50: Chapter 50 Determining the Initial Public Offering Market

"Alright, let's set the price at 349 USD. Uniform pricing globally." Shen Fei tapped the table; this starting price was officially set.

As for subsequent version planning and corresponding configuration cuts, Chen Hai and Li Qing would discuss it and come up with a suitable plan.

The Smartphone would be Transsion's upcoming high-end series. It could be discounted in the future, but for now, it had to maintain its high-end positioning.

"Next question, where should we choose for the launch market?"

This time, Mr. Adebayo said without hesitation: "Nigeria."

This wasn't just because Nigeria was his home country, but because the market was truly viable.

"Reasons?" Li Qing glanced at him and asked.

"Currently, Nigeria has a population of 180 million, making it the largest market in Africa, and its economic vitality is decent." Mr. Adebayo reeled off a series of advantages.

"Additionally, we have the most well-developed channels in Nigeria. As the first market we entered, there are a total of 370 official stores here."

"There are 200 franchise stores, and our after-sales network covers the entire country."

"Coupled with our promotional efforts, they have high expectations and acceptance of Transsion products, and they possess a certain level of purchasing power."

Shen Fei nodded in satisfaction at these figures; not only was he loyal, but his capability was also quite good.

Nigeria was indeed a very important stronghold for Transsion. As Mr. Adebayo's home turf, it served as a testing ground for many plans.

For example, the franchise policy.

Originally, Transsion planned to open only directly operated stores, but after learning lessons from Tanzania, he immediately had Li Qing prepare a franchise plan to cope with potential crises.

There was also a brief discussion in the conference room about whether Nigeria was the best launch point.

"Holding the launch event here is certainly fine, but are there other emerging markets to develop? Holding the launch event there could also show our commitment. Perhaps that's a better solution."

"Nigeria is definitely viable; the large market can better promote our Smartphone."

After presenting these surface-level conditions, he brought out another set of internal data: the sales figures for Power max.

"In the past, over 800,000 units of Power max were sold in Nigeria. We have investigated in detail; 40% of these were to middle-to-high income groups such as civil servants, businessmen, and teachers."

"These people are also highly educated, which is the target user base for our Smartphone."

Shen Fei looked at the data, then at Huang Tianya, and asked again: "Are there any other differing opinions?"

"What about Kenya? Internet penetration is higher there, and the acceptance of Smartphones should be better."

"Kenya is indeed a good market, but it's not the best market for the initial launch." Before the others could start discussing, Mr. Adebayo explained preemptively.

"Kenya only has a population of 50 million, the market scale is small, and they have a local mobile phone brand, Safaricom. Although their products are average, they are a local brand after all, and they have the support of carriers."

"If we rashly hold a launch event and enter on a large scale, we might run into some unnecessary trouble."

As soon as Mr. Adebayo said this, everyone subconsciously nodded.

They certainly weren't afraid of legitimate competition, but unconventional tactics were something they had to consider.

"If there is a local brand, it's indeed not very suitable; geopolitics is certainly an important issue," Li Qing thought for a moment and said.

Next, they brought up countries like Egypt and South Africa, but after careful analysis, it seemed that Nigeria was indeed the best choice.

When the discussion was about done, Mr. Adebayo stood up again: "Mr. Shen, my recommendation is: launch in Nigeria first. If successful, expand to Kenya and Ghana within a week, and cover the entire Africa within a month."

"Steady progress, step by step."

Shen Fei sat in his chair and thought seriously for a while, finally nodding solemnly.

"I agree with this plan. You and General Manager Li should carefully consider the launch work."

"There is no upper limit on the budget for now, but this launch event must shock all of Africa."

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished," Mr. Adebayo said excitedly.

After the meeting, Shen Fei kept Mr. Adebayo behind alone once again; after all, this was the first 100% loyal agent not rewarded by the system.

He still needed to paint an even better picture for his future.

"Ade, you have grown quickly." Shen Fei stood by the chair, looking at him seriously.

"It only took you 9 months to go from a small street vendor to our Vice President of the Africa region. You are indeed very capable..."

"Mr. Shen, you gave me a chance. This kind of opportunity to turn my life around might be the only one I get in this lifetime, so this is my motivation. That's why I've been constantly running the market and learning relevant management techniques during this period."

"I am afraid of doing something wrong and failing your trust, and I am terrified of missing this only chance to change my destiny."

Shen Fei patted his shoulder without saying much. He could only say that he hadn't misjudged the person; this was the insight he had honed in his previous life.

"If this S1 launch is successful, I will promote you when you return—to President of the Africa region. Your annual salary will increase further."

Mr. Adebayo's eyes turned slightly red: "Mr. Shen, I..."

"Don't get emotional just yet." Seeing this, Shen Fei laughed instead. "The task is heavy. The first-month sales target for S1 in Nigeria is set at 200,000 units. Can you do it?"

"I can." Mr. Adebayo immediately stood straight. "If I can't do it, I will resign."

"What would I want your resignation for?" Shen Fei shook his head. Why was this loyal agent so extreme? But it also really showed his determination. "I want you to win."

After sending Mr. Adebayo off, Shen Fei returned to his office.

Li Qing followed immediately after, and as soon as he entered the office, he took the initiative to close the door.

"Mr. Shen, I just received news. Bird's Africa team is making moves. They might have heard rumors and are preparing to release a new product in Africa ahead of schedule to target us."

"What new product?"

"It's a mobile phone designed specifically for Africa. It is said that the price will be over 100 USD, imitating our Power max, but the battery capacity has been further increased, reaching the same battery life level as ours."

"It is said that they have very high expectations for this phone internally. The price will be set aggressively right from the start, and they are preparing to use this phone to knock us off our pedestal."

Shen Fei laughed. Knocking Transsion off its pedestal... they would need the capability for that.

"Then let's show them what real product power is."

Using a Smartphone to fight knock-off phones—how much confidence does Bird have? But this is their old tradition; in his previous life, they headed toward decline precisely because of this reason.

"Let's have some fun with them, shall we? But before that, the recycling plan should also come to an end. From now on, completely suspend the acquisitions. I want to see how they are going to handle those 3 million-plus discarded mobile phones."

"Boss, are you planning to..."

"This time, even if they don't die, they will lose a layer of skin."