Reborn in 08, Public Enemy of Competitors

"Mr. Shen, you're not thinking of getting into fresh food e-commerce, are you?"

Huang Zheng frowned, a hint of shock in his eyes.

"Not fresh produce, but fruits and vegetables."

Shen Mo shook his head and said, "With the current logistics conditions, fresh food e-commerce is not feasible yet."

Huang Zheng said, "Even for fruits and vegetables, cold chain technology is an unavoidable issue."

"That's right. In addition to cold chain technology, we also need to solve the problem of forward warehouses."

Shen Mo smiled.

In the past, very few fresh food e-commerce companies were profitable.

Even Hema Fresh relies on Alipay for financial support to barely survive. The key issue is not the produce itself, but the supply chain.

In the traditional wholesale system, the goods need to be transferred three or four times on average from the place of origin to the consumer. Each loading and unloading is exposed to room temperature, and the circulation loss rate can reach 15% to 30%.

Even if you switch to cold chain logistics, there will be losses at each handover point, from cold storage to refrigerated trucks and then to delivery vehicles.

Staring intently at Huang Zheng, Shen Mo said confidently, "But what if I could bypass the issues of pre-positioned warehouses and cold chain logistics?"

"How is this possible!"

Huang Zheng asked incredulously, "What are you going to do?"

"This involves the project's core trade secrets."

Shen Mo replied cryptically, "Unless we reach a preliminary agreement on cooperation, I have nothing to say."

Huang Zheng took a deep breath. "Then, Mr. Shen, could you reveal some non-core information so I can better understand the project?"

Shen Mo said, "You studied in the US, so you should know about Sam's Club and Costco, right?"

Huang Zheng nodded and said, "Both of these are membership-based warehouse supermarkets. They centralize purchasing and then award orders to the manufacturers that offer the lowest prices..."

"My new project follows the same logic; I call it C2M, which directly connects consumers and producers."

Shen Mo said, "With the current subprime crisis and the shrinking foreign trade market, a large number of domestic factories and brands urgently need orders."

Huang Zheng opened his mouth, as if enlightened, as if a door to a new world had been opened, but he felt a little empty inside.

It was as if something had been taken away.

"Mr. Shen, if I'm willing to cooperate, how much investment would be required?"

"The initial funding is tentatively set at 2000 million."

Shen Mo said calmly, "I own 75%, you own 25%, the company uses an AB share structure..."

Huang Zheng said, "In other words, I need to come up with 500 million."

"right!"

Shen Mo said, "If you're interested, you can sign a confidentiality agreement first, and then I can tell you more details about the project. If you think my method of bypassing the cold chain and pre-positioned warehouses is impractical, you can also choose to withdraw."

After a moment's hesitation, Huang Zheng said, "President Shen, could you give me a little time to think about it?"

"sure!"

Shen Mo said frankly, "But you'd better give me an answer as soon as possible. My bus is about to leave. If you miss it, you may have to wait for the next one, and there may not be any seats left on the next one."

………………

As dusk fell, the crowds gradually dispersed from the venue.

As Shen Mo and his entourage walked out of the venue, the evening breeze blew in their faces.

After holding it in all afternoon, Yuan Hua finally blurted out, "Brother Mo, that new project you mentioned... it's selling fruits and vegetables, right?"

Seeing Shen Mo nod, Lu Wenbin slapped his forehead.

"No wonder you had Fengzi stockpile so much ginger and garlic; it was all paving the way for this project!"

"What's 200 million?"

Shen Mo waved his hand, "If it weren't for the warehouse rent, I would have stockpiled tens of millions of dollars worth of goods at once."

Qin Feng pressed further, "Brother Mo, shall we continue accepting?"

"We'll buy in, but slowly. We'll buy in large quantities around April or May."

If Shen Mo remembers correctly, the H1N1 influenza A outbreak began in June.

Then, turning to Lu Wenbin, he said, "I'm going to 'second' you to the new project to work with Fengzi and the others. I'll keep your EtaoGO stock options, and your other benefits will remain unchanged for now. Are you willing?"

Lu Wenbin replied without hesitation, "You're being too polite. I'd go through fire and water for you, Brother Mo."

Shen Mo patted his shoulder without saying much. Some things don't need to be said; keeping them in your heart is more important than saying them aloud.

The group got into the Audi registered under Ling Yun's name. Shen Mo sat in the back seat and looked at Zhong Xue.

"May Day is approaching, how are the employee benefits arrangements going?"

"Following the previous plan, we will distribute holiday gifts worth 200 yuan each for Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, May Day, National Day, Dragon Boat Festival, etc..."

"Gifts are nothing compared to cash."

Shen Mo said, "Let's give them cash instead. We'll give them 200 yuan in cash or shopping cards for each holiday, and the employees can buy whatever they want."

"Okay, boss!"

Zhong Xue's eyes lit up immediately: "Besides the 200 yuan holiday gift, there are also team building activities, group trips..."

"Cash it all out!"

Shen Mo clicked his tongue. Most team-building activities take up precious rest time, and not participating means being unsociable.

So, with a wave of his hand, the team building activity was canceled!

Group tours are cancelled!

Zhong Xue was instructed to change the policy to provide each full-time employee with a team-building allowance of 100 yuan per month, to be paid along with their salary.

In addition, a travel fund of 1000 yuan is set up for each full-time employee every year, with an additional 1000 yuan for each additional year of service, capped at 10000 yuan.

Whether employees go on team building activities or trips depends on their personal wishes.

Zhong Xue was stunned for a moment: "Boss...you're giving me way too much."

"Yeah, Mo-ge, other company bosses aren't as generous as you! Team building expenses, travel funds!"

When Lu Wenbin thought about his father's employees, they seemed like mere animals in comparison!

"You think it's too generous? How about I take some back?"

Shen Mo said in a teasing tone.

Lu Wenbin quickly waved his hands: "No, no, no! If people find out that I'm the one who caused them to lose their benefits, they'll tear me to pieces."

"Remember this: I can't control how other companies treat their employees, but as long as they're my employees, they'll get this kind of treatment!"

"My employees aren't cattle or horses, they're human beings!"

Shen Mo smiled and said, "So, I'd like to add one more thing: all members of YiTao GO will receive a monthly meal allowance of 450 yuan, effective immediately. It will be distributed by the administration department, and there will be no reimbursement system."

"Brother Mo, isn't this too much?"

Yuan Hua swallowed hard.

Qin Feng chimed in, "Yeah, Brother Mo, you're treating us like suicide squads!"

"If you want to do something well, you must first have the right tools."

Shen Mo narrowed his eyes. "You all heard it today, Ah Li is coming for us. Only when I pay the money properly and resolve all your worries can you focus on dealing with YiTao without any distractions. Don't you agree?"

"Yes! Absolutely right!"

They all burst into laughter, filling the car with a joyful atmosphere.

Zhong Xue was very emotional. As soon as she returned to school, she worked through the night to organize the new employee benefits plan and sent it to the company group.

The office erupted in cheers.

"Long live the boss!"

"Long live President Shen!"

"Brother Mo, you are my god!"

The group, energized by the stimulus, worked even harder.

If Shen Mo treats me with the death knighthood, I will repay him with the death knighthood!

Life and death are bearish, if you don't agree, just do it!

Take down Taobao! Take down Ali! Take down Jack Ma!