46: Chen Chen's assistant

"CEO Chen, Xiaomi has released news that they will be holding their spring launch event in April."

After saying this, she placed the coffee on Chen Chen's desk.

This was Chen Chen's newly hired assistant, Shen Rou, a 26-year-old graduate of Gudu Jiaotong University. She had been selected by Lu Weibing from over a dozen candidates. Although she didn't have much work experience, she was very sensitive to data and worked quite efficiently, so he kept her on as Chen Chen's assistant.

Looking at the coffee on the table, Chen Chen picked it up and took a sip. Originally, he never drank this stuff, but now he had grown to like the taste. The company was in a development stage, and there were simply too many things to do.

"Spring launch event?"

"Yes. According to their teaser posters, Xiaomi's spring launch event will likely have at least three models hitting the market. Based on current information analysis, one is a downgraded version of the mi 2, and there is no further information on the other two for the time being."

Chen Chen carefully recalled what Xiaomi had actually released in April in his previous life. There was the Mi 2S, the mi 2 Youth Edition, which was the Mi 2A, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember what the third model was.

Could it be the Redmi series released ahead of schedule?

The more Chen Chen thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Xiaomi could certainly estimate the sales volume of his shining 2, and this would likely stimulate them to accelerate the development of the Redmi series. It had been released in July in his previous life, so moving it up to April wasn't strange at all.

"Assistant Shen, go tell CEO Lu to prepare to lower the price of the hongxing 2nd generation by 200. For users who purchased in March, issue a 79 yuan coupon to each of them, which can be used to offset the purchase of our upcoming Red Star power bank."

"Lower the price? CEO Chen, the life cycle of our hongxing 2nd generation is far from the point where it needs price promotion. Wouldn't it be a bit too early to lower the price now?"

Shen Rou was very confused by Chen Chen's order. She had only told him that Xiaomi had a new phone coming out, and he had decisively ordered the currently hot-selling hongxing 2nd generation to lower its price. This didn't make sense.

"It's not early. You don't understand Lei Jun. If we don't lower the price now, I'm afraid that by the time they release their new phone, the hongxing 2nd generation will be in a passive position."

"Okay, I will go notify CEO Lu immediately."

Watching Shen Rou leave, Chen Chen felt that he had been a bit careless. His grasp of the market was far less seasoned than Lei Jun's.

Xiaomi's first generation of 'loyal users' was built on this upgraded version of the mi 2. Not only was it upgraded, but it was also cheaper! This made it impossible for other manufacturers to compete; only Red Star could rely on its product strength to lower prices and still go head-to-head with them.

Currently, Red Star's entire product line could not fully cover all price points. From the 799 shining 2 to the 1999 red star 2, there were no models in the middle price range. From the red star 2 to the Kunpeng mobile phone, there were also no models in the 2000 to 3000 price range.

Such development was definitely distorted. The mi 2 Youth Edition that Xiaomi was about to release would likely cover that 799 to 1999 price range.

Going higher, Xiaomi also had a complete gap. It wasn't just Xiaomi; all domestic manufacturers currently couldn't cover all price ranges.

Huawei had very low-end contract phones, the M series starting at 3000 yuan, and the p series in the 2500 yuan price segment, but they had gaps in the sub-1000 yuan and hundred-yuan phone categories.

OV currently had a rich selection of models in the 1000 to 1500 yuan price range for thousand-yuan phones, but they also had a gap in the 1500 to 2500 price range, with no flagship model.

He opened his computer and began to re-plan Red Star's product line. He prepared to build on the foundation of the shining 2, emulate future manufacturers, and launch a note series. This would allow them to cover the intermediate price range between hundred-yuan phones and thousand-yuan phones.

As for the models in the 2000 to 3000 yuan price range, he was currently preparing to make a phone for women, and Chen Chen had already handed the design plan to the development department.

The only concern was whether this bunch of guys at Red Star could grasp the women's market.

Thinking about the models they had previously developed, Chen Chen had a headache. They were still lacking talent.

It would be great if a few more product managers came along now.

Lu Weibing's recruitment was also not ideal; most were fresh graduates, requiring long-term training by Red Star.

"How about I learn from Lei Jun and poach some people?"

Chen Chen finally understood why Lei Zi wanted to pocket and take away any talent he saw. Now, wasn't he the same?

"Xiao Ai."

"I am here."

"Are there any new tasks recently?"

"Hello Host, the current latest task is to release the Xiao Ai smart speaker. There are no other tasks for the time being."

"Okay."

The release of the shining 2 didn't yield any rewards from Xiao Ai; instead, it directly gave a new task to release the Xiao Ai smart speaker. To be honest, Chen Chen was genuinely looking forward to it.

At this moment, Shen Rou knocked on the door and entered: "CEO Chen, I have informed CEO Lu, and he said he understands."

After speaking, she took out a document and said: "According to the situation in the chip department, our new chip this year likely won't be able to go into random mass production in September. It might drag on until October or November before large-scale mass production. The current progress is not ideal, and it's impossible to carry out tape-out in April/May."

"The charging laboratory has broken through to a maximum power of 120 watts, but it is very unstable. The power that can be mass-produced is 50 watts, using a single-path charge pump solution. Regarding the new type of battery, we are still applying for an improved patent, which is expected to be approved next month."

"The first version of the battery solution has finished testing, and the various indicators did not meet expectations. Subsequent experiments and improvements are still needed. Currently, Team Leader Li is in emergency coordination with the factory. Whether it can be mass-produced before September depends on the factory's progress."

"Is there any good news?"

Chen Chen rubbed his head. The further technology developed, the more time, capital, and Engineers it required. Red Star's development was still a bit slow.

Shen Rou continued to flip through the files and soon stopped: "The Rival Company's M series has been exposed for serious processor chip overheating, and the phones are experiencing obvious freezing and lagging. Many consumers are demanding that Huawei come up with a solution, and Huawei is currently conducting emergency public relations."

"Anything else?"

"For Shitou Technology, in which we invested, the first version of the robot vacuum has started verification and is expected to go into production in July. Minister Zhang Feng's air purifier project is progressing very rapidly, and they have already discussed procurement matters with Japanese suppliers."

"That's it?"

"Yes, CEO Chen, that's it. Oh, right, Xiaomi sent an invitation, inviting you to attend their spring launch event on April 6th."

"I see. You can go out first."

"Okay, CEO Chen, call me if you need anything."

Shen Rou's office was right next to Chen Chen's. Lu Weibing had specifically connected the two offices and installed a door, making it convenient for Chen Chen to call Shen Rou whenever he needed anything.

Recruit people! Poach people! Must poach people!

Chen Chen steeled his heart. Who cares about reputation? If you need to poach, then poach. As long as you swing the hoe fast enough, there's no corner you can't dig up.

He picked up the phone and called Lu Weibing.

"Uncle Lu, contact some headhunters. I want to poach a few people."