American History 1988
Chapter 233 - 227 Defense

Chapter 233: Chapter 227 Defense

Byte Company’s competitor? Dean reacted instantly, realizing Valentine must have meant the competitor to Teams.

After all, Teams was the only product they had successfully launched. Dean had long anticipated such a day would come.

Because of this software, Byte Company was even preparing to go public.

But just at this critical juncture, Byte Company’s first roadshow, and it was the most important internal pitch meeting.

Dean turned his gaze to the audience, where Valentine and Durell were looking anxiously in this direction.

Obviously, they didn’t think it was a coincidence; there was probably someone else behind the scenes stirring the pot.

"I admire the development history of Byte Company, but can we talk about the company’s future?

How do you ensure its rapid growth, and how do you guarantee its profits?"

The representative from Prudential Group, holding the microphone, asked the question. As the largest insurance company in England, they operate all over the world.

Of course, as everyone knows, insurance companies are very wealthy, especially in cash flow.

So, finding suitable investment channels for the funds in their vault is a key focus for Prudential.

More than the positive energy-oriented statements for the media present, Prudential cared more about whether their investment in Byte Company would be stable and substantial.

Setting aside his doubts, Dean geared up and focused on the first roadshow at hand.

"Regarding the future of Byte Company, I believe many present have heard some things.

Yes, that ’Vision Plan’ does indeed exist."

No sooner had Dean finished speaking, a wave of laughter spread through the audience.

As Byte Company’s exposure gradually increased, recently the media had even expressed doubts about whether this plan existed.

Some thought it was Byte Company’s smoke and mirrors, all for the upcoming IPO.

Now that Dean had personally confirmed its existence, he had played a little joke on them all.

"About future developments, we have planned at least the next five years’ product development projects for Byte Company.

Teams is only our first product—we have many more exciting ideas waiting to be shared with everyone.

As for the profits of Byte Company, I think the following figures will better answer that question."

As Dean shifted his gaze behind him, the big screen started to display various PPT data for Byte Company.

"Our annual subscription users have reached a scale of 2 million, and it still maintains a growth rate of 40% per month.

Gentlemen, please note these are annual paying users, which means Byte Company’s annual sales are at least 300 million US dollars!

And this number is still constantly breaking the existing records, with the vast overseas market providing us with continual growth opportunities.

As for the profit margin of Byte Company, as can be seen from the previous financial reports, our profit margin is well above the industry average."

To sway the major buyers in the audience, Byte Company of course had to present convincing data.

Only, the attendance at today’s internal pitch meeting exceeded expectations, which might be related to the recent issue of Time magazine.

A small-scale pitch meeting originally planned for an audience of eighty people had now been forcibly turned into a public roadshow accommodating five hundred people.

"How does Byte Company ensure user loyalty? Because I’ve heard that your users can cancel the service at any time."

A person from TDF Fund asked a relatively sharp question. An annual subscription model seemingly guaranteed annual sales, but its stability was in question.

"That’s a very good question, and I’m very happy to answer it because our efforts have been noticed."

Dean waved to the audience, and a staffer walked up to the stage with a stack of thick documents.

"Many might be wondering what this is? Let’s make a guess."

Dean looked towards a corner of the audience, "The beautiful lady in the red dress over there?"

The microphone was passed to her, and the spotlight cooperated by shining upon her.

"Madam, how may I address you?"

"Lola, I’m a reporter from CBC, Lola."

"Welcome to today’s IPO roadshow, Lola."

"Thank you," the female reporter greeted the audience graciously.

"OK, Lola, based on your guess, what is this material in front of me?"

Dean patted the impressive stack of documents in front of him, which were half as tall as a person.

"I guess it’s Byte Company’s historical sales data. They are enough to prove the good and stable revenue of Byte Company."

"Good," Dean signaled for her to sit down. "I think that’s the answer many people here have in mind.

But I’m sorry to tell you, Lola, they have nothing to do with sales data. They are all receipts."

Receipts? This answer was beyond everyone’s expectations.

"Yes, they are all receipts from Byte Company’s customer service staff for their travel expenses."

Dean randomly picked one, "Look, this is a plane ticket to Tennessee."

"And this one, it’s an invoice from a taxi company in Pennsylvania.

Tickets to Seattle by train, ferry tickets across Lake Erie, accommodation invoices from Carlson Hotel..."

As Dean went through them one by one, images of Byte Company staff appeared on the big screen behind him.

Without exception, they all wore clothes bearing the Byte Company logo; some were on the road, others busy setting up software.

"I think you’ve guessed what these receipts mean." Dean solemnly patted them.

"Right, these are all sorts of invoices issued by Byte Company’s after-sales personnel while serving customers on their business trips.

This was the proof of their sweat and toil, and it was also where Byte Company’s confidence lay in implementing the annual subscription fee system.

What is being shown now is just a very tiny part, in Byte Company’s storeroom, we still have an entire warehouse of phone bills.

Our customer service staff are on standby 24 hours a day, making and receiving countless calls every day.

These are the secrets to ensuring Byte Company’s customer loyalty! Surprisingly simple!"

Swoosh~ Warm applause surged forward, and this time, the looks people cast at Dean even carried a hint of respect.

A company that values after-sales service so highly will surely have a large number of loyal users.

"So how does Byte Company face competition? As far as I know, there’s someone named Brian Wiles who has developed a similar software called RAS CALL.

They also focus on instant messaging and have voice call features similar to Teams."

Here it comes, Dean and Valentine glanced subtly at the nameplate in front of the other, Charles River Ventures.

An old venture capital firm from the East Coast that typically only raises funds privately.

Although Dean had already quietly taken note of them, he still answered the question with a smile.

"Every software company faces competition, and Byte Company is no exception.

However, we are fully confident in our accumulated technology, and we have applied for a patent for the core technology of our Teams software.

We can say without exaggeration that our research on digital audio is at the forefront of our time.

Byte Company has advanced technological accumulation, and the best team—we have no reason to fear competition."

The audience below gave their compliments with applause, but the people from Charles River seemed not yet satisfied.

However, Dean didn’t give them any more opportunities, as today was Byte Company’s roadshow, and he was the only star of the show.

"Of course, besides the lead we have with Teams software, we continuously have new products joining the Byte family."

No sooner had Dean’s words fallen than a new software logo slowly emerged on the big screen behind him.

"Wow~" The audience couldn’t help exclaiming and cheering excitedly at the sight.

"Worktitle, the world’s first project collaboration management software.

As I’ve said before, Byte Company’s philosophy is: we aim to be the first in the industry!

The first instant messaging software! The first project collaboration management software!"

Faith maximized! The entire audience was cheering for Dean; a new religion was about to be born!

"Regarding Worktitle, I can’t reveal too much detail at the moment.

But I promise it will be the coolest office software you’ve ever used, capable of handling all the work you can think of.

Even better, it can integrate with Teams, making Teams one of its functions."

As Dean explained, the application interface of Worktitle appeared on the screen, with the Teams chat window flashing by on its right side.

The display lasted only a brief moment, but it still elicited excited screams from the audience.

"OK, ladies and gentlemen, no need to rush, it will be ready for everyone to see in about two months.

I believe with the growth of the Byte family, we are confident to overcome every competitor!"

Dean bowed on stage to thank everyone; he had been speaking for over an hour.

The audience offered their applause once more, and the flashbulbs of photographers kept popping.

Sitting in the front row, representatives from several international investment banks were whispering and discussing their opinions.

From their expressions, it was clear that Byte Company’s first roadshow was a great success.

"Dean, is there an issue with the upcoming ’Red Herring’ meeting?"

As Dean had just stepped off the stage, Richard and his team hurried over.

Without asking, it was obvious they too had just received news about Byte Company’s competitors.

"That RAS CALL and Charles River Ventures, I need all the information about them!"

Dean was angry now, as he had just been used as a pawn.

To be precise, he had been forced to advertise for someone else.

It would have been okay for Charles River Ventures to ask Dean such sharp questions about competitors at Byte Company’s inaugural roadshow.

But the fact that he specifically mentioned the competitor’s founder and software by name, in front of so many investors, was telling.

Was there really any need for further explanation? Everyone present was savvy; they knew exactly what was going on.

Ha~, was Byte Company’s IPO roadshow turned into a big advertising scene for them?

Luckily, Dean had received the news in advance, and his clever introduction of new products kept everyone’s appetite whetted.

Otherwise, the competitor might have succeeded, but this enmity couldn’t go unsettled—he took note.

Hearing Dean’s question, everyone instinctively looked towards the place where Charles River Ventures had been seated.

Sure enough, they had already left the venue ahead of time.

"We’re looking into it, I guarantee all their information will be in your hands by tomorrow," Richard said, also angry, as the other party’s actions had undoubtedly slighted Morgan Stanley’s reputation.

"I’m going to root out those rats right now!" the hot-tempered Valentine declared, unable to wait a moment longer.

"Alright, get ready for the upcoming ’Red Herring’ meeting. After one more roadshow in Chicago, we’re entering the quiet period."

Morgan Stanley was about to submit Byte Company’s registration statement to the SEC, and after that, the pre-IPO quiet period would begin.