Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 41 Operations Director (Please add to your favorites, vote for this chapter, and recommend it to others!)

Ling Peiyi picked up her coffee cup, took a small sip, and did not respond immediately.

She sized up the young man in front of her.

From what she understands, Chen Bingwen went from a traditional dessert shop to setting up mobile outlets in the factory area, participating in the Victoria Park Lunar New Year fair, building a standard store in the commercial district, and acquiring Thailand's Golden Elephant in just over two months.
These deeds fully demonstrate that this young man is top-notch in terms of courage, vision, and execution.

This young man's vision and ambition far exceed his age.

More importantly, he is clear-headed enough to recognize his own shortcomings and is willing to delegate authority.

“Mr. Chen,” Ling Peiyi put down her cup and spoke frankly, “you have great ambitions, and Chen’s has great potential.”

But no matter how beautiful the blueprint is, it still needs to be built brick by brick.

The operations director's responsibility is to ensure that Chenji's ship doesn't fall apart or veer off course while sailing at high speed.

This means I need absolute authority to establish rules, optimize processes, and even adjust team structure.

The resistance will be significant, especially from the founding members who started the business with you.

She looked directly at Chen Bingwen: "You've withstood the pressure and continued to support me?"

Even if it means that these founding members who followed you into the company might not be able to take on higher positions for the time being, and might need to learn or even step down?

This question gets straight to the heart of the matter.

Similarly, Ling Pei-yi also wanted to see Chen Bing-wen's determination through his answer to this question.

Chen Bingwen did not hesitate at all: "Yes! Ms. Ling, if you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them."

I invited you here to take Chen's Kitchen to a new level.

In this process, any people or things that hinder the company's development must be adjusted.

Ah Hai and Qiang Ge have made contributions and worked hard, but for the company to develop, individuals must also grow.

For those who can't keep up, I will arrange for them to learn new skills or change positions, but I will never let personal feelings hinder the company's development.

I can make that promise unequivocally!

His decisiveness impressed Ling Peiyi.

The business world is like a battlefield, and the most taboo things are indecisiveness and nepotism.

Ling Peiyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Delegating authority? Many bosses just talk the talk."

When my implementation of standards infringes on the interests of company veterans, rejects projects that damage the brand, or requires substantial funds for process redesign, can you guarantee you won't interfere?

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." Chen Bingwen reiterated firmly, "As long as the direction is for the long-term development of Chen Ji and to build brand barriers, I will never interfere."

I will communicate with and reassure the company's veterans, and I will support any reasonable and sufficient financial investment.

What I need are partners to fight alongside me and define the future.

“Partner.” Ling Peiyi was moved.

Maxim's stage is large but has many constraints, while Chan Kee, though small, is full of vitality, and Chan Bing-man seems to really dare to give her space.

"Okay. Mr. Chen is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush either."

I am willing to take on the position of Operations Director at Chen Ji Foods.

My requirements are an annual salary of HKD 80,000, and the right to receive dividends at the end of the year based on the company's performance, with a percentage of no less than 1% of the shares held by the employee.

At the same time, I need the authority to build a core management team of no fewer than five people, and personnel appointments and dismissals must be evaluated by me and then submitted to you for approval.

An annual salary of 80,000!

In 1978, this was definitely the salary of a top manager on Hong Kong Island, far exceeding that of an ordinary worker by dozens or even hundreds of times.

The 1% dividend right is even more valuable.

In Chen Bingwen's vision, Chenji Foods will not only be the size it is now, but will be several times or even dozens of times larger in the future. In this way, the returns from a 1% dividend right will be very considerable.

But Chen Bingwen hesitated almost without hesitation.

If Ling Pei-yi performs well at Chen Kee Foods, it proves she is worth the price.

Otherwise, it's just a right to dividends; the right exists while the employee is employed, and it's automatically forfeited upon resignation. More importantly, at that time, the concept of stock options as an award was not yet available in the Hong Kong industry for company executives.

All that can be given to senior executives are salaries and bonuses.

However, Chen Bingwen didn't want to give it too easily.

Ling Peiyi earns an annual salary of 80,000 yuan, and the salaries of Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, and other managers at all levels in the factory, such as quality control personnel and team leaders, should also be increased appropriately.

Otherwise, Ling Peiyi's presence at Chen's would inadvertently alienate the veteran employees.

Therefore, the necessary pressure is essential.

“Okay!” Chen Bingwen nodded in agreement. “Annual salary of 80,000, with a 1% bonus at the end of the year depending on performance, paid out over four years at 0.25% per year.”

The authority to build the core team is yours; personnel appointments and dismissals are subject to your evaluation and then submitted to me for approval. However, there is one condition…

He paused, looked directly at Ling Pei-yee and said, "Director Ling, I know that the social relationships in Hong Kong are deeply intertwined, but Chen's ship is still small and cannot withstand any corruption."

Absolutely no nepotism; this is the only red line I will not allow to be crossed.

The people you bring should be capable; the people you appoint should possess both virtue and talent.

If I discover any nepotism or incompetence, I will show no leniency, regardless of who is involved, including you.

This warning was blunt and direct, and Ling Pei-yi felt pressured, but even more so, she felt trusted and appreciated for his frankness.

She met Chen Bingwen's gaze without flinching: "Don't worry, Mr. Chen."

When I lead a team, I only value ability, not connections.

Efficiency, professionalism, and results are my ironclad principles for hiring.

Nepotism? That's an insult to my professional ethics.

Chen Bingwen smiled with satisfaction and extended his hand: "Welcome to Chen's Company, Director Ling."

As Chen Bingwen left the coffee shop, the afterglow of the setting sun was painting Victoria Harbour in a golden-red hue.

Reaching a preliminary agreement with Ling Peiyi relieved him of a great weight.

This experienced operations director is a key piece in Chenji's transformation from a fledgling operation to a professional company.

Ling Peiyi proposed to start work in three days. She wanted to use these three days to understand the current operating status of Chen Ji Foods in order to carry out her work in a targeted manner according to Chen Bingwen's requirements.

Chen Bingwen knew that Ling Peiyi's proposed three-day observation period was not an excuse, but rather a sign of the prudence expected of a professional manager.

She needs to see the "substance" of Chenji firsthand, rather than making judgments based solely on data and blueprints.

Back at the Kwun Tong factory, Gao Zhenhai was already waiting in his office, a hint of excitement on his face.

"Brother Wen! You're back!" Gao Zhenhai greeted him. "How did the talks with Director Ling go?"

"It's basically settled. The annual salary is 80,000 yuan plus profit-sharing rights. I'll start work in three days," Chen Bingwen said succinctly. "She requires us to conduct on-site inspections of all aspects of our operations during these three days."

Gao Zhenhai paused for a moment, then nodded: "Of course, of course. Brother Wen, there's progress on what you asked us to do!"

"Oh? Drunken Fist?" Chen Bingwen's eyes lit up, and he strode into the office.

"Yes!" Gao Zhenhai arrived at the door, lowered his voice, and spoke rapidly, "I asked several friends who work as extras to inquire about it."

Ng See-yuen is indeed preparing a new film, titled "Drunken Master"!
Jackie Chan is still starring! I heard the script is almost finished, just waiting for funding and a confirmed filming date!

Chen Bingwen's heart raced slightly: "What's the budget for filming? Has the start date been set?"

"I heard the budget is very tight, around 500,000." Gao Zhenhai's face showed a "I knew it" expression. "Wu Siyuan has been looking for investment everywhere recently, but it doesn't seem to be going very smoothly."

Large companies think the subject matter is outdated, while small investors are afraid of the risks and feel that comedic martial arts films have no future.

The filming start date hasn't been finalized yet, but rumors suggest that director Ng See-yuen is in a hurry and wants the film to be released during the summer season, so filming must begin no later than the beginning of next month!

Early next month! Chen Bingwen quickly calculated in his mind.

The window of opportunity was even tighter than he had anticipated!

Film shooting cycles are short. Once filming begins, the scenes, props, and script details are basically finalized, making it much more difficult to insert advertisements and significantly reducing their effectiveness.

We must intervene before the project starts, or even during the preparation stage!
　With everyone's support, I've finally made it to Sanjiang! Love you all!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)