Chapter 379: Dog-like Enterprises

From Linchuan University to Juxian Building, everyone hustled upstairs and entered their usual private room.

The bright red lobby manager and the restaurant shareholder sprawled on the ice served everyone from a tray carried by ladies in cheongsam, presenting a luxurious sight.

Jiang Qin waved his hand to close the door of the private room and raised a toast, inviting everyone to drink, standing up for a brief speech.

“From 2008 to 2010, rounding up, it’s already been two years. It’s been a tough journey, I toast to everyone here.”

“Tonight, I hope everyone has a good meeting, and may the meeting go well.”

Everyone was quite excited initially, but the mood soured at the mention of a meeting, they muttered, ‘Damn, this is supposed to be a dinner, not another meeting.’

But everyone was already used to Jiang Qin’s dog-like boss style, so although it wasn’t pre-planned, everyone indeed brought their work reports, showing some foresight.

What does this tell us? It shows that the team’s tone has been thoroughly established.

What wolf-like enterprises, sheep-like enterprises, those are lower-level corporate cultures. Look at us, a dog-like enterprise!

So, what is a dog-like enterprise?

It means being the best at flexibility and mobility, whether at a dining table or a farmhouse, even dressed like a ghost on Halloween, business can be conducted anytime, anywhere.

This is called professionalism!

“Anyone needs to report from Zhihu?”

Dong Wenhao stood up: “The forum’s condition is stable, registration is consistent with last year, daily active users maintain a relatively high level, also, the candy-loving Huihui topped the list of top hundred bloggers for three consecutive months with ‘Loving You in the Name of Friends’ repeatedly taking the number one spot.”

Shi Miaomiao spoke up: “Although I’m a professional novelist, I admire Gao’s achievements today because I’m also following her.”

“Awesome.”

“Boss, can you spoil the ending for us?”

Jiang Qin squinted his eyes: “Don’t cue, that book has nothing to do with me. I’m the diligent Qin, not the beastly kind. Next, Old Lu!”

“Currently, Tonight’s Headlines and three national media, along with seven regional media, have signed partnerships. Also, contracts with journalism students from three universities including Linchuan University, totaling three hundred people, are in place to secondarily create content for frontline news. It’s explosive.”

“Really?”

Su Nai spoke up: “Feiyu’s side has already reached half the peak view count of the forum, with an average browsing duration between three to five hours, second only to the confession wall in activity.”

Jiang Qin turned to Lu Feiyu: “That’s pretty good, the self-media sector is up and running but try to use less of the shock factor.”

“But it’s really useful, shocking, a naked man meets a group of beasts, and it turns out to be a bare-butt kid herding sheep. This is just brilliant.”

“Using such methods to attract attention is okay in the early stages of platform development, but if overused, it tends to be repulsive, Feiyu. You need to delve deeper into the intrinsic value of news, which is the direction for future development.”

After hearing this, Lu Feiyu was startled, then nodded thoughtfully.

Jiang Qin turned to Wei Lanlan: “Lanlan, report on the group-buy division.”

Wei Lanlan leaned forward: “Most merchants in Linchuan have signed up, there’s no more room for expansion. The traffic boomed during the shopping festival but has now returned to normal levels.”

“That’s fine, maintaining normal levels is enough. At this stage, we shouldn’t be too greedy. Nai Nai, how’s the tech department?”

Su Nai made a heartwarming gesture: “UI design is already completed, we are now assessing feasibility based on your development needs and forming specific development plans.”

After hearing Su Nai’s report, Dong Wenhao couldn’t help but raise his hand: “Boss, about the holiday-nuke thing, it’s too explosive. I want a nickname too.”

“You think Holiday Nuke Nai Nai sounds good?” Su Nai looked at him incredulously.

“Of course, it sounds sweet, like a nickname, very friendly. I heard it’s a common practice in big companies to have nicknames.”

Jiang Qin nodded: “Alright, Chef Master Dong Wenhao.”

Lu Feiyu raised his hand: “Boss, me too, me too.”

“You… Elegant Scholar Lu Feiyu.”

Hearing this, Lu Feiyu chuckled, recalling the school beauty contest incident, not bad indeed.

As a news worker, this name perfectly interprets his character of not succumbing to the powerful, and ‘scholar’ does sound handsome.

“Boss, I want one too.”

“I want one too, boss, something explosively cool!”

Jiang Qin quickly waved them off: “Let’s discuss nicknames later, continue with the work reports. Who’s next?”

Tan Qing raised her hand: “Boss, it’s my turn.”

“How are things with the Linchuan Business Group and the Golden Silkwood Fund?”

“The third round of brand marketing has officially started. There’s a lot of registration, with one-third from outside the area. Because of our influence, Linchuan’s investment task for 2010 was completed in January. Also, through financing channels provided by the Golden Silkwood Fund, our group-buy has taken stakes in quite a few brands, in varying proportions.”

Jiang Qin nodded, noting that after over a year of trials, all divisions are almost at a normalized operational phase now.

There are seldom issues requiring everyone to struggle and fight, which is good for business development as everyone longs for stability.

However, just then, Tan Qing spoke up again: “There’s another thing, concerning the Suixin Group. This information I gathered myself. Do you want to hear it, boss?”

Since the Linchuan Business Group and the Golden Silkwood Fund are at the forefront, Tan Qing easily receives information from all directions. She knew 2010 was a year prepared by the boss for group buying, so she naturally paid attention to the Suixin Group.

As soon as she mentioned “Suixin Group,” the room went silent, everyone’s expressions turned serious from the previous laughter.

Jiang Qin raised his glass: “Since you’ve looked into it, go ahead.”

“Over the winter break of more than thirty days, Suixin Group has launched extensive operations in Shanghai. Their core business, in-store group buying, operates just like ours and has already gained some notoriety there.”

“Because… since they plagiarized our system that took a year to build, they’ve been able to develop rapidly and are now planning to expand into Kyoto.”

Dong Wenhao frowned: “So fast? What promotional channels did they use?”

Tan Qing looked up: “As soon as they arrived in Shanghai, they started heavily advertising on TV. With Suixin known everywhere for group-buy, they even claim to be the first such site…”

“Damn, rich folks really have no shame. Remember our early days, when we slowly built it up with manpower? And they just take it?”

Jiang Qin spread his hands: “What can we do, we’re broke.”

Tan Qing pursed her lips slightly: “Additionally, because they made quite the buzz, at the start of the year, three more group-buy sites appeared in Shanghai, and two in Kyoto, but Suixin Group remains the largest in volume.”

After hearing this, Wei Lanlan looked towards Jiang Qin: “Boss, clearly this track is being targeted. Shouldn’t we make our move? We have the money, the people, and over a dozen cornerstone brands. There’s no need to leave any face for these plagiarists.”

“Yeah, boss, let’s do it!”

“Let’s show them who’s the real father of group buying!”

Once the discussion started, everyone became openly critical. Indeed, they had long been displeased with Suixin Group, annoyed with them flaunting and deceiving using their system. It’s unbearable for anyone.

What is group buying? It’s something they worked hard to establish. To take without asking is effectively stealing.

Though all is fair in business, to steal so blatantly with drum rolls and even claiming to be the first on TV is quite arrogant.

Jiang Qin watched the passionate crowd, smiled, and drank his wine: “Since everyone’s willing to work with utmost sincerity, I won’t hold back. Let’s distribute the first phase of tasks for 2010.”

At these words, everyone in the private room straightened up, their eyes sparkling with fervor.

“Lanlan, lead the business department to Kyoto soon and talk cooperation with a few companies that provide LBS services. I’ll send you the details in a document.”

“Also, Su Nai, submit your leave application for internship. I’ll have Dean Zhang stamp it directly. Pack up, and head out with Lanlan. Besides helping her negotiate LBS services, there’s another task for you.”

“I’ve picked a few large logistics companies. Go and survey their goods management systems thoroughly, from front end to back end.”

“Tan Qing, you pick a team of about thirty to fifty people who’ve done offline promotions through Zhihu, and station them at various locations to complete two tasks.”

“First, formally hire those who worked in the previous daily paid promotional jobs, signing official labor contracts and confidentiality agreements.”

“Second, hire a few martial arts instructors locally. Teach them combat and capture techniques. Three runs a day, carrying weight for five kilometers each time, no work involved. Wages to be settled at the local average.”

“Feiyu will continue managing the headline news; Wenhao will keep managing Zhihu; Xuemei will keep coordinating design tasks with the departments. No changes there.”

“A new year, a new direction. I hope everyone continues to progress together as always.”

As the words fell, everyone who had straightened up suddenly paused, then looked at each other, confusion apparent in their eyes.

Weren’t they supposed to be dealing with Suixin Group? Shouldn’t that mean, based on the fast track on Zhihu, striking directly at the enemy’s camp, capturing their leader swiftly to seize the market?

Why is it about location and logistics and what’s with the combat and weight carrying all about?

“Boss, aren’t we going after Suixin Group?”

“Do you think Suixin Group is worth it? They’re just bait, a tool to attract attention. The real targets are coming soon and they’re close.”