money player

How much profit can be retained?

"On average, each car can fetch over HK$1700, so a total profit of HK$200 million is roughly achievable."

"Not bad, have all the drivers for Lucky Star Transportation been found?"

"We currently have 62 retired British soldiers, 23 retired Portuguese soldiers, and 45 Teochew men. If we include substitute drivers, we are still short 90."

"Where are the Chaozhou people from?"

Teochew people hold a monopoly in Hong Kong's truck driver industry, with more than 60% of all licensed truck drivers in Hong Kong coming from Shantou, Chao'an, Jieyang, Chenghai, Puning, Chaoyang, and Nan'ao.

Moreover, learning to drive requires experienced drivers to guide newcomers step by step, and truck drivers' income is quite considerable. People in this era do not have the same vision as those in later generations. They are willing to post short videos of their money-making secrets so that strangers can learn at will. They only accept relatives and friends as apprentices. At least 60-70% of truck drivers in Hong Kong are related to each other.

"They're all from South Australia."

"A family?"

"Three."

"We still need 90 more people. We can only recruit 30 Teochew people at most. We should stop recruiting people from Nan'ao."

"Should we break up the Teochew people in the shift schedule?"

“The British soldiers are in separate squads, and the rest are scattered.” Xian Yaowen rubbed his temples. “Truck drivers have a tough job, are short-tempered, and fighting is commonplace. There’s no way to prevent that.”

However, it's important to emphasize to drivers that while fighting is acceptable, it must not escalate into a full-blown brawl. If you suffer a loss outside, don't try to get revenge yourself. The correct approach is to report it to the business, which will then resolve the issue through legal channels or by dispatching security.

"Truck drivers generally have triad backgrounds, so why not let them resolve this themselves?"

"It is precisely because they have a triad background that we cannot let them resolve this on their own. Although resolving it on their own can absolve the business of responsibility and save on medical expenses and lost wages, the situation is uncontrollable. Fighting can easily escalate into a triad brawl, and trucks can easily be smashed or burned."

A legitimate company should act like a legitimate company. More lawsuits, less fighting. A single lawsuit can bankrupt a truck driver. Winning a few lawsuits establishes authority, and other truck drivers will be less likely to provoke the company's drivers.

Cheryl nodded. "Understood."

"Has a manager been selected?"

"Not yet. HK Consulting has sent over several candidate resumes, and the HR department is arranging interviews."

"We prioritize management skills; business skills are secondary."

That's how it's arranged.

“Very good.” Xian Yaowen nodded and said, “Let me introduce the situation of ITS.”

Cheryl laughed and said, "Li initially complained that he had been taken advantage of, but now he doesn't complain anymore. The aircraft for the sightseeing flight service and the flying club are all in place, and the business is underway. We can't have too high hopes for profits, but it has a great effect on increasing the company's network of contacts."

The yacht club ordered five 38-45ft twin-engine wooden-hulled speedboats from Chris Craft in the United States. Two have already been delivered, and the club currently has seven members (annual membership fee of HK$15,000). The yachts have been chartered 11 times, used six times for champagne parties, and five times for taking women out to sea.

"What woman?"

"Movie actresses and opera stars are all well-known figures. Do we need to see the list?"

Sin Yiu-man waved his hand, "We must respect customer privacy. If you know them, pretend you don't, and don't keep records."

谢丽尔点点头，接着说：“汽车俱乐部订购了3辆捷豹XK120、2辆凯迪拉克62、2辆法拉利212、2辆宾利Mark VI、4辆奔驰W186、2辆塔尔博特·拉戈T26、2辆阿斯顿·马丁DB2、2辆蓝旗亚奥雷利亚B20-GT、2辆克莱斯勒纽约客。

They approached Shell and Dunlop for sponsorship, and the club's cars could get free gas and tire changes. However, the advertising fee was not finalized and required further negotiation.

The annual membership fee is set at HK$1.2. Following your instructions, the club has been targeting the "uncle-son group" of clients, and has already acquired 42 members, with nearly 70 more to be developed.

What car is the most popular?

"Jaguar, the rental order is already booked for two months from now."

"Are any members asking how to book a car?"

"Have."

"Contact Jaguar for a discount."

Cheryl chuckled, "We've already done that, and other brands are doing the same."

“Well done.” Sin Yiu-man praised, “The rich young men have a strong competitive spirit. If others have it, they must have it too. GMC (Gentlemen Motor Club) is a circle, and only GMC members are qualified to be called Hong Kong’s young masters.”

By cultivating a strong network within the business community, discounts and markups on car rentals and new car ordering services can generate substantial profits for the company.

"Are we trying to influence the concept of Hong Kong's 'rich kids'?"

"Of course, we need to let all of Hong Kong know about GMC, this top circle of rich young men. When the time is right, we'll plan a party and have all the young actresses from Friendship Films attend."

"Should the yacht club be included in the marketing package?"

Sin Yiu-man waved his hand, “Yachts and sports cars are not the same thing. A rich young master can get money to buy a sports car by acting cute at home, but it’s difficult to buy a yacht. Even if he rolls on the ground, he can’t get hundreds of thousands.”

Hong Kong's consumption level doesn't yet support wealthy young people dreaming of yachts, and even those who can afford to buy sports cars aren't numerous. However, there are plenty of people who can afford to rent sports cars, and marketing often emphasizes the advantages of renting.

"OK."

"In short, the member experience is extremely important. We must make them feel that their membership fee is well worth the money. To achieve this, we can focus more on women. Places where rich young men congregate will naturally attract women who want to marry a rich man. We need to build a bridge of communication and strictly screen them to prevent scoundrels and shady characters from infiltrating."

What is a person who makes a living in the underworld?

"Those honey trap scams."

They talked about one subsidiary after another, going through all of Jinji Trading Company's businesses.

Despite the remarkable profit miracle achieved by the gray market in August, with monthly profits exceeding $400 million, and the market outlook for the next year showing no signs of decline, Sin Yiu-man still values ​​the legitimate business more.

As initially envisioned, the gray market was merely a means of accumulating funds, allowing Jinji Trading Company to invest in legitimate businesses with ease, thus avoiding the predicament of having too many funds and not having enough to go around.

Today, 80% of Jinji Commercial Bank's legitimate business is profitable, making it fully self-sustaining. It also has a large cash flow from its gray market operations to back it up, enabling it to invest in areas requiring long-term capital.

Around 3:30, the two went to a cigarette factory in Tsuen Wan. It was a factory of less than 500 square feet, with a few machines that had come from the mainland, and three workers were working slowly.

A production plan of 500 bags per day is something one person can do casually, and three people can do it lying down.

Xian Yaowen took a package of cigarettes from the production line and glanced at it. The packaging design was very simple, mainly white, with a pinkish-purple bauhinia flower printed on the far right of the front.

The cigarette box is not the mainstream square shape, but a rectangle like the one used for filter cigarettes. However, the cigarettes do not have a filter tip; they are just a little longer and thinner than other cigarettes without filters, but the amount of tobacco used is basically the same.

Cheryl opened a pack, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Bauhinia blends Virginia tobacco, Turkish Oriental tobacco, and is supplemented with Burley tobacco and a small amount of Golden Leaf. The taste is better than several mainstream brands on the market, and the cost is also higher."

Xian Yaowen took a cigarette from the pack, smelled it, and said, "Jinji Trading Company is not strong enough to go head-to-head with the tobacco group. In the short term, it can only appear on the market as a low-end cigarette and make a profit from 'duty-free'. We'll talk about competition later."

"Would you like to see the workshops in Kowloon Walled City?"

Sin Yiu-man said with a faint smile, "King Chi Tobacco only has one Tsuen Wan workshop, not a Cloud Hill workshop."

The Tsuen Wan workshop of Bauhinia Flower is just a facade; most of the production capacity is in the Cloud Hill workshop in Kowloon Walled City. However, theoretically, the Cloud Hill workshop has nothing to do with Bauhinia Flower. It is a criminal den where criminals counterfeit Bauhinia Flower products, and everyone should punish them.

"what."

Next stop, Jinji Pharmacy.

Jinji Pharmacy did not expand extensively in Hong Kong. Apart from the reorganized Berlin Pharmacy, it only opened one branch in Kowloon Tong.

The shop wasn't big, but it had a very complete selection of medicines, including the highly sought-after penicillin. However, it wasn't in powder form, but rather in diluted injection form, which wasn't cheap. But that didn't stop small-time players from carrying it to Macau like ants to sell.

After browsing around the store, Sin Yiu-man and his companion immediately went outside. The store was too crowded. Starting from the cashier, a long line in the shape of a "7" stretched all the way to the street outside. No matter what medicine they originally wanted to buy, every customer would buy two extra vials of penicillin. On the other side of the long line, someone was openly setting up a stall to buy penicillin.

“Penicillin is not sold separately; you can only buy two vials of penicillin if you buy other medications. This prevents professional queue-jumping customers and also boosts the store’s business. This store’s daily turnover exceeds HK$5000, not including penicillin.”

Sin Yiu-man pointed to the purchasing stall, "How much do you give per penicillin?"

"It used to be five cents, but it should be reduced now."

“Not bad. If people want to buy a lot of medicine, they can buy it in separate batches and queue up a few times. They can earn some extra money for their household expenses.” As he spoke, Xian Yaowen pointed to an old woman in the long queue. “Set up a free hot water station at the entrance. Make sure the lids of the hot water containers are locked to prevent anyone from causing trouble.”

No cups will be provided, and drinking directly from the tap is prohibited. The containers can be placed low, with the tap only 1.5 cup heights above the ground, to prevent cross-infection of infectious diseases.

What if someone uses it to wash their feet?

Sin Yiu-man chuckled and said, "We just need to do our own thing and not interfere with public order; it's a thankless task."

"If we don't provide hot water, wouldn't we avoid a lot of trouble?"

“We sell medicine. A child survived after taking our medicine. He grew up to be a serial killer who specifically targets children.”

He killed a future scientist who would grow up to invent a bomb that could obliterate the Earth with just one shot. He also killed a future politician who aspired to be the king of the planet.

What would have happened if the two people hadn't been killed?

"The Earth is destroyed."

"From a causal point of view, we saved the earth and billions of people, but this is just a hypothesis. What did not happen is nothing. We can only earn the profit of one drug when we sell it, and we cannot earn the gratitude fee for saving billions of people."

Offering free hot water might not earn Jinji Pharmacy a good reputation, but it certainly wouldn't attract criticism. At this stage, everything is under control. Going any further opens up endless possibilities, and the situation becomes beyond our control.

“Understood.” Cheryl nodded. “We will only provide hot water, regardless of how you use it.”

"Whether it's washing feet or bringing a wooden basin to collect bathwater, pretend you don't see it. Make sure the jar is small, fill it up frequently, and make sure that guests who need it can have hot water to drink."

Do you need to provide paper cups in the store?

"We could consider ordering 5-ounce paper cups with the Jinji Pharmacy logo and information printed on them."

"uh-huh."

After visiting Jinji Pharmacy, I went to Jinji Hall.

Jinjitang takes a path that combines medicine and pharmacy, with two doctors on duty at the shop, rotating weekly.

Before the establishment of Kam Kwai Tong, there were only 32 licensed Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong, which later increased to 87, with Kam Kwai Tong holding 49 of the registered licenses. There are over 4500 qualified Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong, and Kam Kwai Tong selected the best of the best, choosing 49 and signing five-year contracts with them as a condition of obtaining licenses, after which they are free to leave.

"At Jinjitang, doctors can openly accept consultation fees, with 80% going to the doctor and 20% to the clinic."

Which doctors see the most patients?

“Chen Jiuji, the ‘King of Ghost Needles,’ Liang Ruitang, the ‘Miracle Doctor of Traumatic Injuries,’ and Deng Tiemei, the ‘Gynecological Master,’ these three doctors have the most patients. When it’s their turn to see patients, there are long queues.” Cheryl said in a low voice, “Deng Tiemei also has a nickname, ‘Goddess of Fertility.’ Sophia introduced her to treat infertility among naval wives, and she cured every single one of them. Now she rarely sees patients in her own clinic and spends most of her time seeing patients for the wives of high-ranking officials.”

"For this kind of doctor, we can't consider profits; we must ensure high income and high treatment, and provide sufficient emotional value."

What is emotional value?

"Do everything you can to make her happy and joyful, cherish her, and let her always be on a cloud."

"What if other doctors complain about the high salary we're giving her?"

"The business secretly set up a medical department and transferred her personnel file there." Xian Yaowen whispered in Cheryl's ear, "I will personally cover half of her salary, and I will transfer her away in the future."

"Where are you being transferred to?"

“My private clinic.”

"learn."

After walking around, the two came to the outside of the shop again. Xian Yaowen said to Cheryl, "Tell Zhao Chuanxiong to develop a low-cost herbal tea that does not conflict with other prescriptions and provide it to customers for free. Put it inside the shop, not outside. Herbal tea is medicine and cannot be drunk indiscriminately. The shop assistants should keep an eye on it."

"it is good."

After leaving Jin Jitang, the two went to the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea.

“Cheryl, I told you a long time ago that Golden Season Trading Company always adheres to the principle of equal exchange. If we make a request, we are willing to pay the cost for it. Previously, the clothing allowance only covered the manager level. Starting next month, it will be extended to the lower levels. Personnel who need to conduct external communication will receive a clothing allowance every month.”

How are standards set?

“Refer to the attire of other companies at each level, remove those that are ridiculously good, and use the best as the standard.” Xian Yaowen picked up his suit collar, “Then distribute the clothes according to the clothing allowance that can be used to purchase a set of clothes every three months.”

The distribution of uniform allowances naturally imposes dress requirements. Employees who do not meet the dress code will receive a warning the first time, and will be dismissed the second time.

"What about staff who don't engage in external communication?"

"Uniforms are designed for different positions. Each style of uniform is divided into four styles according to the four seasons. Three sets are issued to office staff and five sets are issued to manual laborers each quarter."

If a uniform is lost or damaged due to personal reasons and needs to be reissued, the employee will be responsible for the cost of its production; however, this is not the case for official business.

Cheryl chuckled and asked, "Which company should we hire for the design?"

"It's just what you think."

"what."

"The uniform includes a name tag, which displays the employee's photo, name, position, and employee number. The name tag also includes the company's humanistic care benefits and medical insurance. The name tag is like a medical insurance card, which allows employees to have free medical consultations at Jinjitang and receive free medication for their ailments."

The medical insurance card has a supplementary card called the "Family Card," which can be stored up. A certain amount is issued each month. With the Family Card, you can consult a doctor at Jinjitang and buy medicine at Jinji Pharmacy. Only the amount within the limit will be deducted, and any excess will be paid in cash.

In principle, the family card can be used by anyone; it's based on the card, not the person, providing emotional value to employees.

"Can a friend use it?"

Sin Yiu-man nodded. "Yes, it makes the employees feel more important and gives them a stronger sense of belonging to the company."

"However, this is a huge expense."

Xian Yaowen waved his hand, "It's not as big as you think. Put yourself in the employee's shoes. I get sick often and use up my medical insurance limit every month. What would the business think of me?"

Cheryl thought for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. Wouldn't it be convenient to monitor employees' health status using health insurance cards?"

"When promoting employees internally, physical condition is an important criterion. In principle, employees who are in poor health will not be promoted, and those with underlying medical conditions should be persuaded to leave. However..."

Sin Yiu-man emphasized, "Listen carefully: for employees who have already fallen ill, the company can only offer humanitarian care; we absolutely must not do anything that would dishearten them." (End of Chapter)