Reborn 92's Business Tycoon

Chapter 31: Prepare for the rainy days

These days, Feng Yiping has become very familiar with Wang Changning's home. He greeted Wang Changning's mother, 'Auntie, picking soybeans?'

'Yes, Yiping is here, come and sit down, have some water.'

Feng Yiping hurriedly said that it was not necessary. Wang Changning walked out of the room, 'Hey, you're here early.'

The two of them moved chairs and stools to the backyard and started doing their homework. Wang Changning worked slowly and steadily on his problems. Later, he studied mechanical drawing in vocational school, and the drawings he produced were the cleanest and most beautiful in the class. Everyone has their own qualities. If you have the opportunity and can give full play to your strengths, success is inevitable. For example, Wang Changning later became a gold-collar employee with an annual salary of more than 2 million yuan, and was just one step away from becoming the boss of a listed company.

Feng Yiping finished all his homework except the composition quickly and well, and then relaxed in the sun.

Wang Changning was doing English homework and had a question about a tense. He asked Feng Yiping, and after he had finished, he said, 'I feel like something's wrong with you today.'

Feng Yiping didn't need to hide it from him, "At lunch, my two aunts had another fight.'

Wang Changning laughed, "It's better now. It used to happen more often when your second aunt was around.'

'Haha,' Feng Yiping could only smile.

'It's not a big deal. Look, it's all the same. Not many sisters-in-law can still get along with each other,' Wang Changning reassured him.

'Alas, it's related to me today. My third aunt said she wanted to borrow money from my family. It would be good if I could borrow money now, but she doesn't know that my family still hasn't paid off its external debts, so where can I get the money from? After all is said and done, it's still about money, so we have to find a way to make money.'

Hearing this topic, Wang Changning also fell silent. Xiao Zhijie's family was considered well-off, and their situations were similar. Both families farmed the land, and his mother's health was not good. Although she had not been to the hospital as many times as Mei Qiuping, she had been sick a lot. The good thing was that his sister was very sensible. She also went to work in a textile factory without graduating from junior high school. She was extremely thrifty and only kept a small amount for herself, while sending most of her salary home to help with household expenses.

'Changning, I mentioned it to Xiao Zhijie's family when I visited them last time. If we don't do well in the high school entrance exam, I hope they can support us to repeat the year. Have you discussed it with your family in advance?'

Wang Changning simply stopped writing. His grades were similar to Xiao Zhijie's, both were in the top ten in class. At the moment, it would be very difficult to get into No. 1 High School in the high school entrance exam. 'Xiao Zhijie and I really don't have much confidence. If you keep up the good work, you will definitely do fine. I haven't thought that far ahead yet. What if I don't get in? Of course I want to continue studying. But our families are in similar situations. Do you think they can afford it?

'I want to discuss this with you today. My parents are in the provincial capital, you know that, right?'

'Yes, I know. They sell roasted chestnuts, right? Your grandfather and eldest uncle told me when they came to collect the chestnuts.'

'Yes, I also want to talk to you about this today. This small business requires little investment and carries little risk. It's certainly hard work, but my parents can now sell an average of more than 10 catties a day, at 6 yuan a catty. The gross profit per catty is nearly 2 yuan, so on average they can make 200 to 300 yuan a month, which is still 3,000 yuan a year.

'3,000 yuan?' Wang Changning's eyes lit up. She had to know that this year, her sister had worked hard but probably only managed to bring home 800 yuan.

'Yes, at least 3,000. My parents are now saving on food and accommodation, and if they can bring it from home, they won't spend money on it outside. This month, they can earn at least 400 yuan.'

'That's really good.'

'This year, because it's the beginning, we're not sure, so it's not good to invite people to do it. You should take the opportunity to discuss this with your parents. It's too late this year, but you can try next year. It's not difficult to do. My parents are familiar with it, so you can learn it in a day or two.'

Wang Changning was very interested. 'Will it affect your family?'

Feng Yiping said with certainty, 'How could it? The provincial capital is so big, it's fine to have dozens of stalls, not to mention just one more. Besides, they can't keep pushing their stall around the streets. Once they've earned some money, paid off their debts, and saved up a bit, they can find a shop to rent, settle down, open a noodle shop or something, and have an easier life.'

Wang Changning leaned over and said, 'That sounds really good. If the family can earn some money, we can then mention to the family about repeating the year, otherwise we won't be able to forgive ourselves. Tell me more about it, so I can tell my family. But first, if my parents have any questions, you can go and talk to them, okay?'

'No problem. Or maybe not now. My parents will be back for the New Year, so it will be clearer to ask them then.'

It wasn't that Feng Yiping was obsessed with going to university; they both went on to work in private enterprises – of course, with their technical secondary school diplomas, they couldn't even get into a state-owned enterprise, let alone a private enterprise, which doesn't only look for diplomas.

For one thing, the first generation of private entrepreneurs all shared many common characteristics, such as being pragmatic, willing to learn, daring to think and act, being keen, good at grasping opportunities, etc., etc.

Another point is that, among them, there are definitely some with higher education, but they definitely account for a very small proportion. However, not having received higher education does not mean that they do not have knowledge. In the process of starting a business, the practical needs force them to constantly enrich and improve themselves. Therefore, many of them may have only received a high school education, and many others may have even only received a primary education. However, their knowledge is not narrower than that of highly qualified people who have received a master's or doctoral education, not to mention emotional intelligence.

Therefore, their personal life and entrepreneurial experience determine that they will not judge people by their diplomas.

Second, it is out of cost considerations. Capital is profit-oriented. In some state-owned enterprises, this saying does not necessarily apply, but in private enterprises, it definitely does.

For the same position and the same salary, if college students are willing to compete with those without higher education, they are of course welcome. But this is unrealistic. For the same position, if you offer a technical secondary school graduate 1,500 yuan a month, he will accept it. He will work hard first, learn more, and then move up slowly in the future.

College students are different. Regardless of their own conditions, whether they have room to grow, they first demand room for development, and they definitely demand that their household registration be settled, and it must be in the main urban area. Finally, there is the issue of remuneration. Do you honestly expect me to earn the same salary as those who didn't even know where the door to the university was?

Then, at work, Feng Yiping and the others also came into contact with many college students. Later, when new recruits were hired into the company, they were all college students. You really can't find someone without a college degree.

Among these pride of the nation, there are many who are truly talented and capable, but there are indeed some who do not live up to their reputation.

The company's first university graduate was heard to have been hired only after the head of the group's human resources department had lobbied for him. When he first arrived at the company, he was not assigned to a position and was told to make his own arrangements and find areas for improvement.

The company gave him a lot of freedom. He never followed the company's set working hours and was never seen in the office before or after work. He was often found eating in the canteen. When he was in the office, he would go from one department to another, spending more time in places with lots of women, such as the reception, finance and administration departments. As he graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, he liked to say, '***, that's my alma mater.'

A week later, the company held a regular meeting. All the management staff, including the general manager and external consultants, arrived on time. More than a third of the agenda had already been covered when he arrived leisurely, casually pulled up a stool and sat at the back of the meeting room by the door.

The general manager then said, 'We welcome the talented graduate from Shanghai Jiao Tong University to talk about the problems he has discovered these days.'

So everyone applauded. This person was prepared, took out a notebook, and spoke for more than ten minutes. The people at the bottom were confused, not understanding what he was talking about!

When he finished, there was no applause as expected. Most people were kind and kept their heads down in deep thought, or writing something down in their notebooks. A few people who were not so kind, who usually could not stand his style, laughed out loud right there.

The general manager came to the rescue, saying that the ideas were all very good, but since he had only been with the company for a short time, he did not have a full understanding of the situation, so these ideas could be improved in the future.

And then, there was nothing else. On the third day, he was told to go to the management department to complete the exit procedures. Before leaving, he said, 'I never wanted to work for a company like this.'

In 2000, the group hired an expert who had returned from the United States as vice president of the group, with an annual salary of two million yuan. He also went to the company for a few days of research. To be honest, his knowledge, bearing, temperament, conversation, and cultivation were really impeccable, and he conquered everyone in the company, from the general manager to the janitor and security guard, including the wolfdog kept in the backyard. In his forties, he has a great figure, no bald spots, no beer belly, and he is very agile on the company football pitch.

After four days of research at the company, he finally called a meeting of all the staff, and he listed a lot of problems, from details such as work clothes to the company's long-term plan. The problems were found, and solutions were proposed. These solutions were supported by the middle managers to the frontline staff, but the key few people would definitely not agree, such as the shareholders and the chairman of the group.

For example, he said, professional work should be done by professionals and with the aid of professional tools. For example, unloading goods, which is done by all employees after work, is a waste of professional talent, he said. If an employee is injured in the process, it will cause a series of problems. Therefore, either outsource this work to a professional company, or set up a new department in the company and equip it with professional forklift trucks and other equipment.

Furthermore, if the office software and hardware are not properly configured, it will greatly affect work efficiency and cash flow. If the software and hardware are in place, the same work can be done in 60% of the original time, greatly improving work efficiency. At the same time, the company's inventory will be maintained at an ideal level, which will greatly save financial costs.

Feng Yiping and Xiao Zhijie saw at the time that the general manager on the stage was taking notes with his head bowed, but his face was full of bitterness. He was silently cursing, 'Are you here to help me solve problems or to make trouble?'

Because, according to him, not to mention the increased cost of unloading, just the purchase of office software and hardware would use up the company's entire registered capital, and it was estimated that it would not be enough.

As the vice president researched company after company under the group, one after the other solution was introduced, and he soon faded from everyone's view.

It cannot be said that the solutions he proposed were not correct, they were all correct, but they would have to be implemented in developed countries such as Europe, America or RB, and at least would not be in line with the reality of China at that time.

Feng Yiping had a client who had set up a factory producing clothing machinery. In order to expand the business, he hired a top student from the marketing management department of a famous university at a high salary. Because it was a small factory, the owner was responsible for all business. After the university student arrived, the owner still drove a Santana himself and took him to run the business.

At that time, people starting a business had not yet developed the habit of wearing luxury goods from head to toe. The owner dressed similarly to the university student. The university student was tall and fair-skinned, and his image was better than that of the somewhat dark and thin owner.

So many times, when they arrived at a company they had contacted, the person in charge would greet the university student who got out of the car as the boss, and enthusiastically greet him, while treating the real boss as the chauffeur.

The university student explained every time that that was my boss, but did not think of any other way to prevent this from happening again. For example, it would be very simple: after getting out of the car, go to the back seat first and carry the boss's briefcase, and then follow behind the boss who got out of the car. Then no one would be mistaken. Or, you could mention to the boss that you want to learn to drive. This kind of situation would not happen again and again, but he didn't.

Perhaps deep down, he never really took these small bosses seriously, who were very rustic in their appearance and speech, and felt that they were just lucky. So when he was mistaken for one, although he acted embarrassed, deep down he actually felt a little bit of joy and pride.

A few months later, the boss had completely mastered the routines and techniques of negotiating with university students, so he transferred the university student to the office, then to the workshop, and then the high-achiever left on his own.

Although this incident is a bit funny, it is quite common for talents hired at high salaries to be unable to adapt in one way or another.

Therefore, later on, many company owners understood one truth: when hiring people, they don't look at diplomas or resumes, they only look at character. They train people with good character within the company, take them under their wing, and teach them by example. In addition, they spend money on having them take various training courses. The talents trained in this way are the talents that are needed and the talents that are applicable.

But for Feng Yiping and the others, is a diploma really unimportant? Of course it is important. For the same job, they get 1,500 yuan, while the university graduates are dozens of percent higher than them. Feng Yiping and the others have been in the front line for more than two years, working hard for the company. Only then were they slowly promoted to the middle level, and after another three years, they finally became branch managers in charge of their own work.

As for the university graduates, they are at most in the front line for three months, and then they go to the office, which saves nearly two years.

However, among the university graduates recruited at the same time as Feng Yiping, very few have survived to become branch managers or group executives. They have many opportunities to choose from, and often change jobs to other companies halfway through. This cycle repeats itself, and it is really not certain that they will achieve high results.

Those without a university degree like Feng Yiping, who later succeeded by chance, are really not very capable, but were forced to do so by lack of choice.

Moreover, Feng Yiping definitely didn't go to university for the diploma. Although the three of them later taught themselves a lot of things and participated in many training courses at their own expense or with public funding, they were at least much less efficient than people with a systematic university education. For example, if they had the same problem, they would have to spend a lot of time reading books and teaching themselves, and they might not be able to understand it correctly and comprehensively. However, at school, with the teacher's guidance, they would be able to understand the problem in no time, and the effect would be good, and it would be more solid and comprehensive.

Generally speaking, those with a formal education always have more potential than those who have learned on the job. This is what Feng Yiping wants.

When Feng Yiping was leaving, Wang Changning's mother repeatedly and warmly invited him to stay for dinner, but Feng Yiping said that his grandfather was at home alone and he still had to go back to keep him company.

When he returned to his grandfather's house, his grandfather was steaming rice. 'I was going to ask you to go get it,'

Feng Yiping said with a smile, 'No need to ask, I'll definitely be home on time for dinner.'

Grandpa said, 'Even if it's leftovers from lunch, I won't fry it again.'

'That's enough, Grandpa, we can't finish all this in one meal.'

'Okay, you keep an eye on the fire while I go find your uncle.'

A little while later, my uncle came over with Grandpa, holding a pair of pliers and a screwdriver in his hands, ready to take the two wheels off.

Feng Yiping went over to help, and saw that there was an extra load of thatch in the backyard, which Grandpa must have cut in the afternoon.

In the evening, his third uncle came to Grandpa's house with a flashlight. Grandpa asked him, 'Is Yangyang okay?'

'Yes, just a little red eye. The doctor said it will be fine in a couple of days.'

Grandpa then said no more.

Third Uncle mainly came to see Feng Yiping. 'Yiping, it was your good deed that you paid for, but it turned out like this. Don't take it to heart. Your aunt is impulsive, but she doesn't mean any harm. I've already scolded her today. Although your parents can now earn a few hard-earned dollars, there are still so many debts out there, where can they find the money to borrow? Don't take your aunt's nonsense to heart.'

Third Uncle spoke quickly and anxiously. In my mother's words, Third Uncle's speech was a bit like a woman's.

Feng Yiping said, 'It's okay, Uncle, I know. You know everything about my family's situation. Grandpa and my eldest uncle helped to collect so many chestnuts this year, and we must find a way to pay them back by the end of the year. After that, I don't think there will be any money left to pay off the old debts from previous years. But I think next year will be better. Next year, we will definitely be able to pay off the external debts, and then everything will be fine.'

Third Uncle said, 'As long as you understand, tell your parents that if they have any difficulties at the end of the year, they can just tell me. I can't help much, but I can find a way to help with a few hundred yuan.'

Feng Yiping knew that his third uncle definitely meant it. The brothers had been brought up by their eldest sister Mei Qiuping and had a close relationship. However, whether they could do it was really another matter. His third aunt was so formidable, and his third uncle was more of a softie. He said he would definitely not be able to argue with her, and he might not even be able to beat her. There were actually quite a few such strong women in the countryside. They were not only formidable outside, but also at home, and there were many who fought with their men.

After leaving his grandfather's house, Feng Yiping heard that his third uncle had gone to his eldest uncle's house next door, presumably to explain what had happened during the day. So it was also beneficial that his third uncle was a soft-spoken person. There must be one person among brothers who speaks first and bows first. The brothers were all quite reasonable. If one person first lowered their stance, the rest would be easy to talk about. If both were stubborn, it would definitely affect the relationship between the brothers over time because the two wives did not get along.