Chapter 174: Creating Miracles at the 760 Factory

Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang, the directors of the Production Department and Sales Department at the 760 Factory, respectively, were appointed to these positions only after Ma Jianjun and Huang Zheng were arrested. Although they were both seasoned veterans of the factory, they had become quite arrogant over time. Today, however, they hurriedly ran to the General Manager's office. Everyone who saw them along the way felt that the 760 Factory had indeed undergone a dramatic change.

When Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang arrived at the General Manager's office, they were both panting. Zhou Ming, sitting on the sofa, observed their anxious state and understood their fear. They had seen him deal with Cai Zhongxian earlier, and now they were uncertain about their own futures. Hearing that Zhou Ming wanted to see them, they feared something serious was about to happen and rushed over without delay.

Zhou Ming patted the sofa, signaling them to sit, then placed a document on the coffee table. "Take a look at this document first."

Although the document had been sent directly to the office, Yuan Zhigang had already seen it beforehand. He recognized it immediately and said, "Mr. Zhou, I've already seen this document. It's a notice from the city and county about the factory reform and the designated production enterprises. I just didn't have time to report it to you due to the tight schedule."

Zhou Ming nodded and asked, "What do you think about this document, Director Yuan?"

Yuan Zhigang was momentarily stunned and unsure of how to respond. After Zhou Ming encouraged him, he cautiously said, "Well, Mr. Zhou, I think we should negotiate further with the county. Our factory has had poor performance in recent years and has relied on the designation and orders from the city and county to maintain production."

"I'm aware of this situation. After all, I came from the 760 Factory myself!" Zhou Ming said.

Yuan Zhigang remembered Zhou Ming's background but didn't get a chance to speak further before Zhou Ming turned to Li Hua. "Director Li, have you finished reading the document? What are your thoughts?"

Li Hua placed the document on the coffee table and said, "Mr. Zhou, I agree with Director Yuan. We must negotiate with the county again. Our 760 Factory is now a pilot for city-wide restructuring, but the county can't just abandon us like this!"

As Zhou Ming poured tea for them, he said, "It seems you both believe that if we are no longer designated production enterprises by the city and county and lose government orders, our factory will be unsustainable, right?"

Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang nervously took the tea cups from Zhou Ming and nodded in agreement. Zhou Ming shook his head and said, "It looks like you don't grasp the true meaning of this reform."

"True meaning?" 

Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang looked at each other, clearly confused by Zhou Ming's statement. Zhou Ming continued to explain, "Reform doesn't simply mean selling the factory to me. It means separating the government from the enterprise. The factory needs to become self-sufficient and no longer rely on government agencies or public funds."

"In simple terms, all our revenue must come from our own efforts. If we lack production and orders, we won't have salaries," Zhou Ming said.

In retrospect, this might seem normal to most enterprises, but in an era where large-scale state-owned enterprise reforms were not yet common, the idea of a company completely breaking away from its organization and developing independently was unthinkable.

Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang were dumbfounded. "How can this be? Are we really being abandoned by the county?"

"Abandoned? You can see it that way," Zhou Ming said. "But that's not the main point. The main point is how we will sustain the factory."

Zhou Ming focused on Yuan Zhigang. "Director Yuan, as the Sales Department head, you know most of our economic sources come from your department. What are your thoughts?"

Yuan Zhigang shook his head in confusion. "I don't know, Mr. Zhou. I really don't know. In the past, we produced whatever orders came from the city or county. Now that the county suddenly isn't managing us, I don't know what to do."

"Are there no private orders at all?" Zhou Ming asked. "Since we are no longer a state unit, private orders should be encouraged and promoted."

Yuan Zhigang shook his head again. "Private orders are rare. Even when we have them, the quantities are small, and payment is difficult. So, we mainly rely on orders from the city and county."

"I understand," Zhou Ming said. "Director Yuan, you need to remember that our 760 Factory has undergone reform and cannot return to the old way. You must transition from a public unit to a private enterprise. The factory's sustainability will rely on these private orders, and managing them will be your Sales Department's responsibility."

"But our Sales Department has never handled private orders before. We only dealt with public business. We don't know how to do this!" Yuan Zhigang explained.

"Director Yuan, as the Sales Director, it's your job to figure this out, not to complain to me!" Zhou Ming emphasized.

After making this point, Zhou Ming turned to Li Hua and asked, "You're the Production Director, so you should know the situation with the workers. Can they process automotive parts? Are they willing to move south to Lingnan for work?"

Li Hua thought for a moment and answered, "Our factory has previously processed automotive parts. As long as they are not highly specialized, there shouldn't be a problem. As for moving to Lingnan, it will require some persuasion."

"And canned goods? Can the factory handle that?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Canned goods? What kind of canned goods?" Li Hua was puzzled, staring at Zhou Ming. He was confused about why the conversation had shifted from automotive parts to canned goods. Did canned goods have any relation to automotive parts?

Zhou Ming realized Li Hua was having trouble following and explained, "I'm talking about food cans, the kind you can hold in one hand, slightly taller than this tea cup."

Zhou Ming demonstrated with the tea cup on the coffee table. Li Hua nodded and said, "Yes, we have a workshop that can produce these cans. Mr. Zhou, are you planning to produce canned goods?"

"We can't be sure yet, but after years of mechanical processing, it's time to diversify. If we keep waiting for orders from the city or county, it's no different from being a burden. We need to shed this burden and forge ahead, proving our excellence with real results!" Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming was full of confidence, but Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang seemed less assured. "But... Mr. Zhou, can we really do it?"

"Of course we can. A man can do anything; he just mustn't say he can't," Zhou Ming said.

Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang were initially stunned but then smiled. Zhou Ming continued, "Times are changing, and society is developing. Nothing remains the same. You haven't been to Nanjing, so you don't know. Many enterprises there have long been self-sufficient. As for foreign enterprises, they have always relied on their own efforts."

"So," Zhou Ming concluded, "since our 760 Factory has been selected as a pilot for state-owned enterprise reform, we must seize this opportunity and create a miracle for our factory. Let us use our own hands to create our own prosperity, bring the 760 Factory into a new era, and make the girls of Nanhui County, Linyang City, and the entire Jingchu Province proud to be associated with our factory. Let our descendants be proud of us. Director Li, Director Yuan, do you agree?"

Zhou Ming spoke passionately, raising his arms in a rallying call. Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang, feeling inspired, responded in unison, "Yes!"

But Zhou Ming was not yet satisfied and raised his voice further, "Do you agree?"

Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang also raised their arms and shouted loudly three times, "Yes!"

Zhou Ming nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good. I believe you will work hard for this. I also believe that the future of the 760 Factory is bright."

"Alright, go back to work and think about the future direction of the factory."

Zhou Ming escorted Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang out of the office. When he turned back, he saw Su Han standing there, her face flushed and her small fists clenched in front of her chest. Her big, dark eyes sparkled as she looked at him. "Zhou Ming, is what you said true? Can our 760 Factory really develop well and create a miracle?"

"Of course we can. But more importantly, Su Han, you need to adjust your mindset. You are the General Manager of the 760 Factory!"

Zhou Ming said, walking over and playfully tapping Su Han's small nose.

"Sorry, Zhou Ming. Your words were so stirring that I couldn't help but be swept along," Su Han said, pouting in an exaggerated manner.

"It's alright. I'm not blaming you," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming understood how compelling his motivational speech was, having used similar methods in the past. Many people, including bank presidents, had been influenced by his speeches, so Su Han was no exception.

"However, Su Han, remember that what I just did is also a management technique. You see, Li Hua and Yuan Zhigang became very motivated

 even though I didn't offer them any benefits. This tactic may not be something you can use immediately, but as the General Manager, it will certainly come in handy in the future," Zhou Ming advised.

Su Han nodded firmly. "I understand. I will definitely remember it!"

"Good!" Zhou Ming said with a smile.