Back to the prime of life

Chapter 162 Comparison

In accordance with the customary etiquette of the world, Lu Changge invited the leaders of the Municipal Sports Bureau, the Olympic champions and their teams, and some other important figures to dinner and exchanged contact information with each other.

Because Boss Lu might need to spend money on advertising in the future, and the people invited also regard this opportunity as a means of making money.

The so-called dinner party is nothing more than a mutual benefit.

Even if the identities of the people attending the dinner are different, there is no essential difference.

In addition, he also asked Zuo Shuya to invite the Suzhou Daily reporter team to dinner on his behalf. It was she who had been in contact with him before. As for the purpose, of course, it was to say a few good words in the report, not to exaggerate, but at least not to write any criticism.

In order to achieve the best results, it would actually be better for Lu Changge to come, but he cannot split himself after all, and Liu Zige's team came from far away, so it is difficult to coordinate their time.

In short, this kind of casual behavior is common.

The harvest of results is even more exciting.

Not to mention the Suzhou Daily report, the impact of the Hailan Bay Swimming Pool inviting an Olympic champion gradually spread on the second day. The "brand power" that Lu Changge had been working hard to build began to show results after receiving this kind of help.

The child that Chen Xiaohe wanted to add that day was not successful in the end, but the scarcity attribute is very magical.

Even though Chen Xiaohe was working at school, parents kept calling her, mainly to apply for annual membership of the Hailan Bay Swimming Pool through her acquaintance with Lu Changge.

In fact, Chen Xiaohe didn't understand. Why did she need to find someone to apply for a card when she had to pay for it? She could just go to the card shop and swipe it herself.

However, a parent surnamed Chen from the same family told her the truth over the phone, saying, "Principal Chen, when it comes to spending this kind of money, it's not about the amount, but how you spend it that matters. Boss Lu is so capable, he's bound to have other activities in the future. If you can't bring your words to the table then, won't you be rejected just like the guy yesterday?"

Chen Xiaohe was familiar with the psychology of being a parent, but she would never have thought of this.

"So Mr. Chen wants to meet Lu Changge?"

"It's even better if they know each other. Putting all that aside, he must be quite capable to have been able to invite Deputy Director Zhou. Otherwise, why would he have bought an annual pass worth thousands of dollars if he couldn't even travel a few times?"

Chen Xiaohe laughed self-deprecatingly, "I thought everyone was just passionate about swimming."

"There are definitely people like that, but there are definitely a lot of people like me too."

"Okay then, I'll help you contact them."

So Chen Xiaohe called Lu Changge again. What she didn't expect was that Lu Changge was indifferent to it and had no intention of keeping people at a distance, even though he knew that those people had ulterior motives.

And Lu Changge already knew it without her telling him.

This was interesting, so Chen Xiaohe asked curiously, "Mr. Lu, those people came here with other purposes. Aren't you afraid that you won't be able to meet their expectations?"

Lu Changge asked back: "Did I promise them anything?"

This question left her speechless.

In any case, starting from the next day, the sales of HaiLan Bay annual passes began to increase rapidly. Everyone knew that this was a high-end swimming pool that Olympic champions had visited.

Lu Changge felt this intuitively when the dean of the School of Computer Science, You Bin, called him.

The dean exchanged a few pleasantries before saying, "Changge, could you please find a better coach for us at your swimming pool?"

"No problem, Dean You wants to learn swimming?"

"No, it's my youngest son, who doesn't usually like sports, but he insisted on going to Hailan Bay to learn swimming. The cost is fine, we'll pay for it." He then smiled and said, "You're quite capable. I don't think he's really into swimming. I guess he's just trying to keep up with the people around him and wants everything they have."

Lu Changge knew it in his heart, but he still laughed it off and said, "No, and swimming is good for your health anyway. There's no harm in learning it."

"That's why I agreed to it."

"Well, no problem, Dean. I'll give you the information and teaching styles of several coaches. You can show them to them when the time comes. If you choose one, tell me that you are my teacher and the fee will be waived."

"Oh, no, no, no, let's be honest. You are doing business."

Lu Changge remained silent. He had just been being polite, and Dean You wasn't stupid; he understood the politeness. They were all fake, but they all had to be said.

In fact, he also wanted to ask Dean You for help. He visited him after the Chinese New Year, and You Bin also promised him that if he had a gathering with his classmates, he would introduce some Internet technicians to him.

This is a real example of mutual benefit.

In fact, the reason why he was not worried about Chen Xiaohe's problem was because people who understand know that even if the value of a relationship is not reflected today, it may be reflected in the future.

Just like his relationship with You Bin, although You Bin hasn't introduced him yet.

The real reason is certainly not because his fellow students have not gathered together. If he believes this, he is too naive. In fact, it is because he is a makeshift team and the dean is embarrassed to mention it to people he is familiar with.

If that person is ordinary, it would offend Lu Changge.

If that person is very unusual, then you are making fun of him.

Once the group has grown to a certain size, it will be possible for Dean You's fellow disciples to get together at any time.

These thoughts only flashed through his mind, and he could figure it out without much worry. In fact, he was more concerned about Zuo Shuya's situation, so he stayed at the Hailan Bay Swimming Pool for two consecutive days.

"...Compared to before the event, annual pass sales have increased several times in recent years. There are still many people who place orders over the phone without even showing up, or who come and don't even look inside, just come to pay and get the card."

Zuo Shuya summarizes and reports based on actual sales conditions.

According to the original price, an annual pass was 5999. Now they are selling extremely well, and most of them are people with financial resources. These people don’t like to buy quarterly or half-year passes. They are originally used to show off, but if they end up showing off with a half-finished product, aren’t they stupid?

"In my opinion, the HeiLan Bay brand has become well-known. The so-called brand effect is more or less exploiting people's vanity, so I am considering how to amplify the HeiLan Bay effect."

Zuo Shuya reminded him, "Boss Lu, we can't just focus on attracting customers anymore. Our swimming pool has limited capacity."

"You mean investing in a second one?"

"I think it's okay." Zuo Shuya glanced at Lin Xiaowei.

The accountant understood and pushed the report in front of him. "Mr. Lu, after just one summer vacation and the recent sales boom, our revenue has exceeded two million. Moreover, the current boom has not subsided, so sales will increase. We estimate at least another 30."

Lu Changge said as he looked at the report: "But you also know that this sales volume accounts for at least 60% of our annual sales, and it's possible it could even be 70%."

Lin Xiaowei smiled. "That's true, but a high-end swimming pool is a very difficult project to run. Being able to make a profit within six months is already a very good result. Mr. Lu, many people have told me about your methods."

"Really?" Lu Changge wasn't too indifferent. He was still happy, but he was a little hesitant about Zuo Shuya's proposal. He said, "You've read the news, the current economic situation doesn't seem right. We'll see about expansion first. As for us, due to the rapid sales growth, some of the management details are a bit rough, so we need to optimize them. Do you have any plans to visit other mature swimming pools for study?"

I guess not, it's making great strides right now.

But Lu Changge had the experience of asking Ji Shi for advice, and he attached great importance to this.

So without saying anything, he instructed Lin Xiaowei, "This is what you need. If you have any expenses, bring it here and I'll sign it."

"it is good."

Zuo Shuya didn't know whether it was the right decision to focus on internal cultivation when she could expand, but she had worked with Lu Changge for a long time and always trusted him, so she didn't express any clear opposition.

Lu Changge then requested a series of documents, covering personnel management, compensation, incentives, and, most importantly, the income and expenditure statements. No matter how hands-off he became, he wouldn't let everything slide; cost control was a must for every capitalist.

Of course, the result of recovering the investment and making a profit is worth being happy about.

Lu Changge later convened a staff meeting in the small swimming pool, with only 21 people in total. He sat down and said, "I've looked at our financial statements. So far, this self-proclaimed high-end swimming pool has been profitable. Judging by the enrollment, monthly expenses can be covered. This is of course gratifying. So, General Manager Zuo and I have discussed giving everyone an extra 1000 yuan red envelope in addition to your monthly salary. This red envelope is to express my gratitude, and everyone will receive it, regardless of work type or contribution."

As soon as the money was mentioned, everyone, starting with Lin Xiaowei, began to applaud spontaneously, making a clapping sound, very happily.

"I just used the word 'self-proclaimed'. I hope everyone remembers that the word 'high-end' should never be used by us; it's up to the customers themselves. Customers themselves know that the price they pay far exceeds the product itself, so this must include service and environmental hygiene. Everyone on duty must keep this in mind. I am also announcing the establishment of a grievance subsidy at our swimming pool.

I understand that serving people can be irritating, and not all customers are reasonable. Most service-oriented businesses force their employees to smile and greet people. But I don't think so. Employees are human too. If the person serving them is unhappy, and you force them to be happy, isn't that disgusting?

At this point, everyone from the coach to the sweeping lady laughed. The boss was really too approachable and his words were very straightforward.

Lu Changge raised his hand and lightly pressed it. "Don't be too happy, everyone. My goal is to hope that you can serve our customers well, even if that means you have to endure some grievances. It's difficult to set a standard for this grievance award. Fortunately, we are small now and don't need large-scale promotion, so I decided to set it this way for now. In short, if you really feel wronged during your work in the future, come to me and I will give you an additional 1000 yuan. There is a saying that the only way to relieve worries is to get rich quickly. I hope this thousand yuan can soothe your hearts."

"Support Mr. Lu!!"

Two coaches also let out small, gentle screams, "Boss Lu is so generous!"

This grievance subsidy is an issue that cannot be defined. Lu Changge has no way to verify all the facts of the grievance, so he has a trick up his sleeve and wants him to apply for it.

On the one hand, ordinary employees have a sense of awe towards their bosses, so unless it is a big deal, they generally dare not speak up.

On the other hand, if a person always looks for Lu Changge, it means that there is something wrong with him. Even if 10 out of 5 times he feels wronged are real, the remaining 5 times are fake.

So, after having this impression, he can find a reason to fire the person.

In fact, even if all 10 of his grievances were true, he is too easily wronged. It is better for such a pampered prince or princess to go home and be unemployed and be supported by his parents.

No one taught him this trick, and Lin Xiaowei found it very novel when she heard it for the first time.

But the effect should still be good.

No matter if they are the coach, the one standing guard at the door, or the cleaner, they should be more motivated when working. Even if the customer says a few words to them, they will think that they can get the money as long as they don't talk back. If they talk back, it will not be considered a grievance.

This was the first time Zuo Shuya had heard of this kind of award, so she paid close attention to the employees' condition over the next few days and discovered that everyone's smiles were indeed brighter.

All I can say is that Lu Changge's strategy was right again, including the expansion. Even though the financial crisis was far away from her, by mid-to-late September, more and more people told her that the business situation this year was not right...

That night, they walked together after get off work, and Lu Changge wanted to take her to dinner with Wang Hongcheng.

Now, she is participating in such occasions more and more.

Because the distance was short, the two of them walked over. In September in Jiangzhou, the leaves were turning yellow, creating a unique artistic conception.

"It seems you are right again." Zuo Shuya was wearing a coat, and the breeze blew up the corners of her coat, revealing her round and slender calves.

Lu Changge was wearing a simple and refreshing sweatshirt, and the weather also made him feel comfortable. "I have another suggestion, do you want to hear it?"

"What do you think?"

"Haven't house prices been rising for a while now? I think they should be coming down recently due to factors overseas. I see you've been renting a house, so why not buy one? It's definitely a good time to buy now. I'm also looking at it myself, and I'll be ready to buy once I see the right one."

Zuo Shuya said: "I don't have that much money. Unless you lend it to me."

"Sure." Lu Changge agreed without thinking too much.

Zuo Shuya lifted her hair and said, "Really? The house must be worth millions. If you lend it to me, I won't pay it back. If you want to collect the debt later, I will just compensate you with myself."

(End of this chapter)