Sail across the sea

Chapter 532 There are only two ways

"Minister Zheng, we can't just cheat like this, can we?"

Before Cai Muqing could say anything, Gao Fan protested with a frustrated look on his face.

"How did I cheat?" Zheng Linong asked with a smile, not angry at all.

Gao Fan said, "I only promised to help Dean Cai raise money, but I didn't say I could raise a few million. Our Canghai Chemical doesn't even earn a few million a year."

Cai Muqing quickly said, "No, no, no, if President Gao is willing to take action, earning a few million would be a piece of cake."

Gao Fan asked, "Why does Dean Cai have so much confidence in me?"

Cai Muqing said, "Because President Gao's ability to generate revenue is obvious to all. Maple Forest Research Institute and Maolin Ze Research Institute have both made a lot of money because of President Gao's brilliant strategies. Last time I was in the South, I met Director Pei of Ze Research Institute. He told me a lot about your achievements. That is definitely the ability to turn lead into gold."

It turned out to be the case.

Gao Fan understood.

It turns out that Cai Muqing believed Pei Hengxue from Zeyan Institute had the ability to make money after hearing his account, which led to the scene of him going out barefoot to greet her.

Like Fenglin Institute, Zeyan Institute also started a physical enterprise under Gao Fan's guidance, with an annual income of over 100 million yuan, achieving a life like that of a tycoon.

"So, if I can really help the design institute generate a few million in revenue, will Dean Cai accept the conditions that Minister Zheng just proposed?" Gao Fan asked.

"can!"

Cai Muqing gritted her teeth and answered decisively.

“If that’s the case, then let’s go for it both ways,” Gao Fan said.

What does "two-way journey" mean?

"It's all about working together. I'll help Dean Cai think of any revenue-generating opportunities, and Dean Cai will help me find some talent we can allocate to them. Revenue generation certainly won't show results in ten days or half a month, but our staff shortage is urgent."

"..."

Cai Muqing was speechless.

Gao Fan's intention was clearly to poach the talent first, and revenue generation would be a secondary concern. To put it more conspiratorially, once he had the talent, whether he would continue to help the design institute generate revenue would depend entirely on his conscience.

Cai Muqing wanted to agree to a cash-on-delivery transaction, but she didn't have much leverage in the negotiation.

Gao Fan doesn't necessarily have to poach people from chemical engineering design institutes. There are so many chemical companies across the country, and each province has its own provincial-level chemical engineering design institute, as well as chemistry and chemical engineering departments in major universities. There are plenty of places where Gao Fan can find people.

However, the chemical engineering design institute couldn't find another legendary figure like Gao Fan to help them generate revenue. If negotiations with Gao Fan broke down and he simply walked away, Cai Muqing would be left in a bind.

Zheng Linong noticed Cai Muqing's hesitation and said with a smile, "Dean Cai, there's no need to worry about this. Gao Fan isn't an untrustworthy person. If you're still worried, how about I vouch for Gao Fan? If Gao Fan poachs talent from you but then fails to keep his promise, I'll pay off his debts."

"No, no!" Cai Muqing said in a flustered manner. "How could I dare to have Minister Zheng vouch for me? I completely trust President Gao's credibility. But, President Gao, could you tell me how you plan to... uh, to recruit our talent?" He wanted to use the phrase "poaching," but ultimately couldn't bring himself to say it. For a dignified dean to be told to his face that he wanted to poach his talent, and then to ask him how, was simply too humiliating.

Gao Fan said, "Please rest assured, Dean Cai, I will only ask those in the design institute who originally wanted to leave if they are interested in coming to our side. We will not harass those who do not want to leave, and we will certainly not cause any interference to your institute."

“Alright. There are indeed some people in the institute who are planning to leave. We've done a lot of work, but we haven't been able to get them to stay. If they're willing to go to General Manager Gao's office, we certainly won't put any obstacles in their way.”

Cai Muqing followed Gao Fan's words, saying that this way of speaking could at least save his face.

As for the claim that it wouldn't interfere with the design institute, Cai Muqing simply didn't believe it. The design institute wasn't that big, and the fact that they were poaching people couldn't be kept secret; it would be strange if people didn't gossip about it.

"Regarding the design institute's revenue generation, I think there are essentially two ways," Gao Fan said.

Since Cai Muqing had already agreed to release the person, Gao Fan naturally wanted to reciprocate by discussing revenue generation with Cai Muqing. His agreement wasn't actually a bargaining chip with Cai Muqing, but rather because Zheng Linong had previously entrusted him with the task of helping the design institute generate revenue, even if he couldn't recruit anyone from the institute.

Hearing Gao Fan bring up the topic of generating revenue, Cai Muqing perked up. He stared at Gao Fan and asked eagerly, "Which two methods?"

"The first approach is to take stock of the design institute's existing resources and see which ones can be monetized."

What are resources that can be monetized?

"Yes. For example, if the design institute has any patented technologies, even if they are just preliminary results from past research, as long as they have commercial value, I can find a way to help the design institute sell them."

"We certainly have some patented technologies. I can't explain it clearly in a short time. When is it convenient for you, Mr. Gao, to come to the design institute? I'll have someone explain it to you."

“Okay, I’ll definitely go. The second way is for me to find out what kind of needs there are in society, and then commission a design institute to complete the work. That can also generate revenue.”

"This one……"

Cai Muqing hesitated.

Gao Fan asked in surprise, "What, does Dean Cai think there's a problem with this approach?"

Cai Muqing smiled wryly and said, "There are still some problems. In the past, our institute has received research projects commissioned by the outside world. Although the amount of money is not very large, it is better than nothing. However, the engineers in the institute are generally not very interested in these kinds of projects. Even if we manage to complete them, they cannot meet the requirements of the clients. Because of this, the institute and some clients have had some unpleasant arguments."

It's just that the client sued them for not meeting the cooperation requirements.

Gao Fan muttered to himself.

Cai Muqing phrased it tactfully, saying that the engineers in the institute were not interested in external projects. Gao Fan could easily imagine the truth: a lack of motivation, with everyone adopting an indifferent attitude and procrastinating whenever possible.

Projects assigned by the Ministry of Chemical Industry are not to be taken lightly by the institute's leaders, which naturally puts some pressure on everyone. Everyone also has a natural sense of awe, so they are ultimately able to complete them.

Projects outside the institute are probably not valued much by the institute's leadership, and even less so by ordinary engineers. Everyone knows that these projects are for making money, and the profits are shared by all the institute's staff. Those who put in the effort may not even get a larger share, so why should they bother?

In a fashionable parlance, it boils down to a systemic problem.

(End of this chapter)