Chapter 159
The last time I saw Tong Tong seemed like a long time ago.
Chen Lanjun thought about it and asked her to meet in a teahouse.
Let’s go have morning tea.
In the warm winter sunlight, Tong Tong came over step by step, carrying a bag. Her long curly hair trembled slightly. She was wearing a professional suit, and it was obvious that she was an official.
It’s just that there are too many cadres from all walks of life pouring into Pengcheng City now, including all kinds of foreigners, so everyone is used to it.
When they met, they greeted each other politely.
"Sister Lan, long time no see."
"haven't seen you for a long time."
She still calls her "Sister Lan".
Chen Lanjun said: "This store is also a time-honored brand in Pengcheng City. It may not be as old as Suicheng, but it's not bad. You can try it."
Tong Tong smiled and said, "Sister Lan has a good eye, the place she picked must be right."
The two entered the store and pushed the door open. The voices of the diners inside suddenly became louder and noisier. Chen Lanjun had been to this store several times. The boss was very impressed with her. When he saw her at the counter, he immediately came over and led them to the small room upstairs.
"Is this business good?" Chen Lanjun asked with her head tilted. The boss who led the way smiled and said, "It's always good. It's the end of the year. By the way, we have launched snacks to celebrate New Year's Day. I'll send a plate to Mr. Chen to try later."
Chen Lanjun praised: "Wow, you guys are really thoughtful in business and your ideas are flexible."
"Oh, how dare I say this in front of Mr. Chen? I'm just showing off my skills in front of an expert." The boss served tea, winked, and said with a smile, "Come to think of it, I also learned how to make New Year candies from Mr. Chen, thanks to you. Okay, please wait a moment, the tea and snacks will be served soon."
With the door closed, the voices became a little quieter, but could still be heard, as if a table of old classmates were having a gathering, and laughter could often be heard.
When the meal came, Tong Tong picked up the chopsticks, took two bites randomly, and then put down the chopsticks gently.
"Sister Lan, I'm sorry to bother you." She bit her lip and said, "Actually, I'm here for the Fourth Food Factory."
Chen Lanjun picked up a shrimp dumpling, bit it open slowly, ate half of it, and asked, "I've been so busy that I forgot. What's the matter?"
Tong Tong lowered her eyes and sighed.
After separating from Zhengmei Group and operating the Fourth Food Factory independently, she, the factory director, was really powerful for a while. As the first local state-owned factory to undergo contracting reform and achieve dazzling results, the leaders treated the Fourth Food Factory very well. She would always sit in the front row at every meeting, and she would always wear a big red flower when giving a report.
But after the glory, there were also many troubles. When Tong Tong summed up the secret of success, out of selfishness, she mostly attributed it to her courage to contract and take the initiative to contact foreign companies. The leaders said, since your contracting is so effective, why not contract more and be more courageous. At that time, Tong Tong was competing with the new product "Sports Vitamin Drink", thinking that the more branches she had, the more security she would have, so she agreed.
But once the offer was made, it was impossible to refuse. More and more loss-making factories requested to be contracted by the Fourth Food Factory, including small wineries, small biscuit factories, and even small tractor factories. In two or three years, the Fourth Food Factory had more than 40 branches.
The financial status of these branches was not good, and the leaders in charge threw them at Tong Tong like throwing stones, hoping that Tong Tong could turn stones into gold. The branch factory managers were not pushovers either, and they all had rich experience in struggle. As soon as they arrived, they formed small groups and tested each other, causing a mess in personnel matters. Some people also tried to pull Tong Tong down from the position of general factory manager because they saw that she was young.
She was busy and exhausted among a group of sarcastic old foxes and the poor finances of the branch factory that were more complicated than the spider silk in Panshi Cave.
Looking back, the sales volume of "Sports Vitamin Drink" under Zhengmei Group is far ahead, accounting for at least two-thirds of the market. We have also thought of many promotional methods, although they are effective, but the products of other branches of Zhengmei will also drive the increase of beverage market share, so the results are still very limited.
Because she had not handled her relationship with a senior branch manager well some time ago, he reported her to the leader during the summary, and the leader wanted to check the general ledger.
They organized a team to investigate, called Tong Tong over, and scolded her: "You have a good factory, and we gave you so much funding, how come your cash flow is so bad? It's even worse than the previous two years!"
Tong Tong was originally dissatisfied with the leaders forcing her to give her the Shenxian branch factory, and in anger, she also argued a few words.
The scene was very ugly.
Chen Lanjun listened quietly and asked, "Are you facing any choice now?"
Tong Tong's face changed, and she smiled bitterly, "Sure enough, I can't hide it from Sister Lan. Now, the higher-ups give me two choices. Either they issue a military order to turn the situation of the Fourth Food Factory around, just like we did before. Or they transfer me to another unit."
It was obvious that she wanted to struggle again.
Chen Lanjun picked up the teapot and refilled her half cup of tea: "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."
"If I were you, I would not continue to be the factory director under the current circumstances." Chen Lanjun said calmly, "As the chairman of Zhengmei Group, I would only wait a few more years until the financial situation of the Fourth Food Factory can no longer be maintained, and then discuss the acquisition."
Tong Tong looked at her for a long time and couldn't help asking, "Sister Lan, did you... did you think it through at that time?"
Judging from her expression, she had definitely thought about this in advance. Could it be that she had already anticipated this when she decided to separate from the Fourth Food Factory?
Chen Lanjun smiled softly: "I only know that it would be very dangerous to continue cooperating under the circumstances like that."
"But if the factory manager is replaced, they will definitely fight for the sports drink by any means necessary!" said Tong Tong.
"Speaking of this, I admire you very much." Chen Lanjun said, "At least, no matter what marketing methods you use, it is still within the scope of our original agreement."
In fact, the most effective malicious competition method is to cut prices without any bottom line, but Tong Tong always abided by their agreement at the time and stayed within the cost price range.
For this reason, Chen Lanjun is also willing to meet Tong Tong.
Tong Tong sighed: "Sister Lan, I am not that unbearable, but...if it were someone who took over, it would be different."
The paper signed by the officials of the previous dynasty would definitely not be recognized by the people after him.
"This is the problem I want to solve." Chen Lanjun gently placed her hand on the back of her hand, just like they had shaken hands to celebrate long ago.
"Since you are willing to call me Sister Lan, I will also say something to you."
She looked at Tong Tong and said, "It's time to make a decision."
Tong Tong was a little lost: "But...but, then I wouldn't be... busy for a while and then have nothing."
Chen Lanjun pushed a pile of untouched rice rolls toward her with one hand: "In the beginning, all we had was this plate of rice rolls and courage."
Tong Tong was stunned and stared at the rice noodle roll for a long time.
At the very beginning, she started to set up a small stall with Pang Xiaopeng and Chen Lanjun. It was like the cold rice rolls that were spread out, staring at her quietly.
"Do you think she would choose to start over again?"
In the office, Pang Xiaopeng asked Chen Lanjun.
"I don't know," Chen Lanjun said, recalling the way she and Tong Tong parted, "but she has always been smart."
Pang Xiaopeng lowered her eyes: "Alas, although we had a quarrel, I still hope that she will be fine." She remembered something else and asked nervously: "Then, if they really want to reduce the price, our sports brand image will also be affected."
Although with the rapid growth of Zhengmei Group's subsidiaries and businesses, "sports power" is no longer so important in the group's overall revenue, it is the first product that made them so much money after all, and it is of great significance.
Chen Lanjun stood up, stood in front of the large French window, and said softly: "It's okay, if there is a real commotion, it's also a good opportunity."
The next year, it was the spring of 1989.
The director of the Fourth Food Factory was replaced. As soon as he took office, he announced that the price of "Sports Power" would be reduced by 50%.
With such a low price, most customers who are unaware of the dispute behind the two packaging options choose the cheaper one.
Within a month, the sales ratio on both sides doubled.
The distributor of "Sports Vitamin Drink" panicked and tried to meet with Chen Lanjun to ask if there was any solution.
"Otherwise, we should also lower the price?" said a dealer.
"If it's reduced to 50% off, taking into account all the costs, it's like working in vain!" another dealer retorted, "Besides, if it's reduced to 70% off, and you follow suit, when will it stop?"
Chen Lanjun raised her hand and tapped the table lightly.
Everyone please be quiet.
"We don't lower the price," Chen Lanjun said. "We hold a lottery."
Citizens turned on the TV and found that the advertisements had been changed.
"Good news, great news. To commemorate the 1980s that have ended, Zhengmei Group's "Sports Vitamin" beverage launched the "Buy a drink, I'll give you a big prize" campaign. The first prize is RMB 500,000!"
"Five hundred thousand, is that true?" The people watching TV were skeptical. Some were quick to run to the store and buy two bottles of sports energy. They opened the cans and said, "Hey, there are really words engraved here."
"Did you win the prize?"
"I got it!" The man held up the can pull ring, "Yes, 'Another one'!"
…
Thanks to the brilliant idea of “buy a drink and win a prize”, the sales situation of the two different packages was reversed again!
Chen Lanjun sent a stack of manuscripts to news organizations in Pengcheng City and Suicheng, asking them to publish them.
The editor-in-chief who used to be on good terms with her and has now become the president of the company called her and asked, "Are you sure you want to clear your name?"
The manuscript tells the story of the difference between the Fourth Food Factory's "Sports Power" and the Zhengmei Group's "Sports Power Vitamin Drink". It's like writing a novel and is very exciting.
"Yes, this is a good opportunity." Chen Lanjun said, "They can't keep such low prices for long. I asked someone to take some photos. In order to keep the price low, they also reduced the amount of raw materials. If we don't correct the name, it will affect the reputation of our sports force."
More importantly, after several years of accumulation, the market has established recognition for "sports vitamin drinks". This is the right time to compete.
As soon as the manuscript was sent out, the story of the two "sports forces" immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"I was wondering if that dirt-based sports power tasted weird, turns out they cut corners. Pah, they make money with this shady stuff!"
"Next time I buy something, I'll have to look for the blue cans!"
"I understand."
The new director of the Fourth Food Factory was furious, but he was unable to stop the trend of "sports vitamin drink" becoming the "authentic product" in everyone's eyes.
Tong Tong, who was transferred to a leisurely government unit, bought a large box of the canned version of "Sports Power". She dragged a box out from her bed at home, dusted it off, opened it, and found half a can of the old version of Sports Power Drink inside.
At that time, the first batch of movement power came out of the machine, and she kept it on purpose.
Tong Tong placed the two kinds of movement forces together and stared at them in a daze for a long time.
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