Schmidt rubbed his glasses and continued: "With such technological advances, we have to strengthen the company's infrastructure, especially in terms of hardware and software networks. Right now, our office space, as well as our servers, are not enough to support our next phase of growth. ”

"Yes, sharpening knives is not wrong for woodcutters. Sid nodded in agreement.

"In addition, although we have received search engine contracts from companies such as Yahoo, if we want to achieve a large-scale user search experience, we must update and iterate on the AI version. Schmidt spreads his hands and says: "So we need to keep the product development cycle as short as possible, of course, on the basis of quality assurance." ”

"These are all good, and they are really important for the technical issues at this stage. Sid nodded, then he thought for a moment and said to Schmidt, "So Erik, can you give me and Larry a little time?"

"Of course. Schmidt knew that Sid was going to talk to Larry Page and Sergey Brin alone, so he got up and left.

"So, I'd like to hear your opinion first?" Sid looked at Larry Page and Sergey Brin for a long time.

"Well, from a technical point of view, Mr. Schmidt led the development of Java's standalone technical programming platform when he was working at Sun and Novell, and he does have excellent skills in software programming and networking software. Sergey Brin, as the chief technology officer, was the first to express his opinion.

Then Sid looked at Larry Page, "What about you, Larry?"

Larry Page touched his chin before he spoke: "I've talked to Schmidt a few times before, and I've seen his resume and achievements. What I value most is his ability to lead technical teams and overcome technical difficulties, especially when he was at Sun, where he led the development of the Java technology platform, which is almost the most important foundation for Java programming to become the mainstream programming method today. ”

"Uh-huh, I see. Sid nodded repeatedly, and after listening to the opinions of the two business partners, he also spoke: "I agree with you, Schmidt's technical and executive management is indeed the most needed ability for the company at present. ”

"Whew-" Larry and Sergey couldn't help but let out a sigh, "That's ......"

"But. Side paused before saying, "At the level of corporate strategy, especially the advertising revenue part involving Adord and AdSense at this stage, I can't tell Schmidt yet. On the one hand, the time has not yet come, and on the other hand, from the problem of Novell falling into huge losses after the bursting of the NASDAQ Internet bubble, it can be seen that Schmidt is still not good at judging the grand strategy and general trend. ”

"Emergencies like the NASDAQ dot-com bubble can't be foreseen by normal people. Isn't it too harsh to judge Schmidt by this?" said Sergei Brin, confused.

"Is it? normal people can't foresee it?" Sid showed a faint smile and looked at Sergei with bright eyes, "As early as the beginning of the incident, Buffett has issued many warnings to Silicon Valley and Wall Street. And George Soros has not participated in any Internet bubble investment in the whole process. ”

"Julian Robertson's Tiger Fund regarded the Nasdaq craze as a bubble from the beginning, if it weren't for their completely wrong judgment of trend fluctuations, buying down when the market is up, and buying up when the bubble bursts, then Tiger Fund is afraid that it will become the next Wall Street giant. ”

"But aren't these all financial predators? Isn't it normal for them to be different from technologists like Schmidt?" asked Larry Page.

That's why I said that Schmidt is suitable for the day-to-day operation of the company and the execution of our strategic plan, which means that although he is nominally the CEO, he is actually doing more of the work of the COO. Sid nodded and explained, "And for founders like you and me, day-to-day operations and technological innovation are not the most important jobs. ”

Seeing Sergei's raised eyebrows, Sid couldn't help but smile and spread his hands: "I'm not saying that they are not important, I just said that there are more important things." ”

"What's the matter?" asked Larry Page curiously.

"Strategy, of course!" Sid said as a matter of course: "Steve Jobs didn't understand computer hardware technology, but it was because he saw the broad promise of personal computers that he was able to set up Apple." Bill Gates can't code, Dos is bought, indos is stolen, but now Microsoft is the only hegemon in Silicon Valley. ”

"These previous experiences show that in order to build a successful business in Silicon Valley, it is necessary to make accurate and informed judgments about the rapidly changing computer Internet market. Technology and operations are like fuel, and strategy is the helmsman. If we go in the wrong direction, then no amount of fuel will only make us farther and farther away from the right direction, and eventually lose ourselves and destroy ourselves. ”

Both Larry and Sergei were convinced by Sid's words, and they nodded heartily, "You're right, Sid." ”

Seeing that he had persuaded the two partners, Sid also smiled, "So, it's up to you two Luo next." ”

Hearing Sid's "irresponsible" dumping behavior, Larry and Sergei were both "dissatisfied", "Hey, speaking of which, you are the most relaxed of the three of us." "You're not good, Sid, come on, I'll help you find something to do." ”

"Get out!" Sid laughed and slapped away the "claws" of the two people reaching out to him, and the cheerful voices of the three people fortunately did not reach the outside, otherwise the majesty of the three of them in front of his subordinates would have all been lost like Sid's discipline.

After the meeting, Schmidt was invited again to Larry Page's office in the afternoon.

"Eric, after discussion, I agree with Larry and Sergey's choice, you will be appointed as the new CEO of Google, and at the same time, Larry will be reappointed as chairman, and Serged and I will remain unchanged. Because Sid rarely returns to Google in person, it is up to Sid to announce the appointment.

"Good. Hearing Sid's words, although Schmidt was also confident before, he still secretly clenched his fists excitedly, and then he looked at Sid and the three, "Thank you, I won't let you down." ”

"We made this choice because we had faith in you. Sid smiled, and then he changed his tune, "And after you become CEO, in addition to the technical and operational issues we just talked about, I have a special task for you as the CSO Chief Strategy Officer. ”