The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

The summer is hot and there are abnormal hot flashes.

In the conference room of Cheung Kong Industries, the air conditioner is on and the temperature is cool.

At this time, senior executives walked in one after another and found an eleven or twelve-year-old child sitting inside. Seeing them walking in, the child quickly stood up.

"Hey, Rui Huan, why are you here!" Many senior executives said with a smile.

Many senior executives had met Lin Ruihuan, but at this time, Lin Ruihuan was sitting alone in the office without his boss or his wife. He was obviously a little surprised.

Although Lin Ruihuan was a little unfamiliar, he was calm and polite and greeted politely: "Hello, Uncle Huang. My dad asked me to come and hear how you held the meeting."

Huang Changhong said with a smile: "Okay, Rui Huan is very smart. He will be in the second grade of secondary school soon. In nine years, maybe we will all be colleagues. It would be better to get to know the company earlier."

Others all agreed that a tiger father has no dogs, and the boss started his business as a real estate developer at the age of nineteen, and he created miracles. Now the boss’s son is eleven years old and comes to attend the meeting. Is it any wonder?

Lin Ruihuan immediately explained: "My dad said he just wanted me to experience how hard it is to make money. My uncles think highly of me!"

Everyone suddenly realized that the boss was so young, so there was no reason to rush to arrange for his son to come to the company to get familiar with him; now arranging Lin Ruihuan to come to the company to listen to the meeting might just be a simple education.

The senior executives who came to the conference room chatted with Lin Ruihuan one after another, and then sat down to wait for the meeting time. Lin Ruihuan's generous performance quickly earned high praise from senior executives.

After a while, Tang Caiyun and Lin Zhichao walked in one after another and saw Lin Ruihuan sitting alone outside the conference table without saying anything. Just pretend it doesn't exist and get ready for the meeting.

The meeting contained a lot of content, because Cheung Kong's business is so extensive and far more complex than other real estate companies.

Recently, Lin Zhichao thought about it in private and felt that when the Yangtze River Industrial Group was listed, it would be better to add the Miramar Hotel (including shopping malls), Poly Construction, and quarry business, plus 10 real estate properties, and other assets (department stores, doll shops, etc.). etc.), it is good to package and market it.

One of the most fundamental reasons is that the management now headed by Huang Changhong, Zhou Fuzhao, and Hu Zhaoxu are accustomed to managing comprehensive businesses. If they are listed separately, Lin Zhichao's energy will be wasted a lot.

Therefore, it was packaged into a real estate giant and listed on the market. Although it is not as good as Land, it is estimated to be as good as the five Chinese real estate giants combined.

As for the Uniqlo clothing company, there is no reason to go public. It may simply not go public, or it may be considered until the early 1980s.

"Jason, how are the preparations for the Miramar Hotel going?"

Lin Zhichao named the only foreign executive, Jason, the general manager of Miramar Hotel.

Originally, I wanted to use Chinese management. After all, there is already the "American Western Hotel Group" as a management consultant, which pays a full 4% of the turnover every year. If the management is not good, you can always go to them.

But even after the Western Hotel in the United States introduced several foreign management personnel, Lin Zhichao agreed to the half-foreign and half-Chinese hotel senior management model.

Jason reported in English: "The recruitment of all management and staff has been completed, and systematic training is being carried out. The catering department has also been prepared. Both Chinese and Western restaurants are equipped with celebrity chef team sauna departments."

Lin Zhichao listened attentively and asked questions from time to time, and Jason immediately gave him satisfactory answers.

Of course, everyone in the conference room can understand English, but naturally they will not accommodate Jason and hold meetings in English; only when there is content involving the Miramar Hotel, everyone will use English.

After the whole meeting, all aspects of the meeting were involved. Even the leasing department matters, Lin Zhichao had to sort it out, and he must not let the company suffer.

This kind of meeting is held once a week. Lin Zhichao is not in Hong Kong. It is hosted by Huang Changhong and lasts for 1 to 2 hours.

Lin Zhichao showed that he was meticulous about everything, had clear ideas, and was able to come up with key points. His subordinates have become accustomed to it.

On the contrary, Lin Ruihuan couldn't help but admire his father even more. He felt that the pace of this meeting was so fast, his father was quick in thinking, and the senior management were professional and well-coordinated. If it were him, he would feel so tired and hard, and his father still manages several companies like this. No wonder my mother always said that my father was great.

After the meeting, Lin Zhichao did not ask Lin Ruihuan how he felt, but simply asked him to go home and come back to the next meeting.

"Dad, you worked hard!"

"It's hard for you to study, but the hard work is worth it. Go back!"

This kind of education does not need to be talked about too much. After all, everyone has personally participated in it, and they should understand their own intentions.

In the office of Global Shipping, Lin Zhichao was looking through the financial statements in a normal mood.

Since the expiration of "high-priced long-term contracts" in July last year, Global Shipping's profits have plummeted, and the total profit in the past year was only US$28.5 million.

With an increase in load capacity of more than 300,000 tons, profits dropped sharply by about two-thirds compared with the peak.

Among the profits of US$28.5 million, oil tanker profits accounted for more than 60% of the profits. This shows that oil tankers are still the most profitable, because their proportion in merchant ships is also increasing, indicating that demand is increasing.

Six 100,000-ton oil tankers were launched this year, and profits for next fiscal year should increase by more than 9 million US dollars. After all, this oil tanker can make more than 1.5 million US dollars in profit in a year.

At the same time, Lin Zhichao found that several second-hand cargo ships were idle, all of which were 10,000-ton cargo ships, and he suddenly felt distressed. The annual profit of a 10,000-ton second-hand cargo ship must be more than 200,000 US dollars to be reasonable.

So, he got up and went to the business department office and found Gao Qiqiang preparing to go out.

"boss"

"Well, are you going to the airport?"

"Yes, we go to the airport to promote business. Several of the company's second-hand cargo ships are vacant. Recently, we have been stationed at the airport every day."

Lin Zhichao is personally responsible for most of Global Shipping's business, such as large tankers and freighters, as well as maintaining relationships with major customers. Gao Qiqiang usually serves as Lin Zhichao's business deputy, and most of the time he works to attract scattered customers.

"Let's go together then! I haven't run a business for a long time. I don't know if I can still save face." Lin Zhichao said with a smile.

He has always claimed to be a businessman, and he never shy away from being a newspaper seller and an intermediary. It was an important stage in his life; because in those six months, Lin Zhichao developed many good habits, which had nothing to do with his previous life experience. , but under the trend of confidence, various advantages such as learning, sales, and communication are cultivated.

Gao Qiqiang nodded and said, "Okay, let's set off right away!"

Later, Lin Zhichao followed everyone and rushed towards Kai Tak Airport.

A new passenger terminal is under construction at Kai Tak Airport, which is expected to be operational in 1962 until Kai Tak Airport is decommissioned in 1998.

However, runway 13/31 of Kai Tak Airport has been recognized by many international organizations as one of the most dangerous runways in the world. Frequent shear, too many nearby lights at night, too busy runways, etc. The unique environment of Runway 13/31 has made it a training material for major airlines around the world and is recognized as the best challenge for pilots.

There is a special feature of the plane landing at Kai Tak Airport. When the pilot sees the checkered hill (the airport put checkered tiles on a small hill, and the eye-catching sign reminds the pilot), he needs to make a sharp right turn and then fly parallel to the runway.

In this regard, it is different from most airports in the world, because Kai Tak Airport is surrounded by mountains on three sides and there is not enough space for you to be parallel to the runway in advance.

At Kai Tak Airport, I happened to meet Bao Yugang and Zhao Congyan who were also running business at the airport, so everyone naturally wanted to say hello. Although they are competitors, they naturally have to be more generous in terms of face.

"Lin Sheng, are you here to run business in person?" Zhao Congyan looked surprised.

In the past one and a half years, Huaguang Shipping has finally improved its development, that is, buying second-hand ships from major ports in the world, allowing him to own 13 freighters, and a surge of 10 freighters with a capacity of about 10,000 tons. The price is naturally very low. It can be said that the profit from ship scrapping here, with a little subsidy, is enough to buy 10 second-hand ships.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "There are a large number of ships idle. I was so anxious that I came to see for myself. It turned out that I met Bao Sheng and Zhao Sheng."

Bao Yugang immediately said: "Lin Sheng has a lot of boats, so there are some vacant boats. We don't have many boats, and there are many vacant boats. I'm more anxious than you!"

In fact, Bao Yugang relied on this wave of opportunities to develop much more smoothly than Zhao Congyan. At the beginning of 1959, he owned 8 ships with a load capacity of nearly 100,000 tons; in the last year and a half, he bought 12 second-hand freighters in major ports around the world through loans and other means, and now owns 20 freighters, nearly 100,000 tons. 200,000 tons load capacity.

By imitating Lin Zhichao's business model, 7 of the 12 newly purchased second-hand cargo ships signed three-year long-term contracts. Because these second-hand freighters are cheap enough, a 10,000-ton freighter is less than half the price of the past, so even if the market is bad, it only takes 18 months to pay back the capital.

Everyone is being modest, but in fact they are confusing their opponents.

Of course, Lin Zhichao no longer regards Bao Yugang as an opponent. He can't surpass Lin Zhichao anyway, because big customers and banks are all on Lin Zhichao's side.

Zhao Congyan said with some personal emotion at this time: "Lin Sheng, your big oil tanker is in the water every day, and you still operate a second-hand freighter. You are making a lot of money and a small fortune at the same time!"

With Lin Zhichao, the ‘shipping king’, it is very difficult for ‘sea-style’ shipowners like them to develop, just like a big mountain.

Lin Zhichao responded easily: "Second-hand freighters are all bought before and cannot be thrown away. In a few years, they may be replaced by new freighters. Haha!"

The implication is that he will not only develop in the field of oil tankers, but also cargo ships.

The atmosphere was a little awkward, but it was Bao Yugang who said: "Under the leadership of Lin Sheng, Hong Kong's shipping industry is expected to grow to be as world-famous as Greek shipping. We small shipowners have to learn from Lin Sheng."

Lin Zhichao felt very comfortable hearing these words, and then he said: "Sheng Bao is right, Hong Kong shipping is the blessing of everyone making progress together. Let's discuss it later!"

Bao Yugang naturally agreed!

The next day.

Lin Zhichao sat in the office and thought about it. As a big boss, he went to the airport to promote business. It would be okay if he went to the airport once in a while, but if he went there often, not only would he not have enough energy, but he would also feel a little overqualified.

However, Lin Zhichao always likes to pay attention to details when doing things. Yesterday, when he went to promote business, he also set an example for his subordinates.

But this can't be done often. Gao Qiqiang is still a good business expert, so let him continue!

In this cold shipping season, it is natural for a few cargo ships to be empty occasionally. What's more, there are too many second-hand freighters in Global Shipping.

In a coffee shop in London, Lin Zhichao and a forty-year-old British man were sitting together drinking coffee and looking at each other.

It turns out that this British man is called Bobby Blair, and he was originally an executive of a British shipping company; but now, he is plotting to change jobs.

"Mr. Bobby, Willis has introduced me to your work experience and other situations. I have a good impression of you. Today, while drinking coffee, we can get to know each other better and see if we are satisfied with each other. What do you think? What?" Lin Zhichao said gracefully.

Bobby Blair also said gentlemanly: "Of course, I have always been very curious about Mr. Lin. I heard that you are a shipping king comparable to Onassis, but you act very low-key, so your reputation is not as great as Onassis. But I believe that you must be as strong as him."

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Our business model is somewhat different from Onassis. Our main business method is to conduct long-term lease contracts, usually three to four years, or even longer."

Bobby immediately said: "This model has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it is easy to obtain banker loans and customer trust, but the disadvantage is lower profits. However, considering that your company is a Hong Kong shipping company, it needs to face a major shipping country like Greece. Competition, Mr. Lin’s method is indeed easier to get business.”

Lin Zhichao did not hide anything from Bobby, saying: "When the scale of the fleet is large enough, even if the return rate is only 15%, it is enough to outperform the opponent. At present, we have about 8 100,000-ton oil tankers and 2 70,000-ton oil tankers. tons of oil tankers and eight 56,000-ton oil tankers are currently or will be put into operation. The annual return rate has reached more than 16%. There are also eight 100,000-ton oil tankers under construction."

Bobby Blair was surprised. This strength had surpassed Onassis, and as far as he knew, Lin Zhichao still had a considerable number of second-hand ships, but he did not mention it at all today.

It's clear that the shipping company is changing.

It is rumored that Lin Zhichao was building a "large oil tanker" in Germany, and he bet on the good opportunity of "the closure of the Suez Canal" and took advantage of the opportunity to make a lot of money, so he grew rapidly.

Having vision, courage and strength, this is Bobby Blair's evaluation.

He is a vice president of a British shipping company. Although he is still interviewing for the vice president, the strength of the two shipping companies is not the same.

"If I join your company, what will be my main responsibility?" Bobby asked seriously.

Since Lin Zhichao has introduced the strength of Global Shipping, he is also interested in recruiting him.

Lin Zhichao said: "The position of vice president, like another Chinese vice president, is an assistant to help me expand the fleet. We will develop it into a carrying capacity of 10 million tons within ten years, with oil tankers as the mainstay and cargo ships as the supplement. At the same time, I need you to carry out activities in Europe and the United States all year round, maintain relationships with customers, pay attention to the European and American shipping situation, manage European and American branches, etc."

Bobby Blair said in surprise: "10 million tons carrying capacity?"

Lin Zhichao nodded with a smile and said: "10 million tons of load capacity is nothing. With the rapid development of the global economy, the demand for oil tankers has increased. In the future, one oil tanker may be about 150,000 tons, and dozens of ships may be several million tons. "

When Bobby Blair thought about it, he quickly realized that Lin Zhichao was not bragging, and he suddenly became excited. Joining such a shipping company with great prospects may be the second pinnacle of your career.

His original shipping company was considered a large European shipping company in the 1940s and 1950s. However, in recent years it has been subject to competition from Greek and Japanese shipping companies, and has gradually declined due to issues such as labor unions, so he found another way out.

Having just turned 40 this year, he hopes to have a new career breakthrough.

"Mr. Lin, I have thought about it. I hope to join your company and prove that I am qualified for the position of vice president."

Lin Zhichao immediately stretched out his hand and said: "You are the third person I have interviewed, and you are my most satisfactory vice president candidate. Congratulations, we have become colleagues."

He did not openly recruit for the position of vice president, but entrusted friends to introduce him. After all, he had many friends in the European and American shipping industry. But I didn’t expect that the person who finally made the introduction was actually Willis, a second-hand ship agent with whom I had cooperated a lot in the past.

Willis became a millionaire with his global shipping business, and his business has grown bigger and bigger. Today, he has become the largest second-hand ship broker in Europe. The people he usually interacts with the most are people from shipping companies, so the Bobby he found this time really satisfied Lin Zhichao.

It is said that when Bobby was 30 years old, he had become the absolute core executive of the British Shipping Company. However, the shipping company later declined due to the general environment, so Bobby could not turn around.

"Thank you BOSS for your appreciation! However, I need to hand over my work here. It will take about a month before I can come to the company to work."

"It doesn't matter! After you are well here, contact us, then go to Hong Kong to get to know your colleagues and the company, and then go to the European and American branches to inspect and rectify. In the future, you will need to travel around the world for work. I hope you can communicate with your family, but we have holiday."

"No problem, I will take care of these things."

Lin Zhichao nodded, these are all small things. After all, at Bobby's career level, men pay more attention to career, followed by family.

After Bobby took office, Lin Zhichao will also seize the time to absorb foreign management from Europe and the United States, and enter the headquarters to take up positions; Global Shipping will eventually become a global enterprise, and Lin Zhichao is more optimistic about the reasonable combination of Huayang management.

After all, Global Shipping will not only be a shipping company, but will gradually develop into a group company whose business includes shipping, aviation, logistics, terminals, real estate and other businesses.