America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 453 America's Top Show

Just as Ernst and Leon Chandler finalized the plans for their Malibu estate in Los Angeles, Affili brought him good news.

Darzel is already in talks with him. Once the terms are agreed, Flashbuy will be able to welcome a truly capable leader in warehousing, logistics and distribution.

"As long as Darzel's requests are not excessive, we should try our best to meet them and get him on the job as soon as possible to take over the work of warehousing, logistics and distribution."

"Time waits for no one, we don't have time to dawdle any longer."

Top talents like Dahlzel typically make demands regarding salary and management authority during their job search.

In terms of salary and benefits, the focus is mainly on stock options and severance pay.

During his more than 20 years at Walmart, Dahlzel's compensation package included substantial stock option awards, with annual stock option awards valued at least nearly a million dollars.

This is why Ernst dared to give him a significant raise; compared to the stock options, his salary was really not much, less than $20,000 a month.

This compensation model, centered on stock options, has gradually become popular in American companies since the 80s.

For senior professional managers in large companies, they prefer to receive company stock or options rather than a fixed salary.

Because stock options not only allow them to share in the company's growth dividends, but also enable them to achieve rapid wealth growth.

The company also hopes to use this method to closely link their personal interests with the company's long-term development, thereby stimulating their work enthusiasm and sense of responsibility.

Regarding management authority, what Dahlzel is concerned about is his future say in the flash sale warehousing and logistics department, that is, the small area he can manage independently.

Ernst has always been open to this.

He always believed that professionals should do professional things, and since he had chosen to bring in a senior talent like Dahlzer, he should give him enough trust and room to perform.

Ernst was indifferent to delegating authority as long as Dahlzel's management approach was consistent with the company's overall development strategy.

As long as Afei doesn't covet power, this condition is easy to meet.

"I understand. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Dalzel should be able to start work within a week," Affil promised over the phone, while also expressing his stance to Ernst.

After hanging up the phone, Ernst called over his two dogs. It had been a long time since he had played with the two little guys, and he planned to spend some time with them today.

On the lawn of the manor, Ernst had just thrown his toy ball when he heard the sound of a car engine.

Turning my head, I saw Wenger closing the car door and walking over.

Just as he reached him, Rowe ran back with a toy ball in his mouth. Wenger bent down, took the toy ball from Rowe's mouth, patted its head with a smile, and then threw the toy ball even further away.

This time the toy ball flew high and far; the old man is quite strong.

"What brings you here today? Is there something you need?" Ernst asked Wenger while watching the direction the toy ball had flown. He wondered why Wenger had come to him without prior notice. Was there something urgent?

"Nothing much." Wenger glanced at the toy ball's trajectory before looking away and said casually, "I just wanted to ask if you're planning to go to New York tomorrow or the day after? I'd like to hitch a ride on a plane."

"To New York?" Ernst frowned, a look of doubt on his face.

Seeing Ernst's reaction, Wenger's relaxed expression vanished instantly, replaced by utter astonishment.

He stared wide-eyed at Ernst. "You're not planning to participate, are you? You didn't even tell me beforehand!"

"Participate in what?" Ernst was even more confused. He felt that he and Wenger were not on the same wavelength at all, and had no idea what the other was talking about.

"Al Smith's charity dinner!" Wenger reminded him helplessly. "You haven't even forgotten about that, have you?"

Al Smith's charity dinner, which Ernst knew, was extremely famous in America, no less so than the televised debates during presidential elections.

It is not only a highly influential charitable event in the United States, but also a landmark social occasion in politics, blending multiple elements such as charity, politics, and humor.

Originally founded in 1945, it was established to commemorate Al Smith, the former governor of New York, who was the first Catholic presidential candidate in the United States to be nominated by a major party.

The host is usually the Archbishop of the Catholic Church in the United States, and it is known as one of the highest-level white-tie dinners in the United States.

Since Nixon and Kennedy jointly attended and spoke at the dinner in 1960, it has become a tradition for presidential candidates to attend and speak, and it usually becomes the last public event in which the two parties' presidential candidates appear together before the election.

At the dinner, politicians may temporarily set aside their differences, but that doesn't mean there is no competition.

They all use lighthearted humor and banter to replace sharp attacks, that is, to criticize.

The guests were all top political and business figures in the United States, and the lineup was even more luxurious than that of the White House inauguration dinner.

"You haven't really forgotten, have you?" Wenger reminded him again. "More than two weeks ago, I sent you an invitation to a dinner party."

Wenger's reminder brought Ernst back to his senses.

More than two weeks ago, when Wenger reported to him on matters such as the recruitment of family office staff, business scope planning, and cooperation with other institutions, he did indeed hand him a beautifully designed invitation.

However, at the time, he was focused on setting up the family office, and he didn't pay much attention to the invitation. He just casually told Wenger to remind him later.

Since the invitation was delivered to me through Wenger, it meant I had to attend; I just hadn't expected it to be Al Smith's dinner.

"I remember this dinner was always held on the third Thursday of October each year, wasn't it?"

Since this time was fixed, it has never changed. How come it has changed to the end of August?

"You're right, it has always been held on the third Thursday of October each year," Wenger explained patiently. "However, this year is a bit special. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is undergoing a major renovation. To commemorate this special occasion and to send our blessings to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel's renovation project, thus opening a new chapter in the hotel's development, the organizers decided to hold this year's dinner earlier."

If that's the case, it really might cause the dinner to be rescheduled.

It's not because we need to accommodate the hotel's schedule, but because this hotel has the prestige to do so.

The Al Smith Charity Gala has been held at this hotel since its inception. Over the years, the hotel has provided strong support for the gala, not only by providing top-notch venue services but also by offering a variety of complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in its early years. It can be said that this hotel has witnessed every step of the gala's growth and development.

"So, is there a special theme for this year's dinner?" Ernst continued to ask.

The core purpose of the Al Smith Charity Gala is to raise funds for charities in the Catholic Diocese of New York to help vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on the needs of women and children.

Many people call it the grassroots version of the Women's Federation, as it has helped solve many problems in this area.

Because it features a gathering of top political and business figures, and top politicians revealing each other's secrets, it's highly topical and naturally boasts high viewership ratings.

This is a political spectacle in America. At this point, no matter what your stance is, when asked by reporters, you have to appear concerned and attentive, put on a show, and also address some issues further.

"Although it's not an election year, the midterm elections are in November, so there's still a lot of attention. In particular, the William F. Goodlin Child Nutrition Authorization Act, which may have new plans announced at this dinner, is a major focus."

The William F. Goodlin Child Nutrition Authorization Act authorizes funding for programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which includes many programs, such as school lunches.

It can be said that this includes everything related to teenagers' clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

On the surface, it was aid and subsidies for women, infants, and children, but in reality, it was a spoils-dividing party for capitalists to carve up American taxpayers' money.

Wenger added, "The internet is booming, and the tech industry is paying close attention to this charity gala."

"So, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates will be attending?" Ernst asked.

Wenger nodded. "A lot of tech billionaires went this year."

If the White House bill includes computers in the subsidy program, it will be a huge boon for both schools and individuals, leading to increased computer sales and benefiting the entire internet technology industry.

"So you're definitely going, right?" Wenger's tone carried a slight hint of doubt.

If it were someone else, there would be no need to ask.

But Ernst, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause this time.

"certainly."

Of course I'll go! I've made so much money, isn't it only right that I do charity?

To establish a persona, I have to attend this big show.

Moreover, such a place is an important occasion for making connections, so I definitely have to go and experience it.

"When is it held?"

"Number 31," Wenger replied.

The day after tomorrow.

"Then let's set off tomorrow night."