"Tomorrow is Saturday, and the application will be approved next week!"
Seeing Wang Yi lost in thought, Director Qin smiled kindly:
"To get the talent introduction from the Capital City as soon as you start your freshman year, you're quite the first, but it's worth it!"
There was no other way; Director Qin was worried that if they didn't act, Wang Yi would be snatched away by Magic City and Shenzhen!
Talent is being snatched up everywhere!
For talent like Wang Yi, the Capital City simply has the advantage of being geographically closer.
Even if the Capital City didn't recruit him, Magic City and Shenzhen would be eager to have him, so it was better to strike first.
"Okay, Director, thank you,"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
Director Qin waved his hand:
"As for the factory, it's a large feature phone factory that went bankrupt. We need some time to upgrade it for you with the most advanced smartphone production line! Expected delivery in December!"
"December?"
Wang Yi thought for a moment.
The phone hasn't been fully developed yet, so there's no rush.
By the time it's delivered in December, the phone might be almost developed.
Smartphone development has its own set of procedures.
After some pleasantries, Wang Yi left the Management Committee, his expression a bit complex.
Now all is ready, all that lacks is an east wind.
The factory is secured; it's time to accelerate the mobile phone business!
Moreover, time waits for no one!
Xiaomi 1 was released on August 16th, currently available for pre-order, and officially goes on sale in late October.
Wang Yi remembered that Xiaomi 1 only sold over 200,000 units this year.
After all, their first batch of stock was only 300,000 units.
It's foreseeable that next year will be Xiaomi 1's main battlefield, selling over 7 million units!
Meizu MX was released in December and went on sale on January 1st, also set to be a hot seller next year!
But Meizu's downfall was its small scale and lack of courage.
When it was most popular shortly after its launch, production capacity was insufficient, and there was no stock.
Later, when capacity increased, the phone's popularity had waned...
As for Xingyi Mobile, if things go smoothly, it would launch at the earliest next year!
The three major domestic smartphone brands will compete fiercely in early 2012!
As for Huawei, Huawei phones in 2011 were still collaborations with carriers, with 512MB of RAM, significantly inferior in configuration and performance compared to Meizu and Xiaomi, posing little threat.
At the time, Huawei had just started making smartphones and didn't have the brand premium it would have years later.
However, early next year, Huawei will release the Ascend P1, the first generation of the P series, which poses some threat, but it won't be on the market until April.
The Ascend P1 started at 3000 yuan, positioned as high-end.
But because it launched too late and its price-performance ratio was inferior to Xiaomi and similar brands, it had to be reduced to 2000 yuan, and still sold over 8 million units in its final year!
Furthermore, the two giants, Samsung S3 and HTC One X, were released mid-year, and both launched in the second half of the year.
The iPhone 5's release date was even later.
It can be said that the first half of 2011 was an opportunity for domestic smartphones, and even more so for Xingyi Mobile!
Xiaomi 1 rose to prominence with its unbeatable price-performance ratio of 1999 yuan, becoming legendary in one battle!
It not only surpassed its mentor, Meizu, but also overshadowed giants like Zhonghua KULIAN.
There was no other way; no matter how strong the feature phone era was, the smartphone era was a complete reshuffle, and everyone had to start from scratch!
Even the Huawei P1 had to drop from 3000 to 2000 yuan to compete with Xiaomi.
If it hadn't lowered its price, the 3000 yuan Huawei P1 simply couldn't have outsold the 1999 yuan Xiaomi 1.
Only after dropping to over two thousand yuan did it become an even match with Xiaomi 1!
Wang Yi increasingly recognized the situation.
In the second half of next year, Samsung, HTC, and iPhone will all release annual flagships, even annual "phone kings," making the competition extremely fierce!
Wang Yi didn't think Xingyi Mobile, being new to the scene, could compete with them; that was unrealistic.
On the contrary, the first half of next year is Xingyi Mobile's opportunity!
Whether Xingyi Mobile can win the championship in one fell swoop and establish its position as an emerging domestic powerhouse depends on this wave!
If it succeeds, Xingyi Mobile will grow stronger and gain nationwide fame.
If it fails, it will end poorly, becoming a laughing stock.
Of course, Wang Yi would not allow the latter to happen!
Instead, Wang Yi wanted Xingyi Mobile to snipe Xiaomi 1, crush Meizu MX, and also send off Huawei P1!
To completely establish its position as a domestic leader!
Only then could it have enough fame and capital in the second half of the year to contend with Samsung and HTC!
To this end, Xingyi Mobile must not only have top-notch performance but also outstanding exterior design, completely surpassing its competitors!
As a reborn individual, Wang Yi, with design aesthetics from the future, could easily crush not only domestic phone designs but even Apple's designs.
But this wasn't enough!
It would be best to introduce another globally unique highlight, a killer feature!
A unique highlight that no other brand could achieve, exclusive to Xingyi Technology, that would be enough!
For example, fingerprint recognition!
But Wang Yi thought about it, and it wouldn't be easy.
Motorola's smartphones released in the first half of the year already supported fingerprint recognition.
But it used Fujitsu's anti-human design—slide fingerprint recognition!
Slide fingerprint recognition was not only technologically backward but also made the phone's functionality, aesthetics, and user experience poor.
To put it bluntly, it was better to not have it at all!
It was precisely because of this that Fujitsu's ten years of persistent research into slide fingerprint technology yielded almost nothing.
Too useless!
It wasn't until the iPhone 5S was released in 2013, introducing the killer feature—press-type fingerprint recognition!
That a new era of fingerprint recognition in the phone industry began!
If Wang Yi were to implement fingerprint recognition now, press-type technology wouldn't be achievable.
Even Goodix Technology only achieved a breakthrough in fingerprint recognition technology in 2014, reaching the global top tier.
Wang Yi made up his mind to invest in Goodix Technology's fingerprint recognition, aiming to develop it by 2013 if possible.
Or to check the laboratories of universities like Beihang and Qingbei for relevant technologies or projects.
If it was feasible, Wang Yi wouldn't mind investing.
If press-type fingerprint recognition could be developed ahead of time, Xingyi Technology could pre-empt Apple's killer feature, easily sniping the iPhone 5S!
The 5S of that year led the pack solely relying on fingerprint recognition!
If Wang Yi managed to break through and release it first, iPhone would have nowhere to cry.
However, launching press-type fingerprint recognition with the Xingyi 1st generation was unrealistic; time was too tight, and a technological breakthrough couldn't be achieved.
He could only switch to other selling points, preferably ones that were simple, easy to break through, and eye-catching!
Wang Yi thought for a moment and realized that the current breakthrough needed to come from the phone's body itself!
But not in exterior design, rather in texture!
It was a clear feeling that the texture of thousand-yuan phones ten years later would be better than that of iPhones from a few years prior!
This was an issue of the times.
Wang Yi decided that the selling points for the Xingyi 1st generation phone would be the most attractive exterior design + the most premium texture + camera optimization + beauty algorithms!
Of course, the design and texture didn't need to be overly superior; completely outperforming the iPhone 5 and a host of international giants would be enough.
Better texture and design would be saved for later generations; the toothpaste had to be squeezed slowly!
Ensuring that each generation of Xingyi Mobile had enough highlights and consistently stayed far ahead each year would suffice.
If everything was revealed at once and copied by competitors, it would be a net loss.
Also, camera optimization didn't need to be too good; just a little better than iPhone would do.
The beauty algorithms wouldn't be fully optimized at once; they would be gradually upgraded.
The focus was on precise execution strategy and a steady, continuous flow.
Subsequently, Wang Yi arrived at the industrial park.
In just one day, the industrial park had been completely transformed.
Jian Ziyan's newly recruited property cleaners and security guards were already on duty.
Wang Yi was very satisfied with this.
Why do companies nowadays prefer hiring fresh graduates?
Because newly graduated university students have aspirations (pure enough), drive (can work overtime), diligence (don't slack off), high plasticity (easy to PUA), and strong stress resistance (easy to manage)!
After another two years, they would also become seasoned veterans, become disillusioned, see no hope for promotion, and then start slacking off and coasting.
Someone like Jian Ziyan, Wang Yi's secretary, could even work overtime to recruit.
Recruitment websites, HR agencies, Beihang alumni groups, even the alumni groups of neighboring Tsinghua, Peking, and Renmin Universities—last night she used connections to get in, posted job openings, made urgent contacts, and scheduled interviews for today...
In less than a day, she completed what others would do in a week.
If it were those professional managers, perhaps they would be more professional and capable than Jian Ziyan, but they would never be so efficient or dedicated.
Forget recruiting so many people in one day; they probably received the news yesterday, started working today, would rest tomorrow and the day after for the weekend, and only begin interviews on Monday!
This was also why Wang Yi didn't use those professional talents.
Their abilities might be professional, but their work attitude was truly not worth mentioning.
Far inferior to the desperate efforts of Song Sining and Jian Ziyan.
More importantly, for ordinary employees, whether Jian Ziyan or a professional manager recruited them, the difference was negligible.
Any unsuitable individuals could simply be weeded out during their internship.
As for elite employees and high-level management, they weren't recruited by professional managers at all, but rather through internal recommendations and headhunting!
Moreover, Jian Ziyan had the advantage of the alumni association, which was a significant bonus.
Beihang is very strong in both software and hardware development.
Its electronic engineering major, a favorite for phone manufacturing, is even ranked fourth nationally, only after the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, and Tsinghua University!
Wang Yi arrived at Building No. 1 in the southeast district.
Yang Yan and seven employees were deeply engrossed in their work.
The company had just started, and laptops hadn't been provided yet, so they were all using their own.
Seeing Wang Yi approach, Yang Yan quickly stood up:
"Boss, you're here."
"Hello, Boss!"
The seven employees all stood up.
"Everyone, please sit. You've worked hard,"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
Yang Yan introduced each of the seven to Wang Yi.
Five of them were UI designers Yang Yan had poached from his previous company, with several more designers joining next Monday.
The other two were software development engineers recruited by Jian Ziyan last night, found through the Beihang alumni group.
Yang Yan interviewed them today, found their abilities outstanding, and arranged for them to start on the same day.
Wang Yi was very pleased with this and called Yang Yan out:
"Assign the UI development work to them. You continue recruiting, select the best, and make sure they are reliable! Compensation is not an issue. Upon onboarding, they must sign confidentiality and non-compete agreements! Within three months, you must deliver a deeply customized system based on Android 4.0!"
"Okay!"
Yang Yan felt significant pressure, but he could do it!
"If the system is done well, your department, even after three months of employment, will still receive year-end bonuses. If it's not done well, there will be no year-end bonus! Year-end bonuses will be divided based on performance contribution into 30,000, 50,000, 80,000, and 100,000 yuan! Work hard!"
Wang Yi patted Yang Yan's shoulder and turned to leave.
If you want a horse to run, you have to let it eat grass!
The year-end bonus was the best "grass"!
Currently, time was tight and tasks were heavy, so Wang Yi had to use tens of thousands in year-end bonuses to entice them to work desperately!
Wang Yi hadn't gone far when Yang Yan returned to the department and clapped his hands:
"Everyone listen up, the boss just gave two instructions."
"First, the system development work must be completed within three months. If not, everyone will face salary cuts and demotions! If things go badly, I might even be fired!"
Yang Yan sighed, putting on a show of immense pressure.
As the person in charge, if Wang Yi wasn't putting pressure on him, he had to put pressure on himself!
"..."
Everyone looked at each other, their expressions a little grim.
"Second, if the system development is completed and done very well, even if we've only been employed for three months, the entire department will still receive year-end bonuses! If it's not done well, the entire department will go hungry!"
Upon hearing this, everyone became excited:
"What? A year-end bonus after only three months of employment? Such a good thing exists!"
"The boss is so generous! In other companies, you wouldn't even dream of a cent this year."
"Forget about a cent, many companies lay off people right before the New Year to cut costs! After working hard for a year, not only do you not get a single cent of a year-end bonus, but you also lose your job!"
"Exactly, lay off one person, save one year-end bonus! Those companies are shameless, our boss is generous!"
"Manager, how much year-end bonus can we get?"
"How much year-end bonus?"
Yang Yan smiled:
"The boss said the year-end bonus starts at 30,000 yuan! The median is 50,000, and for outstanding performers, it's 80,000 or 100,000 yuan! How much you get depends entirely on your ability. Of course, if you don't do well, I'll go hungry with you, or even get fired with you!"
"That high? A 50,000 yuan year-end bonus after three months of employment? The boss is truly generous!"
"No way, we must get the system done as soon as possible, and do it well!"
"Manager, let's work overtime tomorrow, even though it's the weekend!"
"Yes, let's all work overtime and get the system done as soon as possible!"
"Three months' salary, 50,000, plus another 50,000 year-end bonus, that's equivalent to earning 100,000 in three months! Let's go for it!"
"Yes, let's work overtime and strive together!"
...
Watching this scene, Yang Yan showed a satisfied smile:
"Alright, let's all work hard together as a department. Those willing to come in and work overtime tomorrow and the day after, please do. Xingyi Technology is a good company; overtime isn't unpaid, everyone gets overtime pay!"
"Of course, if you have something important and don't want to come, feel free, we won't force it."
At this point, Yang Yan changed his tone:
"In the future, everyone's contributions and performance will be recorded and assessed as the basis for year-end bonus ratings! Keep up the good work!"
Immediately, everyone's morale soared, and the entire system development department got swept up in fierce competition!
As for tomorrow's date?
Vacation?
What vacation?!
I'm going to work overtime!
I want to earn an extra 50,000 yuan in year-end bonus in three months!
What's more, Xingyi Technology offers excellent overtime benefits, including overtime pay.
Subsequently, Wang Yi went to Office Building No. 2.
There were eight employees already at work inside.
Zhu Changlin introduced them one by one.
Five of them, like Zhu Changlin, were former hardware engineers from HTC's R&D department and his capable subordinates.
After Zhu Changlin was forced out, they were also marginalized and had to resign.
In a large company like HTC, there was no shortage of R&D engineers, and they were simply not valued.
Last night, upon learning that Zhu Changlin had found a new employer with better pay and a generous boss, they rushed over early this morning to complete the onboarding process.
The remaining three were also recruited by Jian Ziyan, graduates of Beihang's Communications Engineering program.
She posted recruitment announcements in the alumni group, and many job-seeking upperclassmen contacted her.
Jian Ziyan reviewed the resumes, screened them, and arranged interviews for suitable candidates today.
Jian Ziyan was very smart; she didn't understand the technical details, so she only looked at resumes and scheduled interview times.
As for whether they would be hired, she left it to the managers of the two departments to assess them themselves.
Keep the suitable ones, politely decline the unsuitable ones.
Not even Beihang alumni were exceptions!
Jian Ziyan, with her legal background, was more rational and meticulous, not one for playing personal connections.
"Boss, Secretary Jian is very capable. She has also arranged for five more applicants to interview tomorrow. There are a few more the day after! All are excellent graduates from top universities!"
Zhu Changlin said with a smile:
"In a few more days, the entire R&D department will be up and running."
"Very good."
Wang Yi nodded and called Zhu Changlin out.
He gave similar instructions:
"All salaries will increase by 30%. Confidentiality and non-compete agreements will be signed upon onboarding..."
"Boss, rest assured, I've got all this covered."
Wang Yi nodded:
"Push ahead as quickly as possible! Produce design proposals within one month, complete all designs within two months, and build prototypes for testing within three months!"
According to Wang Yi's plan, if prototypes are made and tested without issues within three months, the supply chain is established, and the factory is delivered in late December, mass production can begin!
It could be launched after New Year's Day!
Developing a phone wouldn't take too long.
After all, these days phones are assembled, or rather, they are integrations of industry chain solutions!
Even phone designs are often heavily customized based on other phones...
As long as a phone is designed, tested, improved, and has no major issues, it's just a matter of getting components and producing it!
The key is how to open up the industry chain!
And now, with Meizu and Xiaomi leading the way, they have already paved the path for the industry chain.
The main suppliers and brands for phone components are limited.
Xingyi Mobile doesn't need to start from scratch; it can follow their path.
They use screens from Samsung, Sharp, JDI, LG, and Toshiba; Xingyi Mobile will also use these.
They use Qualcomm processors; Xingyi Mobile will also use them!
They use Sony lenses; Xingyi Mobile will also use Sony lenses!
...
Finally, Xingyi Mobile just needs to make breakthroughs in key areas and surpass its predecessors!
Whether now or in the future, the entire phone industry operates this way.
Otherwise, how could they release a new phone every year, or even every six months?
The only problem is the cost of components and the ordering cycle!
Lei Bus started in software, and foreign component suppliers didn't know him, so they required Xiaomi to pay deposits and order in advance!
When Wang Yi makes Xingyi Mobile, others will similarly not give him special treatment; he will also have to pay deposits and order in advance!
Furthermore, Xiaomi sought out top-tier suppliers, which meant even longer ordering cycles.
For screens like Sharp's, orders had to be placed three months in advance!
Qualcomm chips also had to be ordered two months in advance!
Sony cameras required at least one month's advance order!
Foxconn or Inventec could produce Xiaomi phones quickly, but they all had to wait for components!
Even if all other components were ready, if just one was missing, assembly couldn't proceed, and they'd simply have to wait!
Therefore, Xiaomi 1 frequently ran out of stock and had to resort to hunger marketing.
When Wang Yi makes phones, he will also face supply chain issues and ordering cycle problems!
As for the solution, it's to order main components in advance!
For example, screens and chips, don't they need to be ordered two or three months in advance?
A week later, Wang Yi will go abroad to inspect the supply chain.
After negotiating prices, he will place large-volume orders directly!
(End of this chapter)