William White's youthful appearance surprised several individuals. Although Qiao Dashen was also quite young, he deliberately projected a mature image. The two companies were in close proximity, and several Apple representatives arrived earlier than the agreed time.
In more formal settings, arriving early might be considered rude, but in the laid-back atmosphere of Silicon Valley, it was acceptable. Here, youthfulness was embraced, and being too formal was often frowned upon.
After exchanging greetings, William White, seemingly more like an engineer than a businessman, led them directly to a somewhat messy meeting room. The room contained disassembled Apple computers, their cases left uncovered.
Despite the untidiness, the Apple representatives found the environment oddly welcoming.
"Would anyone like coffee? We haven't officially opened yet, so space is limited," William offered.
"Sure, coffee sounds good. Mr. White, could you give us a demonstration of the software?" one of the Apple representatives asked.
"Call me William. The projector isn't set up yet, but I'll use this computer to demonstrate. The machines in front of you are ready for you to explore," William replied.
In the eyes of the Apple representatives, William White's attire resembled that of an engineer rather than an elite from Wall Street. The conference room's disorderly state further reinforced the impression of a Silicon Valley insider.
"We're launching an office suite comprising a word processing system and forms. For SMEs, these functional charts can address various needs, such as staff salaries and product inventory," William explained.
The high-level Apple representatives were visibly intrigued. The practical application of computers for SMEs seemed promising, considering they mostly relied on calculators for tasks like accounting and inventory management.
"Another piece of software is a word processing system. While word processors are currently popular, they come with challenges and are certainly not cheap," William added.
"Interrupt me if I'm wrong, but your software, though impressive, can't fully replace a word processor," one of the Apple representatives interjected.
William acknowledged the concern but assured them, "We've addressed this problem. We utilized your expansion card slot, and while the solution is still relatively expensive, it's not a significant issue. Not every computer needs to print. Small companies might only need one, while mid-sized ones may require two or three."
William demonstrated the solution by having an Epson printer brought into the room.
The Apple team had noticed the expansion card slot before but hadn't fully understood its potential until now.
The meeting progressed positively, and it became evident that White Software had tailored its offerings for Apple's needs. Apple executives were thrilled, envisioning the potential of this software for their systems.
"William, your products seem promising. However, we're keen to know the pricing details. What can we expect?" Makula inquired.
William White, aware that the pricing was a crucial factor, responded, "Makula, don't worry about the price. The spreadsheet is priced at $99, word processing software at $49, and the suite at $139. For Apple, we can offer a 30% discount on these prices, and we can also provide OEM versions at $129."
The Apple executives were taken aback by the low prices. While it seemed like a good deal for Apple, the executives wondered about the profitability of White Software at such price points.
William White's pricing strategy indicated a desire to monopolize the market. The Apple team, while impressed, had reservations about occupying this new software space.
Upon returning to their company, the Apple executives, although outwardly calm, were inwardly excited. White Software had opened a new opportunity for them. They planned to speed up their publicity efforts to maintain their first-mover advantage.
While William White and his team swiftly implemented the details of the contract, it became apparent that White Software was even faster. They delivered the products promptly, leaving the Apple team astonished.
In internal discussions, the Apple team acknowledged the urgency. The success of White Software signaled a window of opportunity in the market. To maintain their advantage, they needed to accelerate their efforts and stay ahead of potential competitors.
The news of White Software's success spread quickly, generating excitement among company employees. For Forbe, in particular, the prospects of the software translating into revenue brought immense joy. The promised 30% discount from Apple hinted at the imminent rise of the White family.