Chapter 259: Tasks and Platforms

Xiao Xu had no idea who Li Dong was.

She had heard Qi Yunna call him "Mr. Li" earlier, but since Xiao Xu had been in shock at the time, she hadn't paid much attention.

Now, seeing Li Dong disparaging Qi Yunna, she couldn't help but speak up in defense.

Li Dong snorted and said, "Isn't it foolish?"

"Just think about it. Is it not the store manager's own fault for this illness? There are so many ways to attract business. In the middle of winter, why stand outside in the cold wind, shouting hoarsely to get people to buy things?"

"Can't you use a loudspeaker? Can't you apply for the company's publicity vehicle? If that's not possible, can't you file a report for an event? Even if you insist on setting up a stall outside the store to attract customers, can't you wear more clothes? Couldn't you come up with a way to block the wind?"

Xiao Xu was stunned. Was it really like this?

Qi Yunna, initially upset, now felt a bit touched. She understood that Li Dong wasn't criticizing her but caring for her.

Otherwise, would the big boss take the time to talk to her like this?

Feeling a bit grateful, Qi Yunna looked at Li Dong and said softly, "Mr. Li, I was wrong."

Li Dong snorted, "You're not wrong. I think you're just unconvinced. Do you think I was too harsh on you before?"

Qi Yunna quickly replied, "No, really!"

"Whether you think so or not, I won't show sympathy and promote you just because you're ill. You should understand that."

Qi Yunna nodded eagerly and said, "Mr. Li, I never thought that."

"Good."

Li Dong continued, "Your performance this month has been good. In ten days, you've already achieved 870,000. Compared to the other stores, it's excellent."

"It's all thanks to Mr. Li…"

"Stop flattering me. It has nothing to do with me. Listen to what I have to say."

Qi Yunna immediately assumed an attentive posture, while Xiao Xu was still in shock.

Mr. Li?

The company boss's last name is Li, right? And he seems quite young, doesn't he?

Is this really the big boss?

Li Dong ignored Xiao Xu's thoughts and continued, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Last month, among the fourth-level stores, the worst performer had a monthly revenue of 2.82 million. If you can surpass 2.82 million this month, I'll promote you to a fourth-level store manager."

Qi Yunna was overjoyed upon hearing this. Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Xu exclaimed, "2.82 million?"

Given that ten days had already passed, and considering the store's opening and Qi Yunna personally attracting customers, their store's performance so far was only 870,000.

Even if business improved later, the most they could achieve in a month would be around 2.5 million.

Surpassing 2.82 million was a tough task.

Qi Yunna shot her a look and quickly said, "Thank you, Mr. Li, for giving me this opportunity!"

Originally, she had no hope of being promoted in the short term, but now that Li Dong had given her a chance, Qi Yunna was ecstatic.

No matter how difficult the task was, there was still hope. The goal was right there, visible and tangible.

It was better than having no hope at all, which would make her feel hopeless.

Only 2.82 million—who says Qi Yunna can't achieve it!

Back when the Fucheng branch opened, how many people had high hopes for her?

But in her first month, her performance exceeded 150 million, shocking everyone. Who would have believed she could achieve such a result?

Seeing her excitement, Li Dong added, "To complete the task, first, you need to get well. Haste makes waste. The more anxious you are, the more chaotic things become. You should understand this."

"I understand. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Li!"

"Alright, that's all. Rest well. I'll be leaving now."

Li Dong stood up, waved his hand, and left without saying more.

Shen Qian quickly got up, and after Li Dong left the ward, she whispered to Qi Yunna with a smile, "Manager Qi, do your best! If you need any help, come to me. I can give you a leg up. The company is expanding to South Lake and Mingcheng next year, and both places have more developed economies than Fucheng. There's still no city manager selected."

Qi Yunna's eyes brightened slightly, and she responded softly, "Thank you, Manager Shen. I'll strive to complete the task."

"Hehe, even if you don't complete it, it's okay. If I don't say anything and Li Dong doesn't say anything, who will know how much you've achieved? Next month, you'll definitely be a fourth-level store manager." Shen Qian winked at Qi Yunna.

Everyone could see Li Dong's intentions—it was clear that he was favoring his own people.

Who would oppose Li Dong's decision just because of a fourth-level store manager?

Besides, Qi Yunna's performance this month was impressive. It shouldn't be a problem for her to top the fifth-level stores.

With a top ranking, it was normal to be promoted.

The company was currently short of people, with sixteen new stores opening at the beginning of the year. As the top fifth-level store manager, it was only natural for Qi Yunna to take on a fourth-level store manager position.

After saying this, Qi Yunna didn't linger and hurried out to catch up with Li Dong.

In the ward, Qi Yunna clenched her fists.

Originally weak due to a cold and fever, now Qi Yunna felt energized, with all her strength returning.

City manager—I must get that position!

As Qi Yunna resolved herself, Xiao Xu impatiently asked, "Store Manager, are you really a city manager? Was that Mr. Li from the company? Are you getting promoted next month? If you leave, can you take me with you? South Lake and Mingcheng are so far; can't I be the city manager of Pingchuan?"

Xiao Xu fired off a series of questions without pausing.

Qi Yunna gave her a white look and pinched her nose with a smile, "Little girl, if I get promoted, how about I make you my assistant?"

"Really?"

Xiao Xu's eyes lit up. Could she really get such an opportunity?

Qi Yunna chuckled without further explanation. The previous assistant had been a real pain.

Although Xiao Xu was young, she was kind-hearted. Otherwise, she wouldn't have specifically come to accompany her during her leave. If she really managed to climb up, making her an assistant wouldn't be too much.

Besides, Xiao Xu wasn't as naive as before; it wouldn't be so easy to take advantage of her.

...

Outside the hospital.

Shen Qian caught up with Li Dong and said with a smile, "Isn't it just a matter of saying a few words if you want to promote her? Why set so many obstacles?"

"Fairness!"

Li Dong replied with just two words. It's indeed a matter of speaking a few words to promote Qi Yunna, but things are different now with so many people in the company. Fairness must be maintained.

Otherwise, if he promoted whoever he wanted, the employees might revolt.

Shen Qian frowned and asked, "Then if I want a promotion, do I also need to accomplish something? Can you set a goal for me to work towards?"

Li Dong glanced at her and chuckled, "Do you really want a promotion?"

"Of course!"

"If you get promoted, will you leave immediately?"

"Depends. If you don't scold me, I won't leave. Besides, I want to achieve something. As long as the company develops well, why would I leave?"

Li Dong laughed and nodded, "Alright, I'll set a goal for you. As long as you can achieve it, I'll promote you to vice president."

"Really? What's the goal?" Shen Qian asked eagerly.

She had strong feelings about the vice president position.

Initially, she was among the first to apply for the vice president position but ended up being overlooked in favor of Wang Yue.

Thinking about it, Shen Qian gritted her teeth. Didn't her contributions to the company exceed Wang Yue's?

Whether it was the comprehensive coverage plan for Pingchuan stores or acquiring the Huafu land, she had put in a lot of effort. But Li Dong had always suppressed her. It was frustrating!

Li Dong hesitated for a moment, unsure if assigning this task to Shen Qian was appropriate.

However, Shen Qian was the one who first proposed the plan. Plus, she was young and had strong adaptability. Apart from himself, she seemed to be the only one in the company capable of handling it.

After some thought, Li Dong said, "Do you remember the plan you gave me during your first research?"

"Of course I do! Didn't you reject all of it?"

Shen Qian huffed in dissatisfaction. She had put a lot of effort into that plan, whether it was for the shopping center or the e-commerce platform. But Li Dong had rejected it all.

In the end, only the comprehensive coverage plan for Pingchuan stores was approved, which she and Sun Tao suggested together later.

If it weren't for Sun Tao's support, there probably wouldn't be

 the forty Pingchuan stores now.

"Good that you remember. I'm preparing to launch the e-commerce platform plan next year. How about you take on this task?"

It was already 2006. Although e-commerce was not yet mainstream, it was in a period of rapid development.

Li Dong had delayed launching the e-commerce platform due to the limited number of stores. But now that Pingchuan's coverage was almost complete, by the end of next year, most of Jiangbei would be covered.

With such conditions, the time for starting the e-commerce platform was right.

Even though physical stores were still more popular than e-commerce, creating an e-commerce platform would still take a few years. By the time ten years had passed, e-commerce would have risen.

Especially after the billion-dollar bet between Jack Ma and Wang Jianlin in 2012, e-commerce would develop rapidly.

In just six years, creating a platform in that time frame wasn't too long. By then, whether physical stores or e-commerce won, Li Dong would be in a strong position.

No matter who won, he would be in a favorable position, which was his desired outcome.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qian's eyes brightened. She asked, "Are you planning to go online? What's your positioning? B2B, B2C, or O2O?"

"Start with B2C. Once the timing is right, we can move to O2O."

Li Dong had already thought this through.

B2C would be starting with an online store for the supermarket. While it might be a bit challenging for Yuanfang now, it's not too difficult.

Especially in Jiangbei, the timing was ripe, making it easier to get started.

Once the website gains scale and traffic, they could learn from others, acquire one or two specialized sites, and then introduce third-party merchants to start O2O.

This approach not only makes the initial phase easier but also allows for a gradual progression.

Otherwise, jumping straight to third parties might be too difficult given Yuanfang's current strength.

Shen Qian nodded in agreement, "That's feasible. Are you really giving this to me?"

"Do you think it's easy?"

Li Dong chuckled and said, "What I want isn't just to set up a platform. I want you to process 1,000 orders a day within six months. If you can achieve that, the vice president position will be yours."

Shen Qian's mouth dropped open!

1,000 orders a day?

Is this a dream, or did I hear it wrong?

For a new platform, even an individual online store, you're asking me to process 1,000 orders a day?

Seeing her reaction, Li Dong smirked and said, "Forget it. If you can't handle it, don't force yourself. I'll find someone else for this task. You can stay as the PR manager, which is quite good—easy and rewarding."

Knowing that Li Dong was just trying to provoke her, Shen Qian still couldn't help but get angry, "I accept!"

"It's only 1,000 orders. I'll exceed your expectations. I aim for 2,000 or even 3,000 orders…"

"Cough cough, Shen Qian, don't boast too much. If you can't do it, you'll be embarrassed."

"Who's boasting?"

Shen Qian, flushed and annoyed, said, "Don't underestimate me. If I succeed, just wait for me to slap your face!"

"Hehe, that's what you said. If you succeed, you'll be the vice president. I'm looking forward to it. But if you can't, not only will you lose the vice president position, but you'll also be demoted from PR manager. You'll have to stay as a junior staff member and can't leave for three years!"

"Okay!"

Shen Qian's eyes flashed with determination. There was nothing she, Shen Qian, couldn't achieve. Just wait to see her success!