Chapter 221 Meeting the future richest man in the United States
Hong Kong, Kai Tak Airport:
Yang Wendong, Bai Yushan and the bodyguards, assistants and others who followed them came to the tarmac inside the airport. Board your flight directly here.
In this era, there are basically no private jets, but the super rich have already had them. Therefore, many large airlines will cooperate with some wealthy people to rent them directly on a per-person or per-time basis.
This time, Yang Wendong directly contracted a Boeing 737 aircraft from Pan American Airlines. This is more convenient. Otherwise, it would be too tiring to squeeze into the plane with a group of people, and it may also be more wasteful. time.
Outside the plane, two beautiful twin sisters were chatting on the side of the plane. Yang Wendong walked over and said with a smile: "The plane is leaving soon, Yujie, if you can't bear to leave your sister, you can come with us." All trips to the United States are free.”
“I want to, but I still have to participate in the competition,” Bai Yujie said a little unhappy.
Bai Yushan explained: "Yujie is going to participate in a sprint competition, and several Southeast Asian universities will also come to Hong Kong to compete."
"Not bad." Yang Wendong praised it sincerely.
In this world, success is not only seen in the political and business circles, but also in sports, art, philosophy, etc.;
Of course, there is something more advanced than politics and business, and that is the field of science.
Bai Yujie asked again: "Didn't you rent the plane? Aren't we the ones to decide when to fly?"
"I rented the plane, but the airport is not mine. Do you think I can do whatever I want?" Yang Wendong was speechless for a while. It seems that this girl is good at sports, but her brain is a bit messed up. "Oh," Bai Yujie nodded.
Bai Yushan said: "Then let's go, the plane cannot be delayed."
"Yeah." Bai Yujie nodded.
The two sisters chatted for a few words and then separated. After getting on the plane, everyone chose their own seats.
Others compared to the directors, no one knew where they were. Only Yang Wendong and Bai Yushan were left in the middle of the plane.
"This is still a bit too many seats." Yang Wendong took a glass of juice and said: "You said that it is such a large area that it can be enclosed to make a room."
Bai Yushan He took the juice and said with a smile: "Why build a room on the plane? Just to sleep during the flight?"
"Yes, isn't it good?" Yang Wendong shrugged and said, "It takes more than 20 hours to go from Hong Kong to the United States and Europe. For those who often need to travel for business, wouldn't it be better to have a room?"
"You are right to say that." Bai Yushan nodded and said: "But airlines rent planes and sometimes do normal business when there is no such business. .
It’s easy to change it back now, but if you build a house, it’s not economical.”
“Yes,” Yang Wendong smiled. Liao smiled and said: "The prerequisite for doing this is naturally to have your own plane."
"Your own plane? Are you going to buy a plane?" Bai Yushan was very surprised.
Yang Wendong shook his head and said: "Not yet, maybe we will see in a few years."
Now his assets are not large enough, and he is still in the early stages of starting a business. It is not cost-effective to spend money to buy an airplane, and Nowadays, his career is mainly in and around Hong Kong, and the need for business travel is relatively low.
Just wait a few years, and if nothing unexpected happens, your asset size will increase at an exponential rate, your international business will also develop significantly, and the demand for international business travel will also increase, so you may need to purchase A private jet.
Also, the United States is also his main market in the future. If he can invest, he will have profits. If he makes money here and purchases internal industrial products, he can also get tax reductions.
Bai Yushan thought for a while and said: "I know that several large companies in Japan have purchased Boeing aircraft for their own commercial use. If you buy it, you will probably be the first in Hong Kong. Jardine's Senior classes don’t get this kind of treatment.”
"Haha, Jardine is only king in Hong Kong. If it really breaks out of Hong Kong, it will be nothing." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
In Hong Kong, he is also very jealous of the many high-quality assets owned by Jardine He, but these are also the wealth accumulated by Jardine's ancestors for hundreds of years and the wealth obtained by colluding with power.
When you go overseas, you need to work hard to operate. Even with the cash cow of the Hong Kong market, Jardine's overseas investments are still useless. In the 1980s, they became a burden to the entire group.
Bai Yushan thought for a moment and said: "It seems true. The British consortium in Hong Kong has succeeded by relying on monopoly and the achievements of their ancestors. Unlike the Chinese, they all rely on themselves."< br>
“Yes.” Yang Wendong nodded and said: “If the British Hong Kong government was really fair, Chinese capital would have already begun to surpass British capital.”
In 1961, many British-funded consortiums in Hong Kong were also listed. Those that were not listed will also be listed in the next few years. The idea is to cut a wave of leeks from Hong Kong investors.
Including Jardine Matheson, Wharf, Hong Kong Electric, Whampoa Group, etc. Although Yang Wendong currently does not have the financial resources to deal with them, he can make preparations after another ten years.
"Well, yes." Bai Yushan looked at Yang Wendong: "Brother Dong, with the current development speed, you will definitely be able to surpass Yihe within ten years."
"Ten years ? Maybe." Yang Wendong smiled: "It's difficult in Hong Kong, but if we develop overseas markets, it will be easy."
"Overseas? Supermarket?" Bai Yushan also knew the purpose of Yang Wendong's trip to the United States.
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "Yes."
There is no comparison between the future Yihe and Wal-Mart. Even the several major British consortiums in Hong Kong plus the four major families in the future cannot compare to one Wal-Mart. .
With global annual sales of hundreds of billions of dollars, these orders can determine the employment of millions or even tens of millions of people, and they themselves can also create employment for millions of people.
"Supermarket?" Bai Yushan thought carefully about the doorway here.
“When you get to the United States, you’ll know just by looking at it.” Yang Wendong smiled and said, “Get some rest and take a nap when it gets dark.”
"Well, but can you take your hand away a little bit?" Bai Yushan asked.
"That won't work."
Twenty-five hours later, the plane landed in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas.
Lin Youjing, the business leader of Changxing Industrial in the United States, also personally picked up the plane: "Yang Sheng, you just got off the plane, so you should go to the hotel to rest for a day. Tomorrow, I will personally report to you about Sam Walton. Situation."
"Okay." Yang Wendong nodded.
When I come to the United States this time, the most important thing is to get to know Walton, and it is best to take the opportunity to invest in him. For other things, even the sales situation of Changxing Industrial in the United States, I only need to have a little understanding.
The next day, after a night's rest, people immediately felt refreshed. Yang Wendong was also sitting and talking with Lin Youjing in the coffee shop downstairs of the hotel, while Bai Yushan poured wine for the two of them. Drinks.
Lin Youjing took out a piece of information and said: "Yang Sheng, these are Walton's entrepreneurial information. I have sent them to you before, but now the information here includes the last two months. "
"Well, let's talk about what economic problems Walton encountered?" Yang Wendong just flipped through the information.
These are of little significance to him. No matter what Walton's past situation was, it will not affect his future development. What he needs is an opportunity to invest.
As early as last year, he received Walton's information and roughly understood the entrepreneurial history of this once richest family in the United States.
As early as 1945, Walton scraped together $25,000 and joined a Franklin retail store in Newport, Arkansas, thus starting his own retail business. It's just that the franchise model is sucked by the brand owners, and the purchase and selling prices are controlled by the brands. The terminal franchisees can only get a small profit, or even lose money.
In order to get rid of this situation, Sam Walton always looks for the source of goods by himself. After finding cheaper goods, Sam does not sell the goods at the usual price and earns a higher price difference. , but pass on the cost savings to customers, and use low prices and discounts to attract customers' attention.
This business philosophy of "small profits but quick turnover" may seem ordinary in the 21st century, but it was extremely rare at the time.
Then, as if he had discovered a new world, he started his own supermarket retail business after getting rid of franchise stores.
In 15 years, in 1960, he had 15 "cheap stores" of his own, and in July this year, the first Wal-Mart supermarket officially opened.
Lin Youjing replied: "Does Yang Sheng know about the economic crisis that broke out in the United States in October 1960?"
"Yes." Yang Wendong nodded.
In previous lives, people who know modern history basically know about the three oil crises, the subprime mortgage crisis, the Internet bubble crisis, etc. in the United States. However, there were several crises before the 1960s.
The root cause of this crisis is that after World War II, the United States, as almost the only world factory, pushed the production capacity of various industrial products to the highest level.
But more than ten years later, the industries of Europe, Japan and even some Asian countries have developed somewhat, leading to overcapacity in the United States and ultimately triggering an economic crisis.
Lin Youjing added: "In the past few years, Walton was operating with debt. Because the business was not bad, it barely maintained a balance. However, when the economy declined and bank interest rates increased, their Life is not going to be easy."
"Well, how was your contact with him?" Yang Wendong asked.
Lin Youming said with a smile: "It's okay. I have visited him in the name of an investor, and he also knows that I represent an Asian capital company seeking to invest in the United States."
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"Okay, then arrange a time. I want to meet Walton once." Yang Wendong said again.
Even if you can’t invest, it’s good to meet Walton. This man can be said to be a rare true self-made super-rich man in the United States. Buffett and Bill Gates all have their first pot of gold. Relying on family.
"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away." Lin Youjing agreed.
On the third day, Lin Youjing took Yang Wendong, Bai Yushan and several others to the Walmart Supermarket in Rogers City.
"Yang Sheng, this is Sam's Wal-Mart Supermarket, which is a very large discount store supermarket." Lin Youjing introduced.
Yang Wendong looked at the single-story building in front of him. There was a white sign on the top of the front, with seven letters: Wal-Mart. Next to it were "Discount Store", "Everyday Affordable Prices", "Guaranteed Your Satisfaction" and other English words.
Then he asked: "Is there a second Wal-Mart supermarket?"
Lin Youjing replied: "No, as far as I know, Sam mortgaged his own property , I had the money to open this store.”
“It’s all over the place.” Yang Wendong nodded. In fact, many people are doing business, and their wealth has been reduced.
Therefore, behind every successful businessman, there will be ten or even dozens of losers who have lost everything. This is the same no matter where you are;
In other words, the second generation of rich people can do whatever they want with their industry.
Therefore, very few people succeed from scratch because they cannot withstand one failure.
Lin Youjing pointed in one direction and said: "Yang Sheng, among the few ghosts over there is Walton. He is waiting for us at the door."
"Okay, let's go." Yang Wendong said.
Subsequently, several people stepped forward. Under Lin Youjing's introduction, Yang Wendong also recognized the richest man in the United States in his previous life. In the 1990s, this man had 5 billion U.S. dollars. The family's comprehensive financial strength, even at 21 Century, also scorned various high-tech or Internet entrepreneurs.
"Hello, Mr. Walton." Yang Wendong shook hands and said with a smile.
“Just call us Sam.” Sam Walton also said with a smile.
"OK, then you can also call me Eric." Yang Wendong said the same.
It is easier for Westerners to get closer by calling each other by their first names. In many families, uncles and nephews even call each other by their first names.
Sam smiled and said: "Everyone, please come in and let me introduce to you the business model of Wal-Mart Supermarket."
Since you are a potential investor, the first important thing is to understand the business model.
Everyone followed Walton, listening to his introduction of the discount store's business model, and also walked around the Wal-Mart supermarket.
After the introduction, Yang Wendong asked: "Sam, as far as I know there are some discount supermarkets like yours in the United States. As an investor, I would like to ask, what are your advantages to ensure that you Success? "
Discount supermarkets are not original to Walton, just like membership discount supermarkets are not original to Costco, but these two have defeated everyone else and become industry giants.
As an investor, Yang Wendong also needs to go through this inquiry process, but he himself is also curious about why Walton can succeed.
Sam explained: “There are many discount supermarkets, and I have been to many other discount supermarkets, but they do not really offer discounts. Instead, they use a small number of products as a gimmick to attract customers, but most of the products still maintain high prices. Profit.
Wal-Mart is a true full discount supermarket. I have strict profit margin restrictions on my products. The gross profit margin cannot exceed 40%. If it is because If the cost cannot be controlled due to transportation reasons, then we should find a way to change suppliers."
"40%?" Yang Wendong nodded and asked, "So the profit is always so low?"
40%. Gross profit was unparalleled in the supermarket industry in the previous life, but it is not that high in this era. Supermarkets have a wide variety of products and rely heavily on transportation, storage, and information transportation. In this era, costs will be higher.
Sam said: "Yes, the profit is low, but there are a lot of customers. Basically, the customers who come to my home will be attracted by the price, and then they will come often, and they can even introduce friends and relatives to come here.< br>
And the purchase volume on my side will also increase, so that when I negotiate the price with the supplier, I can press down a little bit. ”
“Well, it’s a good business model. "Yang Wendong nodded. This concept is very advanced in this era.
Sam added: "It's just that no matter how good a supermarket's business is, its purchasing volume is still too low. If there are ten If there are even dozens of companies, both transportation and purchase prices can be greatly reduced;
In this way, the price of goods can be further reduced, which will definitely be a very promising investment. ”
“It’s really good. "Yang Wendong said: "After the scale becomes larger and the cost is reduced, normal people think of high profits, but what you think of is to continue to reduce the selling price of the terminal. ”
"Profit is naturally important, and I need profit too." Sam said: "But as long as I can keep profits low, I can steal customers from other retail industries. Then this market will be able to stably provide me with low profits."< br>
"That's good, how much investment do you need?" Yang Wendong nodded and asked formally.
This business model has been proven feasible by many companies in previous generations, such as Coca-Cola, which also relied on low prices to monopolize the entire market.
“$200,000.” Sam said, “How about I give you 10% of the shares?”
PS: Please give me a monthly vote.
(End of this chapter)