After concluding his inspection of Waterworld Animation's operations that day, Kyle did not leave Silicon Valley but instead headed to LinkedIn, which was in the same building as Waterworld Animation.
As of today, LinkedIn has been established for over a year.
From nothing, Kyle personally invested a total of $45 million, a substantial sum that surpasses at least 90% of internet companies on the market.
Of course, the results have been remarkable.
Jeff Weiner truly lived up to his reputation as the primary contributor who led LinkedIn to glory in the original timeline; under his leadership, LinkedIn has finally carved out its own niche.
Registered users in the United States numbered as many as 11.72 million.
In overseas regions, specifically Mexico and Canada, there were also over 600,000 registered users.
According to the latest report from "Goldman Sachs Financial Magazine," LinkedIn Group, established for only 14 months, currently has an estimated market value of $620.07 million.
Among the thousands of newly established internet companies less than two years old, LinkedIn ranks 6th in market value.
This achievement is enough to overshadow a host of internet companies.
Of course, this excludes internet giants such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Amazon, and Yahoo.
After all, the newly established LinkedIn is indeed vastly different from them.
Well, even in the future, the difference will still be significant.
"Boss, although our user base has grown, daily growth over the past two months has plateaued; we need to intensify our efforts to expand overseas and seek more users," CEO Jeff Weiner suggested.
However, Kyle shook his head.
User count!
In the late 1990s American internet landscape, the competition for user numbers was the mainstream trend of this era!
Forming alliances, expanding shareholders, bank loans... In short, using continuous money-burning tactics to increase user numbers.
"Boss, only with more users can we gain more favor from the market."
Jeff Weiner's underlying message was for LinkedIn to expand its shares and bring in powerful shareholder allies.
"I disagree!"
Kyle flatly denied, "Jeff, I understand everything you're saying. But you've overlooked a major premise!"
"What?" Jeff Weiner frowned.
Kyle mused, "Don't you think the current internet market, both creators and investors, is overly enthusiastic? There's a saying: 'A profusion of flowers is like cooking with raging fire!'"
"...".
He didn't understand!
His mind was full of question marks.
Kyle said gravely, "The current booming internet market, in my opinion, is fraught with hidden dangers. The market's expectations for internet companies far exceed the current reality, and a single misstep could trigger a massive financial crisis!"
E-Toys, an online toy sales website, had an annual turnover of only several hundred million dollars and was operating at a loss, yet its market value was nearly ten billion dollars.
R-Toys, a physical chain enterprise also engaged in toy sales, had an annual turnover of $6 billion, yet its market value was only $4.2 billion, far less than E-Toys.
This is clearly extremely unreasonable!
Are those investment institutions all idiots?!
No!
Quite the opposite.
They are all extremely shrewd!
They don't care what happens in the future; they only want to make a quick buck, no matter if a flood comes later. The ones who ultimately suffer and bear the losses are always the ordinary people, dubbed "leeks."
"Jeff, this market is too abnormal, so I would rather LinkedIn develop slowly than see it collapse during a crisis!"
Kyle was unwavering.
"But, boss, the current opportunity is so rare, if..."
Jeff Weiner still wanted to argue, but Kyle cut him off.
Kyle said in a deep voice, "I don't care how others expand their shares, form alliances, or rapidly expand overseas. What we need to do first is solidify our foundation, diligently cultivate the American market, and then wait for the right moment. Well, just like Bezos's Amazon."
"Alright." Jeff could only compromise.
Bezos's Amazon e-commerce platform is an anomaly in today's internet landscape!
Other internet companies are all expanding shares, forming alliances, burning money, and striving to expand their global market strategy; well, Yahoo is an example of this.
But Amazon is different!
"Stabilize the foundation, cultivate the foundation deeply, and while pursuing user growth, maintain stable growth in profits."
"A company that can consistently make a profit is more recognized and welcomed by the market than a hundred companies that are losing money."
—Jeff Bezos.
In 2000, after the full-blown internet crisis, internet giants like Microsoft, Yahoo, IBM, and Oracle all suffered heavy losses, with their market values plummeting drastically.
But Amazon was different!
Although its stock price also dropped from $45 per share to less than $2, it was one of the few internet companies that made a profit after the release of its new quarterly financial report.
From then on, Amazon soared, becoming the most anticipated and recognized internet company in the market.
It was precisely because of Bezos's operating strategy that Amazon has consistently maintained the highest stock price per share among companies!
"Jeff, look. Even that shrewd bald guy, Bezos, isn't aggressively expanding into overseas markets right now, so what's our rush?"
Kyle smiled, "So it's not that I don't want to form alliances or expand shares right now, but rather that there's no rush at all; it's not needed!"
Steady and solid!
This time, Kyle was in no hurry at all!
LinkedIn currently has an estimated market value of $620.07 million, but it is still not profitable.
It is operating at a loss!
"So, your primary task right now is to achieve profitability for LinkedIn as soon as possible, while increasing the user base, and solidifying the foundation," Kyle said with a smile.
"Understood, boss."
Jeff Weiner now somewhat agreed with Kyle's view. Of course, it wouldn't matter even if he didn't agree.
He was not the boss; he was just an implementer!
Before long, Kyle left.
In the car, Kyle murmured, "Forming alliances is indeed not the right time yet, at least not before the internet bubble bursts, otherwise, things could easily go wrong."
...The next day.
Kyle also inspected SpongeBob's House, the first business he founded personally.
At the same time, Kyle also checked the sales performance of SpongeBob's House last month.
Currently, SpongeBob's House has expanded from the initial 7 stores to 19, with new locations established throughout California, in addition to downtown Los Angeles.
After all, California is Kyle's home base!
Last month, the 19 SpongeBob's House stores collectively reported $23 million in revenue.
After deducting various expenses, the profit was $4 million.
Of course, the most gratifying aspect was the online store!
Since 1996, SpongeBob's House has partnered with Amazon to develop online sales services. Thanks to Kyle's foresight as a transmigrator, he secured the merchandising rights for numerous popular movies. Last month alone, SpongeBob's House reported $17 million in online revenue, with profits reaching as high as $4.5 million.
The profit margin of the online store was higher than that of physical stores!
"Hashimoto Taro, you've done a good job!"
Kyle now praised the young Japanese man in front of him, as his work was quite good. Much better than the original James Shaun.
"Thank you for your praise, Boss!"
The young Japanese man, Hashimoto Taro, bowed deeply to Kyle with extreme respect.
After a chat, Hashimoto Taro submitted an application to Kyle.
"Boss, a few days ago, I attended a merchandise and toy exhibition and met a man named Bryant Ben. He is a very talented person," Hashimoto Taro said.
"Uh, tell me more specifically."
Kyle became somewhat interested.
Mainly because the name Bryant Ben felt somewhat familiar to Kyle.