought this hotel.
In this regard, Lin Zuhui acquiesced. The factors here are indeed his personal factors. He likes things related to "luxury" and he likes to collect these. Therefore, he does not feel sad at all when the premium is so high.
Just like Bill Gates in his previous life, because he liked the Four Seasons Hotel, he teamed up with the richest man in the Middle East to privatize it.