Hollywood Starts with Animation

a few days later.

Zucker had left New York and came to Eau Claire, a subsidiary city in Wisconsin.

When it comes to the 50 states in the United States, more people may be familiar with California, New York, Hawaii, and Wisconsin is undoubtedly unfamiliar to many people. The word "Wisconsin" means "grass" and "red gem" in Indian language.

The state is located in the northern part of the United States, bordering Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes, to the east, Michigan to the northeast, Minnesota to the west, and Iowa and Illinois to the southwest and south. The state has 45% of the land. Covered by forests, the state has a dense river network with more than 10,000 rivers.

Therefore, the economic characteristics of Wisconsin are mainly based on agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and paper industry.

It is relatively lacking in high-tech industries.

But...Wisconsin also has no shortage of potential businesses!

For example: Menards Home Improvement!

This time Zucker arrived in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for the Menards Home Improvement Company.

"Hi, Zucker, my friend, you're welcome~"

As soon as Zucker and his party arrived in Madison, they were warmly welcomed by John Menard Jr., the owner of Menards Home Improvement.

Zucker hugged him warmly.

"Man, you've been pretty good recently. Even if I'm not in New York, I can see your news everywhere. You Wall Streeters are making crazy money about the collapse of Enron."

John Menard Jr.'s tone was full of envy.

Hearing this, Zucker waved his hand and said with a smile: "Come on, old guy. I made a lot of money in the Enron incident, but the people who really made the big money were Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch and other large investment banks. ."

"It's the same, anyway, your Gale Capital has made a lot of money." Menard said quickly.

The two exchanged briefly and left the airport.

on the car.

Zhu Ke smiled and said solemnly: "Old man, tell me, how can I help you?"

"Uh?"

John Menard, who was over sixty years old, was immediately taken aback,

After a few seconds, he sighed, "You all know that?"

"Is not this nonsensical?"

Zu Ke laughed and scolded: "Don't forget, I reminded you at the beginning, can I not be clear?"

Little John Menard smiled shyly, then nodded.

Since the outbreak of 9/11, Internet companies and high-tech companies in the United States have suffered catastrophes. Even today, the impact of 9/11 continues to deal a huge blow to these companies.

All walks of life have been affected to varying degrees...

This includes the field of personal home improvement.

"In just a few days, my company has lost at least hundreds of millions of dollars. The total number of personal home improvement orders that have gone to waste has exceeded 3,000. Damn terrorists!"

These are the words John Menard Jr complained to Zucker just days after 9/11.

As of today, Menard’s Menards Home Improvement Company has lost at least $300 million, which is why Menard responded quickly enough, otherwise the loss will definitely go to $500 million.

Crisis and opportunity often coexist!

Think about it in another way. As the largest personal home improvement chain brand in Wisconsin, Menards Home Improvement will lose so much, so its competitors will not be any better?

Moreover, the situation is even worse for small and medium-sized personal home improvement companies that occupy the middle and lower reaches and whose strength is far less than that of your company.

In other words, if Menards Home Improvement can quickly annex some small and medium-sized home improvement companies in this crisis, it will inevitably rise to become an industry giant.

"Thanks to your reminder, that's what I'm doing now, but..."

Menard hesitated.

"but what?"

Zucker asked.

Menard said solemnly: "But don't forget, in the personal home improvement field in the United States, there are many companies that are stronger than Menards Home Improvement Company, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, they are the giants of this industry."

The Home Depot?

Lowe's?

Zucker repeated the names of the two companies.

Home Depot is the world's leading retailer of home building materials and one of the world's largest home improvement brand retailers, with footprints in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other regions.

As of now, the number of chain stores it owns exceeds 700 in the United States alone;

Home Depot has been named "Favorite Specialty Retailer" by Fortune Magazine for several consecutive years;

In November 2001, Home Depot ranked 47th in Forbes magazine's "Top 500 American Companies" list.

Lowe's, it's not bad either!

Lowe's is also one of the world's largest home improvement brand retailers, with more than 400 stores across the United States, second only to The Home Depot in the field of personal home improvement.

"Home Depot and Lowe's, I know, they are the No. 1 and No. 2 personal home improvement giants in the United States, so what is the size of your Menards home improvement now?"

Zucker asked.

Menard took a deep breath and said resentfully: "Don't look at my Menards Home Improvement is the largest personal home improvement chain brand in Wisconsin, but its overall strength is much worse than that of Home Depot and Lowe's. ,a lot of."

Zuke pouted: "Then you said it!"

The old guy was not at all cheery.

"49!"

"My Maynards Home Improvement currently has only 49 stores, far less than Home Depot's more than 700 stores and less than Lowe's more than 400 stores..."

As Menard spoke, he spread his hands and laughed at himself: "I'm done talking now, you should know my troubles."

Zucker nodded.

The 9/11 incident was both a crisis and an opportunity for all walks of life in the United States.

Big fish eat small fish~

As long as you can seize the opportunity, you can quickly swallow up some companies that are on the verge of bankruptcy, so that the company can grow rapidly, and even become an industry giant.

However, not everyone has the opportunity!

For example, the current Menards home improvement, in the field of personal home improvement, is completely unable to compete with the industry giants Home Depot and Lowe's.

"No, man. I reminded you a few days after 9/11 passed, haven't you made any progress in the past few months?"

Zucker asked.

It stands to reason that with Zucker's reminder, a smart person like Menard should be able to take the lead.

"No money, man!"

Menard smiled bitterly and said: "You think I am you, where do I have that much money? Even in the bank, I also loaned 200 million US dollars, but it is still not enough, um, far from enough!"

There was one more thing he didn't say.

That is to borrow money from Zucker~

Of course, he did not exclude Zucker from taking a stake in his Menards home improvement.

" "The first more is sent.

The minister is back, and there is an update today.