Chapter 388: Everywhere’s a Grappler?

The big push in the four major first-tier university cities is nearing its end. Resources are almost fully integrated.

From a business perspective, these areas resemble islands in the vast sea. Small in size, their strength lies in creating an independent micro-commercial loop, a feat other regions can’t match.

The business environment around university towns isn’t top-notch, but it boasts the most comprehensive range of business types.

This efficiency owes much to the strong support of the Linchuan Business Group, and the active participation of community members and group buying efforts, speeding up the ‘clear the field’ plan more than anticipated.

Over the May Day holiday, Tan Qing organized city division dinners across first-tier cities as per Jiang Qin’s plan.

The plan was dubbed ‘Three Days Around XX (City Name).’

Before starting, they analyzed each business district in their respective cities, selected targets and locations, then began a sweep, with community members responsible only for thoroughly reviewing the stores they visited.

Zhihu also launched an event for food and fun, recommending top local delicacies and exclusive services known only to locals or those from your school area.

After sweeping through online and offline, the startup base 208 gathered numerous data and insights within three days.

To process this data, all major branches worked overtime to filter out the most mentioned and highest-rated businesses and stores before creating district maps based on the locations.

Such maps now decorate the offices of group buying sites like Lashou Network, Suixin Group, Nuomi, and WoWo.

However, they have a national map, while group buying also provided detailed city route maps.

After these initial preparations, the group buying marketing department convened a large meeting to discuss how to get businesses to sign exclusive contracts. The speaker was the former health product salesperson and current vice manager of group buying and project director at the Golden Silkwood Fund, Sun Zhi, using YY voice service.

“When signing exclusive contracts, it’s crucial not to let the businesses feel restricted.”

“Don’t start with obligations or tell businesses what they must do for us—that’s a taboo. Your only goal should be to show them what they stand to gain after signing!”

“Make them think they are getting a big advantage—really cashing in big!”

“Plus, you need to present yourself with high-end, flashy elegance and let them know that if they miss this village, there won’t be this shop tomorrow!”

Sun Zhi’s voice resonated in the YY channel, articulating the core of pushing exclusive contracts with a compelling fluctuating tone.

At that moment, a channel user from Jizhou, Daniel Wu, typed in “awesome.”

Seeing such praise, Sun Zhi grew more excited, “Next, I’ll invite Manager Tan to demonstrate the approximate process and steps.”

The Ice Queen coughed, “I’m Tan Qing. Next, I’ll assist Manager Sun by playing the role of the prospective business partner.”

“Hello there, I’m the manager from PinTuan. Has your store started using group buying channels?”

“Yes, we have. Group buying’s hot right now. Who are you, and why do you ask?”

“I manage group buying for the country’s foremost site, PinTuan. We’re currently rolling out in this market hoping to cover it all in six months. Because of your store’s excellent quality, our expert panel has selected you as the representative business for this street.”

“So what?”

“Our site focuses exclusively on quality services. We’d love to partner with high-quality businesses like yours. Just sign a cooperation agreement, and we’ll provide a joining bonus of two thousand to ten thousand yuan.”

Tan Qing toned down her voice, “According to our marketing department, Lashou Network’s current joining amount varies from five hundred to a thousand, so this offer is quite appealing.”

Sun Zhi paused, “Please continue, Manager Tan.”

Tan Qing coughed, “That’s a lot, but why are the amounts different?”

“Two thousand is just a basic joining bonus, ten thousand is for deep engagement.”

“What’s the difference? If it’s not clear, I can’t just take advantage.”

“The difference is, with ten thousand, you’ll enter into a deep collaboration with PinTuan, making us your top online partner. With two thousand, you’re free to collaborate with anyone.”

After speaking, Sun Zhi added, “Remember, signing exclusively doesn’t mean deceiving the business. Although we can’t make patrons feel restricted, the contract terms must be clear, and the signing process must be recorded to avoid future issues.”

Tan Qing coughed, “Then I’ll just take two thousand. I want to open up several channels to make money.”

“You’re mistaken, even an exclusive deep engagement contract won’t stop you from working with other sites, as long as it doesn’t break their rules. You can still use other channels.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Didn’t I say earlier? Our operations haven’t rolled out here yet. I’m the advance guard, seeking to sign contracts with you due to your high approval rate on your store. Once our services roll out here, our agreement will officially take effect.”

Tan Qing fell silent, “Then when you’ve rolled out here, I’ll sign.”

Sun Zhi smacked his lips, “That works too, but by then our joining amount might not be as high, because by that time, there might only be our site left here.”

“What if you don’t roll out here? The competition among group buying sites is fierce. Just the other day, this street was under LaShou’s control, then it switched to Suixin Group.”

“If we don’t roll out, the agreement is null and void. Just enjoy the ten thousand, regard it as a gift from us.”

Tan Qing stepped out of her role with a feigned deep voice, “That’s about the gist of signing tactics. As for the details, I hope everyone can adapt as needed.”

Sun Zhi added, “Group buying’s hot. Many businesses are eager to join new sites, especially since they can get a joining fee, so this isn’t too hard. Don’t be too nervous when conducting business.”

“Manager Sun’s right. The market’s already heated up by other sites spending money. Businesses know there’s money in group buying, so they won’t resist too much.”

“Also, don’t say you’re just a salesperson from PinTuan. Everyone should say they’re managers. Area manager, city general manager are all fine. Your badges have been prepared. Dress sharp when you go out, remembering you represent PinTuan.”

Sun Zhi couldn’t resist speaking out, “There’s a saying, ‘when you’re out in the world, your face is your own.’ Look at those in real estate, they all dress in suits, with five people in a room, four managers, one general manager, looking **** professional.”

“Right, your boss is spot on.”

Daniel Wu from Jizhou clicked and then unplugged his headphones, pulling out a rating sheet.

Lead and execution skills for Tan Qing each increased by one; for Sun Zhi, stirring ability, marketing, and flattering the boss each increased by one.

Subsequently, heads of various divisions began distributing badges and work cards, all labeled with ‘PinTuan Business Division Manager xxx’ while the work badge to be worn on the chest read ‘Lashou Network field employee.’

“Wait, boss, isn’t this work card wrong? Why does it say Lashou Network?”

“No mistake, the boss said when hitting the streets wear your work card. When you reach a store’s doorstep, take it off and stash it in your pocket. Go and carry the boss’s hopes and honors.”

“Alright, but why pair up with two other field employees? We don’t even live in the same direction; moving together is troublesome.”

“You wear the LaShou badge for other sites to see, but if by bad luck you run into real LaShou employees and get exposed, those two field employees will immediately morph into battle-ready weapons.”

City division heads began operations. A marketing specialist and two field staff per team handled one district.

The marketing specialist handled contracts, while the field staff ensured security, trying to avoid contact with other sites.

On the third day of exclusive contract operations, Nuomi Network had already moved to Shanghai. Armed with Suixin Group’s business resources and their own funds, they quickly took root there.

However, according to a manager surnamed Wang from Nuomi who once led a field team in a Shanghai university town food street, he encountered a LaShou employee recently.

He arrogantly told them to scram and even pushed the LaShou employee, but when pinned down, he felt a strangely familiar and intimate sensation, almost dazed for a moment.

For some reason, in that instant, he felt like he was back in Shanghai university town on one splendid spring day.

“They must have the same coach,” Manager Wang asserted. Then he exclaimed, “Man, the field promoting business is so **** competitive. How come every promoter’s a martial arts master?”

Back at Startup Base 208, Jiang Qin watched the exclusive signing progress reports coming in from the divisions, nodding slightly.

What’s the play for group buying sites at the small capital stage? It’s about coverage and numbers.

Covering two first-tier cities with two thousand signed merchants gathers significantly more capital than covering one city with a thousand merchants.

That’s why sites like Lashou Network and Suixin Group target cities as a whole, seizing whatever they can, not bothering to select quality businesses for exclusive contracts.

One reason is the high cost of exclusive contracts, which significantly raises expenses.

Another is their rush to grab market share, leaving no time to approach businesses.

Lastly, they lack an external information tool like Zhihu, unsure of whom to sign exclusively.

However, Jiang Qin felt somewhat melancholic, pondering what if he wins this war, becomes a shining example but then it’s discovered that PinTuan’s rise was actually a tale of deception?

Boss Jiang remained silent for a moment, left room 208, and sat on the couch in neighboring room 207 for a while. Well, that’s settled.

Damn, what’s called a baseline? Only winners are entitled to talk about ethics.