CHAPTER 256: CHAPTER 142: I HEARD SHE’S YOUR BELOVED TREASURE

They occupied the entire top floor of the branch building, renovating it into several large areas: executive zone, employee zone, workspaces, laboratories, meeting rooms, a tea area, and a kitchen zone.

Currently, most of the office space on the whole floor is still empty.

Only two offices in the executive zone have their lights on, while the employee zone is already deserted.

In the laboratory, there are rows of top-configured computers, with high-resolution screens occasionally flickering with screensaver images, as if someone were using them.

Justus Spencer, Thomas, and their financial director and human resources director are sitting in Thomas’s office for a meeting.

He frowned slightly and said to Thomas, "Thomas, our company has been officially established for two weeks now, and actually, the preparation time was even longer. Why are there still so few people working in the company?"

Thomas remained silent, while the HR director in the room hurriedly said, "Mr. Spencer, it’s like this, there are very few candidates who meet Mr. Thomas’s requirements. Mr. Thomas said that we prefer to lack rather than to have indiscriminately, so we have been striving to find the most suitable people. Unfortunately, our country’s artificial intelligence is just in its infancy, and there are indeed very few who meet Thomas’s criteria."

Justus was surprised and looked at Thomas: "Thomas, is that so?"

"Yes. I’m quite surprised, there are so few AI talents in your country." He shrugged, "But I also understand your pressure, if we want to show results quickly, relying solely on our own recruitment is very slow, it would take at least a year or two to gather enough staff."

"No way?! Getting all the staff would take one or two years?! How would we even produce a product?!" Justus frowned, "Isn’t there a faster way? I’m not trying to rush you, it’s just that, as you know, I’ve invested heavily in this company, I have to be accountable to the board, and also to the shareholders."

Thomas twirled the wedding ring on his left ring finger, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, "If you want to get on track quickly, it’s not impossible, but I’m not sure how much authority and decisiveness you have, and if you are willing to do what it takes."

"Authority is not an issue, just tell me, if we can roll out quickly, I’ll strive to meet any condition."

Thomas nodded, "Good, then I’ll say it. For a newly established company like this, if funding is sufficient, we can consider expanding rapidly through the acquisition model of small companies."

"Acquiring small companies?" Justus mused, "You mean we acquire AI companies that have been established for quite a few years?"

"Yes, our target companies can be those that have been established for several years, already have their own R&D teams, a stable customer base, and well-reviewed products." Thomas smiled, "That way, we can achieve quicker results to satisfy the board while I can focus all my efforts on developing our products. How does that sound?"

For companies wanting to expand quickly, leveraged buyouts are a very common method.

Justus pondered for a moment, "I’ll go back and think it over and give you an answer tomorrow."

After he left, he immediately called his father, Cameron Spencer.

"Dad, Thomas suggests we acquire small AI companies, integrate these companies’ talents, products, market, and customers, while also gaining time to develop our own patented AI product, what do you think?" As he exited the building, he had already made up his mind.

After listening, Cameron Spencer weighed it for a moment, nodding, "It’s a good idea, mainly it can alleviate the pressure from the board and quarterly reports. In any case, I hope Thomas can develop our own patented AI products without interference."

In this era, only with our own patents can we truly stand undefeated.

With his father’s support, Justus became even more motivated.

After returning to the hotel, he called Thomas and said, "Thomas, I’ve decided to adopt your suggestion. Here’s what, I’ll go to our investment and market department and let them select some small promising AI companies..."

Before he could finish, Thomas arrogantly interrupted, "Justus, you have to listen to me on this matter. Only I know which AI companies are worth acquiring because 99% of the AI companies in your market are just scams for funding. Only 1% is truly worth investing in."

Justus’s face flushed with Thomas’s words, but he couldn’t disagree.