The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 47
Only Krnovel
Episode 47 Home Appliance Expo (1)
Germany in August.
David headed to Germany again under Kim Min-jae’s instructions.
Based on our excellent friendliness, we established a position with the German Home Appliances Fair Steering Committee.
His goal is only one.
The purpose was to increase the proportion of Taewoo Electronics’ flip phones at this year’s German Home Appliances Fair.
He worked hard with the steering committee to place the product briefing session first or last and to place the Taewoo Electronics mobile phone booth in the center of the event venue.
I drank alcohol for a while.
After feeding him good food for several days, David got to the point.
“Taewoo Electronics is said to be introducing a very innovative mobile phone this time. It is a product that fits perfectly with the purpose of the German Home Appliance Fair. So wouldn’t it be good to increase the proportion a little more?”
“Hmm, Taewoo Electronics’ status is growing, but it is still lacking compared to other companies. And Samjin Electronics and Japanese companies have been working hard since last year.”
He said he had been lobbying for it for a long time.
David continued the conversation, deciding to raise the lobbying amount.
“Taewoo Electronics also says that they will work hard from now on.”
“Hmm, we can increase the proportion a little more, but it is still difficult to provide a better booth than Samjin Electronics. And although we can give a good sequence for product briefings, the first and last ones are difficult.”
We tried increasing the lobbying amount, but the effect was minimal.
I didn’t think raising the amount here would have any effect.
Money wasn’t the problem.
Samjin and other Japanese companies already have a high level of recognition.
On the other hand, Taewoo Electronics’s awareness was not very high, and its technology was not particularly excellent, so there were clear limitations in solving the problem through lobbying alone.
But how did the boss know about this situation?
Minjae Kim told David what to say if a situation like this came up.
“I couldn’t tell you in advance for security reasons, but this phone is also Steve Jobs’ return. He oversaw all aspects from design to software. “He was only in charge of production at Taewoo Electronics.”
“Are you saying this is Steve Jobs’ comeback? Uh huh! You should have told that story a long time ago. Then we can provide you with a little more convenience.”
The steering committee put their heads together.
If it was Steve’s return ceremony, no one would have an issue with holding it in a grand manner.
The problem was timing.
If you had told me a few months earlier, of course I would have been able to provide a good booth and a good order.
We needed to think about it because we had already received a lot of lobbying from various companies and made promises.
The steering committee, after mulling together for quite a long time, found it difficult to talk to David.
“We can do something about the presentation order, but the problem is the booth. “It is clear that Samjin Electronics or a Japanese company will take a big issue if Taewoo Electronics’ booth occupies the center.”
“Then how about doing it this way? Instead of creating a Taewoo Electronics booth, we are creating a booth specifically for mobile phones. The name of Taewoo Electronics can be left out altogether. “Who would have an issue with Steve Jobs’ comeback booth taking center stage?”
“oh! That method is entirely possible.”
This was also the method that Minjae Kim taught.
David simply relayed Minjae Kim’s words like a tape recorder.
“Now then, let’s leave the troublesome issues behind and have a refreshing drink.”
“great! “Let’s run all night long tonight.”
David fell into alcohol again today.
He secretly took liver-healthy medicine and enjoyed drinking with the steering committee.
* * *
Last week of August.
I headed to Germany with Jonathan, Manager Lee, and the aces of the mobile phone production team.
When we arrived at the hotel suite near the home appliance expo, a friendly face was waiting for us.
“Hey Kim! long time no see. “It’s even nicer to see your face after hearing your voice.”
“Steve! It’s already arrived. “I knew you would come to Germany before the event started.”
“This work is so important to me that I’m going to take my time like that. This is an event where not a single mistake can be tolerated. So, I want you to rehearse the product briefing session right now. “Are you ready?”
Steve was a person for whom the term workaholic was perfect.
The staff had to set up the equipment in the suite to prepare for the rehearsal before even unpacking properly.
That wasn’t the end.
I was so meticulous that I was only able to complete one PPT page after revising it dozens of times.
In times like this, it is best to run away.
“I’ll go to the booth at the event. “I have to make sure the settings are correct.”
“uh! Come back. “I will continue to rehearse.”
I headed to the event venue with Manager Lee.
Jonathan, the design manager, also wanted to join us, but Steve seemed to like Jonathan so much that he kept him by his side and wouldn’t let him go.
* * *
“The scale of the event venue is considerable. “Thanks to you, I am able to attend events like this and it is truly an honor.”
“I will come here often from now on.”
We looked around and inspected the venue.
Then I arrived at the Taewoo Electronics booth, and the vice president of Taewoo Electronics urgently called me.
“Director, the mobile phone made at the technology lab has not arrived yet. Are we there yet? “We need to put it on display now so we can finish arranging the seats.”
“Cell phones will not be displayed at the Taewoo Electronics booth.”
“You’re saying we’re not having an exhibition? … … All right.”
It was the vice president with a slight smile.
Do you think we’re not showing mobile phones at this fair?
How much do you underestimate me to think like that? Well, I would be grateful if you thought that way.
Taewoo Electronics and the mobile phone business were separate.
Taewoo Electronics has been making mobile phones since the beginning along with Samjin Electronics in Korea.
They placed more importance on the home appliance market than mobile phones, and were minimizing the proportion of mobile phone production.
So, I was also looking at Taewoo Electronics and my cell phone separately.
I only glanced at Taewoo Electronics’ booth as if I were looking at another company’s booth.
* * *
The rehearsal period is over.
With the start of September, the German Home Appliance Fair began.
People interested in home appliances from Europe, the United States, and Asia all flocked to the expo.
Soon after, the main event, the product briefing session, began.
CEOs or presenters of various companies were busy advertising their companies’ new products.
Manager Lee watched without being able to keep his mouth shut at the appearance of such a new product.
“Can DVD players really replace the video market? “It’s hard to believe that a single CD can produce better picture quality and sound than a videotape.”
“That day will come soon.”
“And the speed at which digital cameras are developing is truly amazing. Although it is very expensive, you can take pictures without putting in film. “Technology is advancing so quickly.”
People around him seemed to have similar thoughts to Manager Lee.
But to me, it felt like I was just looking at relics from an old era in a museum.
But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun.
Because I know very well what the next version of the new technology that has been released this time is, it was a great opportunity to reflect on which technology I should dominate.
“Now it’s our turn.”
“I just can’t see it.”
“Calm down. “Why are you shaking your feet like that when you’re not presenting directly?”
Manager Lee could not keep his hands and feet still for even a moment.
Meanwhile, the lights turned off, and Steve appeared with pin lights in the center of the stage.
“Today I am here to introduce you to an innovative and user-friendly mobile phone. “The product is so small that you may not be able to see it well.”
It was Steve taking out a flip phone from his pocket.
Click! He opened a flip phone that was folded in half.
“Current mobile phones are designed like bricks. Although it is called a mobile phone, it is a Dazian that is very uncomfortable to carry. So I made a phone that folds in half. “It’s the perfect size and weight to carry in your pocket.”
A picture of a flip phone appeared on the large screen.
At that moment, the reporters pressed the camera shutters at an alarming speed.
The people watching began to cheer and applaud.
“It’s not over yet. Just because it has a pretty design and is small doesn’t mean it’s an innovative product. “This phone has a very user-friendly interface.”
Steve took out a black 007 bag.
Then he opened the bag and dropped the items inside as if throwing them on the floor.
“Phone book, calculator, notepad, calendar. Now you don’t have to carry these things around. “With this phone, we can replace all those functions.”
Steve operated the flip phone to perform the aforementioned functions.
These are features that should have been included before the regression, but there are many cases in today’s mobile phones that do not even include these basic functions.
A cell phone was literally a portable communication device for making phone calls.
Steve emphasized that the flip phone is not just a communication device.
Because it was software created by his own company, there was no hesitation in his words.
“ah! And since the phone is small, you might think that the battery capacity will not be that much. But that’s not the case. It can be used for over 100 hours and the batteries can be easily replaced.”
Steve even demonstrated battery replacement.
His every word and small hand movement had a strange power that captivated the public.
“Innovative design and innovative features. I named this phone Innovation. But the name is too long. “I will simply call it INO-PHONE.”
Applause erupted.
I also applauded for Steve, but I felt a little disappointed.
I felt like I wanted to call it iPhone, not InoPhone.
However, the name iPhone was too much for a flip phone.
I was satisfied that it was just a similar spelling.
“Chief! The reaction is absolutely enthusiastic. Reporters and spectators have already started flocking to our cell phone booth.”
“A lot of customers will come during the fair. “These are the people who will potentially buy our phones, so please promote them as much as possible.”
“Steve and Jonathan have decided to be on standby at the booth at all times, so you don’t have to worry about promotional issues.”
It was a booth created without the help of Taewoo Electronics’ public relations team.
Therefore, we had to bring in a large number of personnel from the technology research institute.
I figured out the capabilities and entrusted the booth to researchers with high public relations skills.
But the response was warmer than I expected.
There were so many people gathered around the booth that there was no room to move.
There was a scene where people even fought each other to look at the products.
I was watching with satisfaction from a distance, but soon I started to have work to do too.
“Director, an American buyer has requested a meeting to discuss purchasing mobile phones in bulk.”
“Buyers are already moving.”
“Not only American but also European buyers are requesting meetings.”
Taewoo Electronics had a separate sales team.
Of course, there was no such organization in the technical research center, and I, who had the final decision-making authority, had to deal with the buyers directly.
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