Chapter Ninety-Four Advantage

  The first batch of 6,000 tons of cement produced by the cement plant was sold out, and all were cash transactions.

  Zhao Deli beamed with joy, Song Tao was so excited that he almost danced with joy. The two of them rushed to the district office and the cement factory, getting such a great start was beyond their expectations. Normally, new products need to be tested by the market, but people who came to buy cement didn't say much.

  "Secretary Xu, Mayor Zhang, what a great start! The 6,000 tons of cement produced by the cement plant have all been sold out. Our sales staff haven't even had time to go out and promote it yet. With this momentum, the cement plant can now produce at full capacity."

  Zhang Shikui was delighted, of course. The good sales of cement meant a significant improvement in the district's financial situation.

  "Good, this is a good sign. Secretary Xu, it seems that Director Huang's words the other day were indeed effective. The cement factory will surely rise rapidly."

  Zhang Shiqiu admired Xu Shaojie the most, accurate decision-making is more important than anything else. As a major leader, it's not necessary to do everything personally, you can just give directions with your hands behind your back, as long as you point out the correct direction.

  Xu Shaojie clearly understood what was going on. The cement had all been bought by Zhang Shaocai, and Zhang's project needed cement. Before the cement plant started operating, Zhang had already spoken with Xu Shaojie about it. From now on, most of the projects undertaken by the Zhangshi Construction Group would use cement produced by the Yudu Cement Plant. Xu Shaojie naturally wouldn't object to this. The first pot of gold was very important; it could boost morale and make everyone feel at ease. However, relying solely on Zhang Shaocai wasn't realistic. The Yudu Cement Plant had to expand its sales channels and take a multi-faceted approach in order to stand firm in the intense competition.

  "Opening red is very good and also very crucial, however, sales channels still need to be continuously expanded. My opinion is that in the 5 districts and towns in the south, temporary sales points should be set up. The cement factory can look for merchants who are willing to sell Yudu cement, we will adopt a door-to-door delivery approach, and the relevant transportation costs will be included in the cost of the cement. This way, users will be very satisfied. At the same time, our Yudu Cement Factory is a newly established enterprise, so in terms of publicity, we must consider more. The market is ruthless, one-time success is not enough, but we must not be complacent."

  Zhang Shikui, Zhao Deli and Song Tao savored Xu Shaojie's words carefully.

  "Secretary Xu, doing it this way will definitely yield unexpected results. I'm clear about that. When residents and farmers in the district build houses, they have to contact vehicles to pull cement from the city cement plant, which wastes a lot of effort. Our cement plant's door-to-door delivery approach will definitely win the support of residents and farmers. The cost is spread into the cement, and the cement plant only increases its workload slightly. It seems that the sales team of the cement plant still needs to be strengthened."

  "Uh, sales team, don't necessarily need to increase personnel. Cement plant is a business, sales can be tied to income. This way, salespeople will think of ways to sell cement and not be afraid of taking too much money. The more money they take, the more prosperous our cement plant will become."

  The commission ratio for cement sales is determined by Ma Gong, based on the proportion set by the Municipal Cement Factory. However, the nature of the Municipal Cement Factory and Yudu Cement Factory are completely different. The employees of the Municipal Cement Factory are all formal workers of the state. Therefore, Xu Shaojie and Zhang Shiqiu's intention is to increase the sales commission ratio. At present, the wages of Yudu Cement Factory workers are generally lower than those of the Municipal Cement Factory. Therefore, increasing the sales commission is also a preparation for improving the salary treatment of all employees.

  Zhao Deli, Song Tao and Ma Gong quickly consulted with each other, and Ma Gong fully agreed. The two most important aspects of the company are product quality and sales. Therefore, a new commission ratio was determined that day and announced in the Sales Department.

  Zhao Deli did not expect that this re-determined sales commission ratio would maximize the enthusiasm of the sales staff. From then on, the Sales Department had no more holidays. All sales personnel adhered to one principle: to sell out all the cement produced by the cement plant, and make their best efforts. For every bag of cement sold, their income would increase. No one was slack, so much so that later when the cement plant's cement supply was in short supply, the sales staff of the Sales Department were eager to ship first.

  Huang Guangming locked himself in his office and spent three whole days writing a survey report on the Yudu District Cement Plant and Vegetable Greenhouse. With detailed data, Huang Guangming had no difficulty writing it. In this process, he poured all his feelings and passion into the material, consulting a large amount of information, especially about the role and effect of greenhouses, and wrote these knowledge into the survey report. After repeated revisions, the nearly 5,000-word survey report was finally completed.

  Zhao Deling first began to pay close attention to the situation in Yudu District. After reading the investigation report written by Huang Guangming, Zhao Deling spent an entire morning without seeing anyone, thinking alone in his office, and instructed his secretary to call Yudu District directly to inquire about the relevant situation. No one knew what Zhao Deling was thinking. In the afternoon, Xu Yunfei arrived at the municipal party committee and read the investigation report in Zhao Deling's office. He immediately asked the municipal government office to make a copy of the report.

  "Secretary Zhao, I really didn't expect that Yudu Cement Factory and Vegetable Greenhouse could be so prosperous."

  "Lao Xu, I didn't expect it either. What I'm most concerned about is the vegetable greenhouse. If this greenhouse can be promoted throughout the city, it will definitely increase farmers' income and directly improve their living conditions. Huang Kechang's investigation report was written with care. This morning, I've been thinking that greenhouses have been around since the 1950s, especially in Northeast China where the climate is cold and needs to be kept warm. Our region has four distinct seasons, and vegetables are mainly sold during summer and autumn. However, there are many times throughout the year when fresh vegetables are not available. Greenhouses can fill this gap. As living standards rise, the demands of cadres, workers, and residents will also increase. If we put our hearts into it, vegetable sales won't be a big problem. The investigation report calculated the costs, and I did some calculations this morning too. Building a greenhouse for farmers, using some of their own materials and labor, would cost no more than 300 yuan. This amount can be recouped through vegetable sales in less than half a year. Such a quick and efficient project is very welcome among farmers. Lao Xu, I'm thinking that next year we should promote this throughout the city. The municipal party committee and government should find good sales channels for farmers' vegetables. What do you think?"

  "Secretary Zhao, I agree with your view. According to my estimation, Xu Shaojie won't just wait and see. Within the year, Yudu District may undergo large-scale development of greenhouses, allowing Yudu District to take the lead and pave the way for other districts and towns to follow."

  "Haha, Old Xu, this Xiao Jie is a personal talent! In just a few short months, he's achieved such great results, it's not easy. I heard that the sales at Yudu Cement Factory are going well, they've adopted the method of setting up sales points in districts and towns, delivering goods to customers' doors, and opened up the market in no time. All these ideas were proposed by Xiao Jie, I think our city cement factory should learn from them too! A newly built cement factory has already thought of such a strategy, we can't let our old cement factory fall behind!"

  "Secretary Zhao, I suggest that this investigation report be sent directly to Secretary Ding of the Municipal Party Committee, with the opinions of the Municipal Party Committee and Government on the vegetable greenhouse and cement plant attached afterwards."

  "Alright, I also have this opinion. Let's get Huang Kezhang to write it up and we'll unify our opinions. We'll try to submit it to Secretary Ding Yuan by tomorrow."

  The two began to integrate opinions in the office, put forward their views. That night, Huang Guangming's office in the comprehensive department was almost lit up all night. The report was delivered to Secretary Ding Yuan's secretary by the next afternoon.

  Ding Yuan looked very carefully, with a smile on his face from time to time. He didn't expect that Xu Shaojie would do so many things in such a short period of time. Ding Yuan was too busy, and Xu Shaojie had just taken office for a short time. Ding Yuan thought that at least half a year's time was needed to familiarize himself with the environment and win people over. Unexpectedly, Xu Shaojie actually used work methods to unite people, which is undoubtedly the best way of thinking and approach to work.

  Liao Hongyun entered the office, Ding Yuan was still deep in thought. Seeing Liao Hongyun, Ding Yuan pointed to the report without speaking. Liao Hongyun immediately took the report and began to read it carefully.

  "Secretary Ding, you truly have an eye for talent! Xu Shaojie is not simple, I didn't expect that after he took office as district party secretary, he would achieve results in such a short period of time."

  "Lao Liao, it's not the time to say that yet. The approach of Yudu Cement Factory is correct, and their sales method is innovative. The key is the vegetable greenhouse project, which will be crucial to its success or failure. The report from Huai'an City is very detailed and scientifically explains the role of greenhouses, as well as analyzing inputs and outputs. We eat vegetables every day, so there is a market for them. The question is how to tap into this market. If we develop large-scale vegetable greenhouses in Huaiyang City, we need to consider sales issues. Provincial cities and other municipalities are our target markets. Huai'an City's intention is clear: they want to promote vegetable greenhouses throughout the city. I suggest sending this investigation report, along with Huai'an City's opinions and suggestions, to all members of the municipal party committee and government for their consideration. Let everyone think carefully about it, and we'll discuss it in depth at the next standing committee meeting. Nowadays, finding a way for farmers to get rich is not easy. Our decision-making must be careful and cannot be impulsive or biased."

  "Secretary Ding, I think Yudu District is leading the way. Their approach is worth referencing and learning from."

  "Lao Liao, Yudu District is not a big place, even if it's large-scale development of vegetable greenhouses. I've considered it, according to Huai'an City's analysis, excluding traffic conditions' limitations, we can develop up to 2,000 vegetable greenhouses, which is already quite impressive. 2,000 vegetable greenhouses may sound like a lot, but the actual output is still limited, so there's no need to worry too much about sales. However, if Huaiyang City develops large-scale vegetable greenhouses, we'll have to consider sales problems.

  I thought about it earlier, and if Huaiyang City wants to develop, the total number of vegetable greenhouses would be around 1 million. With so many greenhouses producing vegetables, if we can't sell them outside the city or even province, we'll encounter trouble. On the other hand, if we can secure sales channels, this will be one of the fastest ways for farmers to increase their income.

  So, our discussion should focus on sales problems. For the next step, arrange for the Policy Research Office and the Planning Commission to pay close attention to the vegetable sales market trends in Huaiyang City, the provincial capital, the whole province, and nearby provinces. Please submit a report on this aspect as soon as possible."

  "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

  "Lao Liao, it's been over a year since Xu Shaojie went down."

  "It's been exactly one year."

  "Hmm, I think Xu Shaojie, as a staff member of the municipal party committee office, went to the district and town for training, brought a very good head, achieved such results, worthy of everyone's study. You see, how long did Xu Shaojie train at the grassroots level?"

  Liao Hongyun certainly understood Ding Yuan's idea.

  "Secretary Ding, generally speaking, cadres who are sent down to the grassroots level fall into two categories: one is that they return to their unit after a year or two; the other is that they work at the grassroots level for an extended period. In Xu Shaojie's case, I think we can give special consideration. After next Spring Festival, we can consider adjusting his situation. The main thing is to give Xu Shaojie some time. The cement plant and vegetable greenhouse will be able to show their due effects after this Spring Festival. At that time, we can summarize the achievements of Yudou District."

  "En, your consideration is good, Xu Shaojie indeed has ability, you pay more attention to his work performance, when the time comes, we will discuss this matter specifically."

  When Liao Hongyun left Ding Yuan's office, he had already understood that Ding Yuan had the intention of promoting Xu Shaojie. At most half a year later, after the Spring Festival, Xu Shaojie would probably leave Yudu District and return to the municipal party committee office. The best arrangement was for him to be the deputy director of the municipal party committee office. Liao Hongyun was certain that Ding Yuan would directly bring Xu Shaojie with him, and it was possible that Xu Shaojie would become Ding Yuan's secretary. The municipal party committee had already adjusted its method of assigning secretaries to main leaders. For example, Secretary Ding Yuan himself coordinated related matters, and the rest were handled by his secretary. And Ding Yuan's secretary was precisely the deputy director of the municipal party committee office.

  Liao Hongyun's prediction was correct, Ding Yuan had already had such an idea, Xu Shaojie had shown his ability, the next step is to let Xu Shaojie improve his cognitive ability and broaden his horizons. Although there are some constraints in the district and town, after all, the place is limited. Working in the municipal party committee office, following by one's side, not only can fully grasp the situation but also experience many rules on the official scene. This is very beneficial for Xu Shaojie's growth.

  Ding Yuan thought of the report from Huai'an Municipal Party Committee, the meaning was profound, why did he send it to himself alone and not directly to the municipal party committee office? It shows that Zhao Deliang and Xu Yunfei knew the inside story and took good measures, both publicizing Huai'an City and making themselves satisfied. The mind is not simple.

  A report that triggered so many things, Xu Shaojie would never have thought of it, but from this moment on, his fate has undergone a huge change.