Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 47 Shocking (First Update, Please Subscribe!)

“Director Ling,” Chen Bingwen spoke first, his tone solemn, “Welcome to Chen’s Company.”

I set the general direction at the meeting just now; how to proceed specifically is up to you.

"You must have gotten a general idea of ​​Chen's current situation over the past three days?"

Ling Peiyi closed her notebook and looked at Chen Bingwen: "Mr. Chen, I have visited five standard stores and thirty mobile points in industrial zones over the past three days."

Frankly, Chen Ji's explosive growth is astonishing, but its internal management can only be described as "rough and ready"—that's being kind.

She paused, then pointed out without hesitation: "The process is chaotic and inefficient."

The processes of raw material warehousing, requisition, and production records are either missing or merely formalities.

The quantitative standards for making sugar water are not strictly adhered to.

The same sweet soup made by different work groups, or even by the same work group at different times, can have slight differences in taste.

This is acceptable for self-operated stores, but it will be a disaster if franchising is opened up.

Ling Peiyi spoke eloquently, dissecting one by one the problems that existed in Chen Ji.

Hearing what Ling Peiyi said, Chen Bingwen remained calm. He was aware of these pain points, but Chen Ji's development was too fast, and the management team's development lagged behind. Relying on Chen Bingwen himself, he simply couldn't handle it all.

"So, the reason I invited you here is to have your bones scraped to remove the poison."

"Understood." Ling Peiyi smiled and said, "I admire Mr. Chen's boldness."

My work begins with establishing a standardized system and optimizing the cost structure.

This requires your absolute authorization, and the process will be painful.

"Go ahead and do it," Chen Bingwen said decisively. "What do you need me to coordinate?"

“First, personnel.” Ling Peiyi said without hesitation, “I need to adjust some job positions and optimize the personnel structure.”

This may involve reassigning or even laying off some long-term employees. There will be significant resistance.

"I'll communicate with Gao Zhenhai and Zhong Qiang."

For everyone else, follow company policy.

"In principle, those who lack ability will be given opportunities to learn; those with a bad attitude or who obstruct change will be resolutely removed," Chen Bingwen stated, outlining the bottom line.

“Secondly, financial support,” Ling Peiyi continued. “Establishing Chen’s own financial and material management system will require an initial budget of HK$20,000.”

"Approved!" Chen Bingwen said without hesitation. "Transfer the funds from the company's accounts."

"Third, I need a temporary office and a lean and efficient executive team."

Ling Peiyi acted swiftly and directly, listing the team members: "The team includes Gao Zhenhai, Achang, the financial specialist borrowed from Dexin, and I'll also be assigned an assistant who speaks Thai to handle liaison with Jinxiang."

"No problem. We'll temporarily provide you with a private office on the second floor of the Kwun Tong factory. The company will use a new office location later."

Chen Bingwen fully supported Ling Peiyi's request.

Moreover, as the company grows larger, the current office environment can no longer meet the needs.

He plans to rent a separate house for office use.

“Okay.” Ling Peiyi stood up, exuding confidence, and said, “Mr. Chen, I will submit the first Chenji Foods operation optimization plan in a week.”

Within a month, the initial draft of the core process standardization document was finalized.

"Within three months, I aim to reduce Chen Ji's costs by 5% and increase production efficiency by 10%."

“I’ll wait and see the results.” Chen Bingwen extended his hand and shook hands firmly with the newly appointed operations director once again.

He knew that the coming period would be a test for both him and Ling Peiyi.

On the second floor of the Kwun Tong Food Factory, a room that was originally used as a temporary warehouse was quickly cleared out and a sign reading "Office of Operations Director" was hung up.

It was rather simple, but it was fully equipped with a table, chairs, and filing cabinets. Ling Peiyi sat behind the desk, with a notebook spread out in front of her, filled with dense notes from her visits to five standard stores, thirty mobile points, and the two factories in Cheung Sha Wan and Kwun Tong over the past three days.

"Ah Chang," Ling Peiyi said, staring at her notebook without looking up, "notify Factory Director Gao, Foreman Zhong, and all team leaders that there will be a meeting in the conference room at 2 PM."

Standing to the side, Ah Chang, the young man temporarily assigned by Chen Bingwen to be Ling Peiyi's assistant, felt an invisible pressure and quickly replied, "Understood, Director Ling! I'll take care of it right away!"

At 2 p.m. sharp, Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, and seven or eight team leaders arrived on time, but many of them still looked indifferent to the new director.

They were used to Chen Bingwen's relatively relaxed management style and the delegation of authority based on trust, so they instinctively felt some resistance to this parachuted "operations director" who was said to have an annual salary of 80,000 yuan.

Ling Peiyi entered the conference room right on time. She looked around, and the whispers instantly disappeared from wherever her gaze fell.

"Everyone, I am Ling Peiyi, the new Operations Director of Chen Ji Foods."

She got straight to the point, without any small talk: "Over the past three days, I've visited our shop, our factory, and our mobile distribution points."

The result can only be described in four words: shocking!

She picked up a report, her voice low, yet every word struck a chord with everyone present:

There is no standard procedure for raw material warehousing.
"Sales at mobile points, no daily reports, and no cash inventory process."

"The sales figures are all based on verbal reports from the staff; you all know how big the loopholes are!"

"Standard stores have disorganized displays and inconsistent service standards among staff."

"."

……

One by one, the questions were listed out, and the meeting room fell silent.

Gao Zhenhai's face turned red, Zhong Qiang's brows were furrowed, and the team leaders were even more restless.

These are all problems that they take for granted or even think are "no big deal," but now that they are laid bare on the table, they seem particularly glaring.

"These problems didn't arise overnight, but they must be resolved immediately!" Ling Peiyi put down the report, her tone resolute. "From today onwards, Chenji Foods will bid farewell to its makeshift operations and move towards standardization and regulation!"

This is not a discussion, it's an order!

Subsequently, Ling Peiyi began to deploy the first round of reforms.

The orders were issued one by one, clear, specific, and unquestionable.

Ling Peiyi finally looked at Gao Zhenhai and Zhong Qiang: "Director Gao, Foreman Zhong, you are the core of the factory."

I need you to take the lead in implementing this and to reassure the men below.

Those who can't keep up can switch jobs and learn new skills;
Those who outwardly comply but inwardly defy and obstruct reforms will be dismissed!

Mr. Chen has given me absolute management authority. I hope everyone will not let me, and especially not Mr. Chen, down!

After the meeting ended, everyone left with varying expressions.

Gao Zhenhai caught up with Ling Peiyi: "Director Ling, isn't this a bit too hasty?"
The brothers might not be able to adapt all at once.

Ling Peiyi stopped and turned to look at him. "Director Gao, the market won't wait for us to adapt!"

Bottled packaging is imminent, and the franchise system is about to launch!

If we don't address the root cause now, it will be too late when our competitors crush us with standardized, low-cost products!

Mr. Chen invited me here not to maintain the status quo.

Labor pains are inevitable, but a short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one!

Gao Zhenhai looked at Ling Peiyi, recalled Chen Bingwen's instructions, and finally nodded emphatically: "I understand! I will cooperate fully!"

　I'll post two chapters first, and continue during the day!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)