I am a person who takes things seriously. The more they underestimate me, the more I want to prove them wrong and show them they are mistaken.
This very refusal to admit defeat is what transformed my company from a small business with thirty employees to the large enterprise it is today, with over three thousand staff.
Everyone simply sees me as a big boss now, wealthy and successful.
But in reality, no one has seen the immense effort I poured into achieving this.
Success in this world does not simply arrive.
As for your mention of management, it was all learned through trial and error, gradually refining our systems. Zhao Shubo recounted his rags-to-riches story to Liu Yifeng as if narrating a tale.
He seemed to still have more to say.
Liu Yifeng listened attentively and felt a great deal of respect for Zhao Shubo. Despite having such a capable father, he had chosen not to rely on Old Zhao but to forge his own path, ultimately achieving considerable success.
Indeed, success is never accidental.
For someone to succeed, they must invest their effort and sweat; it cannot be achieved through mere empty talk.
"Mr. Zhao, I truly admire your personal capabilities in creating employment for over three thousand people. This contribution is truly beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.
However, I also understand that your decision to purchase vegetables from me for your employees was not an inevitable choice, but rather a gesture to support my business as thanks for my son removing the love蛊 from you. It was not strictly necessary. Your father and your sister are already teaching my son knowledge for free. It was only right for Tong Tong to help you with the love蛊, as people should be reciprocal."
"But even if I didn't buy from you, I would still purchase from elsewhere. It's better to buy from you, and frankly, your vegetables do taste quite good.
I believe that with your vegetables, my employees will be energized and can work more effectively for the company, wouldn't they?" Zhao Shubo replied dismissively.
"Perhaps Mr. Zhao doesn't fully understand the pricing of my vegetables. You know that my vegetables not only solve picky eating issues for children but are also rich in various vitamins and can enhance physical fitness with increased consumption.
Therefore, the price is somewhat higher. If you were simply buying them for your employees, it would indeed be uneconomical.
I've roughly calculated: for three thousand people eating, assuming half a jin of vegetables per person per meal, that's one thousand five hundred jin per meal, or three thousand jin for two meals.
My vegetables are sold to Longteng Grand Hotel at twenty-four yuan per jin.
I'll sell them to you at twelve yuan per jin, the price I offer kindergartens. That would be thirty-six thousand yuan for vegetables alone per day, over a million yuan per month. Add in meat dishes, and the total food expenses would be at least one point three to one point four million yuan. That's a rather alarming food budget," Liu Yifeng had already meticulously calculated the figures for Zhao Shubo.
Zhao Shubo had not anticipated that Liu Yifeng's vegetables would be so expensive, requiring over a million yuan per month for food expenses, which truly shocked him.
Currently, his company's monthly food budget is four hundred thousand yuan, meaning each person's monthly food cost does not exceed two hundred yuan. The kitchen staff have consistently managed costs within this limit.
Now, Liu Yifeng's calculation of an additional million yuan per month for food, amounting to twelve million yuan annually, was a substantial increase.
His company's annual profit is only a little over a hundred million yuan.
Allocating a tenth of his profits to food expenses seemed excessively extravagant.
However, upon reflection, if Tong Tong hadn't helped him remove the love蛊, he would have become Cai Zi's puppet.
Everything he earned would have gone into her personal account, and he would have constantly faced the risk of being retaliated by the love worm, leading to madness in mild cases, or even death in severe ones.
Compared to that, spending around ten million yuan on purchasing vegetables seemed insignificant.
With this thought, his gaze became resolute. "Mr. Liu, I know you are considering my interests and don't want me to spend this money.
However, I sincerely wish to purchase your vegetables. My company is continuously expanding, and our performance improves year by year, surpassing many electronics companies.
Spending around ten million yuan on vegetables is not a trivial matter.
Moreover, although I am the boss, I ultimately rely on these employees to create wealth for me.
If I am unwilling to spend this much on them, how can they be loyal and dedicated to working for me!"
His words instantly broadened the perspective. A successful businessman cannot solely focus on immediate petty profits; the most crucial aspect is retaining people and talent.
He believed that no other enterprise would be willing to spend such a considerable amount on their employees' meals, making him the first and only one.
Perhaps, he could leverage this to secure his employees' appetites, and by securing their appetites, he would naturally secure their hearts.
With this realization, Zhao Shubo felt no more reluctance.
"Mr. Zhao, you truly are a seasoned businessman with a grand vision. I genuinely need to learn from you in this regard.
To be honest, I am planning to start a vegetable company, but this is my first venture, and I lack experience in many areas.
I'm unsure how to manage a company effectively and ensure my subordinates are wholeheartedly dedicated to me.
I wonder if I could shamelessly ask for your advice?" Liu Yifeng inquired somewhat sheepishly.
Zhao Shubo smiled upon hearing this. "Actually, managing a company is quite straightforward once you find the right approach. The most important thing is to survive first, then develop.
A company must first address the issue of survival. Only by ensuring survival can it pursue further development. If survival itself is problematic, how can there be development?
Secondly, the objective should be value maximization, not solely focusing on brand creation or increasing influence.
As a profit-making organization, value maximization is its eternal theme and ultimate goal. There are many ways to achieve value maximization, and the applicable methods may vary for each company.
Taken together, it forms a complete system, not limited to brand creation or short-term market and social impact, although these are also means to value maximization, they are not the entirety.
Also, do not rush for quick progress. One cannot become plump in a single bite. We must strive for steady victories, not survival through recklessness.
Finally, it is crucial to mobilize employee enthusiasm. Market competition, in essence, is talent competition. Only by keeping them busy will they grow.
Instead of them slacking off, waiting to clock out, the company will be close to bankruptcy."
Upon hearing Zhao Shubo's words, Liu Yifeng felt enlightened. "Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for teaching me so much. You have given me a clear direction."