Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 340 Vigorous Rectification
Should we take the bus or rent a car?
Huang Xiaoming posed the question, and the actresses immediately fell silent, engaging in a silent contest.

Chen Hong twirled the silk scarf between her fingers, smiling without saying a word; Jia Jingwen wiped the sweat from her forehead, seemingly not hearing anything.

Liu Tao pushed up his sunglasses, a gentle smile playing on his lips, but he didn't reply.

Everyone knows that taking the bus is cheaper, but more troublesome; renting a car is more comfortable, but it can exceed the budget.

Whoever is the first to clamor for renting a car will be labeled by the audience as "spoiled" and "difficult to please." Whoever speaks first loses in this matter.

In the awkward silence, Liu Shishi spoke first, breaking the deadlock: "Let's take the bus!"

Seeing Yang Zi's anxious expression, she felt she should support the tour guide's arrangements. Changing the original plan so soon after arriving in Rome would make things very difficult for Yang Zi later.

"Ming-ge, you should study the airport route carefully. I'll go with Zi-mei to buy tickets."

Seeing the leader step forward, Yang Zi felt relieved. She was a nobody in the team and needed someone influential to support her.

"Come on, Zi-mei!" Liu Shishi ran like the wind, grabbed Yang Zi's arm, and hurried away.

With the help of enthusiastic fans, the two quickly found the ticket window.

"How much?"

"Six euros per ticket."

Liu Shishi spoke fluent English and chatted easily with the ticket seller, which greatly surprised Yang Zi and her fans.

"Senior Sister, your English is so good!" At this moment, Yang Zi became a complete fan of the top sister.

Liu Shishi smiled, paid for her ticket, and after asking the ticket seller some details, told Yang Zi:
"The airport bus can take you to the city center, but it's still quite a distance from your booked apartment, so we'll have to take a taxi."

However, it's much cheaper than taking a taxi directly from the airport to the Airbnb. Let's go, I've bought the tickets.

"Senior Sister, have a pleasant journey."

After saying goodbye to their fans, the two hurriedly returned, while the others were already waiting anxiously.

After a series of transfers from bus to taxi, the group finally arrived at their booked guesthouse.

At 11 p.m. Rome time, the members of the "Divas Hit the Road" group finally settled down and enjoyed a moment of leisure without the cameras rolling.

In the large suite for three, Yang Zi, who had already washed up, sat cross-legged on the bed, listening to the sound of running water in the bathroom, where Liu Tao was taking a shower.

"Senior Sister, thank you so much for today. You helped me out of that situation again."

Liu Shishi closed her packed suitcase and clapped her hands: "When you're traveling, there aren't so many formalities. It's only right to look after each other."

"This is too difficult!" Yang Zi said with a bitter face, her head aching as she recalled the open and covert struggles just now.

When the rooms were being assigned, several of the older sisters wanted to stay in the master bedroom next door, which had a balcony, a private bathroom, and was the most spacious and comfortable.

Chen Hong subtly emphasized "sleep quality," Jia Jingwen subtly mentioned "skincare needs," and Liu Tao gently stated that he "is not picky about where he lives." Everyone was implying something, but no one was willing to say it directly.

This roundabout exchange left the straightforward Yang Zi exhausted.

"This is tough!" Yang Zi sighed again, then buried her head in the fluffy pillow, feeling utterly exhausted.

What do you think of everyone's personalities?

The indoor cameras were now off, so Yang Zi bluntly stated: "Brother Xiaoming is outgoing, enthusiastic, and has a flamboyant personality. He is indeed a responsible and good older brother."

But trying to be fair to everyone and being too nice to others can actually make things worse.

Hong Jie is reserved and resilient. She doesn't express her opinion on the surface, but she is very independent. Just now, she wanted to stay in the master bedroom, and she kept arguing with everyone until she got her way.

Sister Wen and Sister Tao are actually quite similar; they are both very meticulous people. Meticulousness means high standards of taste, and they are both very particular.

As for Teacher Lin, I didn't see anything special about him. He didn't say much or express any opinions; he was just working hard.

Liu Shishi was somewhat surprised, not expecting Yang Zi to have such a thorough understanding of their personalities: "Sister Zi, you're quite something, your analysis is pretty accurate."

Yang Zi smiled shyly. She had been a child star since she was young and had been working on film sets since childhood, so she had long been aware of the coldness and warmth of human relationships in the entertainment industry.

Liu Shishi sat on the edge of the bed and felt a strong connection with the little girl: "Some people have snagged the room, some have snagged the camera, and some have snagged the audience's hearts."

In reality TV shows, celebrities are exposed to the camera for long periods of time, and are under constant pressure and fatigue, which brings out their true nature.

In a confined space, frequent interactions with other guests amplify unrehearsed conversations and conflicts of interest. Therefore, it's very difficult to please everyone.

Yang Zi said thoughtfully, "Senior Sister, I didn't expect that you, who never participates in variety shows, have such a deep understanding of the essence of reality shows."

Liu Shishi blinked: "Actually, I don't understand either. These are tips my agent gave me before I came. Oh, and an important reminder..."

"what?"

"No matter how busy or tired you are, always maintain a flawless makeup look in front of the camera. Remember, elegance never goes out of style!"

"Senior Sister, talking to you for a few minutes has made me feel much better." Yang Zi jumped up like a carp. "Sister, I have an idea, can you help me think about it?"

"Just tell me."

"I plan to keep the entrance fees for must-see attractions, the cost of accommodation, and some emergency funds, and then distribute the remaining travel expenses to everyone. This way, everyone can decide what to buy and eat as they wish, so as to avoid the problem of not being able to please everyone."

Liu Shishi nodded approvingly: "That's a good idea, but we can't give out too much pocket money."

As the entire group of "Divas Hit the Road" drifted off to sleep, the morning light of Beiping quietly swept across the sky.

Before the morning dew had even dried, Song Ci was already in his office reviewing documents, his pen scratching softly on the paper.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in."

A shrewd and capable female executive in a black suit pushed open the door and entered, "Chairwoman Song!"

Song Ci closed the file and placed her fingers interlaced on the desk: "Sit down. Mr. Zhou, you've been with the company for about ten days now, since Tengda acquired 56.com. How have you been adjusting to work?"

The visitor was Zhou Juan, the original founder of 56.com. After Tengda Group acquired 56.com, she also joined Tengda Group and is currently serving as the vice president of TT Video Network, starting a new chapter in her career.

Zhou Juan smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern. I am gradually getting familiar with the various business processes."

Song Ci leaned back in her office chair: "Although 56.com failed to develop for some reasons, it still has its merits. Its high-quality micro-films and 'I Show' live streams are indeed unique." Hearing Song Ci's praise, Zhou Juan couldn't help but show a hint of pride: "You flatter me."

Song Ci then changed the subject: "President Zhou, in your opinion, where is the breakthrough point for the future development of video networks? What other areas for innovation does TT Video Network have?"

Zhou Juan's expression hardened. She realized that this was a test from the group's top leader. Her future prospects at Tengda might depend on this conversation.

After all, she was the strong woman who single-handedly built 56.com. Zhou Juan was a woman of great vision. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke eloquently: "Chairman Song, I personally believe that the core of video websites' development in the future is content innovation."

Although TT Video Network remains the industry leader, LeTV, Youku, and Tudou are all closely following suit.

Furthermore, there are rumors within the industry that Youku and Tudou will merge, and if they do, it will inevitably challenge TT Video Network's leading position in the industry.

Song Ci said in a nonchalant tone: "Let's talk about something new. These are all industry consensuses. Self-produced projects and the development of the entire IP industry chain have always been what TT.com has been doing."

"I've only been with the company for a short time, so I may not have said anything that's right. But based on my observations of TT Video Network, I have three suggestions."

Zhou Juan quickly added some practical information: "First, the platform can implement differentiated membership services, such as basic membership and diamond membership systems."
Deepen the value of existing users. At the same time, account sharing is strictly prohibited; family-friendly packages may be offered.

Noticing the chairman's approving expression, Zhou Juan continued her argument: "Secondly, the platform's advertising strategy also needs to be adjusted appropriately."

We can shift from hard-sell advertising to soft advertising such as creative interstitials and celebrity endorsements, and leverage the group's big data technology for precise targeting.

Finally, Zhou Juan said with a determined look, “We can leverage WeChat’s user base to develop an international version of the app for Chinese people around the world, exporting Chinese-language content and strengthening the group’s global strategy.”

"Refine your suggestions further and report to the board next week." Song Ci nodded slightly, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table. "Also, familiarize yourself with the overall business of TT Video Network as soon as possible."

After Zhou Juan left, Song Ci called Zhang Yong and Wang Jing to her office.

As soon as the two sat down, they got straight to the point: "I've decided to implement a rotation system for department presidents throughout the group!"

Zhang Yong and Wang Jing exchanged a glance, quite surprised that the chairman would suddenly have such an idea.

Rotating senior executives in large corporations has both advantages and disadvantages, but some things have far-reaching consequences, and hasty rotations may affect business development.

After careful consideration, Zhang Yong cautiously advised, "Chairman Song, I support your decision."

However, this matter cannot be rushed. Some department leadership positions are highly specialized, and abruptly changing them would inevitably disrupt the continuity of operations.

Song Ci raised her hand to stop Zhang Yong from continuing: "I have considered issues such as the matching of professional capabilities with business needs and the stability of the department. Let's leave the presidents of core departments such as WeChat and Weibo for now."

The rotation program will be piloted first in the cultural and entertainment sector. Online literature, IP derivative development, and film and television production are all upstream and downstream sectors of the industry, sharing significant business commonalities. Rotating the presidents of these departments will keep the risks manageable.

Zhang Yong nodded: "Since you have considered everything so thoroughly, I am relieved."

Song Ci then turned her attention to Wang Jing: "The rotation cycle for senior executives is set at 2-3 years, with the first 6 months as an observation period. After passing the assessment and job suitability evaluation, the job adjustment will be formally confirmed."

"Jingjie, please have the group's HR department draft detailed implementation rules. These rules should fully consider dynamic risks. We could consider implementing a 'dual-track system,' allowing those rotating through different positions to retain their original job authority for the first six months, to handle unforeseen circumstances."

Wang Jing understood: "Understood, I will have the human resources department draft the detailed rules for your review immediately."

“Jingjie, I hope to complete the rotation of presidents for the entertainment strategy division before you go on maternity leave,” Song Ci emphasized again.

"no problem!"

After the chairman made the firm decision, Zhang Yong hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up: "President Song, are you in such a hurry to make adjustments because you've discovered some problems, such as corruption?"

Song Ci's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked directly at his two right-hand men: "When a group grows large, all sorts of problems will arise."

Departmentalism and factionalism are beginning to emerge at Tengda. I hope that after the president's rotation, departmental barriers can be broken down and a holistic mindset can be cultivated.

Localism! Factionalism! Zhang Yong and Wang Jing were secretly alarmed; the chairman's words were quite harsh.

This is not just pointing out certain problems within the group, but also a warning to them. Clearly, the big boss is extremely dissatisfied with certain internal conflicts within the group.

Wang Jing was pregnant and had difficulty moving around, so Zhang Yong didn't dare to neglect her and immediately stood up to say, "Chairman Song, I will definitely do my best to cooperate in completing the rotation of the group president."

"Since the launch of WeChat Pay, the group has been heavily subsidizing it, burning through more than a billion yuan. Many department presidents have expressed their dissatisfaction, believing that WeChat Pay is a bottomless pit that is sucking the blood of other departments."

Song Ci's voice was somewhat cold, and Zhang Yong and Wang Jing could clearly hear his displeasure.

"I don't expect everyone to have a strategic vision and see the importance of WeChat Pay to the entire group a few years from now."

But my decisions must be carried out by all departments without fail. Any department head who dares to disobey my orders next time will be fired immediately.

The atmosphere in the office instantly plummeted to freezing. Zhang Yong and Wang Jing both understood that this round of job rotation by the big boss was not just a personnel adjustment; a much larger purge might be on the way.

As expected, Song Ci then proposed a personnel adjustment: "Sister Jing, Yu Xin's position needs to be changed."

Wang Jing felt somewhat helpless. Yu Xin, the president of TT Video Network, was someone she had personally helped secure his position. Although his performance over the past year hadn't been outstanding, it had been decent but not outstanding either.

Unfortunately, people can't stand comparisons. Yu Xin's predecessor was Tang Jun, the chairman's confidant and favorite, and now there's Zhou Juan, the founder of 56.com.

Both of them are more capable than Xin, which makes him seem rather mediocre in comparison.

In addition, his indecisiveness regarding the variety show "The Voice of China" last year caused him to lose points with the chairman.

It was one thing that no one could replace him in the past, but now that Zhou Juan has joined Tengda Group, it's understandable that Yu Xin's position as president of the video website is not secure.

Wang Jing sighed softly: "I will work on Yu Xin's mindset. So, what will be his new position?"

Song Ci frowned in thought. After all, the other party had not made any mistakes, and he couldn't let the employees down: "Transfer them to TT Voice to be in charge of live streaming business, with no change in salary."

Receiving this reply put Wang Jing at ease. The fact that she was still in charge and receiving inconvenient treatment made the reassurance work much easier.

After exchanging a few more opinions, Zhang Yong and Wang Jing tactfully took their leave.

Watching the two figures depart, Song Ci's expression was inscrutable. His request for a job rotation today was no spur-of-the-moment decision. Rather, it reflected the increasingly apparent factionalism within the group, particularly the growing resistance to his subsidy strategy.

More importantly, he has received confirmation that the People's Bank of China will issue the second batch of payment licenses in July, with Alibaba and Baidu on the list. This means that a fierce price war in the mobile payment sector is about to break out.

Moreover, it's not just mobile payments that will require burning money; in the future, services such as food delivery and ride-hailing may also evolve into fierce battles where subsidies of tens of millions of yuan are required every day.

With a major battle imminent, he must ensure that every gear of the Tengda behemoth operates perfectly; any shirking or buck-passing could cause the group to miss its chance in the upcoming fierce business war.

(End of this chapter)