2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 685: Another Train?
If sales figures are good, then naturally a reward should be given.

It's already the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, and there are only two months left until the Lunar New Year. I don't know when I'll be able to come to Chuzhou again.

If we can resolve this year's incentive measures all at once, then we should.

As for the sales forecast for next year, as mentioned last time, the sales target set for Yangzi Automobile is 30,000 vehicles.

"With expectations revised upwards by around 20% to 30%, is the target of 3 vehicles difficult to achieve?"

Zhu Pei and Yang Zhijie looked at each other, wondering what kind of question it was. They had already said 3 vehicles, so what was the point of asking if it was difficult?

However, the boss didn't make things too difficult for them with the target of 3 vehicles.

"No problem, we will do our best to achieve this goal."

“Okay, then we’ll set the production capacity and marketing plan based on the expectation of 3 vehicles. Yangzi Automobile will continue to expand production in the future. You and everyone in the company can rest assured, I will not give up on this brand.”

"We also hope that you two can work together with the company to revitalize the Yangzi brand and not disgrace its former title as the King of Pickups."

When Tan Jincheng took over Yangzi Automobile, he purged the management team, and now many positions are filled by his own people, but the heads of important positions have not been changed.

For example, Zhu Pei, Yang Zhijie, and other managers in their prime were retained.

After more than a year, these people have cooperated quite well and haven't shown much resistance. It's time to offer them some lucrative promises.

Unlike Zhang Yong's initiative, Zhu Pei and others were passively transformed from state-owned enterprise leaders to private enterprise executives. What did they want most?
Emotional attachment to their hometown can only sustain them temporarily; ultimately, their own interests are more important. If Yangzi Motors cannot see any hope of expansion and development, Zhu Pei and others will not stay for long.

"In addition, General Manager Zhu will go down to formulate an end-of-year bonus plan. I will stay in Chuzhou for two days and then approve it for you."

"By the way, there are still about 100 Feiyang SUVs in stock. Let's take this opportunity to distribute them as a reward for outstanding employees."

Zhu Pei and Yang Zhijie were both taken aback.

The Feiyang series SUVs were previously priced between 6.63 and 9.98 yuan. The boss just spent several million yuan of that, not even counting other bonuses.

Yangzi Motors currently has fewer than 500 employees, and this single reward can cover more than one-fifth of them.

Although it's considered inventory, owning a car is still a status symbol in Chuzhou, where the average income is not high. Zhu Pei doesn't think any employees would dislike this reward.

He would gladly accept even if you gave him a car.

"No need for that expression. The good benefits offered by my company are not just empty words. I will not hesitate to share the results with my employees. Besides, distributing this batch of cars will also boost local consumption."

That's right. Having a car means needing to refuel, and you'll travel more. A car is not just a means of transportation; it also has the significance of status.

"As for senior executives, you two and the sales manager should each have an A6. Other department heads should be assigned one according to their rank."

Providing company executives with cars is a necessity in any era. Regardless of other companies, within Tan Jincheng's company system, apart from Zhang Xupeng, a special case, the highest level is an Audi A6.

If you want to drive a more luxurious car, that's fine too; you can buy it yourself.

Zhu Pei and Yang Zhijie exchanged a glance, and Zhu Pei could see the joy in Yangzi Automobile's eyes. Yangzi Automobile had been lukewarm for many years. Although they had enough to eat and drink and some power, they didn't have much savings.

A few years ago, they could have afforded an Audi A6 if they had gritted their teeth, but being specifically requested by the boss to be paired with one made all the difference.

This represents the boss's recognition of their work.

In addition, the boss also conveyed a signal that Yangzi Motors has officially entered the entire Flash Motors series.

"Understood, I'll submit it as soon as possible; also, the boss and his wife don't know how long you two will stay in Chuzhou?"

Tan Jincheng looked at Gu Qingqing and said, "How about we stay here for a few days? Chuzhou is also a historical city. We can visit places like Langya Mountain and the Ming Emperor's Mausoleum."

Chuzhou has a relatively obvious geographical advantage in Anhui Province, with convenient transportation and many tourist attractions. As for the food, Tan Jincheng is not very familiar with it.

Although it is located in northern Anhui, the local cuisine seems to be mainly rice-based, which suits Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing's tastes. They took advantage of the free time to experience the local food and the beautiful scenery.

"Is your schedule okay?"

Gu Qingqing knew that Tan Jincheng wanted to take care of her more than anything. She felt sweet inside, but she was also afraid of delaying the company's affairs, since it was the end of the year and they were really busy.

"It's not a big problem. The company won't have any issues even if I take a few days off."

These words sounded quite willful to Zhu Pei and his wife, but they were in line with the image of a young couple. In addition, Zhu Pei also hoped that the boss could stay in Chuzhou for a few more days.

"If there are no problems with the itinerary, I suggest that the boss and his wife spend a few days in Chuzhou. You were busy with work the last few times you came. Although the weather is getting cooler now, it is still a good season for travel."

Yang Zhijie nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, we can also try some of Chuzhou's local delicacies." However, Yang Zhijie wished that the boss would stay at the company for a few more days, so that he could provide the R&D department with more design ideas.

"How about we stay for two days and go back on Sunday?"

Today is Wednesday. Even excluding the weekend, I'll only be in Chuzhou for two or three working days. It won't cause any major problems. Besides, given Tan Jincheng's current status, most people have to cooperate with his schedule.

The boss said he's busy today, so there's nothing you can do but wait.

Even for many local government officials, it's not easy to meet him if their rank isn't high enough. Just the fact that Flash Group's annual import and export volume exceeds that of many prefecture-level cities with underdeveloped foreign trade already demonstrates its considerable status.

Gu Qingqing nodded: "Alright then, we'll stay in Chuzhou for a few days. You guys chat first, I'll have Brother Li prepare some accommodations."

After saying that, they got up and left. They had originally planned to leave tonight, but now that they were going to stay for a few days, they needed to arrange accommodation.

Zhu Pei wanted to make the arrangements, but Tan Jincheng refused.

"No need, she's still quite far along in her pregnancy, and some light exercise is necessary. Let her make the arrangements."

Gu Qingqing's personal driver went back to her hometown with Tan Lihua and his wife. Tan Jincheng asked her to take care of little Tan Jinyue. There are many relatives in her hometown, and her elderly parents may not be able to take care of her.

It just so happens that Liu Suman is quite familiar with little Tan Jinyue, so I can rest assured that she can go back and help look after Tan Jincheng.

Zhu Pei didn't press the matter further: "Alright then, Mr. Tan, let's talk about a standard for year-end bonuses?"

When Yang Zhijie saw that they were talking about rewards, he figured it had nothing to do with him, so he went out with them.

How do you plan to allocate them?

Tan Jincheng did not express his opinion, but he had already set the criteria. The more than 100 Feiyang SUVs in stock were definitely the top prize. The rest was just a matter of supplementing more detailed reward information.

"Speaking of which, this should be the third time you have rewarded us with cars, Mr. Tan. This time we want to make it more grand and focus on these 100-plus cars."

Tan Jincheng was taken aback: "Three times? Ha, you mean the time FlashTech launched the electric car? If that's the case, then it is indeed three times."

Last year was a special year. Flash Group's year-end bonuses were not as high-profile as before. Instead, they were mainly given out daily necessities and cash rewards. Employees were also informed in advance not to show off too much online.

As for Yangzi Motors, last year was a turbulent year, with very little year-end bonus and no year-end activities such as parties.

Tan Jincheng remained noncommittal: "How exactly do you plan to make it a grand affair?"

Zhu Pei glanced at his boss and, seeing that the boss did not object, continued, "Let's imitate the large-scale year-end party that Flash Group used to hold and also hold a year-end party."

"The theme is 'New Life,' I wonder what Mr. Tan thinks?"

"New students? Haha, that's a good theme, but Mr. Zhu, could you go on stage and sing, dance, and rap?"

For Yangzi Motors, it was indeed necessary to hold such a grand event. After several changes of ownership and a long period of turmoil, Yangzi Motors employees urgently needed a sense of belonging and also needed to establish a new corporate culture.

Corporate culture can be a big or small matter, but it is necessary to boost morale in order to achieve next year's sales targets.

"Haha, if needed, this old bone of mine can also go up on stage and dance. So, Mr. Tan agrees?"

"Okay, I agree. You guys get to work on it. It would be best if you could come up with a plan within the next few days. I'll approve it directly. Also, we can organize a high-level meeting, and I'll hold a meeting for everyone."

Since he had decided to stay in Chuzhou for a few more days, Tan Jincheng did not want to waste these days. He wanted to strengthen his control over Yangzi Automobile and make Yangzi Automobile feel more at home to him as its boss or to the entire Weilai Automobile system.

We need to use both rewards and pressure; we can't just give benefits without putting pressure on people.

"No problem, I'll have the administrative department work overtime to develop it right away."

Then, Zhu Pei asked somewhat cautiously, "By the way, boss, should you inform the city about your trip this time?"

If they were leaving today, there would indeed be no need to say anything. However, if they were staying for a few more days, Zhu Pei felt it would be better to inform the city authorities, since many things would require the city's intervention if Yangzi Automobile were to expand in the future.

Tan Jincheng said nonchalantly, "You decide. My wife and I will have a couple of days off, and you can arrange the rest of the itinerary."

The current production capacity of pickup trucks is 5 units per year. As the pickup truck market gradually opens up in the future, it will be necessary to increase production capacity.

Annual production of 10 vehicles? 20 vehicles?

Great Wall pickups, which hold a 30% market share, have an annual production of 40 vehicles this year. If they want to expand, they can use this figure as a reference.

(End of this chapter)