In mid-June, Lin Zhichao, who returned to Hong Kong, immediately arranged for the general managers and deputy general managers of the Yangtze River Industry Group to take turns to inspect the British exhibition. Because the exhibition lasts for several months, it is enough to learn a lot.
At this point, Lin Zhichao has done enough delegating, trusting and nurturing, because he knows that he has many undertakings and cannot do everything himself; more importantly, training his management and technical staff is what an entrepreneur should do made.
Lin Zhichao is not completely letting things go. He is still the backbone of every company. Even in the plastic industry, Lin Zhichao has always insisted on reading European and American plastic magazines to look for breakthroughs and opportunities.
this day.
Lin Zhichao came to the Yangtze Plastic Factory with a magazine in his hand.
Tao Derong came up and greeted: "Boss!"
Lin Zhichao then said: "Are you ready for the person you want to choose?"
Tao Derong nodded and said, "Get ready. They are all very powerful technicians. There are 4 of them in total."
Lin Zhichao said: "Let them come to the conference room, we will have a meeting, and you will come too."
"OK"
After a while, people Lin Zhichao wanted came to the conference room one after another to say hello to Lin Zhi.
"Okay, let's have a formal meeting."
Lin Zhichao handed the magazine in his hand to Tao Derong and said, "This is an American plastic magazine "Modern Plastics". Have you read it recently?"
Tao Derong immediately nodded and said: "I've seen it! This issue said that the American plastic industry invented a machine that can inject compressed air into the unformed rubber tube in the mold to make a 'plastic bottle' (plastic bottle). The price is as high as 20,000 Hong Kong paper. Does the boss want us to build such a machine ourselves?"
As a general manager, he was under great pressure. He had to read overseas plastic magazines, and he began to master his broken English.
Lin Zhichao glanced at him and said, "Why, don't you have confidence?"
Tao Derong said quickly: "If you have confidence, we will definitely get it done!"
Under the boss's eyes, how could he dare to say it was difficult or impossible.
What's more, the boss has improved automatic zipper machines and developed automatic slider stamping machines, so he is very confident.
Since the boss is confident, if he doesn't have confidence, he may not be able to be the general manager.
How can the boss keep his subordinates who are inconsistent?
Lin Zhichao nodded and then said seriously: "Americans say 20,000 Hong Kong dollars. It's not that I can't afford such a machine, but the problem now is that we can't import such a machine. In fact, I don't think there is such a machine." It's too difficult, and it doesn't matter if the machine is crude. As long as we can produce plastic bottles, we can lead the industry in terms of technology. If you can be the first to do it, you will receive a year-end bonus of three months of food for each person. Do you have confidence? "
"Yes," several people in the conference room immediately said with confidence.
Under heavy rewards, there must be brave men.
Changjiang Plastic Factory has college students. Although it is a mainland university, it is still made of real materials. These knowledgeable talents are all professional and technical talents. Lin Zhichao spent huge sums of money to train them and gave middle- and senior-level leaders salary levels to retain them.
In fact, not all skilled workers are highly educated. Many have ordinary academic qualifications but have good skills and enjoy high salaries.
"Then I won't participate in research and development. I have too many things to do now."
"Don't worry, boss, we will get it done as soon as possible."
After Lin Zhichao left, a technician asked cautiously: "General manager, was the boss also a technician before?"
He was really curious, because in his opinion, Lin Zhichao shouldn't know much about technology when he has such a big career!
Tao Derong said in an educational tone: "Ada, if the boss can join in, the chance of success is 120%, and the time will be greatly shortened. Listen up, the world's first improved automatic zipper rice arranging machine , at least half of the credit goes to the boss, as well as the automatic slider stamping machine. Otherwise, why do you think Yangtze Zipper is qualified to become a major zipper brand in the world?"
No matter how you talk, let these people not underestimate the Yangtze River Industrial Group. This company has developed by relying on technology.
"No wonder the boss is so confident, it seems we have to work hard!"
"We worked overtime and had to get it done as soon as possible."
For a time, several people issued military orders one after another.
On the other side, Lin Zhichao, who was leaving, was walking in the Yangtze River Industrial Park and thinking about the plastic industry.
After a while, Tao Derong will also go to London for inspection, and the senior management will go there in turn.
After returning, I will also start preparing for the 'Yangtze River Toys' and start designing plastic dolls.
From the beginning, this doll must be a real 'doll', without clothes and hair (the hair is painted on), and there is no difference from the dolls on the market (imported).
When the time is right, consider Barbie and Lily dolls, which have wigs, clothes, and are more adult-like.
In short, in the past two years, we have slowly advanced and accumulated technology.
Li Jiacheng excitedly came to Changhe Plastics Factory with the magazine "Modern Plastics". He seemed to have discovered a major business opportunity, and he was very excited at this time.
It had been a year since he opened Changhe Plastic Factory, and the operation was miserable. Not long after he opened the factory, he ran into trouble - raw materials were rising, and later he couldn't import raw materials, so he had to go through some unconventional channels. Get the raw materials.
For example, in the first half of the year, there was a trading house selling plastic raw materials in the market. Although the price was HK$3.2 per pound, Li Jiacheng still chose to buy part of it because this was the market price. Even if you import some finished plastic spoons and bowls and re-melt them, the cost price will be similar.
At the same time, due to the poor quality of the workers at Cheung Wo Plastic Factory and outdated equipment, the products produced could only be sold to old men and women at low prices, which was looked down upon by big business houses. Large commercial banks only trust large factories such as Yangtze Plastic Factory and Kaida Industrial (Ding Houzhao).
Therefore, after a year of hard work, he calculated that the net profit was only more than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars.
It is indeed better than working part-time, but Li Jiacheng is still not satisfied. You must know that he works sixteen hours a day, and CK Hutchison Plastic Factory also owns his uncle's shares.
In short, he was not happy about making this little money.
Looking at the American "Modern Plastics" magazine in his hand, he was very excited by the news above - he saw a machine in the magazine that could inject compressed air into the unformed rubber tube in the mold to make a plastic bottle. The price was as high as 2 Hong Kong paper.
He was thinking that if he succeeded in developing this machine, even the simplest machine, as long as it could produce 'plastic bottles', then the entire Hong Kong and Southeast Asia would become his monopoly market.
With just this small plastic bottle, Cheung Woo Plastic Factory may double its profits.
"A Feng, A Shui. Come here, let's have a meeting!" Li Jiacheng called a few people, all of whom were employees with a little more flexibility. He planned to pool their strengths and lead them himself.
"Yes, boss!"
The people who were called all showed joy. The boss called him, indicating that he was better than others.
Afterwards, everyone came to a corner one after another, because Changhe Plastic Factory did not have a dedicated office area. They all separated an area and decorated it a little, which became an office.
"You see, there is such a machine in the United States. Therefore, I think that using this machine to produce plastic bottles has excellent prospects and can lead the industry in terms of technology, and I decided to try to develop it myself." Li Jiacheng said with confidence.
"Boss, isn't it? Can we develop such a machine worth 20,000 yuan?"
"That's right, if we can develop 20,000 machines, then we might as well sell the machines!"
For a time, doubts came one after another.
Li Jiacheng was immediately annoyed. After all, these people were not of high quality and were simply rotten wood that could not be carved. However, he still held back, because one more person would give him more strength.
These people have been familiar with the machine for more than a year. They are already considered familiar with the machine principles, molds, etc., which is still useful.
"We are not developing or producing machines. Strictly speaking, we are using second-hand plastic machines and other mechanical equipment and parts to improve and modify such machines. American machines are always very expensive. Maybe we just need It can be developed with a few thousand yuan. Everyone must have confidence that once the development is successful, our factory will be able to reach a higher level, and I will not forget your contribution."
Fortunately, this time, employees' confidence was ignited, mainly because the boss mentioned 'credit'.
"Indeed, if it can be developed, the factory will have a very profitable product."
"It makes sense. If the boss says it's OK, then it will definitely work."
Li Jiacheng knew that the main force was himself, and these people might only be able to act as subordinates.
Today is the occasion for the Tang family to move into a new house.
Lin Zhichao brought his whole family to a bungalow on Robinson Road in Mid-Levels. As soon as the motorcade arrived at the door, he saw Tang Zhongyuan, Song Qiaoling and his wife, as well as Tang Xianqian and Tang Youqian coming to greet them.
In the eyes of the Tang family, the Lin family's trip was a luxurious one, as three Ford 1949 cars drove up.
In fact, before you know it, there are already seven members of the Lin family, so traveling naturally takes three cars. After all, there are nannies and bodyguards.
"Congratulations to my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and two younger brothers on their new year!"
"Haha, come inside and sit down, don't expose my grandson!"
The two families walked into the three-story foreign-style building with laughter and joy.
After sitting down in the living room, everyone started chatting.
Lin Zhichao said: "How do you feel?"
Before Tang Zhongyuan spoke, Song Qiaoling said first: "It feels very good! It feels like I have returned to the days when I lived in a bungalow in Shanghai. I like this kind of single-family house with a yard. Fortunately, you are such a good son-in-law. Your father-in-law diversified his investments, and buying a house is also an investment, right?" At the end of the sentence, he complained that Tang Zhongyuan almost refused to buy it.
In fact, Tang Zhongyuan refused to buy it in the first place. He felt that living in Lam Tin Garden in Happy Valley was enough. The main reason was that he wanted to start a textile business first and wait until he made money next year before buying it. This idea is not wrong, and in the past two years, garden houses in the mountainous area are not expensive, only about 200,000 to 300,000 Hong Kong dollars.
But buy early and enjoy early, so Lin Zhichao suggested that Tang Zhongyuan buy it first, and as for his debt, he was not in a hurry to collect it.
In fact, Tang Zhongyuan doesn't care at all and has no interest in real estate or stocks. Because this is the ancestral motto of the Tang family, that is, only industry can save the country.
Lin Zhishenshan would not introduce Tang Zhongyuan to real estate in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s, when Hong Kong's textile industry began to decline (limit), if Tang Zhongyuan was interested in real estate, he could bring him to do projects together, or make suggestions. Investing in some real estate buildings and being a rent collector is enough.
Tang Zhongyuan said helplessly: "It's only half a year late, considering how serious you said it is."
Everyone laughed.
Since the two families have equal status - they are both the homes of big merchants, plus the relationship between Tang Caiyun and Xu Caiying, the two have a good relationship. As for Lin Zhichao and his uncle's family, and Tang Zhongyuan and Tang Bingyuan's family, they are actually just ordinary relatives.
The fact is that only when the wealth and status are equal, relatives will be closer.
Afterwards, the women went to visit the house one after another, leaving the husband to discuss business.
Although Lin Zhichao is not in the textile business, he likes to inquire about everything and is restless for a moment.
"Father-in-law, how many factories does the Rong family have in Hong Kong?"
Tang Zhongyuan stretched out four fingers and said: "The Rong family opened four textile factories successively. They came to Hong Kong to open factories after the war, and then they opened bigger and bigger. If they were a single company, they might not be much different from us; If the four companies merge, their strength cannot be underestimated."
Lin Zhichao nodded, but he was curious as to why Rong's Textiles disappeared from Hong Kong.
"What equipment are they using?"
"It is said that all the equipment is brought from Shanghai, so it is very popular."
Lin Zhichao seemed to understand, and immediately asked: "Isn't textile equipment updated very quickly?"
Tang Zhongyuan thought for a while and said, "It should be! Good equipment will always be more competitive, just like your strategy in a garment factory. Without good equipment, it will be difficult to compete even with Hong Kong, let alone with Japan."
It seems that the Rongjia Textile Factory failed to get ahead in the Hong Kong textile industry because its equipment could not keep up and the person in charge did not have enough courage.
The textile industry is not only a large source of water, but business owners are often troubled by water shortages. They also need to keep investing and updating equipment.
After chatting for a while about the textile industry, the two of them still had more to say.
Although Lin Zhichao is not in the textile industry, he doesn't mind broadening his horizons and knowledge; and Tang Zhongyuan knows that Lin Zhichao is a 'wizard' in the business world, and he always has all kinds of unexpected ideas, which are of great help to him.
After a while, Song Qiaoling came to invite Weng's son-in-law to dinner. The two families drank and talked happily. They also talked about the scene when they first came to Hong Kong. At that time, they rented someone else's first-floor house. Tang did not expect that in four years, everyone would be able to live together without any worries. Stress-free ownership of a mid-level bungalow.
Everything is wonderful!
Central, Hong Kong.
Chen Jun was entertaining fellow villagers, friends, relatives and friends who came to attend the opening of the 'Lion King' clothing store.
At this time, he is very proud, because he believes that 'Lion King' will become the second 'crocodile shirt' and get a share of Hong Kong's mid-to-high-end clothing market.
Liao Baoshan and Lin Baixin, both members of the Chaoshan Gang, arrived one after another, and it became very lively for a while. You must know that Chen Jun is just a second- and third-rate businessman from the Chaoshan Gang. Liao Baoshan is obviously very considerate for coming here. Of course, the two of them have social contacts and are both members of the Chamber of Commerce. Chen Jun originally opened his business in Liao Chuangxing Savings Bank. I also came to save money.
"Brother, in your 'Lion King' costume, you look like you're going to compete with a 'Crocodile Shirt'!" Liao Baoshan said with a smile.
After seeing the inside of the Lion King store, he immediately understood the whole story. He, a fellow countryman, was keen on making money from other people's crocodile shirts, so he copied other people's crocodile shirts.
Liao Baoshan was well aware of Lin Zhichao's cleverness and government, and was afraid that she, a fellow countryman, would lose more than he would win.
Chen Jun immediately said: "Where is it! Everyone competes fairly and there is business to do!"
Many people are well aware that although it is fair competition, anyone can do this business; however, the decoration style, business model, and "Lion King" all have the shadow of "crocodile shirt". I am afraid that if the sign and logo are changed, it will be said to be "crocodile shirt". T-shirt' is no problem either.
Changes in collars and cuffs, decoration styles, store service systems, etc. have all been heavily imitated.
"Having said that, Lin Zhichao is not a simple person!"
"That's right, I heard that I have become close to the Governor of Hong Kong and HSBC recently. I am really a good person at building relationships!"
Seeing that everyone was off topic, Liao Baoshan quickly withdrew. He patted Chen Jun on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, everyone competes fairly. We fashion merchants are not vegetarians. We all dare to fight and do what we do."
Lin Baixin also said: "That's right! This Lin Zhichao has a hand in every business, and his energy is always limited."
Everyone quickly showed the solidarity of fashion businessmen and encouraged Chen Jun.
As for how to support, no one has said anything, and those who can come have custom-made clothes, so how can they be attracted to the brand that has just been released, The Lion King. Some of the people who came to congratulate him were even wearing crocodile shirts, which almost kept Chen Jun away.
Of course, Chen Jun happily held the opening ceremony.
He does not have the deep pockets of crocodile shirts, so he only chooses to open a main store in Central first, and then open branches after the market response is good.
It was like the original crocodile shirt. Within two months, two stores were opened in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Uniqlo clothing company.
Lin Zhichao couldn't help but laugh after hearing the report from general manager Zhao Mingyi.
"I knew this Chen brother was going to come to Hong Kong to compete with us!"
Zhao Mingyi said: "It's Chen Jun alone. The two brothers separated. One runs Cardile on Star Island, and the other comes to Hong Kong to open a clothing store. But I didn't expect that Chen Jun's 'Lion King' would directly plagiarize ours." Crocodile shirt', this is already malicious competition."
Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "What kind of malicious competition is this? I hope he will continue to plagiarize and eventually end up plagiarizing himself."
He has put some effort into decoration and management system. But now it's better, Chen Jun just copied it.
Zhao Mingyi then said: "It makes sense! But fortunately this time the boss guessed what Chen Jun was thinking, so he is preparing another store in Central. When the time comes, we will attack him from both sides to see if he can withstand it."
In this era, crocodile shirts can open thirty stores in Hong Kong without thinking about future generations. Originally, Lin Zhichao wanted to maintain the two stores for two or three years before opening a branch.
But since Sing Tao filed an infringement lawsuit, he has planned that Chen Jun will come to Hong Kong to open another store, of course in Central. In this era, the purchasing power of Hong Kong is all in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Therefore, he just opened another store in Central to use quantity to compete with competitors.
"This is not enough! Since the enemy is well prepared, we naturally have to take action again!"
Lin Zhichao decided to give Chen Jun a blow first.
He must take some measures against the Lion King. He cannot be soft on his competitors and should suppress them strongly from the beginning.
Even if you can't kill him, you can at least slow down your opponent's growth.
What's more, in Hong Kong at this time, having a mid-to-high-end brand is enough.
(End of chapter)
