Chapter 809: The Master of Bragging

As of November 2011, Nokia was still the world's number one mobile phone manufacturer. The Finnish giant had also partnered with Microsoft in an effort to continue its success in the smartphone sector.

Apple's iPhone had already progressed to the 4S, and the previous generation had achieved an astonishing 40 million units in sales. It had become a dominant force in the smartphone market that could not be ignored.

Samsung, from South Korea, was leveraging its Android system and world-leading supply chain to show clear signs of catching up to Nokia.

These three giants were the kings of the current smartphone industry.

Meanwhile, there were many mobile phone manufacturers in China, most of which were engaged in producing copycat or OEM phones.

As a leading figure in the domestic tech field, Huawei had been actively exploring a path toward breakthrough and growth. The first question was understanding: what exactly is a smartphone?

That couldn't be answered in just a sentence or two, but it was something that needed to be fully grasped.

Not only inside large domestic corporations, but also on online forums, netizens were constantly discussing the topic.

Apple had opened a door for the world, showing what smartphones could be.

But this was a modular concept exclusive to Apple. Other companies and manufacturers had to explore the path themselves.

Operating systems, the Internet, touch interfaces.

Apple phones had them, and so did Nokia phones. But the biggest differences lay in user experience and the ecosystem.

Was there more beyond that?

Mr. Yu was not only the president of Huawei's Europe region, but also the head of the strategic department. Soon, he would return to China to take over the consumer business, because he strongly believed a new era was coming.

This was an opportunity.

Not just for him, but also for Huawei.

What Gao Shen had talked about could actually be summed up in four words: user experience.

In the UK alone, there were several data analysis systems. Some of them even sold data externally. For instance, Sky Sports, a live broadcaster, was selling data too. They had acquired OPTA Data and bundled various data sets for sale to clubs.

But even after obtaining the data, analysis remained a pain point for clubs.

Many software providers sold the same software to numerous clients, making it hard to deliver tailored solutions. This didn't work for clubs like Gao Shen's Leeds United, which had much higher demands.

To put it simply, it was easy to determine whether data existed, but not whether it was useful.

Now, Gao Shen hoped Huawei could help solve the issue of usability. Not just through software systems and data analysis, but also via hardware.

So what could they gain from working with Huawei?

The answer: exploration.

For a giant like Huawei, exploring the future was extremely important.

Previously, someone in the Strategic Department proposed a vision that Europe was about to enter the 4G era. In the future, could mobile phones become smart terminals, using sensors, algorithms, and big data to understand and analyze human health information?

For example, being able to check your heart rate and blood pressure at any time and receive immediate warnings in case of abnormalities.

If that could be achieved, it would not only be a major selling point but could also revolutionize the mobile phone industry.

From there, it would naturally extend into exercise and health.

There had already been news in the industry that Google in the US was researching smart glasses, and Apple was developing a smartwatch. Huawei also planned to invest in R&D in this area.

For a company at Huawei's level, this was just one of countless small projects. It might not even attract much attention, but they continued to invest in these possibilities every year.

In the realm of sports, Gao Shen and Leeds United were professionals.

Through this partnership with Leeds United, Huawei could quickly gather enough professional data and testing results to better understand the human body.

In fact, such collaborations already existed.

For example, Adidas would invite many footballers each year to help them test and improve products. They even invested directly in an indoor training facility at Ajax to gather more detailed data.

So when Leeds United proposed this idea, Huawei's UK division was immediately interested and reported it up the chain. The Strategic Department, where Mr. Yu worked, quickly decided to support it and planned to invest in the related research.

Hardware and software were Huawei's strong suits.

The meeting between Gao Shen and Mr. Yu essentially finalized the cooperation between the two sides.

Huawei would participate in Leeds United's major project through sponsorship, and also promised that if Leeds United got promoted to the Premier League, Huawei's sponsorship fee would double.

This clearly demonstrated Huawei's sincerity in working with Leeds United.

Gao Shen was generous in return, promising that Leeds United would share its research results and experience in relevant fields with Huawei in the future, and actively cooperate in research, development, and testing.

Not only that, Gao Shen also promised that all high-end flagship smartphones launched by Huawei could be sent to him in the future.

Over the years, he had insisted on giving gifts to players annually. The gifts were always Apple phones and tablets, which had been widely reported in media around the world. As a result, Apple had started sending him new phones and electronics every year.

At this level, many things came to him for free, with companies paying him just to use their products.

Just his Twitter following alone meant that a single tweet could cause a sensation.

Mr. Yu hadn't expected Gao Shen to have such influence.

At first, he thought Gao Shen was only supporting Huawei as a gesture of goodwill because of the Leeds United sponsorship. But after deeper conversation, he realized Gao Shen was also a tech enthusiast.

The more they talked, the more extraordinary it felt. Many of Gao Shen's views were insightful and forward-looking.

For example, when discussing Huawei, Gao Shen said he wanted to build a high-end brand, drop OEM and low-end segments, and focus on flagship phones.

How?

By building chips in-house, mastering core technologies, and prioritizing user experience.

Wasn't this exactly what Gao Shen had done with Leeds United?

One was in smartphones, the other in football club management.

But Gao Shen's words truly resonated with Yu Dazui. He had been thinking along the same lines and felt that there was tremendous potential here. That was why he was so determined to take over the consumer business.

The more they talked, the more Yu Dazui felt Gao Shen was truly exceptional, and the more he saw him as a kindred spirit.

Of course, what he didn't know was that everything Gao Shen said came from personal experience. He had used these things himself and knew the problems.

Many of the pain points he mentioned were highly relevant in 2011 and very insightful, especially to someone like Yu Dazui, who had a sharp sense for opportunity.

They continued chatting over lunch in Huawei's employee cafeteria. After the break, the discussion resumed.

Yu Dazui was the kind of person who could really talk, and he had depth.

When he and Gao Shen started talking—especially when they started bragging—it was something else.

Several times, Su Qing nearly burst out laughing. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and suggested touring the headquarters instead, leaving the two masters to continue bragging on their own.

It wasn't until evening that Yu Dazui finally shook hands with Gao Shen, reluctant to part. He said that if he had the chance, he would definitely visit Leeds to catch up with Gao Shen and chat for three days straight.

"Not a bad idea, I'll take you up on it."

"Mr. Yu really seems to appreciate Mr. Gao."

As they walked Gao Shen and the others to the car at the front gate, the head of the UK division noticed that Yu Dazui's eyes were still on the departing vehicle and said with a smile.

"You don't find many young people like him these days."

Yu Dazui praised him, then turned and called out to his colleagues.

"You guys in the UK division must actively support Leeds United. Once the time is right, our headquarters will assign staff to oversee this project. You must take this partnership seriously."

"Has your proposal been approved?"

Yu Dazui nodded. "Headquarters has already begun preparations. When the time comes, we'll establish a sports science research institute. Researching human health never stops."

As they walked, Yu Dazui clicked his tongue in admiration, then suddenly sighed.

"Gao Shen is truly talented. I don't think he should be a football coach. He should come work at Huawei. I'll personally get him into the Strategy Department."

Everyone around was stunned.

What kind of offer was that?

Direct entry into the Strategy Department?

But the head of the UK division gave a wry smile.

"Boss Yu, let's not talk about that."

"Why not? With me backing him, are you saying he still can't get in? If it comes to that, he can just follow me directly!" Yu Dazui said boldly.

"No, Mr. Yu," the UK regional head carefully chose his words and reminded him, "He won't come."

"Why not?" Yu Dazui was surprised.

The UK head looked helpless. "Mr. Yu, it's clear you're not a football fan. It's a miracle you were able to chat with Gao Shen about football."

Yu Dazui laughed. "I'm not a fan, but I didn't embarrass myself."

Right, you weren't embarrassed. It was everyone else who was.

"Mr. Gao really gave you enough face."

"Cut the nonsense. Just say it."

"Mr. Yu, he's the only active head coach in the world to have won three Champions League titles. The only one. The entire European football scene—no, the entire global football world—is fighting over him."

Yu Dazui nodded. "I've seen the news, but I didn't think much of it. So he's really that popular?"

"Yes. Earlier, he just asked us to send him high-end flagships. You thought he wanted freebies, but the reality? Nokia, Samsung, Motorola—dozens of brands are fighting to give him their products, and he turns them down."

"Damn!" Yu Dazui couldn't help swearing. "I really owe him a big one!"

He'd seen this kind of thing before and understood how it worked.

"No kidding," the UK division head nodded. "Also, Mr. Yu, do you know how much a Strategy Department employee makes a year? They work so hard, constantly exhausted, but they don't even earn a fraction of what he does."

"What do you mean?" Yu Dazui was stunned again.

"His annual salary last year was at least 30 million."

"Is that... in RMB?"

"GBP."

"Damn!" Yu Dazui was truly shocked. "So coaching football pays that much? My god, I should've studied this sooner."

After a brief pause, he stopped, turned, and looked at everyone with a serious expression.

"Not a word of what I just said leaves this room, got it?"

He then walked off, mumbling to himself.

The people behind him looked at each other and burst into helpless laughter.

(To be continued.)