05 Greed is Good
Music:
Neighbor, Neighbor
Let's tour our newly acquired assets, shall we?
The only source of gold in this region is ours. The mine will see more activity soon.
Next, their R&D centers...
SSA was planning something big...a tech-bomb on the bread product within 4 year. I have to thank their CEO for thinking so far ahead, it's almost like we're made for each other.
Hmmm...wait, what is 'CPU'?
This could be exciting. Unlocking the first high tech product will give us unsurpassed lead over everyone. (As if the PCC isn't already dominating with baked products and gold!)
I still don't understand why the former SSA CEO refuses to increase jewelry output. There's a clear demand for it. We'll fix that, but we won't be doing external retailing. Every gold will go through the PCC malls only.
PCC expands the jewelry manufacturing business, building a factory in almost every city.
We're challenging for complete control of the jewelry trade. But there's a slight issue with the previous owner's agreement.
They actually had an agreement to supply Memory Today with Jewelry in Kuwait. The law says we can't cancel agreements...but we can change the price!
If we charge them $900.00 per piece on that particular factory, that would leave them with a pittance for the margin. Sorry, Ms. Nicholson, no more bling bling for your store.
Profits are climbing, the PCC can start easing its massive debt after the merger.
The small timers are closing shops.
The PCC R&D department completes their mattress prototype. We'll be marketing this shortly once the jewelry setup is complete.
We might be late to the party, but we have the sugar to spare, so let's make a shot for cola next. We're planning for a simultaneous launch of with the PCC beer next year, both using the same aluminum material for its packaging. (Less wastage of a mine)
The specially assigned jewelry factory to Memory Today reports decreased sales. The Factory plant manager recommends drastic price cuts but really, it's all working according to plan. Soon, no one will buy from that factory. Leaving only us, the PCC with complete control of the jewelry trade.
I should be worried, they had a jump on the CPU tech. But can Concept Bright really capitalize or are they just masturbating over discoveries? Perhaps I should buy them over...
What's wrong, Ms. Nicholson?
The PCC continues its debt repayment scheme, the banks see their gamble paying off and offers more and more credit in the light of the PCC's meteoric rise.
Sensing more demand for cookies, another plant is build at Baghdad.
Ah, a slight improvement on jewelry manufacturing technology. Thank you, SSA.
We'll be doing improvements on a 2-year basis to avoid over-spending on upgrading the factories.
Prestigious comfort arrives in Middle East. There's no doubt we'll be launching our timber-line of products coming next year.
The PCC clears its loan completely.
The blue bar indicates supply. The absence of red bar means...there's no demand. You know what means.
The PCC open a logging camp. Lack of quality timber can be a problem, but as long we can improve the tech, there should be no issue with marketing the goods, especially with complete monopoly on our side.
Prestigious comfort, ready to be delivered to every Middle East homes!
More decadent products introduced. Shining Stars may be on to something here.
I still can't figure out how Memory Today manage to survive until now. 11 malls 1 R&D and 3 farms? Really? If I could just somehow buy over all of their suppliers and cut it..I might kill them completely. They're the 2nd most profitable company in this region.
A very distant 2nd, that is. I'm starting to have management nightmares, and perhaps I would need to hire a president to manage the malls while I concentrate on the manufacturing side of the business.
Barely 5 years after its inception, the PCC rose to control 30 firms over the region, absorbing the SSA. Who's next?
Q&A Session with the Chairman & CEO through Andhaira.
Q: You've taken a huge risk in the merger with SSA, why and how did this come about?
A: I was actually planning to profit from their rise by selling their shares, but it never did! (Laughs) By then, we already have quite a sizable stake in their company, (10%) and I thought, what the hell, if their CEO can't maximize their edge, I'll do it myself.
Q: We've received reports that your products are for internal sales. Meaning it can only be sold though your own firms, can you explain why this is so?
A: Coming from an import beginnings, I can see the advantage in having someone else worry about the sales and marketing our goods, but the issue with a production-focused corporation is that you're letting someone else profit from all your hard work. All that R&D, sowing of crops, turning it into flour and finally baking process - and you earn fifty cents for every bread I sell to you? Moreover, if they don't like my prices, they can simply go elsewhere. I can't have that kind of reliance to others in my company which is why we move away from import in the first place.
Q: Some of the consumers have expressed great demands on your products, but what do you have to say of accusation of price gouging?
A: I think that's selfish, and completely uncalled for. You see, all this money is going back into R&D of new products, as well as production of these new, never before seen products in the Middle East. Believe me when I tell you if I had sold these bread at fifty cents less you wouldn't enjoy high quality jewelry in all 5 major cities or even a bed by now. All that R&D funds have to come from somewhere. The people need to realize when they buy my high price, high quality products, they're making the availability of new products in the region possible for future generations to come. Who knows, one day we'll have automobiles, just like the in the west and that's because you paid $900.00 for PCC's finest gold jewelry.
Q: Comments on your competition? Which is better and why? Discuss!
A: (Laughs) That is a very inane question. But really, they're not maximizing their potential and it makes me really sad. We'll just have to show them how it's done. (Grins)
Q: You mean a future acquisition is in the plans?
A: Not so soon, Andy! Sure, we've seen some promising developments in the new products field and we want their tech expertise. I've had feedback from my advisers keeping tabs on their tech developments. We're definitely keeping a close watch, but at the moment, this year's schedule will be full with our new product launch.
Q: Isn't all this buying of competition bad for business, you're depriving others of opportunities -
A: Now just wait a second, towel head! Can't you see how slow these guys are? By letting them mismanage all these new products, I'm giving them an opportunity to screw the region.
Q: But it all adds up.
A: Not fast enough. If you really want to make a difference, want to change the system instead of just patching it, you've got to step into the sunlight. Take over, like we did. I'm afraid that's all the time I have for today, Mr. Andhaira.