Chapter 14: Initial Insights and Colleague Mockery
On Wednesday morning, the sunlight filtered through like a thin veil, gently spilling into the market department of Hongyu Group. The atmosphere in the office was a mixture of tension and busyness, with computer screens flickering, the rhythmic clattering of keyboards, and the sudden ringing of telephones. Everyone seemed to be caught in an invisible race, immersed in their work, faces hurried, with no time to spare for anything else.
Zhang Liang, clutching his carefully organized and deeply insightful preliminary analysis, felt his heart pounding in his chest like an eager war drum, each beat a reminder of both the anticipation to turn the tide in the project and the anxiety that his conclusions might not be accepted. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the surging tide of emotions within, his fingers gripping the folder so tightly that they turned pale. Each step he took towards the meeting room seemed steady, but each stride carried the weight of a decisive gamble.
Inside the meeting room, colleagues had already seated themselves, their murmurs filling the air. Li Qiang, lounging with his legs crossed and arms folded, wore an expression tinged with subtle malice and schadenfreude. He looked every bit the predator, lying in wait for his prey, ready to pounce at the slightest slip-up from Zhang Liang, eager to see him falter so he could maintain his grip on the project's "advantageous position."
Team leader Chen Feng cleared his throat, casting a sweeping gaze over the room. Immediately, the noise quieted, his gaze sharp as a whip, dispersing the chatter like mist. "Alright, let's begin. Zhang Liang, I understand you have preliminary results to report. Please be quick, we're all busy with the project. Don't waste too much time." Though there was no overt irritation in his tone, the underlying impatience felt like a sharp thorn, pressing into Zhang Liang's already fragile nerves.
Zhang Liang rose, cleared his dry throat, and projected the data onto the large screen. The screen now displayed clear, vivid charts—bar graphs, line charts—organized alongside meticulously curated case studies, all presenting the core issue: the disconnection between product functionality and user emotional needs. He began, "Colleagues, after a thorough analysis of the data I've gathered, I've identified a critical issue in our new product promotion: there is a disconnect between the product features and the emotional needs of the users…"
Before he could finish, Li Qiang interjected with a sharp, mocking sneer, "Oh, Zhang Liang, don't go on with this nonsense. We're running a project, not wasting time on abstract ideas like emotional needs. What use is this? Can it help boost our sales? Let's focus on market share and competitor strategy, not indulge in this fantasy. Stop wasting everyone's time, thinking you've discovered some new world." As he spoke, he waved his arms exaggeratedly, his face contorted with scorn. His cutting tone reverberated throughout the room, and several colleagues who had been neutral began to look uncertain, their eyes flickering with doubt.
A few of the others joined in, "Exactly, exactly. Time is tight, and you're off on these irrelevant tangents. Isn't that just holding us back?" "Let's stick to the conventional approach, finish the promotion plan quickly, and stop wasting time." The room erupted into a cacophony of disbelief and ridicule, like a pressure wave crashing against Zhang Liang, attempting to crush his ideas and efforts under its weight.
Zhang Liang felt a sharp pang in his chest, the wave of grievance and frustration rising within him. His face flushed, his hands unconsciously balled into fists, nails digging into his palms, sending a sting through his body that helped him maintain a shred of clarity amidst the mocking tide. "You don't understand. This is the real issue. How can I let your words crush it?" he silently swore in his heart. Yet he knew that responding impulsively would only worsen the situation; he had to remain calm and composed.
He took a deep breath, forced a smile, and looked steadily at the room. His voice was calm but resolute, answering with quiet confidence, "Please allow me to finish. I understand that everyone is eager to advance the project, but this issue is not just 'window dressing.'" He pointed to a screenshot of user feedback and the corresponding product feature breakdown, "As you can see, this product is technologically impressive, but the user feedback repeatedly highlights difficulties in usage. It feels cold and mechanical, with no emotional warmth. Even with strong early marketing, we won't retain customers if their emotional needs aren't met. A similar product from Brand A had high initial sales but a steep drop-off, precisely because they ignored the user experience."
As he spoke, Zhang Liang meticulously highlighted key data with a laser pointer, his focus unwavering. He spoke with sincerity, hoping to pierce through the fog of bias surrounding the room. Meanwhile, Su Yao, who had been quietly listening in the corner, nodded gently, a flicker of approval in her eyes. Her quiet support, like a star shining faintly in the night, gave Zhang Liang renewed strength and determination.
Team leader Chen Feng frowned deeply, his skepticism still evident. He interrupted, "Zhang Liang, your points may be valid, but with the project timeline so tight, can this issue be addressed in time? Who will take responsibility if it causes delays?" The weight of his doubt felt like a massive boulder pressing on Zhang Liang's shoulders, but he didn't flinch.
Quickly, Zhang Liang formulated his response. Just then, the system's voice, warm yet playful, echoed in his mind like the voice of a trusted friend offering guidance:
"Zhang Liang, 'The soft overcomes the hard.' Don't let their focus on speed and conventional methods intimidate you. Use your skills to refine the analysis and link it closely with practical steps that can quickly address the issue and improve things. Once they see results, they'll follow your lead. Keep going, I believe in you, the 'lone hero!'"
Zhang Liang nodded in agreement, silently reaffirming, "You're right. I can't panic. I need to stay steady." He turned to face the group, his voice steady and full of conviction as he said, "Team leader, I have a preliminary solution that won't require major adjustments to the project framework. We just need to incorporate emotional engagement into the product's marketing copy, pre-sale training, and after-sales feedback. Simplifying the user interface and highlighting the product's convenience and warmth will not only resolve the current issue but also provide a competitive edge in the market, attracting loyal customers and driving long-term sales growth. This will not delay the project."
The room fell into a brief silence as people lowered their heads in thought or exchanged looks, weighing the pros and cons of Zhang Liang's approach. Li Qiang, unwilling to let the room remain still, jumped in again, "Nice words, but it's not that easy. If it all goes wrong, are you prepared to take responsibility if the project fails?"
Zhang Liang met his gaze with unwavering determination, replying, "Li Qiang, how can I know if it will work unless we try? I will oversee every step, making sure everything is implemented properly. If any issues arise, I'll take full responsibility." His words were sharp, like a sword, cutting through Li Qiang's arrogance, leaving him speechless. All Li Qiang could manage was a grunt, sitting back down reluctantly.
After the meeting, as everyone left the room, Su Yao walked over to Zhang Liang and softly said, "Zhang Liang, I think your analysis is right. Don't mind what they say, keep going. I believe you can do it." Zhang Liang looked at her gratefully, nodding, feeling a warmth spread through him that eased the tension from the meeting.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang faces mockery and doubt from Li Qiang and his colleagues as he presents his analysis on the product's emotional disconnect. Using the system's guidance and the wisdom of Laozi's teachings, he remains calm and responds with actionable solutions, earning Su Yao's support. In the next chapter, as the project progresses, new challenges such as resource allocation conflicts and differing execution details may arise, and Zhang Liang must navigate these hurdles with skill and determination. Stay tuned for Chapter 15!