Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 77 A makeshift troupe (Second update of 10,000 words per day! Please vote with your monthly tickets and recommendations!)

However, as Chen Ji's business expanded rapidly, its staff increased quickly, and its operations covered multiple dimensions, including production, logistics, sales, franchise management, and new product development.

The original management model, which relied on the hands-on approach of core members such as Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, and Ling Peiyi, along with Chen Bingwen's meticulous oversight, was already proving insufficient.

Chen Bingwen knew that it was time for a radical change.

For a company to grow bigger and stronger, it must establish a modern corporate governance structure and specialized functional departments.

It is imperative for Chenji Foods to move from rule by man to rule of law, and from workshop-style management to modern corporate governance.

Three days later, in the conference room of the Kwun Tong Food Factory.

Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, Ling Peiyi, Asheng, Liang Qiming, Li Ming, and several core team leaders were all present at the rectangular conference table.

The atmosphere was much more somber than usual at the meeting, and everyone vaguely sensed that today's meeting would determine the future direction of Chenji.

Chen Bingwen sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said, "Everyone, I have called you all here today for one thing."

To lay a solid management foundation for Chenji's future!

He got straight to the point, without any pleasantries.

"Over the past few months, we have been conquering new territories and expanding at a speed far exceeding expectations."

With three factories, five standard stores, thirty mobile outlets, ten franchise stores, and over three hundred convenience stores, the company employs more than two hundred people, and its business lines are interconnected.

The results speak for themselves!
But the problems are equally alarming!

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Ah Hai has to manage production, coordinate logistics, and keep an eye on equipment maintenance. He's stretched too thin!"
Brother Qiang and his technical team were constantly running between the three factories, working non-stop.

Director Ling is in charge of the market, franchisees, and channels. Every day, she has mountains of work to do and can't finish it all.

Finance, procurement, and human resources are scattered across different departments, lacking unified coordination and resulting in low efficiency.

Information transmission was slow throughout Chenji Food Company, the decision-making chain was lengthy, and risks were brewing in the shadows.

The cracks in the bearings on the production line at the Kwun Tong factory serve as a stark warning!

Chen Bingwen's voice was not loud, but every word struck a chord with everyone.

With each point he made, the expressions of the relevant officials present became more serious.

Gao Zhenhai straightened his back instinctively, Zhong Qiang pursed his lips, and Ling Peiyi's eyes were solemn.

You could hear a pin drop in the conference room.

"This small workshop management model, which relies on a few people doing everything themselves and me intervening in every little detail, has come to an end!"
It cannot sustain Chen's current state, much less its future!

Chen Bingwen stated unequivocally, "We want to develop, we want to go beyond Hong Kong Island, and reach Singapore, Southeast Asia, and even the whole world."

We need to launch more new products and become a truly influential food brand!
What do we rely on?
Rely on luck?
Relying on brute force?
No!

We must rely on systems, frameworks, and professional management!

He surveyed the room and declared firmly, "Therefore, I have decided to formally establish the headquarters of Chenji Food Co., Ltd."

The meeting room fell silent instantly, and everyone held their breath.

Everyone knows what the word "headquarters" represents: standardization, systematization, and professionalism.

This signifies that Chenji will truly transform from a makeshift operation into a modern enterprise!
Without pausing, Chen Bingwen immediately took out a pre-prepared document and read it aloud clearly and forcefully:
The headquarters will establish the following core departments:
I. Marketing Department: Responsible for brand building, marketing, advertising, and market research. Manager: Li Ming.

II. Channel Department: Responsible for the expansion, management, operational support, performance evaluation, and grid team management of standard stores, franchise stores, and mobile outlets. Director Ling Peiyi concurrently serves as the manager.

III. Production Department: Oversees production planning, quality management, equipment maintenance, cost control, and technical research and development support for the three food factories in Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong, and Sha Tin. Gao Zhenhai serves as Production Manager, and Zhong Qiang as Deputy Manager, responsible for technical research and development and quality control.

IV. Finance Department: Responsible for the company's overall financial planning, budget management, cost accounting, fund allocation, and risk control. Manager: Liang Qiming.

V. Purchasing Department: Responsible for the management and cost optimization of all raw materials, packaging materials, equipment and suppliers.

VI. Logistics and Distribution Center: Responsible for raw material inbound transportation, finished product outbound transportation, transit warehouse management, and grid team distribution support. Asheng will be the person in charge.

VII. Research and Development Center: Responsible for new product research and development, process improvement, and technology reserves.

8. Administration and Human Resources Department: Responsible for company administration, human resources, legal affairs, and logistical support. Manager to be determined.

Chen Bingwen clearly explained the responsibilities, affiliations, and responsible persons of each department.

Gao Zhenhai and Zhong Qiang exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement and pressure in each other's eyes.

Gao Zhenhai, a man who had worked his way up from a hardware factory worker to become a hero under Chen Bingwen's guidance, was filled with turmoil.

From factory manager of the Cheung Sha Wan plant to production manager, overseeing three factories in Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong, and Sha Tin.

This means that he not only needs to keep a close eye on production details and equipment maintenance, but also needs to take a higher level to coordinate the capacity allocation, cost control, quality standards and personnel deployment of the three factories.

The responsibility was immense, and the pressure was enormous, but a fierce fighting spirit burned within him.

"Brother Wen entrusted me with all three factories; this is an immense trust. I must manage them well, no matter what!" He clenched his fist secretly.

Zhong Qiang, a key member with a technical background, had a more reserved expression, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

He was promoted from technical foreman to deputy manager of the production department, in charge of technology research and development and quality control!

This is not only a promotion, but also a great recognition of his professional competence and rigorous work style.

He was well aware of the weight of this position; the success or failure of new product development, the stability of product quality, and the efficiency of process optimization all depended on him.

"The boss values ​​technical skills, and I must not let him down!" He silently made up his mind, feeling the burden on his shoulders was heavier, but also filled with an unprecedented sense of mission.

Ling Peiyi's expression appeared more composed, but the slight upturn of her lips betrayed the turmoil within her.

The Operations Director also serves as the Channel Department Manager.

This means that she will not only continue to oversee the overall operations, but also directly manage Chen Ji Foods' most important sales channels, as well as the rapidly expanding grid team!
With greater power comes greater responsibility and equally enormous challenges. Chen Bingwen's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, taking in their reactions.

"The new organizational structure will officially begin operating next week."

Chen Bingwen's voice broke the brief silence.

"Department heads, complete the departmental personnel structure, job responsibility division, and workflow streamlining this week, and submit a detailed plan to me next Monday."

He paused, then offered a more motivating promise:

"The compensation system will be adjusted accordingly, with a 20% increase in the salaries of managerial positions, and these salaries will be included in the annual performance appraisal and profit sharing system."

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

A 20% raise!

Profit sharing!

This is not only a recognition of their new positions, but also a deep alignment of their personal interests with the company's future development!

"Everyone," Chen Bingwen's voice rose a few decibels, "the future of Chen's Company requires you to play a greater role on a higher platform!"

I believe you have the ability!

"Understood, boss!"

Everyone responded in unison.

At this moment, Chenji Foods' management system completed a crucial leap from a makeshift operation to modern, professional governance.

Product R&D Center at the Kwun Tong Plant.

Aside from teaching at the university, Professor Zhou Zhiyuan of Hong Kong Polytechnic University can be found at the research and development center most of the time.

After all, Chen Bingwen invested over 200,000 yuan to purchase analytical instruments and equipment.

The conditions are far better than the rudimentary public laboratory at the Polytechnic Institute.

At this moment, Professor Zhou was leading his students, gathered around the laboratory's operating table.

A dozen or so test tubes, each containing a pale yellow liquid in different proportions, were neatly arranged on the table.

“Record the data,” Professor Zhou said calmly. “Sample 3 is too sweet, taurine in sample 5 is not fully dissolved, and sample 7 shows obvious layering.”

Chen Bingwen stood at the door, not going in to disturb them immediately.

He quietly watched Professor Zhou's focused profile.

This professor in the Department of Food Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University possesses the purity and focus unique to scholars.

He led his team to overcome the technical barriers of bottled sugar water, developed a patented diamond-shaped non-slip bottle cap, and is now fully committed to the research and development of functional beverages.

His abilities, character, and professional competence are all impeccable.

However, as the core department of Chenji, the R&D center holds the secret formulas and future technological directions for all products.

Its leader not only needs top-notch professional skills, but also absolute loyalty and reliability.

Professor Zhou, as an external consultant, was always kept at a distance.

Chen Bingwen needs a leader who can truly integrate into Chenji, treat the R&D center as his own, and stand with the company through thick and thin.

Professor Zhou is the most ideal candidate!
However, it is easy to imagine how difficult it would be to persuade this professor, who is so passionate about academia, to give up his stable teaching position and join a company full-time.

Chen Bingwen must demonstrate sufficient sincerity and wisdom.

He knocked lightly on the door.

Professor Zhou looked up at the sound of the voice, saw Chen Bingwen, and smiled, "Mr. Chen, you've come."

"Professor Zhou, excuse me." Chen Bingwen walked into the laboratory, his gaze sweeping over the test tubes on the worktable. "How's the energy drink project progressing?"

"We're still in the basic formula screening stage." Professor Zhou pushed up his glasses and pointed to the test tubes, explaining, "Sweet and sour balance, flavor blending, stability, solubility—each variable needs to be tested repeatedly."

Masking the smell of taurine is challenging; at high concentrations, the metallic odor is difficult to completely conceal, and we don't want to use too much fragrance.

He picked up a test tube marked "9" and handed it to Chen Bingwen: "This is a relatively balanced solution at present. Would you like to try it?"

Chen Bingwen took it and carefully sipped it.

It has a refreshing taste and a noticeable invigorating effect, but the subtle "rusty" flavor is definitely present.

"The flavor is much better than last time, and it's refreshing enough." Chen Bingwen put down the test tube. "But you can still taste the rusty flavor, although it's very faint."

“Yes.” Professor Zhou nodded. “We tried a variety of natural flavorings and masking agents, but the results were not ideal.”

It may be necessary to study the interaction between taurine and other components at the molecular level, or to find a more efficient masking pathway.

This requires time and further in-depth research.

Seeing the dedication and desire to tackle the technical challenges in Professor Zhou's eyes, Chen Bingwen became even more determined to invite him.

“Professor Zhou,” Chen Bingwen said solemnly, “I’m here today not only to check on the progress of functional drinks, but also to discuss something more important with you.”

Professor Zhou gestured for the students to continue recording data, and then he and Chen Bingwen walked to the rest area outside the laboratory.

"Mr. Chen, please speak."

“I would like to formally invite you,” Chen Bingwen said, looking directly into Professor Zhou’s eyes, “to serve as the director of Chenji Food Research and Development Center!”

Join Chenji full-time and take full responsibility for the research and development, technical breakthroughs, and intellectual property management of all products!

(End of this chapter)