Liu Jian knew everyone's enthusiasm had been stirred up, and continued to talk about the sales he was responsible for: "Fourth is sales. We need to abandon the original model of waiting for customers to buy. We need to go out and actively find customers. If we have good products and good packaging, but no one knows about it, what do we do? We need to hype it up and promote it. We need to use a bit of hype to let everyone know about this wine and make the entire market think it's a good wine. One person saying it isn't believable, but a hundred people saying it will make some people believe it, and what about a thousand people? Once we have a reputation, are we still afraid that no one will buy our wine? We need to strengthen our sales efforts, recruit people, and cultivate a strong sales department. Right now, I'm the only one in the sales department, and I can't carry out the work."
Liu Fu nodded. After listening to Liu Jian, he realized the importance of sales, and his expression showed that he agreed with Liu Jian's opinion.
After hearing Liu Jian say so much, everyone knew he must have other suggestions. They all focused on this just-turned-18-year-old boy, and no one regarded Liu Jian as a spoiled rich kid anymore.
Liu Jian smiled and said, "That's all I can think of. As for the rest, it's up to you all. For example, when these workshop equipment can start operating, how much raw material is needed each day, and how much wine can be produced each day – that's Director Li Cai's business. As for purchasing raw materials, when to purchase, how much to purchase each time, and how much inventory we need – that's Section Chief Li Wenwu's business. And Section Chief Li Si, you need to schedule your security team, arrange shifts, protect the factory's property, and prevent theft – all of this needs to be planned. As long as we all do our jobs well, the factory's flourishing development is just around the corner."
Hearing Liu Jian say this, everyone had a clue and a preliminary idea of what they were responsible for. The group discussed it together for a long time. Although many things were not finalized, everyone had a goal and knew the direction of their work.
I believe that with more time, all the problems will be resolved, and the factory will soon be back on track.
After the meeting, everyone left, leaving only Liu Jian's family of three.
Liu Fu said with a smile, "Xiao Jian is really good. I hadn't thought about many things, I didn't have a clue at all, but you thought it through. No wonder you wanted to be this factory director. How about it, you've arranged everyone's work, what are you planning to do with your mother and me?"
Liu Jian said with some embarrassment, "Dad, don't make fun of me. I only know this because I've read a lot of books."
Liu Fu shook his head and said, "Xiao Jian, Dad isn't joking. I originally thought managing a factory was simple, but after buying the distillery, I realized I had no clue. You don't know how worried I've been these days, I've got blisters all over my mouth. I was only thinking about taking advantage at the beginning, but I didn't think about why no one else was taking this advantage. I wouldn't say I regret it, but I'm always insecure. Seeing you talking so confidently today, you don't know how happy I am. My Liu Fu has a successor, and one who surpasses me. When you were discussing just now, I told your mother that all I can do now is protect and support you. No matter what happens to this distillery in the end, it's all worth it as long as you are cultivated."
Mother Liu nodded in agreement, "That's right, Xiao Jian, what are your father and I earning so much money for? Isn't it so you can have a good life in the future? Your father and I have had enough of hard times. We used to worry about what would become of you in the future, but now it seems that this is what you should be doing. Just do it boldly, and your father and I will be your strong support. But you still need to go to school. I now agree with your father's idea that reading more books is always useful."
Liu Jian was moved to tears by his parents' words. It was the same in his previous life. Everything his parents did was for him. Even when the family fell into decline and was chased by creditors, his parents never asked him for a single penny. Even when his father was reduced to working as a foreman on other people's construction sites to earn a salary, and his mother, who hadn't worked in over twenty years, went out to sell clothes, slowly paying off the debts, they never sold the house they had left for him. He was able to find someone to introduce him to a partner because he had that house. It was the same in this life. Even though his parents weren't sure if what he said was correct, they firmly stood by his side, even willing to use the family's savings to buy the factory he wanted to buy. How could Liu Jian not know the risks involved?
Liu Jian nodded, choking with emotion, and said, "Mom and Dad, don't worry, I will definitely do a good job. I will not only manage the winery well, but also develop and expand it. Dad, you are now a millionaire, and in the future I will make you a multi-millionaire, even a billionaire."
Liu Fu and his wife looked at each other and smiled. They found that their son had changed a lot, as if he had suddenly grown up. He wasn't as useless as before, and he had many unique ideas about things. Most importantly, Liu Jian now knew how to be grateful and understood the hardship his parents had endured.
However, although Liu Jian has formed his own worldview, he is still somewhat timid and hesitant in his actions. Sometimes he still thinks about hiding under the protection of his parents, and he doesn't dare to speak directly about many things, sometimes beating around the bush. Sometimes, even after leaving the house, he no longer expresses his opinions.
Seeing their son talking so eloquently today, the couple were very excited and decided to take this opportunity to reveal their thoughts to Liu Jian, encouraging him to let go and act without concerns.
Liu Jian continued, "Dad, I've already considered the naming of the liquor. I think, given the current market, we can launch two brands of product. One is a low-alcohol liquor, around 38 degrees. This is what's most in demand for ordinary banquets and stores. We can name it 'Xi' (喜) Liquor, use a red trademark, and red packaging, so it looks festive. As long as we promote it well and build brand awareness, not to mention anything else, the amount used for weddings and birthday celebrations alone will far exceed our production capacity."
Liu Fudeng laughed, "Good. Son, if this plan of yours succeeds, with just this one thing, we can revive the winery, almost to the point of 24-hour production. You mentioned two brands, what's the other one?"
Liu Jian continued, "The other is to produce a 58-proof high-alcohol liquor. Currently, high-alcohol liquor is generally 52-proof, but if we go to 58-proof, we'll immediately differentiate ourselves from other liquors. This kind of liquor can be called 'Panshi Old Cellar.' We can announce that we discovered the original Manchurian cellar, which contained some century-old cellar wine, and through re-researching these cellar wines, we found the recipe and can produce it. And this is precisely why we acquired the winery. For the bottles of this liquor, we can go to Jingdezhen, which produces porcelain, to specially customize them, requiring them to be produced exclusively for us. Even if they don't drink the liquor, we want people to see the bottle and think it's a high-end liquor. We'll produce this liquor in small quantities, ensuring the best quality, the best packaging, and finally, sell it at the highest price. We absolutely won't sell it to anything other than high-end hotels and high-end shopping malls. We'll find an opportunity to have Uncle Chen do some publicity to make 'Panshi Old Cellar' our city's official hospitality liquor. I believe this will not only bring us high profits but also greatly improve our brand value, making everyone think that the liquor from our winery is good liquor, that it has a long history, which will not only enhance our brand value but also drive the sales of our low-alcohol liquor."
For a moment, Liu Fu didn't know what to say. He was shocked by Liu Jian's ideas. Was this really his son who couldn't even get into a key high school? How could he have so many ideas? Some of the things he mentioned were unheard of. He glanced at his wife next to him.
Liu Fu remembered what his wife had said last night: "Xiaojian might be born to do business. He might not be good at school, but he definitely has the potential to be a big boss."
At the time, Liu Fu thought his wife was just singing her own praises, but now he felt she was absolutely right. Maybe the person who understood Liu Jian best was his mother.
Liu Jian continued, "Dad, we need to register the new wine name as soon as possible, and then create a trademark. These are the first things we need to do. Also, if we're going to make the bottles in Jingdezhen, you need to leave now. I've drawn a rough sketch of the bottle. You can take it there and let the masters take a look to see if it can be produced. But Dad, there are too many porcelain factories in Jingdezhen. We'd rather spend a little more money and find a factory with good quality and reputation. We're looking for a long-term partner, and price isn't the most important factor."
Liu Fu nodded and said, "Okay, the name of the wine will be changed as you said. But about that old cellar, since we're putting on a show, let's do it thoroughly. I'll find some people to handle it and create a wine cellar. If Xiaojian needs anyone in sales, go ahead and recruit them. Your mother and I fully support you."
Liu Jian nodded and agreed, saying, "Dad, I need to recruit several more people for sales, using performance as the standard. Those who don't perform will be eliminated. Before they start, I'll give them training. I plan to mainly use young people as salespeople. Young people are energetic and motivated, they have a fighting spirit, and older people lack in that area."
Liu Fu asked worriedly, "Is it okay to have all young people? Won't there be problems without experience?"
Liu Jian shook his head and said, "I'd rather find some young people to train slowly than hire older people. Problems can be solved, experience can be accumulated, but if there's no vigor and drive, there's no way to cultivate it. Our factory needs to revitalize, and the most important thing is vigor and drive. We need confidence and vitality. Without surging vitality, how can we talk about development and change if we are lifeless all day long?"
Liu Fu nodded and said, "Okay, let's do it that way."
Liu's mother said, "Xiao Jian, it's okay, you go back to school to class, don't skip class all the time. Your dad and I don't have time to manage your studies now, so manage yourself. Don't let the school look for parents one day; we don't want to hear the teacher's lectures, we heard enough of them for three years of junior high school."