The atmosphere at the table instantly changed after the concept of "group buying" was thrown out.
There was a subtle sense of trying to curry favor with Chen Pingjiang.
Chen Pingjiang was not at all worried about leaking commercial secrets, or others taking them to launch a group buying platform first.
Firstly, none of those present were involved in the internet industry; different industries are worlds apart, and they hadn't even figured out their own businesses yet.
Secondly, there would be a "Hundred Group War" within two years anyway, so one more competitor or one less made no difference; they would fight regardless.
The most fundamental difference between group buying and food delivery is that group buying involves buying vouchers and consuming services on-site, while food delivery involves sitting at home and waiting for someone to deliver.
The difference in models means that food delivery cannot cover certain specific service industries.
However, when group buying and food delivery are combined, a wonderful chemical reaction occurs; complementing each other, they virtually capture everything related to online consumption.
Meituan in later generations is the best example, starting with group buying and then moving into food delivery.
One page encompasses everything.
It brought together vegetables and fruits, convenience supermarkets, department stores, medical care and medicine purchases, hotels and homestays, and leisure and entertainment.
It even integrated movie and performance tickets, flight and train tickets, car rentals, and various life services.
It competed with Maoyan, Ctrip, and 58.com in the market.
Unfortunately, if not for the distant prospect of mobile payments at the moment, Chen Pingjiang would immediately extensively promote Renren Waimai nationwide.
Zhong Guangyong, who ran a buffet restaurant, asked a question he was particularly concerned about at this point:
"Mr. Chen, I wonder if the brothers present can invest in the group buying project?"
As soon as he said this, many people looked at Chen Pingjiang; they also hoped for an answer.
If group buying was so important, whether to strengthen relationships or to plan ahead, it was indeed necessary to take a stake.
That way, they could better allocate resources to their own catering companies.
Chen Pingjiang hadn't spoken yet, but He Zhiyu helped him refuse first:
"Old Zhong, don't even think about it. I asked Mr. Chen last year; it's not that he's unwilling to accept investment, but it's hard for everyone to agree on a price."
Chen Pingjiang also nodded:
"I'm not short on small money right now, what I lack is big money. If you can invest tens of millions of US dollars, then I'd be quite happy."
This statement was tantamount to a refusal.
Sure enough, everyone fell silent about investing as soon as they heard this.
Tens of millions of US dollars amounted to several "small goals".
A dozen or so people might be able to scrape together that much, but if all the money was taken out, how would their other companies develop?
Chen Pingjiang was short of money and didn't reject capital, but not from these current bosses.
While needing money, he primarily needed the resources capital brought him, assistance in operational management, intellectual property protection, and even guidance on hiring senior executives.
After the dinner party, everyone felt a little unsatisfied, wanting more contact with Chen Pingjiang and more help.
They hoped that some of the things Chen Pingjiang discussed at the dinner would be implemented.
Chen Pingjiang checked the time and shook his head directly.
Yan Yan was with him; he had promised Yan Liming to send his beloved daughter home early.
"Gentlemen, I'm truly sorry today, but I have something else to attend to tonight. Let's gather again another day."
As Chen Pingjiang and Yan Yan left, a group of people saw them off.
"Let my driver take you back; you've had some alcohol,"
He Zhiyu suggested.
Chen Pingjiang thought for a moment, and just as he was about to nod in agreement, a black car pulled up to the entrance of Lanshan Xiaozhu.
Immediately, the passenger window of the black car rolled down, and Yan Liming poked his head out, waving to Yan Yan:
"Yan Yan, get in the car."
Chen Pingjiang was stunned and turned to look at Yan Yan with a questioning gaze.
Yan Yan was also clearly very surprised and explained helplessly:
"My mom just asked me where I was, and I casually mentioned it. I didn't expect my dad to come pick me up."
Chen Pingjiang thought to himself that this father-in-law arrived at a very opportune moment; even a few minutes later, he would have missed them.
However, wasn't this a bit too distrustful of him?
"Then you go back first,"
Chen Pingjiang smiled and nodded, then walked over to greet Yan Liming, who responded indifferently.
Yan Yan got into the car and waved her fair arm from the passenger seat towards Chen Pingjiang:
"I'm leaving now, bye-bye."
Even after seeing Chen Pingjiang off, a group of people stood at the entrance, reluctant to disperse for a long time.
He Zhiyu looked at Zhong Guangyong, who was leading the group, somewhat puzzled, and asked curiously: "What's wrong? Didn't you say there was a second round?"
Zhong Guangyong stroked his head, pondering:
"That driver just now looked familiar to me, Old Wei, doesn't he look like Secretary Yan from the district?"
The man called Old Wei nodded:
"Definitely, no doubt about it. Mr. Chen's girlfriend also has the surname Yan, and the parents have some similar features."
"I said Miss Yan looked extraordinary at first glance, like a young lady from a good family. I didn't expect her to be Secretary Yan's daughter."
"Hehe, our Mr. Chen isn't bad either, young and rich, a talented man. They are truly a perfect match."
He Zhiyu hadn't met Yan Liming, but having made such a big business, he had heard of such a figure in the district.
His heart stirred, and he asked:
"Does this mean Secretary Yan is about to be promoted?"
"Who knows? We're just common folk, far from that level."
"I really envy Mr. Chen. He has a career, good looks, ability, and even finds a great girlfriend."
In the eyes of businessmen, this is called a strong alliance, a perfect match in social status.
He Zhiyu gave a wry smile.
Just how many secrets did this kid Chen Pingjiang still hide? Every time they met, he had to get to know him all over again.
In the black Accord, Yan Liming turned to look at his daughter's slightly flushed cheeks and frowned:
"You drank alcohol?"
Facing her father, Yan Yan showed a cute side, sticking out her tongue:
"Just a tiny bit of red wine."
"This kid Chen Pingjiang, really unreliable. Bringing you to a place like this is bad enough, but he even let you drink."
Yan Yan felt something was off and quickly explained:
"Dad, these are all legitimate businessmen, not some shady place. Besides, Chen Pingjiang didn't know I was drinking."
Yan Liming was actually just casually complaining.
He knew two people in the crowd from district meetings.
But he was displeased, and he could always find an excuse.
For example, Yan Yan was still young and unsuitable for such business gatherings.
Watching his daughter take her father's side, Yan Liming shook his head with a bitter smile.
A warm jacket would always leak wind.
...
The next day at work, Li Xi found Chen Pingjiang to explain his purpose.
"Boss, our sales department recently recruited a batch of new employees and would like to invite you to say a few words."
Chen Pingjiang looked at him and smiled:
"Why don't you, as the department head, speak yourself?"
"We, these novices, were all brought up by you personally. Objectively speaking, you are the most thorough person I've met so far in understanding sales and human nature. There are a few good prospects among these new recruits who are worth cultivating."
Li Xi looked exhausted.
Traveling north and south for business during this period had caused great mental stress and physical exhaustion.
"Then I'll speak,"
Chen Pingjiang, despite his calm, felt it was indeed necessary to show his face to the grassroots employees.
When he arrived at the meeting room, Chen Pingjiang originally thought only the sales department's new recruits would be there.
However, Wan Yuqian, hearing that Chen Pingjiang was going to speak, temporarily gathered new recruits from other departments as well.
There were as many as twenty new employees who had joined the company in this batch, distributed across various positions.
They had long heard that their boss was very young, even a college student.
When they actually saw Chen Pingjiang, the new recruits still had their mouths wide open, somewhat unaccustomed to such a young boss.
Under everyone's gaze, Chen Pingjiang first took off his suit jacket and placed it aside, then rolled up his sleeves, revealing a capable appearance.
"First of all, I welcome all new students present to the Renren.com family,"
Chen Pingjiang said with a smile after scanning the room.
After the applause subsided, he continued:
"Let's get straight to the point. Today, I'm mainly here to talk about Renren.com's corporate culture—the 'wolf culture'."
"Many internet companies and even a considerable number of traditional enterprises are now experiencing the 'wolf culture,' but my understanding of 'wolf culture' differs from theirs."
"'Wolf culture' emphasizes keen work instincts, an unyielding, fearless offensive spirit, and a sense of collective struggle."
"Internally, 'wolf culture' stresses cooperation and discipline; externally, it can be used to deal with the intense external competition we face."
"However, many companies don't learn it quite right. They forget that a pack of wolves cooperates to hunt and share the meat. They overemphasize competition, ultimately leading to confusion within the company and among employees regarding corporate culture. Mutual suspicion, distrust, and a huge internal drain are created."
"Within Renren.com, I value mutual understanding and communication among colleagues more. The overall interest is higher than individual value. Only then can there be a better public platform, and as corporate value grows, employees can achieve good personal growth."
"What I say next will be very direct, not aimed at anyone, but if anyone finds it unacceptable, then bear with it, because this is a company, not your home or a court. I am the boss, and also the alpha wolf."
"Renren.com is a big collective, and each of you is a small part of it, like a screw. Doing your job well is key, and everyone working closely together to create great achievements. But don't think that without someone, things can't run. Excuse me, the Earth will still spin without anyone."
Chen Pingjiang's words, especially the last few sentences, utterly shocked everyone present.
Generally speaking, when starting a job at another company, on the first day, the big boss would be amiable, and the conversation would mostly be encouraging, with at most a middle manager playing the bad cop.
But unexpectedly, at Renren.com, Chen Pingjiang immediately launched a powerful attack.
His simple and direct speech, without any diplomatic pleasantries, still made people feel somewhat unaccustomed.
This also gave everyone a preliminary understanding of Chen Pingjiang's fast-paced, capable image, and a preliminary grasp of Renren.com's corporate culture.
It is said that the founder's personality determines the style of an enterprise.
This statement is absolutely correct.
Other older employees were already accustomed to this side of Chen Pingjiang.
To give a simple example, Chen Pingjiang never wasted words in meetings; everything was clearly listed as one, two, three, four, and subordinates acted according to requirements, without needing too many ideas.
Colloquially speaking, this was also Chen Pingjiang's personal charm.
Feeling that the atmosphere was just right, Chen Pingjiang then broke into a smile.
"When we first started our business, the first batch of employees also sat in the conference room for meetings. Back then, I mostly painted a rosy picture because we didn't have much money. But now it's different. While Renren.com demands more from everyone, it will also give more back."
"You are here to work and earn money, not to do charity. I personally believe in one thing: you get what you pay for. Don't laugh, as long as you work diligently, Renren.com will definitely give more than what competitors can offer."
"Li Xi, our sales department head, was just an ordinary third-year college student when he first joined the company. In his second month of work, his monthly salary exceeded forty thousand, and he has now also received company stock options."
"I am very generous when it comes to giving money, but I can be very stingy with those who are superficial, loaf around, and only create internal friction. If I find such a person, I will fire them immediately, and there won't even be any so-called severance pay; they will leave voluntarily. You can complain or sue at the labor bureau or court as much as you want!"
Whether it's "beating the grass to startle the snake" or "giving a vaccination," this is Chen Pingjiang's way of doing things.
If the work is done well, the money won't be little, and anything can be discussed.
If not done well, then goodbye!
At their first meeting, Chen Pingjiang stunned everyone present, speaking frankly and without any hidden agenda.
Such honesty also won him the favor of many.
Everyone likes a boss who gives money, rather than one who only emphasizes effort, leading to no year-end bonuses.
(End of Chapter)
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