Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 327 Stabilize the Basics

The word "shareholder" has a magical quality.

Doing things for others is completely different from doing things for yourself.

"Boss, what's your situation regarding funds?" Chen Jian couldn't help but ask.

“This is not something you need to worry about,” Yan Hui immediately interrupted Chen Jian. “You will need to conduct several more experiments on the polyether products from Dongda in Linzi and Wanhua in Yantai. Dongda’s prices are lower, but if the quality meets the standards, it is more appropriate to buy from Dongda.”

“I’ve done the experiments, and there’s nothing wrong with the samples they sent. Since we started building the factory, their sales representatives have contacted me seven or eight times.” Chen Jian finally understood what it meant to be “surrounded by people.”

While others might not know that Yan Hui's chemical plant had started construction and applied for patents, everyone in the surrounding chemical industry had heard about it. In the year or so that Yan Hui had been conducting experiments, buying various materials, and handling all sorts of waste, he had come into contact with at least a dozen companies, making him a well-established member of the industry.

"In short, just make sure the quality and production are up to standard." Yan Hui then looked at the experimental reports again, without saying a word of encouragement, and turned back to the construction site.

As a shareholder of the company, Chen Jian naturally hoped that everything would go smoothly in the future, but everyone knew that there would be many places where money would be spent later, so it was normal for him to ask a question.

However, no matter how much financial pressure Chen Jian faced, that wasn't something he should be concerned about. The problems he would have to deal with later were far more complex than just experiments; after all, no matter how good a company is, its product is the only true measure of success.

After leaving Chen Jian, Yan Hui had many accounts on his mind. He went back to check on the project and stayed with everyone until dark before finally having a bite to eat. That night, Yan Hui spent another long time doing accounts before going to sleep.

The next day, Yan Hui went to Director Xiang's factory again.

"President Yan! President Yan, why didn't you tell me you were coming? Hey? The driver didn't come today?" Factory Manager Xiang hurriedly invited Yan Hui to sit down and have some tea.

Yan Hui is becoming increasingly impressive, and even the factory director has developed some respect for him.

Last time he went to give Yan Hui a gift to start the project, he was naturally surprised when he learned what Yan Hui was going to do.

Not all factories are the same. A simple, low-rise steel structure building is not the same as a standardized factory like Yan Hui's. His kind of processing plant can be set up by renting a piece of land in the suburbs, which is worlds apart from Yan Hui's project, which requires land bidding and standardized civil engineering.

"I'm so busy, I just came to see Director Xiang today. I probably won't have time to come again for a month or two," Yan Hui laughed.

He's under a lot of financial pressure right now, so he has to stick to plywood as his only source of income, which means he has to come to the factory manager's side.

Many people think that Yan Hui is currently short of money and can easily borrow from business partners or from President Han. This statement is actually quite incorrect.

Yan Hui's ability to delay payments and goods delivery is based on his strong regional trust. Initially, he was Han's representative; later, Yan Hui himself became a big boss. In short, regardless of his identity, he was qualified to receive payments and goods first, thus ensuring that he could complete the plywood circulation with minimal capital.

In this process, Yan Hui's credit was the strongest guarantee. Otherwise, he would have needed to invest at least 150 million in the plywood business for working capital.

This situation will crumble rapidly once Yan Hui goes out to borrow money from friends. Building trust can take years, but collapsing it can happen in a second. If Yan Hui borrows 50 yuan from the factory manager, the manager will definitely lend it to him. However, if the manager is unwilling to hold inventory upfront, Yan Hui will be in even bigger trouble!

This is why many bosses, even when they are in dire straits, still maintain that image and still act lavishly when entertaining guests, because this image allows them to stay in the industry.

"Mr. Yan is a big businessman. You can leave things here to me and Mr. Wang. We see Mr. Wang every week, and we have an excellent relationship." Director Xiang praised Wang Yongjun.

“I do trust him to get things done,” Yan Hui then asked, “I wonder how business is going with Factory Director Xiang and Factory Director Dai?”

"Director Dai is a smart man. He has always kept the price of wood veneer for us stable, so of course we will not change suppliers."

"That's for the best. To be honest, I also have to thank you, Director Xiang," Yan Hui said.

"Huh? Mr. Yan, what are you thanking me for?" Factory Director Xiang asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Our cooperation has been very stable over the past four years. The core issue is that you haven’t changed, and you haven’t become arrogant just because you’ve earned more. Whenever you change, it gives me a headache, because I can’t change these things.” Yan Hui said this very calmly, as if he were in his fifties.

Factory Director Xiang was somewhat bewildered; he truly hadn't expected Yan Hui to lecture him. He was nearly 20 years older than Yan Hui, and logically, Yan Hui was the one who was prone to getting carried away. Now, being lectured by Yan Hui like this, he felt a little uncomfortable.

However, before he could show any discomfort, he immediately understood. What kind of person was Boss Yan? He was someone who was now involved in multi-million dollar deals; he had risen from nothing to achieve several career advancements in just four or five years! Looking at Yan Hui again, the factory director suddenly felt that Yan Hui was unfathomable.

Yan Hui is so young, yet his assets have skyrocketed several times, and he hasn't become arrogant! It's terrifying to think about!
"Mr. Yan, you're absolutely right. How could I be so arrogant? I've known you for so many years and I've learned a lot from you," the factory manager said sincerely.

"We learn from each other. In short, I am very grateful to Director Xiang. I believe our business can continue. Once my chemical plant is in operation and I have sufficient cash flow, if Director Xiang has any good investment projects, you can also call me." Yan Hui said with a smile.

"Definitely! Definitely!" Director Xiang nodded.

Yan Hui didn't bring up the topic again, and instead talked about business matters.

He'll definitely be leaving the plywood business for the foreseeable future; the chemical issues are giving him a huge headache. But it's precisely at times like these that he needs to stabilize the plywood business. As for sales, General Manager Han's influence remains strong, and Wang Yongjun can handle the business development without issue. The real concern is problems at the source, because Yan Hui simply doesn't have the energy to find a second supplier.

In this situation, Yan Hui still needed to make things clear to the factory director, implying: cooperate well and don't get carried away.

The more Yan Hui said this, the more timid the factory manager became, and the smoother the business would be in the future.

After discussing this year's business plans, the factory manager was very happy. The days of making money effortlessly alongside Yan Hui were the dream of any processing plant owner, and Yan Hui was becoming increasingly successful, which only made him happier.

He even decided that he would send some more things over once the factory building at Yan Hui's construction site was completed.

(End of this chapter)