Chapter 240 Two Cooperations
As the anniversary celebration of the Department of Electronic Engineering began, Wang Xing suddenly discovered that the junior fellow student who just ran up to him and said he wanted to invest in the school network was actually sitting in the second row. !
You must know that those who are qualified to sit in the first three rows are not ordinary people.
Besides the leaders and a few guests who need to speak on stage, those who can sit in the first row are several academicians and several veteran professors in their 80s and 90s from the School of Electronic Engineering.
The second row is equivalent to being second only to academicians, which in itself is a status symbol.
"Who is this junior? If he was just a rich second generation, he wouldn't be sitting there!" Wang Xing decided to find an acquaintance to find out.
After the celebration ceremony was over, Wang Xing found one of his senior brothers.
When Wang Xing was studying in the Department of Electronic Engineering, this senior was two years older than him. Later, this senior went to Tsinghua University to study for a master's degree and a Ph.D. directly after graduation, he stayed at the school to teach. Now working as a lecturer.
"Wang Xing, I heard that you started your own business after coming back from the United States? How is it going? Is it going well?" The senior brother asked with great concern.
“It’s not bad, it’s slowly getting on track now.” Wang Xing replied.
"Senior brother, I don't have much ability, but if there is anything I can use you for, just say it."
"Thank you, senior brother." Wang Xing thanked him and finally asked about Zhang Wei.
"Brother, there was a guy named Zhang Wei in our Electronic Engineering Department in Grade 03. He said he dropped out and went to study in the Department of Biology. Do you know this person?"
"You said It’s Zhang Wei! How could I not know him! He is our Tsinghua University’s most talented scientist!”
Senior brother introduced Zhang Wei to Wang Xing, Only then did Wang Xing realize that the young man just now was actually a boss of this level!
"Is this Zhang Wei very rich?" Wang Xing asked again.
“A scholar of his level cannot be measured by money. But I think that with his scientific research ability, he can get tens of millions of scientific research funds from any university. "The senior replied.
Wang Xing nodded suddenly: "In this case, he might actually be able to spend one million US dollars to invest in my school network!"
......
The next day, Zhang Wei was invited by Wang Xing to the office building rented by Xiaonei.com.
"This is our work area." Wang Xing pointed to a large office and continued; "The school network has just started. We are still in the start-up stage. We don't have many people. The product research and development and website maintenance departments work together. , and the office conditions are relatively simple.”
Zhang Wei nodded, for a start-up company, it would be nice to have a place to work, and what else do you need a bicycle!
There is nothing worth visiting in Wang Xing's company, you can see it all at a glance.
"That's my office over there, junior brother, let's go in and sit down?" Wang Xing said.
"Okay! Then let's go to your office and chat slowly." Zhang Wei nodded.
In addition to Wang Xing, several other people from the Xiaonei Network start-up team also followed.
After sitting down, Wang Xing introduced: "At present, the labor cost of our school network is not high. For example, several of our team founders do not receive salary.
In terms of hardware, In terms of investment, the main expenses are the purchase of computers and other office equipment, as well as the rent of office buildings. The biggest expense is the cost of renting servers.”
“I understand this, I am doing it. The web games we make also require renting servers, which is really expensive." Zhang Wei nodded, and then asked: "If we give you one million US dollars in financing, how long can you sustain it?"
"By next summer, there will definitely be no problem." Wang Xing said firmly.
Zhang Wei smiled and shook his head: "Brother, we are all from Tsinghua University, and I don't treat you as an outsider."
Wang Xing grinned awkwardly: "I shouldn't be able to survive until the end of the year. Problem."
"I think it will be difficult at the end of the year!" Zhang Wei continued: "You have to consider that the user base of the school network will continue to increase, and the existing servers will definitely not be able to meet the needs of the school network in the future. To meet the demand, renting a new server is inevitable.”
“It is indeed possible, but the rapid increase in customer base is also a good thing for us. I hope we can have millions. People are using our school network!" Wang Xing said with a smile.
Zhang Wei continued to ask: "What direction do you have in terms of profitability of the school network?"
"Profitability mainly depends on advertising. We are currently trying to accept advertising. I believe that if our user group comes up, we will definitely produce very good advertising benefits and attract many advertisers." Wang Xing replied road.
Zhang Wei nodded. At that time, of course, the income of social networking sites still relied on advertising. With the development of the Internet, there will be more profit models.
Currently, the users of Xiaonei.com are all college students, so there is no need to consider the precise delivery of advertisements. As long as the ads are targeted at college students, they can be placed directly.
“Okay, I’ll invest the one million US dollars!” Zhang Wei paused and then said, “But I still hope that the school network will be opened to non-students as soon as possible.”
Wang Xing did not speak, but a partner next to him said: "Actually, our positioning is mainly a campus social network. If we open it to non-student groups, we will be far away from our original intention of creating the campus network.
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And I think once it is opened to non-student groups, it will cause dissatisfaction among the student groups. They may give up using the campus network, and we will lose many users. "
Zhang Wei pondered for a moment and then said: "The idea of the school network should come from Facebook in the United States, right? If Facebook is open to non-student groups, are you willing to open it to non-student groups as well? ”
Wang Xing still didn’t speak, but looked at the other partners, as if asking for their opinions.
The other people looked at each other, obviously different. Everyone has their own ideas.
No startup team wants to be criticized by investors. There are many cases where the startup team ends up breaking up with the investors. < br>
Since it is a campus social networking site, it should only be targeted at campuses and should not be open to social groups. This is obviously the idea of the Xiaonei.com start-up team.
But if Facebook is also open to social groups, then they will have no reason to continue to stick to the field of campus social networking. After all, Xiaonei.com was originally a website imitating Facebook.
Zhang Wei continued: "How about we sign a gambling agreement. If Facebook is open to non-campus groups before January 1 next year, the school network will also need to be implemented within a month. Open to non-campus groups. If Facebook is not open to non-campus groups, then just pretend that I have not mentioned this request.”
The founding team exchanged opinions in a low voice and felt that this plan was acceptable. . If Facebook is open to social groups, it means that there is no problem with this decision, and it is natural for Xiaonei.com to follow Facebook's footsteps.
The start-up team quickly reached a consensus. Wang Xing said on behalf of the team members: "Okay, just follow what you said."
Zhang Wei continued: "Since we talked about Facebook, what about the campus I also want to make a suggestion for the operation of the school network. I hope that the school network will not only target Facebook, but also use Facebook as a template.
The future development direction of the school network can completely copy Facebook and whatever new features Facebook launches. Content, let’s imitate new content.”
“You mean, let us copy Facebook?” The founding team member who just spoke frowned. He obviously didn’t like this proposal.
“Of course, I am not telling Xiaonei.com to give up innovation. We can imitate Facebook and carry out innovations suitable for localization. But copying homework from Facebook is what must be done.”< br>
Zhang Wei paused and then continued: "The Internet industry in the United States is far more developed than ours in China. Everyone should agree on this, right? Facebook has achieved rapid success since its establishment, right?"
Some people were silent and some nodded. At least no one raised any objections. They obviously agreed with Zhang Wei's statement.
Zhang Weize continued: "Since Facebook can succeed in the developed Internet market of the United States, their successful experience must be worth learning.
I know You may think that this is copying Facebook; you may also think that this will stifle the innovation of Xiaonei. But I think there is nothing wrong with lagging behind copying the development model of advanced ones, but it is a way to make rapid progress.
This is like Facebook being a top student at an excellent university, and Xiaonei.com being an ordinary student at an ordinary university. If students at an ordinary university want to improve their grades and learn from top students at an excellent university, that is A shortcut!
Since someone has already invented the wheel, there is no need for us to reinvent the wheel. If we copy the wheel, it will not affect the speed of the car we build!
What’s more, it’s Facebook, which is the best social networking site in the world right now, right? We learn from the best peers around the world without being embarrassed! "
After listening to Zhang Wei's words, Wang Xing took the lead in nodding: "Junior brother, what you said makes sense. We should indeed let go of some of our pride and learn from Facebook. ”
“But if Facebook sues us for plagiarism, what should we do? "Someone asked again.
"Are you planning to enter the US market? "Zhang Wei asked back.
"You will definitely not be able to enter the American market." The man shook his head.
"Then what are you afraid of!" Zhang Wei curled his lips: "Xiaonei.com will not enter the US market. If Facebook infringes rights in the US, the US will not be able to punish you."
" What if they come to China to sue us? "
"We are a Chinese company and we are afraid of Americans when we go to court in China!" Zhang Wei smiled coldly and continued: "Besides, even if they really do If you come to China to file a lawsuit, what are you suing us for?
Facebook does not operate in the country. Since you do not have any rights in the country, there is no such thing as infringement at all! The case will not be filed.”
"But what if Facebook enters the domestic market in two or three years and sues us?" the person asked again.
"That will happen in a few years, let's talk about it then!" Wang Xing glared at the partner, fearing that this guy would be too arrogant and offend Zhang Wei, the financial backer.
Zhang Wei waved his hand indifferently: "Do you think Facebook is willing to abide by the laws of our country? Especially the censorship part!
Americans pride themselves on freedom of speech every day. , this kind of social networking site has to flaunt these things. If they insist on this, is it possible to enter the domestic market?
What's more, this also involves the issue of user data, tens of millions or even Do you think the country will be at ease if the user data of hundreds of millions of people is handed over to the Americans?”
"What if, I mean what if, in order to open up the Chinese market, Facebook is really willing to compromise on this aspect?" That person was obviously a bully.
"With the arrogance of Americans, there is no such thing as a contingency. If you don't believe me, ask Mr. Wang, he came back from studying in the United States." Zhang Wei pointed at Wang Xing.
Wang Xing nodded with deep understanding: "Junior brother Zhang Wei understands Americans!"
......
After settling the matter of investing in the school network, Zhang Wei again After receiving a call from Zhou Hongyi, Zhou Hongyi wanted to talk to Zhang Wei about free anti-virus software.
This time, Zhang Wei invited Zhou Hongyi to his Weiguang Technology.
“We at Weiguang Technology have just started and are still in the start-up stage. We don’t have many people. The product development and website maintenance departments work together, and the office conditions are relatively simple.”
What Uranus said to Zhang Wei just yesterday was learned and sold by Zhang Wei today and used against Zhou Hongyi.
At this time, Zhou Hongyi probably had the same mentality as Zhang Wei when he visited the school network the day before yesterday. He felt that for a start-up company, such office conditions are already very good, so what else does he need a bicycle!
Next, Zhang Wei introduced "The Story of the Generals of the Three Kingdoms" to Zhou Hongyi.
As an Internet tycoon, Zhou Hongyi has never made a game, but he definitely knows about online games. However, his knowledge of online games still only focuses on point card charging. The model of the Three Kingdoms web game, where the game is free and items are charged, was also refreshing to him.
Zhou Hongyi observed for a long time and asked: "I finally understand. The profit model of your game is not to rely on game points, but to sell props in the game?"
"Yes, this is the free model I'm talking about." Zhang Wei nodded, and then said: "Mr. Zhou, what do you think of this model? Can it be used with anti-virus software?"
"This kind of model The mode is quite new, but if it’s used in anti-virus software, then forget it.” Zhou Hongyi smiled and shook her head, then said: “I can’t sell an anti-virus accelerator card to kill poison once in an anti-virus software, right? Half an hour, using an accelerator card for five minutes? There is no such business model."
Zhang Wei smiled helplessly: "Mr. Zhou, you still don't understand what I mean. The charging model is just a form of the free model.
You can look at it this way, I provide free game services to all players. But some of the players are not satisfied with the free services I provide, and they need further value-added services.
So I provided further value-added services, which are these paid props. When players purchase props in the game, they essentially purchase the value-added services I provide.
In games, this value-added service is represented by a charge for items, but in other products, this value-added service can also be other things. Even if you provide an advertisement to the user, it can be regarded as a value-added service! "
A sentence woke up the dreamer. Zhou Hongyi understood what Zhang Wei meant, and his expression changed instantly. He had straightened out the business thinking behind the free model.
"Zhang Wei Brother, you are awesome! I, Zhou Hongyi, have rarely convinced anyone in my life, so I am really convinced by your free model! "Zhou Hongyi couldn't help but extend her thumb.
Zhang Wei smiled and said: "Brother Zhou, if there is an opportunity to cooperate in the future, you have to support me!"
(End of this chapter)