Chapter 15: Sticking to His Beliefs and Private Verification
On Wednesday afternoon, the sun blazed with the intensity of burning coals, casting its scorching rays across the streets and alleys of the city, heating the pavement to an unbearable temperature. Waves of heat shimmered above the ground, distorting the distant skyline, as if everything in this sweltering heat had become a mirage, fleeting and elusive. The glass façade of the Hongyu Group building reflected the harsh light, resembling an impenetrable fortress of crystal, coldly overlooking the bustling crowds below, a silent witness to the workplace struggles and relentless striving within.
Zhang Liang sat at his desk, his chin resting in his hands, his brow furrowed. His eyes held a flicker of defiance and determination as his mind replayed the doubts voiced during the morning meeting. The biting remarks echoed in his mind like the incessant hum of mosquitoes, persistent and maddening. Yet, they also fueled his resolve to prove his determination through action. He knew that mere words in the meeting room would never fully dispel his colleagues' skepticism. Only concrete, compelling market evidence could cement his analysis and provide the breakthrough necessary for the new product's promotion.
"Fine, they don't believe me. If they think I'm just wasting time, I'll let the facts speak for themselves and make them see reason," Zhang Liang muttered to himself, his lips set in a firm line. A glint of determination flashed in his eyes, like a warrior preparing for battle, ready to face the unknown alone, pushing through the fog that clouded his path.
As the lunch bell rang, his colleagues rose to either gather in the cafeteria for lunch or lounge lazily at their desks for a brief respite. But Zhang Liang, like a swift predator, packed his bag with practiced ease, donned a cap, lowered the brim to disguise his identity, and strode confidently out of the building, disappearing into the bustling streets.
Navigating through the vibrant commercial district, Zhang Liang observed the array of shops lining the streets. The colorful signs, shimmering in the sunlight, flashed like jewels, while the sounds of shouting vendors, music, and the laughter of passing crowds melded into a symphony of city life. His gaze sharpened like a detector, and soon he identified several competitor stores. Each store had its own distinct charm: some sleek and modern, with cold tones and smooth lines evoking a sense of advanced technology; others were cozy and inviting, with soft lighting and carefully arranged displays that created an intimate shopping atmosphere—secret havens in the urban jungle, drawing in throngs of consumers.
Zhang Liang took a deep breath, calming his nerves, and stepped into the first competitor store. The cool air inside was a sharp contrast to the oppressive heat outside. The faint scent of perfume lingered in the air, carried by the air conditioning. The sales staff, dressed in neat uniforms, greeted every customer with professional smiles that, while seemingly sincere, held a subtle shrewdness.
Pretending to be an intrigued consumer, Zhang Liang wandered the store casually, glancing over the array of products. His fingers lightly brushed the surfaces of various items, assessing their materials and craftsmanship. A young, enthusiastic sales assistant approached him, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "Good afternoon, sir! I see you're interested in this product. Would you like me to give you a detailed introduction? It's one of our bestsellers, highly popular for its powerful features!"
Zhang Liang looked up, smiling innocently, scratching his head. "Ah, I've been thinking about getting something like this, but I'm still undecided on which one to choose. Could you tell me what makes this one stand out?"
The sales assistant's eyes brightened, eager to seize the opportunity to demonstrate the product. She began a smooth, practiced presentation, speaking excitedly about the product's user-friendly design, highlighting features like automatic adjustment modes and the high-end aesthetics of its exterior. "This product is incredibly easy to use, with the latest smart interactive system. One-touch operation makes it accessible for all ages, and the design is modern and elegant—perfect for any user."
Zhang Liang listened carefully, nodding occasionally, his eyes fixed on the assistant's every movement, absorbing every detail while privately comparing the competitor's product to his own. When the presentation ended, he furrowed his brow, feigning doubt. "It sounds great, but I've heard that more and more people are focusing on eco-friendliness and personalized customization. How does your product measure up in those areas?"
The assistant hesitated briefly, her smile faltering for a moment before she recovered. "Yes, sir, we've used recyclable materials for the casing, which reduces environmental impact. As for customization, we offer several preset modes that cater to most users' needs."
Zhang Liang sensed the flaw in her explanation. His face remained impassive as he pressed further, "I see. But I've heard of other brands offering full-scale customization services—everything from color and patterns to functional modules. Yours seems a bit limited in comparison."
The assistant awkwardly smiled, trying to change the subject. "Well, our product's core strengths lie in its functionality and quality, and we're continually improving other aspects. If you decide to buy today, we're offering some great discounts and free gifts."
Zhang Liang smiled politely, not pursuing the matter further. He continued to browse, engaging with a few other customers in conversation. He skillfully steered the discussions from product experiences to market trends, from consumer needs to industry competition, carefully gathering valuable information, like an experienced reporter piecing together the puzzle of the market.
After leaving this competitor store, he visited several others, each time collecting more insights. These fragments of information gradually revealed the larger picture, giving him a deeper understanding of the market's demands and how his own product could fit into the landscape.
As the night descended, the city was cloaked under a dark blanket, the streetlights casting a golden glow, stretching the shadows of pedestrians as they moved. Zhang Liang returned home, weary but exhilarated. Without taking a break, he sat at his desk, sorting through the day's collected data, his eyes alight with excitement and satisfaction, as though he were an adventurer returning from a long journey, his efforts having unearthed precious treasures.
At that moment, the system's familiar voice, warm and encouraging, rang in his mind like a gentle spring breeze, easing his fatigue:
"Zhang Liang, your efforts today were well worth it! 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.' Your dedication to uncovering the market truth has provided you with the 'key' to solving the promotion challenge. Don't mind what others say. As long as you keep moving forward with steady progress, they'll soon see your strength and you'll get the project back on track. Now, take some time to organize the information and come up with a strategy. I have no doubt you'll succeed!"
Zhang Liang smiled faintly, feeling a sense of warmth in his heart. He replied, "Thank you, System. Without your guidance, I might never have had the courage to venture out today. I'll make sure the plan is solid and convincing so that they can't say a word against it."
The following day, Zhang Liang continued his market research after work, visiting niche stores hidden deep in alleyways. He spoke with perceptive shop owners and discerning customers, uncovering more "insider information" about emerging market trends, such as consumers' preference for intricate eco-friendly packaging and their desire for personalized customization that incorporated local cultural elements. These subtle yet significant findings further enriched his analysis, making his strategy even more targeted and comprehensive.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang faces skepticism from his colleagues. Following Laozi's wisdom of "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," he takes matters into his own hands, conducting in-depth market and competitor research, gathering key insights that will strengthen his analysis. In the next chapter, he returns to the team with his findings, ready to present his strategy, but will face new challenges such as resource conflicts and Li Qiang's opposition. Will Zhang Liang manage to overcome these obstacles and continue his career journey? Stay tuned for Chapter 16!