Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

At this moment, Han Liye hesitated for a moment, and he answered Li Feng somewhat hesitantly.

"Well... Director Li, I need to go back and check the files for the specific data, but in general, our factory has a strong technical force, especially the older generation of masters who are very experienced. The management team is also quite stable, with most of them having risen through the ranks within the factory."

Han Liye answered somewhat haltingly, his heart already pounding.

Li Feng looked at him without saying a word, just watching quietly.

This silent gaze is more stressful than any harsh criticism.

Han Liye's back was already a little wet, and he quickly added, "However, the question you raised is indeed very important and very timely."

“There are indeed some…some hidden concerns in our factory.”

"For example, there is a shortage of skilled technicians, and not many promising young talents. As for the cadre team, the age structure is also somewhat aging, and their thinking sometimes fails to keep up with the new development situation."

These words hit the nail on the head.

Li Feng's expression softened somewhat. What he needed wasn't a mouthpiece who only reported good news and never bad, but a partner who could identify and confront problems.

“It’s good that you can see these problems.” Li Feng nodded. “We can’t always rest on our laurels. Director Wei, Director Zheng, Director Zhu, and their generation laid such a solid foundation for us.”

"Our generation must not only preserve this family business, but also carry it forward and make it great."

He paused, then his tone became serious: "Therefore, regarding the development of the factory's cadre and employee teams, I hope your personnel department can come up with a long-term, systematic plan."

"A plan?" Han Liye was taken aback.

“Yes.” Li Feng tapped a finger lightly on the table. “I think this plan should include at least three aspects.”

"First, talent acquisition. We can't just focus on the factory itself; we need to have a long-term vision. How many outstanding university graduates are there in Beijing and even across the country? How many technical talents are buried in other factories and mines? We need to 'dig' and 'grab' them in a planned and purposeful way. If necessary, we can offer them preferential policies and benefits."

"Secondly, talent cultivation is not enough; we must also nurture them. Young college graduates need mentors and challenging roles to help them grow quickly. For promising young workers, we need to organize technical training and skills competitions to open up promotion channels. We must ensure that everyone can see hope and have a future. Aren't Zhou Miaomiao and Wang Ping typical examples of this?"

"Third, talent reserves, especially the cadre team. We need to establish a reserve cadre talent pool, select those young people who are capable, responsible and have potential, and conduct key training and assessment. We cannot wait until a position becomes vacant before scrambling to find someone at the last minute. We must ensure that there are always people who can fill the gap at any time."

Li Feng's voice was steady and powerful. His words were clear, logical, and well-organized, as if he already had a clear blueprint in his mind.

Han Liye was stunned, his heart filled with unparalleled shock.

He originally thought that Director Li's biggest advantage was his powerful background and excellent skills, but now it seems that he was completely wrong.

Although Director Li recruited Li Feng himself back then, Li Feng is now sitting in a position he never dared to dream of, which is enough to demonstrate Li Feng's ability.

This young leader's vision, perspective, and thinking far exceed his age, and are even more profound and systematic than many of the factory's veteran leaders.

This doesn't look like a 21-year-old; he's clearly a seasoned manager with a deep understanding of management!

The three points he raised—recruitment, training, and reserve—are interconnected and directly address the personnel problems commonly found in large state-owned factories. If this approach can be followed, within a few years, the talent structure and cadre appearance of Wuxing Ceramics Factory will be completely transformed. Han Liye became increasingly excited as he thought about it, even feeling a surge of passion. He could almost see the astonishing vitality that this factory would unleash under Li Feng's leadership.

He stood up abruptly, and because he stood up so quickly, the chair leg scraped against the floor with a screeching sound.

"Director Li, I understand!" Han Liye's face showed an excited look as if he had just been enlightened, and his voice trembled slightly. "Don't worry, after I get back, I will immediately organize the comrades in the department to form a special team to conduct in-depth research in the three directions you instructed, and come up with a detailed and feasible plan as soon as possible!"

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Li Feng: "Director Li, thank you! Your words are more valuable than ten years of study! I... I have truly learned a lot today!"

Li Feng waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to do that.

He knew that his words had completely stunned the personnel director.

This is enough.

What he needed was a team that could execute his will without fail and possessed considerable professional skills. And Han Liye clearly had the potential to become one of them.

"The plan must be solid and implementable; don't get bogged down in empty rhetoric," Li Feng concluded. "I'll give you a month. After a month, I need to see a preliminary plan."

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!" Han Liye answered loudly, gave a slightly off-standard military salute, and then turned and left with an excited expression, his steps much lighter than when he arrived.

Watching Han Liye's retreating figure, Li Feng's lips curled into a smile once again.

This first step has been taken steadily.

He picked up the red telephone on the table and skillfully dialed an internal number.

"Hello, could you please find Director Jin from the factory office?"

A crisp voice came from the other end of the phone: "Okay, please wait a moment."

A few seconds later, a warm, slightly obsequious voice came through: "Hello? Director Li! Hello, hello! This is Jin Youfa! You were looking for me?"

"Director Jin, it's me, Li Feng." Li Feng's tone was calm and even. "Are you free now? If so, please come to my office."

"So convenient! So convenient! Wait for me, I'll be right there!" Jin Youfa's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

After hanging up the phone, Li Feng poured himself some hot water.

Less than three minutes later, there was another knock on the office door, this time more urgent than Han Liye's.

"Please come in."

As soon as the door opened, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, large black-rimmed glasses, and a broad smile darted in—it was Jin Youfa, the factory office director. (End of Chapter)