Kowloon, Nathan Road.

The Miramar Hotel topped out today, and a 'topping out ceremony' was held at the site.

The so-called 'capping' means that the main structure of the building has been completed, and the follow-up decoration of 'Miramar Hotel' and 'Miramar Shopping Center' will take about 12~14 months, and the final opening time is expected to be New Year's Day in 1961.

I saw that an 18-storey hotel building and a 5-storey shopping center formed a huge building with a total floor area of 800,000 square feet, including 520,000 square feet of hotel area and 280,000 square feet of shopping center. The hotel has 680 rooms, which are 5-star in size; The mall has a total of 168 shops, a central stage for performances, and a playground on the roof.

Lin Zhichao asked: "Have you made contact with the Western Hotel Group in the United States?" ”

The Western Hotel Group, later known as America's Best Western Nationality, is the world's largest single hotel brand, and Miramar intends to become a member of its portfolio and enjoy its reservation system and management guidance, with an estimated 4% management fee (turnover).

Liang Guangchang, general manager of Miramar Hotel Group, said: "I have contacted them, they are very interested, and they plan to send someone to Hong Kong to visit recently!" ”

Lin Zhichao nodded with satisfaction!

Two hotel management giants are valued, one is Intercontinental Group and the other is Western Hotel Group. Let's talk to Western Hotel Group first, after all, this company's reservation system connects with giants such as Pan Am, and can better bring guests to Miramar hotels; And the advantage of InterContinental is luxury, so it is the second consideration.

The Miramar Hotel, which can only barely be regarded as a five-star hotel, is designed according to the standards of a five-star hotel, but it is certainly not the best of the five-star hotels.

"The next step is to enter the decoration link, Manager Liang, you are from real estate, you should pay more attention. In the future, Miramar Hotel Group will operate independently as a subsidiary of Cheung Kong Industrial, and Miramar Hotel and Miramar Shopping Center are two parts of this group, and I will appoint general managers of two grandchildren. ”

After Lin Zhichao finished speaking, many managers behind him showed a hint of 'hope' expressions, after all, there are two more general manager positions, and they don't know who the flowers will be. Among them, there are hotel professionals recruited in the last year or two, and real estate management talents trained by Cheung Kong Asset.

And Lin Zhichao's meaning is also very clear, that is, to promote from within.

Managing a five-star hotel is a great honor for the Chinese.

And why didn't Lin Zhichao choose to hire a foreigner as the general manager of the hotel?

This is because he feels that it is not necessary, and the Chinese can manage a luxury hotel well, not to mention that he also has an insurance policy - Western Hotel Group. Once the two parties cooperate, the other party will also send a team of management consultants.

Liang Guangchang hurriedly said: "Boss, rest assured, I will supervise the construction and ensure that the construction is completed on time and with quality." ”

In recent years, he has risen through the ranks of the group, and everyone knows that the Miramar Hotel project is huge, and more importantly, the 'uniqueness' of the project, whether it is a five-star hotel or a shopping mall, it is a unique asset of the company.

Now, the boss has let this group company develop independently, which shows that there are opportunities for expansion in the future.

In fact, Liang Guangchang guessed correctly, Miramar Hotel will be listed separately in 1972 and will be part of 'Cheung Kong Holdings', and will become a sister company with 'Cheung Kong Group'.

After the stock market plummeted in the 80s, Lin Zhichao arranged for the 'Cheung Kong Group' to use stocks or cash to privatize the remaining shares, and then returned to the Cheung Kong Group.

After a series of combination punches, Lin Zhichao not only got cash, but the company was his.

Chen Ping, general manager of doll noodles, came to Lin Zhichao's office to report work.

"Boss, we have recently investigated that there are about 21 instant noodle brands with a certain scale in Japan. Here are their details! ”

Lin Zhichao took the information, looked at it casually, and asked, "How much do you think is appropriate for patent transfer fees?" ”

After thinking about it for a while, Chen Ping said seriously: "Instant noodles are of great significance to Japan, and they are one of the best ways to solve the food crisis. Fortunately, there are many instant noodle brands in Japan, so I suggest that it is more suitable to charge 5~80,000 US dollars, and set a specific amount according to the size of the enterprise. ”

It can almost collect more than one million US dollars, yes, after all, it is the profit of more than five years of doll noodles.

Lin Zhichao said: "Yes, you can continue to do this thing!" It's also right to grasp the big and let go of the small, so it's not ugly to eat. ”

At the beginning of this year, the doll noodles were obtained in Japan through legal means to obtain the 'instant noodles copyright', in this regard, the Japanese government still does not dare to be unreasonable for some small profits.

Now that you have obtained the 'instant noodle copyright', it is natural to charge a patent transfer fee.

Chen Ping said: "Okay, I will definitely do this well!" At present, the Japanese instant noodle market is about 300 million bags (annual sales), and the average annual consumption per capita is 5~6 bags. Even though the competition is fierce, the price has dropped from 35 yen a bag to about 25 yen (7 cents, 0.4 Hong Kong dollars)"

Lin Zhichao suddenly said: "That day of Nissin ramen is not good, right?" ”

Chen Ping nodded and said: "Many consortia have also entered this industry, with strong capital and very low prices, Nissin ramen is not having a good time." But after all, it has earned more than 10 million Hong Kong dollars, so it is also the most competitive wave. ”

Lin Zhichao knew that the Japanese were very fierce in business, first desperately lowering prices and dragging down competitors, and after gaining the market, they began to raise prices and seek higher profits.

In the previous life, Hong Kong's doll noodles were competed by Nissin ramen, and it happened that there was a 'political incident', and the original owner Zhou Wenxuan sold the doll noodles to Nissin.

In this life, Hong Kong doll noodles are not for sale, and no one can compare to Lin Zhichao's wealth.

After Lin Zhichao pondered for a while, he asked again: "What do you think of Momofuku Ando?" ”

Chen Ping also thought about it and said, "Probably he is a naturalized Japanese Chinese, which is also kind, and he also helped us a little this time." The ability to operate is also very good, and Nissin Ramen is still very good under his leadership. In other aspects, he knows the strength of the boss, and he will never dare to come to Hong Kong to fight a price war, not to mention that our two companies are in a cooperative relationship. ”

At present, the Hong Kong market still only has doll faces, dominating the entire market.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Well, I know!" ”

Chen Ping then left the office to go about his own business. He is also very busy in the day, and the doll noodles have set up factories in Hong Kong and Sing Tao, and sell them in both places; And the doll noodles also have to fight a lawsuit in Japan and collect patent transfer fees.

Lin Zhichao will not directly participate in the operation and management of this kind of small business, at most he will listen to the reports of his subordinates and give two instructions. Of course, Chen Ping is also managed by Changjiang Industrial Group, and will also be managed by Changjiang Industrial in the future.

Japan, Gogi Ramen Company.

"President, this is a letter from a law firm to our company!" A staff member came to the president's office and handed over a letter.

Ichiro Matsumoto, the founder and president of Goki Ramen, suddenly had a bad feeling, and immediately read the letter when he got it.

"What? $80,000 patent transfer fee? Baga, why don't they grab it! ”

The current monthly sales volume of Goki Ramen is only 800,000 bags, and it is less than 10 million bags a year; And the price has been made to 25 yen a bag, and they only earn 5 yen per bag.

In other words, their annual profit is only 100,000 US dollars, and this patent fee is most of the year's profit.

The clerk asked curiously, "President, is it a letter from the law firm entrusted by the Hong Kong company?" ”

Matsumoto Ichiro nodded, and read the letter to his men, as he became angry.

After reading it, the staff said, "President, there are dozens of instant noodle brands in Japan, and each of them charges 80,000 US dollars. If you want me to say, everyone should just join forces and not pay this patent transfer fee. ”

Matsumoto Ichiro was not happy about this, but said: "Then our lawsuit will still be lost, and it is impossible for the Japanese government to favor us for more than one million US dollars." After all, if this incident goes out, it will lose the face of the whole of Japan. Others have international patents, American patents, and British patents, and if we don't pay royalties, our Japanese ramen products will never be sold in Europe and the United States. ”

If a company doesn't pay tens of thousands of dollars, it will definitely be a shame in the world.

The clerk said, "Then the president plans to pay?" ”

Matsumoto Ichiro said: "Don't rush yet, let's see how other people react, and maybe we can bargain." ”

In fact, this patent fee is indeed deliberately maximized, because it leaves room for negotiation. According to the standard set by the doll noodles, the patent transfer fee paid by Goki Ramen should be 5~60,000 US dollars.

Things quickly fermented in the Japanese instant noodle industry, and the law firm entrusted by the doll noodles sent 21 letters, bringing together all the large and medium-sized instant noodle companies in Japan. As for dozens of small instant noodle businesses, they will still pay in the future, but at present, they are focusing on the big ones and letting go of the small ones; When the little ones grow up, they have to pay again.

At the same time, the presidents of many instant noodle companies approached Momofuku Ando, the owner of Nissin Ramen, hoping that he would reconcile and reduce the patent fees.

Momofuku Ando was immediately overjoyed, he was not afraid of the arduous task, he was afraid that he would have no influence; He originally wanted to set up the 'Japan Ramen Industry Association', but he didn't have enough appeal, but now is the right time.

So, he agreed to everyone's request and prepared to go to Hong Kong to talk about it in person.

Lin Zhichao took the time to meet Momofuku Ando, after all, the two sides are a cooperative relationship, and Lin Zhichao feels that Momofuku Ando has other roles for him.

"Although the 'tonkotsu ramen' proposed by your company has not yet been developed, I have already expected that it will be a best-selling product as 'chicken soup ramen'." Momofuku Ando was the first to show goodwill.

The two parties have cooperated in the research and development of 'tonkotsu ramen', and the technology has been shared, which has entered the experimental stage and is expected to be launched within one or two years.

It takes 2~3 years to research a flavor of instant noodles, because it requires a lot of technology to achieve mass production and the taste is 'perfect'.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Our two companies are originally cooperative relations and allies, and the doll noodles are limited and the area is narrow, so I also attach great importance to the cooperation with Nissin Ramen." ”

Momofuku Ando suddenly thought that if it weren't for the patented technology of doll noodles that was very valuable, I am afraid that Nissin ramen could be 'anti-customer-oriented' and buy doll noodles.

Of course, if the person in front of him asks for shares, then he will not do it, after all, the other party already has 49% of the shares.

As for Nissin Ramen coming to Hong Kong to defeat the doll noodles, Momofuku Ando has no confidence at all, compared to the taste and quality, the doll noodles are not inferior to Nissin; If it is a price, then it must be the wrong target, this Hong Kong chaebol has strong financial resources, comparable to the Japanese chaebol.

Thinking of this, Momofuku Ando shook off the idea in his mind and decided to be the boss of Japanese ramen first, and then go to Europe and the United States to develop the market in the future and become the world's largest ramen brand.

"Mr. Lin, I came to you this time, I was commissioned by many ramen brands in Japan, and I hope that your patent fees can be reduced a little. Everyone is willing to pay, but you don't know it, Japanese ramen is highly competitive, the price has been reduced by nearly 30%, and the profit margin is already meager. ”

Lin Zhichao didn't directly agree to anything, but asked Chen Ping, who accompanied him: "General Manager Chen, can the patent fee be reduced?" ”

Chen Ping's expression was solemn, and then he said: "I can reduce it some, but I'm afraid that after the reduction, Japanese manufacturers will find reasons to shirk it, and then we will have to spend energy and money to continue to protect our rights!" ”

Seeing this, Momofuku Ando immediately said, "I can reconcile with this, and I plan to establish the 'Japan Ramen Industry Association', and then everyone will pay you the patent transfer fee." ”

Chen Ping asked, "What are your expectations?" ”

Momofuku Ando said: "We hope for $50,000, and the first batch will be 21 companies; As for new companies in the future, we hope to lower the standard again, 2~30,000 US dollars. ”

Lin Zhichao said happily at this time: "Yes, after all, we don't want to spend too much energy, just sell Mr. An Teng a face." ”

Momofuku Ando hurriedly expressed his gratitude!

After this matter was settled, everyone also relaxed and chatted more relaxed.

During the period, Lin Zhichao said: "Mr. Anteng, are you interested in cooperating in investing in Japanese stocks? ”

Momofuku Ando was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Mr. Lin wants to buy Japanese stocks?" ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "I really want to buy, but the Japanese stock market is not open to foreigners, so it is inconvenient to invest." I remember that Nissin Ramen still had a lot of money on its books, so why don't we invest in some stocks. In recent years, Japan's electronics industry and shipbuilding industry have developed by leaps and bounds, just like the light industry in the early to mid-fifties. ”

The Japanese stock market is open to foreigners, it seems that it was in the late sixties, Lin Zhichao is not very clear, anyway, at this time foreigners cannot enter the Japanese stock market.

Nissin Ramen has not paid dividends, and in addition to investing in a new factory, there are more than one million dollars on the account!

Momofuku Ando was moved by Lin Zhichao's words, he felt that Lin Zhichao's analysis was very reasonable, but he still said cautiously: "If you invest in stocks, it is not impossible, but you can only invest 500,000 US dollars at most." Mr. Lin also knows that there are too many ramen manufacturers in Japan, and who can break through and succeed must need strength. ”

500,000 is 500,000 dollars, which is better than rusting on the account. Because Lin Zhichao is optimistic about the long-term development of Nissin Ramen, he has not asked for dividends, but the accounting is still very strict.

Lin Zhichao said: "Okay, let's discuss the specific stocks to buy later." By the way, since Mr. Anteng is so dedicated to the ramen business, is he interested in opening another 'chain ramen' brand?"

Speaking of this, Momofuku Ando became interested, and hurriedly asked: "Is this ramen chain that Lin Sheng said similar to KFC and McDonald's in Western-style fast food?" ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Not bad!" We all know that eating instant noodles will cause malnutrition and other problems, so I think it must be very good to open a ramen chain, and the ramen can be seafood I even thought of the name, so it is called Ajisen Ramen. ”

Momofuku Ando applauded, he originally thought that Lin Zhichao was a business genius, and now he can continue to partner, of course, it is a good thing.

In the end, Momofuku Ando left the matter to himself, in the name of Nissin Ramen, of course.

As for whether Momofuku Ando will abide by it, it doesn't matter, Lin Zhichao just mentioned a few words casually, it's not worth anything.

In general, Lin Zhichao still trusts Momofuku Ando and is willing to make friends with him.

Two new collaborations:

One is stock market investment, Lin Zhichao could not enter the Japanese stock market, and by cooperating with the Japanese to enter the stock market, he could at least share half of it, but the only pity is that the capital is only 500,000 US dollars. However, no matter how small the mosquito is, it is still meat, and if the stock market makes money, it can give back to Nissin Ramen, which will help Nissin Ramen grow in the future.

One is 'Ajisen Ramen', and if Nissin Ramen can develop a chain brand, it will naturally have a higher brand value in the future. And for Nissin Ramen, which Lin Zhichao holds 49% of the shares, it is naturally beneficial.

Lin Zhichao's idea is that in the future, the doll noodles will be injected into the Changjiang Industrial Group for listing. However, the shares of Nissin Ramen were transferred to the "Changjiang Holding Company" as part of the family heritage.

At noon that day, Lin Zhichao invited Momofuku Ando to have dinner together, which can be regarded as officially making this Japanese friend.

As for the reduction of patent fees, it was originally in the expectation of Lin Zhichao and Chen Ping, and the patent fee of one million US dollars was already very powerful; What's more, patent fees can continue to be collected in the future, which can be collected for 20 years.

Even if it is cheaper in the future, I am afraid that it can still charge nearly one million dollars, that is, 2 million dollars.

OK!

Of course, compared to the contribution that instant noodles have made to the people of the world, two million dollars is not much. (End of chapter)