Chapter 16: A Turning Point Emerges and the Support of Key Figures
On Thursday afternoon, the sunlight filtered gently through a thin veil, casting a soft glow across the Hongyu Group's marketing department. The office was once again a flurry of activity—keyboard clatter, phone calls, and hushed conversations blended into the ceaseless symphony of workplace hustle. Zhang Liang sat at his desk, his eyes bloodshot but sparkling with excitement, like stars in the night sky. He was deeply focused, meticulously organizing the "harvest" of his market research over the past two days. Before him lay a sea of notes, printed competitor data, and densely annotated market charts—his weapons, waiting for the crucial "battle" to unfold.
As he immersed himself in the data, a soft yet rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed through the office, drawing the attention of everyone. It was the department manager, Zhao Feng, dressed in a sharp suit, his tie perfectly knotted, his gaze sharp and commanding, like a seasoned general inspecting his troops. With his hands clasped behind his back, he moved steadily through the aisles, occasionally pausing to listen to employees' reports, nodding or frowning, silently assessing their progress.
When Zhao Feng approached Zhang Liang's desk, he paused, his gaze falling on the mountain of documents in front of Zhang Liang. A flicker of curiosity passed through his eyes. "Zhang Liang, this looks like quite a lot of work. What are you busy with? How's the new project's data organization coming along?" Zhao Feng's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the undeniable tone of authority, yet tinged with a hint of genuine interest, cutting through the concentrated stillness of the office like a bell ringing through silence.
Zhang Liang abruptly lifted his head, momentarily startled. Having faced many setbacks in the project's division of tasks and reporting, the sudden inquiry from his manager made him nervous. However, the brief flicker of panic quickly faded, replaced by a surge of anticipation and excitement. He straightened up, like a soldier preparing for an inspection, subconsciously arranging the papers on his desk before taking a deep breath. "Manager, I've been organizing the results from my market research over the past few days. During the team meeting, I pointed out that our new product promotion faces a key issue—the disconnect between product functionality and user emotional needs. But I didn't get much support. So, during lunch breaks and after hours, I visited several competitor stores and spoke with consumers. I've gathered some key insights and now I want to refine the strategy."
Zhao Feng raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued further. He nodded slightly, gesturing for Zhang Liang to continue. Encouraged, Zhang Liang's confidence grew like a burning flame, higher and brighter. He picked up a carefully crafted chart, which clearly compared his product's functionality and user emotional feedback with that of competitors. Pointing to the chart, he continued, "As you can see, although our product's technical specifications are impressive, it lags behind competitors in ease of use and emotional engagement. Features like user interface friendliness and after-sales service are areas where we fall short. Consumers today want not just functionality, but comfort and a sense of connection. My research shows that if we highlight emotional resonance in our product promotion and strengthen personalized services before and after the sale, we can significantly boost its competitiveness."
Zhao Feng leaned closer to the chart, his eyes growing brighter with each passing second. A smile, warm like the sun in spring, gradually spread across his face, dispelling the cloud of doubt that had been hanging over Zhang Liang. "Hmm, not bad. You've really dug deep into the pain points. You've taken an unconventional approach, focusing on user emotions, using softness to overcome rigidity. You've found the core of the issue, something that many others, who only focus on hard metrics, fail to see." He looked up, his gaze full of approval. He patted Zhang Liang on the shoulder, the gesture neither too forceful nor too light, but carrying the weight of trust and encouragement.
"Zhang Liang, this effort of yours is like 'seeing the moon through the clouds.' The manager has recognized the brilliance of your plan. Now, make sure you seize the opportunity and refine the plan further. Don't waste this recognition!" The familiar voice of the system echoed in Zhang Liang's mind, light-hearted yet filled with warmth, like a gentle breeze that swept away the fatigue in his heart, filling him with joy and confidence. He quickly responded inwardly, "System, thank you for all your support. If it weren't for your reminders, I might have been overwhelmed by all the doubts. I'll keep working hard to perfect this plan."
Just then, Zhao Feng straightened up, scanning the room, and called out, "Chen Feng, come here." His voice resonated with authority, demanding attention. Upon hearing the call, Group Leader Chen Feng rushed out from his office, a smile plastered on his face, though his eyes betrayed a hint of confusion and anxiety. "Manager, are you looking for me?"
"Zhang Liang's research findings are very valuable. I believe there was some misjudgment in how your team assessed his work. Now, please reassess his contributions, take his plan into serious consideration, and adjust the project's direction. We mustn't miss this opportunity, understood?" Zhao Feng's gaze was sharp as he fixed his eyes on Chen Feng, his tone resolute, leaving no room for negotiation, like issuing a military command.
Chen Feng froze for a moment, his face showing a flicker of embarrassment. He glanced instinctively at Li Qiang, who stood nearby, his face dark with frustration, his eyes burning with resentment. Chen Feng nodded reluctantly, acknowledging, "Understood, Manager. We'll reassess right away and proceed as you instructed."
Li Qiang stood at the side, fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. A storm of emotions—envy, anger, frustration—swirled within him, tumultuous and uncontrollable. "Hmph, Zhang Liang's just been lucky. Let him enjoy this moment, but I'll make sure he regrets it soon enough," Li Qiang cursed silently, though his face betrayed none of his inner turmoil. He forced a calm expression, though his trembling lips revealed his inner unrest. He was already plotting, thinking of a new way to sabotage Zhang Liang's progress. He couldn't allow him to smoothly seize control of the project.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liang, though brimming with excitement, maintained a humble exterior. "Thank you, Manager, for your support. I'll continue working hard and collaborate with my colleagues to ensure the success of the project." Zhao Feng smiled and nodded, offering a few more words of encouragement before leaving, leaving Zhang Liang to revel in this rare "turning point" of triumph, while also steeling himself for the upcoming challenges, ready to face the next "battle."
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang gains the recognition and support of the department manager, Zhao Feng, who appreciates his deep analysis and novel approach. This leads to a reassessment of his work and a shift in the project's direction, while Li Qiang, filled with resentment, plots his next move. In the next chapter, as Zhang Liang refines his proposal and seeks further team support, new challenges are sure to emerge, including Li Qiang's retaliation. Stay tuned for Chapter 17 as he navigates these obstacles and continues his journey to professional triumph.