In the bumpy truck, Wang Ye and others sat in the cargo hold, leaning against the sideboards to protect the electric fans in the middle.
"Manager, what do you mean by 'gift-giving' just now?"
The only female team leader, Sun Xiuli, sitting in the cargo hold, looked at Wang Ye curiously and asked. Under everyone's gaze, Wang Ye smiled and asked back:
"I ask you, can you afford an electric fan?"
Upon hearing Wang Ye's question, the team leaders in the cargo hold exchanged glances and shook their heads one after another. After all, a single electric fan cost a whopping 280 yuan, while their basic wages were only 15 yuan each, plus a recent work bonus of only around 30 yuan. How could they afford it?
"You don't have money, do you think the citizens have plenty? That's impossible!"
"Which people in the city do you think are relatively wealthy?"
Then Wang Ye threw out the second question. After a few seconds of contemplation, Zhang Yue, who was sitting there, hesitated and said:
"Officials, cadres, and the so-called thousandaires mentioned in the newspapers."
"They must be wealthy!"
Instantly, Wang Ye couldn't help but smile. While applauding, he said:
"Exactly! The people Ah Yue mentioned are indeed wealthy."
"So our electric fans must target this group of people first!"
"The reason why I want to give gifts has three points. Listen carefully!"
Upon hearing this, the team leaders in the cargo hold focused their attention, and then Wang Ye cleared his throat and said in a voice that drowned out the noise:
"First, after our electric fans are distributed,"
"Those leaders sitting in the office can enjoy the cool breeze brought by our electric fans during the hot summer days. When they go home after work, wouldn't they feel even more stuffy and hot?"
"Will they want to buy an electric fan at that time?"
As soon as Wang Ye finished speaking, several team leaders showed enlightened expressions. However, one of them frowned and asked:
"But, Manager, won't this lead to only a few sales?"
"Only a few leaders' families will buy them, right?"
Regarding this statement, some nodded in agreement, some frowned in contemplation, and Wang Ye waved his hand and said:
"No, no, no!"
"Let me ask you, if Director Li's family buys an electric fan, won't the entire government compound know about it?"
"If Director Li's family buys one, can Director Zhao's family lag behind?"
"Will Director Zhao's wife also want to buy an electric fan?"
"Okay, even if Director Zhao doesn't listen to his wife, but Director Zhao's son, who goes to the government elementary school, tells Li's son in the same class: 'My family has an electric fan, doesn't yours? Come to my house after school, we can play while enjoying the breeze from the fan!'"
"At that time, when Director Zhao's son goes back and complains to his father, do you think Director Zhao will buy one?"
Hearing Wang Ye's explanation, the team leaders in the cargo hold widened their eyes. Wang Ye continued:
"Secondly, when these directors, deputy directors, and section chiefs buy our fans,"
"And are seen by those wealthy individuals, won't it prove that our brand is the best? Will they also prefer to choose our brand?"
"After all, the leaders are buying this brand. Following the leaders should be right!"
As soon as Wang Ye finished speaking, a team leader couldn't help but ask:
"But, Manager, how can we ensure that these leaders will definitely come to buy our electric fans?"
Without Wang Ye speaking, Li Baojun next to him couldn't help but smile and scold:
"After they have enjoyed the comfort of our fans, do you think they'll have the face to go buy from other brands? Will they even be able to face us in the future?"
Suddenly, that team leader was enlightened, and Wang Ye continued with a serious tone:
"Third, and lastly,"
"Our electric fans will almost certainly be placed in the hands of the heads of the city committee and important bureaus,"
"Such as bureau chiefs, deputy bureau chiefs, and the rest can forget about it."
"In this situation, as the weather gets hotter and hotter,"
"The bureau chiefs will be comfortably enjoying the breeze from the fans in their offices, while the clerks will be sweating profusely in the large office. Do you think the leaders can rest easy?"
"In this situation, the leaders either have to figure out a way to return the fans, or they have to purchase fans for the entire office."
"If you were a leader, which option would you choose?"
Listening to Wang Ye, Li Baojun couldn't help but exclaim:
"Of course, they'll purchase fans. Returning them will only cause trouble and look bad! Buying fans is the way to go!"
"These officials have thicker skins than us!"
"Manager, you're amazing! You thought of all this!"
Then there was a wave of flattery in the cargo hold. Perhaps because they were all young people, these guys didn't hold back with their praise, making Wang Ye almost blush. But as Li Baojun said, Wang Ye was indeed aiming at official procurement. After all, even decades later, this piece of the pie would still be the most delicious and stable!
"But how are we going to give them out?"
Finally, Li Baojun looked at Wang Ye and asked, and Wang Ye grinned and didn't explain.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, the truck finally arrived at the gate of the Yuntai City Industrial Bureau. Wang Ye instructed a few people to carry four electric fans and went up. This attracted the attention of the gatekeeper and passing clerks.
"Hey, how come you guys are here?"
"Electric fans? Where did you get the electric fans? Did you guys bring them here?"
When Wang Ye knocked on Director Li's office door and saw the electric fans being carried in by him and two young men, Director Li exclaimed with joy.
Wang Ye smiled and handed Director Li a cigarette, saying:
"Yeah! What do you think? Maximum of fifty watts, three-speed wind adjustment, with oscillating function, and even a night light!"
"In the evening, the blades even emit light, which looks so beautiful!"
When designing the electric fan initially, Wang Ye had put in quite a bit of thought.
First, it was decided to start with standing fans since they looked like major household appliances. Secondly, the blades also had ingenuity. For Wang Ye, who was in the aviation field, it was easy to accomplish. At lower power, the fan could generate more airflow.
As for the three-speed adjustment and oscillation, that was self-explanatory. The key was the night light and night glow function!
The so-called night glow function was to paint the blades with fluorescent paint, which would glow at night after absorbing ultraviolet light during the day. Although it would gradually weaken over time, it was a good gimmick in the early stages. After all, with insufficient power supply and few electrical appliances nowadays, cities are pitch black at night, and no one can resist the temptation of neon lights!
As for the night light, it was even more self-explanatory. It was economical and bright at night!
"Not bad! Not bad at all!"
"It's pretty powerful. It's really cool! Just in time for sales this summer, good! Very good!"
"By the way, how much are you planning to sell it for?"
"I'll arrange a stall for you in the department store."
To this question from Director Li, Wang Ye grinned with a cigarette in his mouth and said:
"One hundred and eighty yuan, no industrial coupons!"
Immediately, Director Li couldn't help but exclaim with admiration again:
"It's quite competitive! What's the cost?"
This time, Wang Ye didn't directly answer, waving his hand mysteriously and saying:
"This is a trade secret, sorry, can't disclose it."
"In any case, we'll pay taxes according to the standard. You can rest assured!"
Instantly, Director Li was speechless, and he laughed and scolded:
"You kid, you're keeping secrets from me too?"
Then, after chatting for a few more words, Wang Ye said goodbye and was about to leave. Director Li was stunned for a moment and hurriedly said:
"You forgot to take the electric fan with you!"
But Wang Ye stood at the door with a look as if he was about to run away, waved his hand, and said:
"No, no, no, this electric fan is for you to use!"
After hearing this, Director Li widened his eyes and said:
"You kid, this is bribery and corruption! Are you trying to make me make a mistake?"
"Take it away quickly! Hurry!"
Wang Ye didn't care about this. He cleared his throat and explained:
"No, no, no, firstly, this electric fan is for this office."
"Secondly, I'm not giving it as a gift, it's for trial use! It's sent by lower-level units for leaders to try and give feedback. The trial period is ten years. If the Industrial Bureau loses it, they have to pay for it!"
"Finally, I'm not just letting you try it. The bureau chief, the deputy bureau chief, they all have one!"
"Even the city committee and several major bureaus have them!"
After saying that, Wang Ye directly ran away with the two young men, leaving Director Li dumbfounded!