After three years of dormancy, William Millard once again ignited his ambition in 1975 and founded a data processing consulting company - IMS Partnership. This venture was much more successful than the first.

During this period, Intel invented the new 8080 microprocessor. William Millard keenly seized the opportunity to use this cheaper Intel microprocessor and components from other manufacturers to imitate MITS Altair.

Personal Computer, built its own low-cost microcomputer, named IMS-8080.

William Millard formed the IMSAI Manufacturing Company and began selling the IMS-8080 personal computer in the form of kits of parts and placing classified ads in Popular Mechanics and several hobbyist magazines.

Because early microcomputers were marketed primarily to hobbyists and engineering minds, and sold through mail order or small professional stores. The IMS-8080 was introduced to the market and quickly gained popularity among customers. The personal computer market in 1976

On the market, IMS companies also occupy an important place.

Although the sales of IMSAI's IMS-8080 computer were encouraging, the good times did not last long. With the advent of Apple's Apple personal computer, the competition in the microcomputer market became increasingly fierce. Many early microcomputer manufacturers were exhausted and ran out of cash.

Due to the situation, they closed down one after another.

William Millard's IMS company could not stay out of this fierce competition and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Millard could have raised funds by listing the company's shares publicly or attracting investment partners, but he was unwilling to tolerate outsiders.

interference, he made a move that he regretted endlessly.

Millard borrowed a loan of US$250,000 from Marina. After receiving the loan, Millard began to shift his attention from IMSAI to new projects. For the sake of its own interests, Marina allowed Millard to

An agreement was signed giving Marriner the right to convert the IOU into a 20% stake in Millard's holding company, IMS Partnership and any other venture he might start.

When Millard was operating the IMSAI8080 computer, he realized that simply selling complete sets of computer parts could not meet the needs of small business owners and professionals for microcomputers. Only opening a computer store could solve their needs. Millard rose sharply.

The idea of ​​running a computer park, the computer park was the result of William Millard's third entrepreneurial venture.

While most stores limit themselves to selling only a few specific models of computers, Computer Park sells computers from many manufacturers, giving it a better chance of attracting potential customers.

Millard sensitively foresaw that only by opening a large number of computer stores first could he lead the growing personal computer industry. Millard and his assistants began a crazy expansion plan. By the end of 1977, Computer Paradise Company had 24 stores.

branch, sales reached $1.5 million in the company's first year of business.

Bai Zirui said solemnly: "Mr. Millard, this quotation is the value obtained after our company invited a professional asset appraisal company to evaluate the computer park! We have already assessed the value of the computer park based on its development potential.

The brand gives the right premium.”

Bai Zirui looked at William Millard's entrepreneurial history and felt that this acquisition was difficult to negotiate. Millard was not a rookie who was new to the business world, but a veteran in shopping malls.

Millard shook his head and said, "I think your company's offer has lowered the value of my company."

William Millard was a little frustrated by a lawsuit recently, so it was not impossible to sell the Computer Park Company. The price given could satisfy him. He really needed money now.

William Millard is not handsome. He has a broad and high forehead, is slightly bald, and has two protruding cheekbones. When he is not smiling, he gives people a dull look. But you must not be fooled by his behavior.

Confused by appearances, everyone who knows Millard knows that he is a very shrewd businessman.

When Bai Zirui scrolled to the end of the information, in addition to the estimated value of Computer Park Company, he also saw a piece of information that was very useful for negotiations, which was obviously specially compiled by Zhou Jiayi.

Bai Zirui smiled and said: "Hello, Mr. Millard, I am Zirui Bai from Xiangjiang Dingtian Company. You can call me by my English name Andrew."

In 1980, the number of branches increased to 147 and the turnover reached 75 million U.S. dollars. By 1983, it increased to more than 580 and 963.4 million U.S. dollars. The branches not only spread all over the beautiful country, but also expanded the market to Canada and Kangaroo Country. Millard

Personal wealth reached $500 million in 1983 and jumped to $600 million in 1984.

Bai Zirui nodded and said: "That's right! Mr. Millard, if you are interested in selling, the price I offer will definitely satisfy you!"

A shrewd look flashed through Millard's dull eyes. He carefully observed Bai Zirui's face and asked, "What price are you going to offer to acquire the shares of Computer Park Company from me?"

?”

William Millard said with some surprise: "You want to acquire my company?"

He was recently troubled by a lawsuit, so he was not in a good mood. If Dingtian Company was not well-known in the industry, he would not have come. Bai Zirui did not take William Millard's cold and perfunctory attitude seriously.

, as long as the computer park company can be successfully acquired.

"Ninety-five million dollars!"

Bai Zirui said: "Mr. Millard, what price should Computer Park Company be worth?"

Facing Bai Zirui's enthusiasm, William Millard acted a bit coldly and said lightly: "Hello!"

"NO, this price is too low!"

"Two hundred million dollars!"

Since Millard's attitude was cold, Bai Zirui would not stick to someone else's cold buttocks and said directly: "Mr. Millard, I took the liberty of meeting you this time because I intend to acquire the Computer Park Company you founded. No.

Do you know if you are willing to part ways with me?"

Computer Park continued to expand in scale and gained a competitive advantage. When International Business Machines Corporation launched the personal computer in August 1981, only three retail chain stores were granted sales rights. This company owned IBM Product Center, Sears Business

Systems and Computer Paradise.

After Bai Zirui made preparations, he met William Millard, the founder of Computer Park Company, in a coffee shop in San Francisco.

Bai Zirui knew that Millard would speak loudly, but he didn't expect that he would actually more than double his quotation. The value of Computer Park Company was US$90 million, and the quotation of US$95 million was already

That's a premium.

Bai Zirui said slowly: "Mr. Millard, I heard that the equity dispute in Computer Park Company seems to have reached a critical juncture. The current situation does not seem to be very favorable to you!"

Millard was caught with a sore foot and said with a gloomy face: "What do you mean?"

In 1980, an employee named Martin Musume was fired by Millard. Martin Musume was a veteran employee who followed Millard. When he borrowed money from Mariner and signed an agreement, Martin Musume

Right there.
Chapter completed!