New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 8

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 8. Why Does It Work? (3)

Short-range wireless communication technology Bluetooth.

Various global companies including Nokia, IBM, and Intel came together to establish the SIG.

Through extensive research and discussions, the Bluetooth standard was officially announced, and many companies showed interest in Bluetooth.

Especially all electronics companies showed great interest.

GL Group, one of Korea’s representative electronics companies, was no exception and was considering joining the Bluetooth SIG.

“A new short-range wireless communication technology has emerged. How is our division proceeding with it?”

“It’s still difficult to use practically. We’re exploring the technology comprehensively and seeking ways to utilize it.”

“As you all know, electronics companies must move quickly to survive. The moment we fall behind, we become old folks in the back room. So even if the technology lacks practicality, understand it thoroughly!”

Korean companies didn’t yet have the technological capabilities to lead new technologies.

However, they were rapidly acquiring existing technologies and preparing to soon surpass not only Japan but also the technological capabilities of European and American companies.

This was especially true for the mobile phone business.

This was why GL Group established the Mobile Phone Division, and it was also why Go Il-do, who was in charge of the Mobile Phone Division, could be promoted to Vice President.

“The Bluetooth SIG founding companies seem to already be trying to use Bluetooth-related technology. Japanese companies in particular are moving swiftly.”

“Of course. Since it’s technology they created, they’d want to release products first.”

“But Bluetooth-related patents have been registered domestically too. Patents registered even before the standard was announced.”

“There must have been a domestic company interested in new technology. But they lacked patience. There was no need to file patents before the standard came out.”

Unless you’re part of the SIG, how could you know how the standard would be announced?

Of course, he understood the mindset. If you could luckily secure patents first, you could make huge profits.

“It’s a patent that completely follows the Bluetooth standard.”

“…They accurately predicted and registered the patent? Is it a place backed by Japanese or American companies?”

“No. Actually, it’s a place very closely related to our group.”

“One of our subcontractors must have made it. Hmm, contact them right away to establish a technology partnership and proceed with joint research. Provide generous research funding.”

Occasionally, subcontractors would do commendable work.

In such cases, they could secure technology usage rights through appropriate treatment and compensation.

But a completely different name came up than what Vice President Go Il-do was thinking.

“It wasn’t made by our subcontractor but by a department that split off from the Technology Research Institute. Product Development Department 3, which we sold to Tiger Private Equity this time.”

“Product Development Department 3? Hmm, they created such technology there? Who was it that suggested selling that place?”

“All executives made the decision together. We decided to sell because it was a department doing redundant work.”

Executives making excuses before getting scolded.

Seeing this, Vice President Go Il-do couldn’t even get angry. He had also agreed to the department’s sale.

“GL alumni are definitely smart. It’s thanks to our good training. It’s regrettable but can’t be helped. Contact Tiger Private Equity and inquire about a technology partnership.”

“We made inquiries, but they made excessive demands. They’re insisting on licensing contracts or royalty payment methods.”

“Those private equity fund bastards. They only know money.”

He didn’t want to spend money on technology that hadn’t even been commercialized yet.

If they signed a contract and commercialization failed, he would have to take all responsibility.

“Bluetooth technology still has much room for development, so there’s no need to move hastily, right?”

“That’s true. But Product Development Department 3 keeps bothering me. Could we reacquire it?”

“…Several companies have already attempted to acquire Product Development Department 3. Offers of more than twice what we sold it for are coming in.”

Bang!

Vice President Go Il-do finally couldn’t contain his anger and pounded the desk.

“It’s been how long since we sold it and it’s already doubled! Aren’t you saying we sold it dirt cheap!”

“We thought selling Product Development Department 3 would be profitable since they were restructuring targets.”

“So you’re saying you did well!”

“In the long term, it’s definitely not a loss. Don’t they say even worms squirm when stepped on? They seem to have gathered everything they had left to create patents. And they had a lot of luck too. Buying that department now, which has used up all its skill and luck, is no different from paying full price for an empty bottle.”

Department Manager Jang Do-hoon, called the Vice President’s right hand.

He was the team leader of Mobile Development Team 1 and the center of the newly born Mobile Phone Division.

At his words, Vice President Go Il-do calmed down.

“I got a bit excited. A large corporation like ours doesn’t need to obsess over one tree. Let’s look at the forest.”

“Mobile phone market share is increasing daily. If the current trend continues, we can achieve not only domestic market share leadership but also significantly increase global market share.”

“I trust you. But it’s still a bit regrettable. We can’t reacquire Product Development Department 3, but couldn’t we poach the key personnel?”

The greedy Vice President.

His nickname wasn’t “brat” for nothing.

Like a brat, when he wanted something, he had to get his hands on it to be satisfied.

“I’ll meet with Product Development Department 3 members individually and propose returning to the company.”

“Even though they left, aren’t they still our people? So we should take them back.”

“But do we need to bring back Department Manager Cha Ik-hyeon too?”

“We don’t need someone who can’t understand what’s being said. It’s enough to bring back just the sharp ones from deputy to section chief level.”

The Vice President gritted his teeth.

Department Manager Cha Ik-hyeon, whom he had tried to bring into his line.

But he was someone whose wavelength didn’t match his own. There was no need to bring such a person back.

“Given our relationship with the private equity fund, I’ll arrange for them to return to GL Electronics through subcontractors.”

“That’s a great idea. If we say we’ll maintain their existing seniority and even their salary, they’ll gladly come over.”

“As expected, Vice President, you’re too generous.”

“Whether I like them or not, aren’t they my people? Alright! Let’s end today’s meeting here, everyone can go.”

GL Group still didn’t properly understand the value of Product Development Department 3.

The Vice President still thought he was in the superior position, but Product Development Department 3 wouldn’t consider him superior.

***

My routines were varied.

Not only time, but I also dressed according to my routines.

I wore underwear and socks of designated colors for each day of the week.

But unlike me, the atmosphere of Product Development Department 3 was freedom itself.

When I was part of GL Group, there were many department members who showcased fashion I could never have imagined.

“Employee Lee, you should dress more comfortably now too.”

“This is comfortable for me.”

“How is that comfortable? Who’s going to say anything? How did you manage to dress like that when you were at GL Group? Hasn’t the world become so much better?”

“For me, it’s pretty much the same now as it was then.”

Manager Kim Dong-su working in a short-sleeve T-shirt.

It was quite far from proper office attire.

But it wasn’t bothersome or anything at all.

Compared to the Department Manager who wore floral shirts reminiscent of Hawaii, he was quite modest.

“Oh! Department Manager, your fashion is very colorful today.”

“If you’re going to serve a noble family, you need to dress well. If we’re going to work with American folks, shouldn’t we dress up to this extent?”

“Department Manager, doesn’t your wife say anything when you come out dressed like that?”

“As long as I bring home the paycheck regularly, everything’s okay.”

I had thought the Department Manager was the most similar type of person to me.

When he was part of GL Group, he seemed so rigid that not even a needle could penetrate.

But now he was enjoying change more than anyone else.

“Still, a Hawaiian shirt is a bit too much.”

“Manager Kim should focus on doing his job well. Is the office your home? Where else would you find an office worker who listens to radio and watches TV in the office? What a comfortable life.”

“How is this a comfortable life? I watch in the office because I don’t have time to go to the break room. And I only watch briefly while eating.”

TV, radio, and mobile phone!

These seemingly unrelated words created a beautiful harmony.

Each word became a gear that meshed together, and the cogwheel began to turn.

I wanted to complete this harmony quickly.

I needed to find out more missing information to complete it, and I poured out words toward the Department Manager.

“Department Manager, are there portable TVs too?”

“Of course there are. They’re heavier than expected and the picture quality isn’t great. There are many limitations so people don’t use them much, but some people do use them.”

“Then it would be possible to build TV and radio into mobile phones for use.”

“Technically it would be possible. I haven’t heard of TV-equipped mobile phones coming out yet, so patent registration would be possible too. But wouldn’t it be largely useless?”

I nodded at the Department Manager’s words.

The cogwheel in my head was turning at a terrible speed.

Actually, many ideas were like this.

The cogwheel would turn, but it would turn strangely or irregularly.

This meant it wasn’t particularly special technology, and in such cases, I wouldn’t proceed to the next step.

But this time was a little different.

Behind the slowly turning cogwheel, I could see the shape of something massive that hadn’t been implemented yet.

“I’ll try creating the concept itself of watching TV on a mobile phone. It might not be practical right now, but it could change when times change.”

“If Employee Lee wants to make it, then you should make it. But would there be people who’d watch TV on a mobile phone and strain their eyes? And you can’t watch in monochrome, right? If you put expensive color LCD in a mobile phone just to watch TV, the phone price would become too expensive.”

All mobile phones released now used monochrome LCD.

It wasn’t so much due to lack of technology, but because there was no need to use color LCD.

“If camera phones become commercialized, most mobile phones will use color LCD. If that happens, there will be demand for camera phones that can even watch TV.”

“It would be worth watching briefly while waiting for the subway or bus. It would be difficult for long-term viewing due to battery performance issues and signal problems.”

“For now, I want to focus development on watching video content on mobile phones.”

It wasn’t particularly difficult technology.

Since portable TV was already commercialized, it could be made with just some modifications and structural design changes.

“Ah! Korean electronics companies gathered together to create DMB technology. With that technology, you could watch TV on mobile phones.”

“I remember that too. Samjin Electronics and GL Electronics joined forces to create digital broadcasting. Once that technology is developed, there definitely won’t be signal interference worries.”

Manager Kim’s words created a new cogwheel.

But the newly created cogwheel was very small and didn’t seem to have much influence.

“DMB technology is only in its beginning stages, so I’ll proceed while ignoring it for now.”

“Who would stop Employee Lee from making it? As long as you make the blueprints properly, we’ll handle the rest of the practical work, so don’t worry.”

“I’ll try to make the blueprints by today if possible.”

“There’s no rush. The practical affairs team needs time to breathe too. And don’t you have class today? Professor Park has been living for the joy of teaching you lately, so you’ll be in trouble if you’re late.”

I wanted to quickly draw the blueprint that came to mind.

By drawing blueprints, I could materialize what I had thought of, and I felt I could discover the identity of the massive something attached behind the cogwheel.

But I couldn’t give up C Language either.

C Language also had tremendously large cogwheels and objects attached to it.

To not give up either of the two, I needed optimized movement and planning.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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