Tech startup: I really do make mobile phones!

Chapter 179 Going West
Shenzhen, Orange Technology, Marketing Department Manager's Office.

The large, genuine leather swivel chair that Zhao Tiezhu paid for himself enveloped his increasingly robust body. He leaned back, and the chair back groaned slightly under its weight.

The afternoon sun slanted in, casting shadows on his increasingly angular face.

To put it simply, this 19-year-old boy has been eating and using the best things in the past year, and has actually started to undergo a second growth spurt to make up for the previous depletion, and has begun to "rejuvenate".

His left hand unconsciously caressed the beautifully printed "Analysis Report on Establishing a Flagship Store in the West," the edges of the paper being repeatedly twisted and curled slightly.

The three characters "Lin Xiaoxia" were clearly and forcefully written at the end of the report.

His right index finger tapped rhythmically on the smooth mahogany desk corner like a metronome, producing a soft, tapping sound.

Zhao Tiezhu's confidant was Brother Baiwan, but the person who could actually save him the most trouble was Lin Xiaoxia. At first, he reported to Brother Chen and even wrote his own reports, but later, Lin Xiaoxia did almost all of the work!
"Whoo~"

Now that Lin Xiaxia is gone, Zhao Tiezhu will have to worry about writing the summary report again. How will he find time to leisurely play games?

Asking him to visit suppliers is fine, but compiling and analyzing reports for the marketing department is a bit much for him.

On the left side of the desk, three huge monitors stand side by side.

The central screen is fixed on the interface of the "Smart Orange Supply Chain Management System (SRM)". Complex charts and numbers are constantly changing, and the inventory and flow of every screw in the supply chain are clearly tracked in real time for 168 hours, down to the daily production capacity ramp-up curve of Orange 2.

In the corner of the right-hand screen, the glaring red number "47" marked the number of unread emails. He quickly approved all the leave requests from the marketing department employees.

As for other specific matters, we'll see about them later!

His gaze fell once again on the report cover.

This report reflects Lin Xiaoxia's ambition and Chen Ge's strategic plan for future direct sales channels.

Zhao Tiezhu took a deep breath, leaned forward, and picked up the internal phone.

"Xia, come here for a second."

A moment later, Lin Xiaoxia knocked on the door and entered, dressed in a well-tailored business suit, her eyes bright and focused: "President Zhao!"

Zhao Tiezhu pushed the report forward, staring sharply at her.

"I've read the report carefully; the ideas are very bold!"

"But Xia," he leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more serious, "you need to think this through. This trip isn't just a few days of 'playing' in the mountain city!"

"We're going to Lancheng to establish our direct sales channels for oranges in the western region!"

If you don't establish and get the western flagship store and the entire channel network up and running, you'll be stuck there 'pioneering' the whole time!

Gansu, Tibet, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang provinces—this vast land is almost half the size of China, yet its market size is barely the same as that of Guangdong province on the coast!

The hardships over there are unimaginable to those of you sitting in your office building in the city. I'll ask you one last time, are you really sure you want to go?

Lin Xiaoxia stood straight, meeting Zhao Tiezhu's scrutinizing gaze without flinching, her voice clear and firm.

"Mr. Zhao, I know! This is a training opportunity and a challenge for me from the company. Please rest assured, since I volunteered, I am prepared for a long-term battle. I, Lin Xiaxia, will never let the company down!"

Looking at the flames burning in her eyes, Zhao Tiezhu's tense face suddenly relaxed, and he grinned, the scar on his right eyebrow also smoothing out.

"Good! That's the spirit we've been looking for! Don't even mention our marketing department members being timid and hesitant!"

He stood up, walked around the desk, and stood in front of Lin Xiaxia, smiling as he spoke.

"Xia, let me give you a sneak peek."

This time, you were transferred from the head of the channel group at headquarters to the store manager of the western flagship store. In terms of rank, it's a lateral transfer.

But once you've truly established a foothold in the west, built a flagship store in Lanzhou just like the one in Chongqing, and expanded your distribution channels across the six western provinces...
Hey, come back sometime, maybe you'll be on equal footing with me!

A flicker of surprise and fighting spirit flashed in Lin Xiaxia's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a confident smile: "President Zhao, you will always be my mentor! From the time I started running strong distributors in North China, you were the one who guided me into the company. I, Lin Xiaxia, will always remember this kindness!"

"Haha, good! Just remember that!" Zhao Tiezhu laughed heartily. "Go on, go back first and prepare to pick a few capable key personnel to go with you."

"The western region is known as a 'bitter and cold land,' and people who are used to the glitz and glamour of Shenzhen are unlikely to be willing to go with you to 'eat sand.'"

Don't worry, as long as you can gather the people, I'll submit your report to General Manager Chen immediately. As for the construction funds from General Manager Gong, I'll personally help you expedite them!

When Lin Xiaxia returned to her "territory," the team members looked up, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible worry.

Everyone knows that Team Leader Lin has accepted the military order for the "Western Expedition".

She walked to the center of the office area, cleared her throat, and attracted everyone's attention.

Without any lengthy explanations, she got straight to the point: "Ladies and gentlemen, the company has decided to vigorously expand into the western market and will establish a flagship store and a logistics center covering six provinces in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. I will be the person in charge."

A soft gasp rippled through the crowd below.

west?

Lancheng?

For young people accustomed to the hustle and bustle and convenience of Shenzhen, these words themselves carry a sense of distance and desolation.

“I know,” Lin Xiaoxia said calmly and firmly, her gaze sweeping over the young faces. “The conditions in the west are harsh, and it’s far from headquarters. It’s a huge challenge. This is definitely not your comfort zone, but the real front line of the market.”

She paused, noticing that many people instinctively avoided her gaze.

The atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

"But!" Her voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable sharpness: "Opportunity always comes with challenge! You all know how long the path to promotion and salary increases is if you stay at the Shenzhen headquarters and follow the established procedures. But if you choose to come with me to the west!"

She took a step forward, her eyes sharp as knives.

"I, Lin Xiaxia, hereby promise that every brother and sister who follows me will be guaranteed to become the manager of an Orange Direct Store! You will be able to stand on your own and control a market! Your career will leap to a new level!"

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

Store Manager!

That's the goal that so many people have strived for for years!
The eyes of several young team members visibly lit up.

"Not only that!" Lin Xiaoxia pressed on, "President Zhao personally promised that during the period of assignment to the western region, the company will provide generous subsidies: living allowance, transportation allowance, and housing allowance, totaling no less than 3500 yuan per month!"

"Moreover," she emphasized, throwing out her most tempting offer, "sign up now and receive a 10 yuan settlement allowance on the spot!"

Of course, Lin Xiaxia didn't mention the spoilsport: if the service period was less than three years, the company would pursue the return of the 10 yuan settlement fee!

The noise below caused a complete uproar.

In 2011, a monthly subsidy of 3500 yuan was almost equivalent to the entire salary of many grassroots employees in Shenzhen!

In addition, there's a hefty cash settlement allowance of 10 yuan!
These conditions are incredibly impactful!

Self-interest is the most direct driving force.

This is especially true for new employees who joined the company after October of last year.

They did not experience the "September Storm" and did not receive the valuable equity incentives from the company's early days.

A salary of 3,000 yuan in Shenzhen, compared to the likely store manager position plus high subsidies and settling-in allowance in the west, the balance begins to tip sharply.

"Team Leader Lin, is the subsidy really that much?"

"Manager, is it true?"

"Is the resettlement allowance to be paid in cash right now?"

Doubt and excitement intertwined.

Lin Xiaoxia answered each question clearly: "Absolutely true! The subsidy standard is written into the dispatch agreement! The store manager position will be proven by your performance. As for the settlement allowance, the finance department will transfer it immediately after you sign and confirm!"

Ultimately, driven by practical interests and aspirations for the future, twelve people stepped forward one after another, their eyes filled with trepidation, but even more so with a determination to go all out and an excitement to try.

Of these, only two were core members of the original "54 Orange Grains" group (including Lin Xiaoxia herself) who had experienced the "September Storm," while the other ten were new members who joined later.

Zhao Tiezhu walked into Chen Mo's office with a list of twelve people in his hand.

Chen Mo quickly scanned the list, his gaze lingering briefly on the two names for "54 orange pulps," before he wrote a large stroke of his pen.

"Approved!" He put down his pen, looked at Zhao Tiezhu, and added, "The subsidy standard will be increased to 3800 per month. In addition, each of them will be given an extra 12 days of paid family visit leave per year. The westward expedition was not easy, and the company cannot treat its pioneering employees unfairly."

Zhao Tiezhu felt a chill run down his spine. Brother Chen's actions showed both boldness and warmth.

"Understood! Don't worry, Brother Chen, I'll personally oversee its implementation!"

Three days later, at Jiangbei Airport in Chongqing.

Lin Xiaoxia walked out of the airport gate with her "Twelve Warriors".

Among the crowd, Chen Lan stood out with her well-tailored dark professional suit, her posture upright and her demeanor capable.

Time never defeats beauty; true elegance only grows richer and more captivating with time.

She greeted him with a smile, her clear and easy-to-understand Mandarin carrying the distinctive accent of Chongqing. "Oh, welcome, welcome! Team Leader Lin, you must have had a long journey!"

Lin Xiaxia quickly took a few steps forward and extended her hand, saying, "Sister Lan, you're too kind! I'm a store manager now, just like you. You can just call me Xiaxia!"

Chen Lan laughed heartily and shook hands: "Sure! Xia! But don't be modest, you're just here to gain experience, you'll be promoted back to a high-ranking position sooner or later!"

Her words were half a joke and half the truth.

In theory, the head of the headquarters channel team and the head of the regional flagship store are at the same level, but the former does have the authority to provide business guidance to the latter.

The group boarded the spacious minibus arranged by Chen Lan.

As the car drove into the city, the young people inside couldn't help but exclaim in amazement when the uniquely shaped "Half Orange Building," resembling a giant orange that had been cut open and covered entirely with dark glass curtain walls, came into view.

"Wow! This is our flagship store in Southwest China? It's magnificent!"

"It looks like a big orange! It's so high-tech!"

"This location and this grandeur are even more impressive than the Shenzhen headquarters!"

"What?! Our Shenzhen headquarters is in the Orange Town project under construction in Longhua, not Huabeiqiang's office."

"Bullshit! Orange Town is a research and development laboratory; there's no plan for a headquarters at all!"

Listening to the discussions of the young people behind her and seeing the undisguised shock on their faces, Chen Lan, sitting in the front passenger seat, couldn't help but smile, her eyes shining with pride.

This is a commercial landmark in the mountain city that she painstakingly built for her bratty younger brother!

Lin Xiaxia gazed out the window at the building that appeared both austere and mysterious, full of futuristic charm under the summer sky, and sighed sincerely.

"Sister Lan, when I came here with General Manager Zhao last October to do some promotions, this place was still under construction and renovations were in full swing. In just a few months, it's been completely transformed!"

Chen Lan proudly raised her chin: "This is nothing!"

"I'll show you again tonight. When the lights of our Half Orange Building come on, it'll match the night view of Hongyadong across the street—that'll be absolutely fantastic! 'Cyber ​​Orange' meets 'Spirited Away,' it's magical!"

As the car approached, the area around the building was bustling with people.

Under the huge orange letter logo, customers come and go, creating a bustling scene.

Like a queen, Chen Lan led Lin Xiaoxia and her team into this "business kingdom" to which she had poured her heart and soul.

"The idea behind our flagship store in Southwest China is to create an 'immersive lifestyle experience center'!"

Chen Lan introduced herself as she walked, speaking quickly and forcefully.

"Mobile phone sales are the core business, but they only account for about 60% of our total revenue. The remaining 40% comes from other business segments!"

林小夏心中猛地一算：上周西南橙子2卖了11.2万台，销售额约7828万，按60%占比算.其他业态营收竟高达5218万？！

The number made her gasp, and she instantly abandoned her previous slight disdain for this store manager, Chen, who might just be a "connectionist," and her expression became extremely focused and respectful.

The operating model of this flagship store in Southwest China has amazing potential!
Next, Chen Lan led Lin Xiaoxia's team on a tour of each floor, and the sense of awe gradually intensified.

Floor 1: Orange Flagship Store.

The store was bustling with activity, and the staff patiently guided customers through the Orange 2 experience.

The most popular area is the motion-sensing game experience zone. The touchless operation of "Orange Racing" and "Orange Run" is perfectly matched with the gyroscope and micro motor of Orange 2, which has drawn gasps from customers, especially young people. Many people placed orders after experiencing it.

Chen Lan laughed and said, "Before, we only sold power banks, and the store was deserted. But as soon as the Orange 2 was launched, it immediately revitalized the business. The sales of the flagship store and the 50 branches are roughly split 30/70, with the flagship store accounting for 30%!"

2nd floor: luxury goods, jewelry, and cafes.

The floor was gleaming, and the atmosphere was understated yet luxurious. Chen Lan led them straight into a shop called "Valentina".

The shop assistant immediately greeted him respectfully: "Hello, Mr. Chen!"

Chen Lan smiled and nodded, then waved her hand generously.

"Xia, have each of your brothers and sisters pick one item as a gift from Sister Lan!"

Looking at those bags and clothes that cost thousands or tens of thousands of yuan, the young team members were both surprised and delighted, but also hesitant to make a purchase.

Lin Xiaxia frowned slightly: "Sister Lan, isn't this too extravagant?"

Chen Lan smiled slyly, leaned close to Lin Xiaxia's ear, and whispered, "What's with the exorbitant fee? Look at the sign carefully!"

Lin Xiaxia looked closely and, sure enough, there were two inconspicuous small characters in the lower right corner of the elegant "Valentina" font—"Orange".

"Valentina oranges?" Lin Xiaxia asked in surprise.

"Officially licensed!" Chen Lan winked smugly. "Even Italy is in a mess. They can't tell the difference between genuine and counterfeit products, like Gravani, Mario, and Giovanni."

"I'm using Valentina's license to develop our own 'Valentina Orange' brand! The OEM factory is located in Longhua, Linlang Garment Trade in Shenzhen. They manufacture for LV and Gvcci, so the quality is absolutely top-notch!"

Lin Xiaxia was stunned and couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Sister Lan, could you tell me how much this shop makes in a month?"

Chen Lan gestured: "The revenue per store is around 160, and the profit... well, since the building is ours, we save the lion's share, so it'll be around 126!"

126 million!
Monthly profit!
Lin Xiaoxia was completely convinced.

The profit margins for luxury goods are truly terrifying!
No wonder Sister Lan wants to operate her own business!
"Sister Lan! You're amazing!"

Lin Xiaxia called out "Sister Lan" with genuine affection.

"We can also collaborate with local specialties of Chongqing in the future, that's what young people love!"

Chen Lan mentioned it casually, but Lin Xiaxia kept it in mind.

The third floor features image design, cosmetics (Sephora), and light dining (Wagas), exuding a fashionable atmosphere.

4th floor: Lifestyle concept store (MUJI style), family area.

Lin Xiaxia even saw a budget clothing store here with a sign that read "Orange Clothing Trade", which mainly sells basic styles and orange elements.

Floor 5: Orange hot pot, with bubbling red broth and an enticing aroma.

"This is a special red broth hot pot that we had a master chef make, with a secret 'orange' ingredient added. We plan to promote it in the future!" Chen Lan explained.

6th floor: Orange Internet Cafe Complex and Orange Gym.

This service provides a one-stop solution for the entertainment and fitness needs of modern young people.

7th Floor: Cloud View Observation Deck (thrilling glass walkway), Orange Collaboration Photography Studio.

With its excellent views, it has become a must-visit spot for tourists in the mountain city.

8th Floor: Orange SPA Club, quiet and comfortable.

The 9th floor features a full range of facilities, including Orange Business Dining, an employee lounge, an auditorium, and a tea room.

10th Floor: Orange's Southwest Headquarters Office Area, busy yet orderly.

Floor 11: Intelligent warehousing center, with automated equipment operating efficiently.

12th Floor: Orange Sky Bar, Orange Starry Sky Observation Deck.

After nightfall, this is an excellent spot to overlook the night view of the two rivers.

After walking around the circle, Lin Xiaxia and her twelve core members were dumbfounded, their mouths agape for a long time.

This is more than just a flagship store selling mobile phones.

This is clearly a highly vertically integrated, self-operated "mini urban complex"!
If we had to make an analogy, it could be roughly seen as a condensed version of "Orange Wanda Plaza"!
For the next two weeks, Lin Xiaoxia followed Chen Lan like a diligent student, eagerly learning the entire experience of the flagship store, from site selection, construction, investment promotion (mainly self-operated brand management), operation to logistics management.

Her twelve key personnel were dispersed to directly operated orange stores in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Chongqing to learn the most basic store operations, sales skills and customer service.

Two weeks later, the team regrouped in the mountain city.

The initial naiveté and trepidation on everyone's faces had lessened, replaced by a greater sense of composure and eager enthusiasm.

On the eve of her departure, Lin Xiaxia sat in front of the hotel computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard, condensing her observations, thoughts, shocks, and gains from the past two weeks into a detailed "Analysis Report on the Operation Model of Directly Operated Stores in Southwest China," and solemnly sent it to the email address of Zhao Tiezhu, the head of the marketing department.

The following morning, at Jiangbei Airport in the mountain city.

As Lin Xiaoxia led her "Western Legion" toward the security checkpoint, twelve young and resolute faces stood out.

The uniform black outfit made Lin Xiaxia, the team leader, look both beautiful and cool.

The wheels of suitcases rolled across the ground with a rhythmic sound, and everyone's firm steps echoed in the waiting hall. The orange name tags on their chests shimmered in the morning light, attracting many curious glances along the way.

The flight to Lanzhou, Gansu Province is about to take off, officially marking the start of Orange Technology's journey to expand into the western market.

The western flagship store and logistics center in Lanzhou will become a hub radiating across six provinces and regions: Tibet, western Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang, connecting this vast but sparsely populated market with immense potential.

Without competition from manufacturers, once cultivated, this is the oranges' own private plot!
The world is vast and full of opportunities!
(End of this chapter)