Business Attraction

Chapter 5: Negotiations

"We'd be idiots to not acquire this company," Hirai Momo says in a serious, business-liketone, "if we don't buy them, some other company will, and then we'll wish we had.""I agree," Park Choa says with a small nod, "their tech is legit. Their logistics and resourcingcould use some restructuring, but with our capital behind their team that won't be an issue.Their personnel and their tech have a lot of potential."

"You're both right. I don't even think we need to consult with the boss on this one. I say wemove forward and submit a proposal for acquisition," you finish.

Momo and Choa respond with affirmative nods. Their faces are weary after two days of longhours spent in presentations, meeting with company executives, and reviewing company data.They are both happy to have come to a decision about the company, and both glad that thethree of you were in agreement.

"Choa, have legal back home start up the paperwork. Momo, the boss will want a fullsummary report including all their presentations and the data they gave us on their tech. He'llwant to know everything about what he's buying. I'll meet with their management and starton a framework for the acquisition terms, and perhaps get started on financial negotiations."

"Roger that, sir," Momo says with a mock salute as if she were speaking to a superiormilitary officer, "I'll get on it right away, Captain. But first, sleep! To the hotel!"

Momo turns on her heel and pretends to march out of the meeting room, her long legs straightas they march in exaggerated fashion like a soldier on parade, her tablet held against hershoulder like a rifle.

Choa giggles as the younger woman leaves the room, then turns to you and whispers softly:"Maybe it'll be my turn to call you sir before this trip is over?""Maybe," you say softly in reply, your lips widening into a smile that is returned on hers. 

"I'll make that call to legal in the morning, but first I think I'm gonna go PTFO," Choa sayswith a smile, before she too turns and starts to gather her belongings from the boardroomtable. "You wanna share a cab back to the hotel?"

"Thanks, but I need to finish up a couple of things here before I call it a day. I'll see you guysbright and early tomorrow morning."

"Sure thing, boss," Choa says, managing to smile kindly at you despite the fatigue wearing ather cute features. With one last wave, she throws her backpack over her shoulder and headsout of the office.

Finally alone in the moderately sized boardroom atop a tall office tower in downtown Seoul,you sigh deeply as you recline in your expensive looking leather chair. It has indeed been along couple of days of work following a long haul flight, and the weariness in your body wasproof of it. The sun has begun to set, and you glance idly out the window as it begins to paintSouth Korea's capital in tones of orange and red. You search for a moment of respite for yourmind after days of hard work amidst tall towers of glass and steel.

The floor to ceiling glass window gives you an excellent view of downtown Seoul. The entireoffice itself was like something out of a hipster interior designer's sketchbook, all glass andhardwood and exposed brick. It was a gorgeous space, and you could see why it attracted atalented crowd of young professional employees.

"Ahem."

A female's exaggerated cough interrupts your reverie, and you turn to find the form of ayoung woman leaning into the entrance of the boardroom. You are struck for a moment byher beauty as the sun throws a splash of orange on her features. It is Kim Seolhyun, theDirector of Marketing and Communications of the company. She gives you a short bow withher head as you make eye contact, a polite smile on her lips.

"I'm sorry, I left my notepad in here," she says in only lightly accented English, steppingcautiously into the room, "I hope I'm not interrupting or disturbing you.""No, not at all," you say quickly, "I was just taking a breather after meeting with mycolleagues.""I see. Well if you'd like some water or tea or anything else, I can grab it for you," Seolhyunsays, gathering up the blue notebook on the other side of the table."Actually, some water would be great," you answer, "although I think a stretch and a walkmight do just as good."