Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 120 Dongbao Donghe (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations to continue reading)
Over the phone, Ling Peiyi gave Chen Bingwen a very detailed report on the technological upgrades of the Singapore Xingzhou plant and the Johor Hongfa plant in Malaysia, as well as the establishment of Chen Ji Southeast Asia branch.

Chan Ping-man also informed Ling Pui-yee that Chan Kee's headquarters on Hong Kong Island had just completed the production of two million bags of Jinba instant powder.

"Boss, this is truly a double celebration!" Ling Peiyi's voice, filled with laughter, came through the phone.

Double happiness.

Chen Bingwen nodded.

Indeed, the successful delivery of orders from mainland China has opened up an extremely important channel;

The successful completion of technical upgrades at our franchised bottling plants in Singapore and Malaysia has laid a solid production capacity foundation for our expansion in Southeast Asia.
On the same day, two strategic projects achieved crucial victories simultaneously, which is of extraordinary significance and truly a double celebration!
He paused for a moment, then said sincerely, "Director Ling, you have played a crucial role in leading this project in Singapore and Malaysia, from negotiation to implementation."

"Thank you for your recognition, Mr. Chen!" Ling Peiyi said modestly. "It is the result of strong support from headquarters and the joint efforts of the team."

I just did my job.

"You've done an excellent job," Chen Bingwen affirmed. "Now that the Southeast Asia company has been established, you will temporarily assume the role of acting general manager and take full responsibility."

We will strive to build a team as soon as possible and streamline the collaboration process with various bottling plants.

During this period, you can find a suitable person to be the head of the Southeast Asian branch.

Ideally, this person should be familiar with the local situation and able to quickly get into the role and start working.

In addition, the first batch of 'Pulsating Instant Concentrate Powder' will be shipped out soon; we must make a successful debut in the Southeast Asian market.

"Understood! Please rest assured, boss!" Ling Peiyi's reply was crisp and efficient. Then, she changed the subject, clearly prepared, "Regarding the selection of the permanent head of the Southeast Asian branch, I currently have a very suitable candidate, and I was just about to report to you."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Chen Bingwen became interested and opened his notebook to take notes.

"This man is named Li Mingzhe, a Singaporean citizen, and is thirty-five years old."

He studied food science at Cornell University in the United States and worked for eight years at a very large food company in Singapore after graduation.

He rose from a technical specialist to the deputy director of marketing operations, gaining extensive knowledge of the entire beverage supply chain from production to sales, and also possessing a wide network of contacts.

Most importantly, he has an excellent understanding of the distribution networks, consumer preferences, and even policies and regulations in Singapore and Malaysia.

I previously negotiated with the Xingzhou and Hongfa factories, and privately consulted him on some localization suggestions. He was very professional and insightful.

Ling Peiyi's introduction highlighted several of Li Mingzhe's core advantages: local identity, professional background, experience in large companies, familiarity with channels, and initial contact and verification.

Chen Bingwen looked at the notes in his notebook and quickly weighed the options in his mind.

He trusted Ling Peiyi's judgment in judging people; if she recommended him so highly, this person must have something special about him.

Li Mingzhe's background perfectly matches the requirements of "familiarity with the local area and quick learning ability," and his experience working in large companies is a golden brand that can greatly enhance Chenji's professional image in the eyes of its Southeast Asian partners.

“That sounds like a good candidate,” Chen Bingwen pondered. “Have you spoken with him in depth? How willing is he to join Chen’s Group and take charge of the entire Southeast Asian business?”

"After initial contact, he was very interested in our Chenji's development speed and strategic layout, especially the 'Pulse' product and the novel business model."

He sees this as an excellent platform where he can work independently and showcase his abilities, and he's very interested. Regarding salary, he expects around $15,000 per year, plus performance-based bonuses.

Ling Peiyi's report was very frank; she basically told Chen Bingwen everything he wanted to know.

An annual salary of US$15,000 is equivalent to HK$70,000 to HK$75,000 per year, which is lower than the current annual salary of the company's director.

He was well aware that while the salaries of top talents in Singapore were slightly lower than those in Hong Kong, a multi-talented individual like Li Mingzhe, with a Cornell University background, years of management experience in a large food company, and familiarity with the local market, typically demanded an annual salary of around US$2 or even higher.

The $1.5 base annual salary offered by Li Mingzhe clearly took into account Chen's status as an emerging enterprise.

More importantly, Chen Bingwen valued not the immediate salary difference, but the enormous potential value that Li Mingzhe could bring.

For Chen Kee Southeast Asia, the value of a leader who is familiar with local rules, has a wide network of contacts, and can quickly establish a foothold is far greater than a few tens of thousands of US dollars in annual salary.

The performance-based profit-sharing mechanism can precisely bind Li Mingzhe's personal interests with the overall development of the Southeast Asian branch, thereby stimulating his maximum potential.

With that in mind, Chen Bingwen no longer hesitated and decisively made the decision: "Okay! This condition is very reasonable! Director Ling, on my behalf, formally extend the invitation to him."

The base annual salary will be $1.5, as he expects. You can discuss the performance-based bonus ratio with him, adhering to the principle of "the more you work, the more you earn, with no upper limit," so he sees ample incentive!

He paused, then added, "The job title will be 'Deputy General Manager of Chen Ji Food (Southeast Asia) Co., Ltd.,' and he will report directly to you."

However, in practice, the authority is equivalent to that of a branch general manager, who is fully responsible for the daily operations, market expansion, and cooperation with franchised bottling plants such as Sin Chew and Hong Fa in the Southeast Asian region.

You mentor him for a month, allowing him to quickly familiarize himself with our products, processes, culture, and core partners, after which he will take over the entire operation.

You need to gradually withdraw and return to the Hong Kong Island headquarters, focusing your energy on the overall company's macro-strategic coordination and resource integration.

Chen Bingwen adhered to the principle of trusting those he employed and not employing those he distrusted.

High levels of authorization, strong incentives, and support to help them get started.

This not only gave Li Mingzhe a stage to showcase his talents and placed full trust in him, but also clarified Ling Peiyi's responsibilities for supervision and guidance.

“Great, Mr. Chen! I’ll immediately go and have a thorough discussion with Li Mingzhe to finalize this matter as soon as possible.” “Keep in touch, and let me know whenever there’s any progress,” Chen Bingwen added as a final instruction.

"understand!"

The call ended, and all that could be heard from the receiver was a busy tone.

Chen Bingwen put the receiver back on the landline and leaned back in his office chair.

The resolution of the issue of who would lead the Southeast Asian branch put his mind at ease.

With a professional like Li Mingzhe, who is familiar with the local market, at the helm, Chen Ji's business in Southeast Asia will enter a more refined and localized phase of rapid development.

As for Ling Pei-yi, the operations director of Chen Kee, it's time for her to return to the company headquarters and take on more important responsibilities.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

Secretary Ali poked her head in: "President Chen, Mr. Wu Siyuan from Siyuan Film Industry is here without an appointment, but he said he has something urgent to discuss with you."

Wu Siyuan?

Why would he suddenly come looking for me?
Although Chen Bingwen was slightly surprised, he immediately instructed, "Please invite Director Wu in."

Soon, Wu Siyuan entered the office under Ali's guidance.

In stark contrast to the anxious state Chen Bingwen had shown him the last time they met, Wu Siyuan was now in high spirits and beaming with joy.

He walks with a powerful stride, his lips curl into an uncontrollable smile, and he seems to have become several years younger.

"Mr. Chen! I apologize for disturbing you!"

As soon as Wu Siyuan entered, he warmly extended both hands, his voice loud and cheerful.

Chen Bingwen stood up from behind his desk, smiled and shook hands with him: "Mr. Wu, what a rare guest."

Judging from your complexion, the results of "Drunken Fist" must have been phenomenal.

He led Wu Siyuan to sit down on the sofa in the reception area.

"It's more than good! It's amazing! It's amazing!" As soon as Wu Siyuan sat down, he couldn't wait to share his joy with Chen Bingwen. "Mr. Chen, you are truly my lucky star!"
The fact that "Drunken Master" became this year's box office champion is entirely thanks to your investment and guidance!
After five weeks in theaters, the box office has already surpassed ten million Hong Kong dollars!

This broke the record set by the Hui Brothers' "contract of servitude"!

Even now, many audience members are still queuing up to buy tickets every day, and the theater is reluctant to close the show!
Jackie Chan is incredibly popular this time!

Even our Siyuan Pictures became famous because of it!

During this period, Chen Bingwen was busy with Chen Ji's own affairs, but did not pay much attention to the subsequent box office performance of "Drunken Master".

Now, let's hear Wu Siyuan's account of the box office results.

It grossed far more than the Drunken Master in my memory from my previous life!

It seems that in this life, perhaps his investment relieved Wu Siyuan's pressure in the later stages, making the publicity more effective or the film scheduling more favorable, thus stimulating greater box office potential.

"Congratulations Mr. Wu! Congratulations to Siyuan Film Company! This is an achievement that will go down in the history of Hong Kong films!"

Chen Bingwen offered his heartfelt congratulations.

The success of this film also means that his initial investment of HK$200,000 will yield a return far exceeding expectations.

"Congratulations! Mr. Chen, you deserve a lot of credit for this!"

As he spoke, Wu Siyuan gripped Chen Bingwen's hand tightly, "Moreover, I came here today specifically to thank you!"

Thank you so much!

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and continued, "Mr. Chen, in the past few days, film distributors from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore have all contacted me, wanting to buy the overseas distribution rights for 'Drunken Master'."

The Taiwanese side is offering a guaranteed minimum of two million plus a 15% share of the box office revenue!

South Korea has also reached 1.2 million!

This price is several times higher than before!
"It's all thanks to you, Mr. Chen!"

As Wu Siyuan spoke, a look of lingering fear appeared on his face: "Luckily, you firmly opposed it at the time!"

Otherwise, I almost sold the distribution rights for Taiwan and South Korea for hundreds of thousands!

Now I really regret it so much I want to jump into Victoria Harbour!
Mr. Chen, your one sentence saved me millions!

Wu Siyuan spoke with heartfelt sincerity, his gratitude evident in his words.

(End of this chapter)