Chapter 329: Prepare for a rainy day, serve the country through industry, and not be a sweatshop!
Monday, July 16
Xu Maocai, general manager of Maili Electronics, returned from an inspection in Jiangcheng. He was originally going to report to his immediate superior, Gu Mingzhang, but was taken directly to Zhang Shuo's office by Gu Mingzhang.
"What's the result of the inspection?
Zhang Shuo is indeed very concerned about this matter. Although it is the second factory of Maili Electronics, seeing that Maili x1 is about to be released, he must decide on the factory site as soon as possible and start construction as soon as possible.
"How should I put it? Jiangcheng has advantages but also obvious shortcomings.'
Xu Maocai was as objective as possible,
"Then let's talk about it in detail." Zhang Shuo was very patient.
“Jiangcheng’s advantages are obvious: land is cheap, labor is relatively cheap, and there is strong support from local policies, so project approval will definitely be green.
Compared with the high price of land in Binhai City, the land price in Jiangcheng is nothing more than cabbage price.
Not to mention, Jiangcheng also promised that after signing the contract, half of the land transfer price would be subsidized to Maili Electronics, which is almost like a free prostitution.
"Of course, Jiangcheng's shortcomings are also obvious. First, there are no supporting industries around Jiangcheng, and all spare parts have to be imported from other provinces. Second, there is a lack of skilled workers; third, there are logistics shortcomings.'
In terms of industrial supporting facilities, skilled workers, and logistics, the central region’s shortcomings are the coastal cities’ strong points. It’s no wonder that coastal cities can take the lead in developing. The chosen one belongs to them.
"Can skilled workers be trained on site?'
Although Zhang Shuo doesn't know much about manufacturing, he also understands the importance of skilled workers to factories.
"Training is possible, but there are also many uncertainties."
Unlike Zhang Shuo, Xu Mao is a veteran in the manufacturing industry, but he knows the inside track very well. He explained: "First of all, the big premise is that the wages in Jiangcheng must be lower than those in Binhai and Guancheng."
If wages remain the same, Jiangcheng will not be competitive.
"Under this general premise, those who are willing to work in the factory are basically locals in Jiangcheng, and most of them do not have fixed jobs. In addition to a small number of laid-off workers, there are also grandparents in their fifties who have to take care of their children.
There are also young women who have just gotten married, and the latter basically have to take care of raising children at the same time.
China’s unique Confucian culture and imperfect childcare system have destined the family’s childcare costs to rise, requiring a full-time home care provider.
Either the grandparents help take care of the baby, or the young nannies are left to fend for themselves.
Even if we wait until the little beast at home goes to kindergarten or even elementary school, without mentioning daily pick-up and drop-off, the key point is how many people's work strictly implements "two days off a week"?
When the weekend comes, there must be an adult accompanying the mythical beast at home.
This has also restricted the work of many adults. In order to take care of their children, many wet nurses have no choice but to give up more decent jobs with stable income and work as temporary workers, just to have more flexible working hours.
This is very helpless and very realistic.
When it comes to Maili Electronics Factory, we will definitely encounter the same problem.
"When recruiting local workers, it is impossible to implement strict schedules and attendance systems like in Binhai City and Guancheng. Some have to get off work early to pick up their children, some have to take care of their children at home on weekends, and some children at home have headaches and fever.
Then you have to ask for leave, right? In addition, if you live locally, you have more contacts with people than outside, so you have to be absent for a day and a half from time to time.'
This is all unavoidable.
People are willing to accept lower wages than those in the coastal areas, isn't it because they are close to home and convenient? If semi-military management is implemented like the coastal areas, then who will be willing to come?
"If the production tasks are not heavy, it would be acceptable. But once the production capacity is concentrated during a certain period of time, and people will ask for leave every three days, it will be life-threatening."
Xu Maocai obviously understood the crux of this.
After listening, Zhang Shuo also understood better why recently, including in the next few years, coastal land and labor prices have continued to rise, but few companies are willing to relocate to the inland.
Isn’t it delicious to go to Annan to exploit the young people in Annan?
really!
Capital is bloody and only exists to pursue profits.
"What about logistics? Will it have a big impact?
After listening to Xu Maocai explain the pain points of the labor force, Zhang Shuo did not rush to express his position.
“Compared to skilled workers, the impact of logistics is secondary.
Xu Maocai explained: "The capacity of mobile phones is small. Whether it is shipping spare parts from other provinces or sending the complete product across the country via high-speed freight, it can basically be satisfied. When necessary, it can even be transported by air."
In the field of logistics, 3C products have great advantages.
For example, the notebook computer production base established in Shancheng relies on the logistics advantages of 3C products and transports them to the European market by land via transnational special trains.
The work is also prosperous.
"Compared with the land and labor discounts, the slight increase in logistics costs is still within the acceptable range. Moreover, Jiangcheng has also promised that as long as the trucks of Maili Electronics are used, the tolls incurred on the highway sections in Jiangchuan Province will be reduced.
, will all receive subsidies.'
It can be seen that Jiangcheng really spent a lot of money in order to introduce Maili Electronics.
Of course Jiang Cheng is not stupid either.
What they really want to introduce is not just a factory of Maili Electronics, but they hope to use Maili Electronics No. 2 Factory as a link to introduce and cultivate a number of supporting manufacturing companies for mobile phone spare parts.
An industrial cluster was then formed.
The overall driving effect on Jiangcheng's economic development will definitely exceed this small subsidy.
its internal logic.
It is actually the same as the original Space-time Magic City vigorously introducing Teshela Super Factory.
"Tell me your final conclusion.'
After understanding the situation clearly, Zhang Shuo planned to seek Xu Maocai's opinion first.
"From a purely commercial perspective, I personally do not recommend building a second factory in Jiangcheng. The reason is also very simple. The second factory is to prepare for an increase in production capacity, and it happens to hit Jiangcheng's shortcomings." Xu Maocai also said something.
"what is your opinion?'
Zhang Shuo was noncommittal and turned to look at Gu Mingzhang,
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "I listen to you.'
Compared to Xu Maocai, Gu Mingzhang is obviously more discerning and has already guessed Zhang Shuo's attitude on this matter. He went up to a bull last time and expressed his concerns.
This time, I chose to obey unconditionally.
"Then we'll settle in Jiangcheng.'
As expected, Zhang Shuo made up his mind. Faced with the doubts of his two subordinates, he gave the reason for his decision: "The group has already set a strategy to gradually move its business lines to second- and third-tier cities.'
Although Jiangcheng is only a third-tier city, it is still pretty good among third-tier cities.
"Now that strategic adjustments have been made, we must resolutely implement them. We cannot just sing high-key and engage in delaying tactics. We have to wait until the conditions are fully mature before implementing them. Then the day lily will be cold.
Original time and space
Tenda has allocated hundreds of billions of funds for charity, but in the eyes of outsiders, it is just forced to operate.
Didn't receive any praise.
Zhang Shuo cannot forget his original intention when he founded the bud just because some immediate interests are damaged.
"Yes Yes Yes!'
Although Gu Mingzhang and Xu Maocai nodded, they must still be unconvinced.
What reason is this?
But both of them also knew that the core driving force behind the big boss's decision was not only Jiangcheng's hometown, but more importantly, the fulfillment of corporate social responsibilities.
Compared with public welfare donations, building large-scale electronics factories in central cities like Jiangcheng to drive local employment and industrial development is undoubtedly a more remarkable "public welfare"
On this point, it is really beyond reproach.
"You all think that I made such a decision just to fulfill my social responsibilities and act emotionally?" Zhang Shuo is so smart, how can he not see through the little thoughts of the two people.
"listen..
After all, Xu Maocai rarely meets the big boss, so it is inevitable that he will be a little embarrassed when he is exposed.
"Mr. Zhang must have other considerations, and I would like to hear the details."
Compared with Xu Maocai, Gu Mingzhang appears to be more comfortable in front of Zhang Shuo. At his level, it doesn't matter whether he is embarrassed or not with the big boss.
"I ask a question.
Zhang Shuo did not rush to explain: "In coastal cities like Binhai City and Guancheng, will the land prices and labor costs in the next ten years show an upward trend or a downward trend?'
"That's definitely an uptick.
"Okay, since it is rising, the Internet industry's demand for land and labor is not that big, and it may be able to bear it. But for electronic assembly factories like Maili Electronics, their own profits are very limited, and the demand for land and labor is
"Profitability is greatly affected by fluctuations in raw materials and labor force. If we don't plan ahead from now on, can Maili Electronics achieve sustainable development?" Zhang Shuo asked.
"Uh, this...
Xu Maocai's expression finally became serious, "There are similar discussions in the industry about this. The conclusion is that after five years, industry transfer will be considered.
Not only the industry, but also Lingnan Province also proposed the strategy of “vacating the cage and replacing the birds”?
It can be seen that this is not difficult to predict.
“The way out for the mid- to low-end manufacturing industry in the future is either to move to the central and western regions, or to go overseas to find opportunities. Apart from that, it’s hard for me to imagine that there is a third option.’
As for comprehensively completing industrial upgrading and completely eliminating mid- to low-end manufacturing industries.
To be honest, it's difficult, very difficult.
First, it is easy to cause the hollowing out of the manufacturing industry, such as the beautiful country, which makes the economy turn away from reality and into virtual reality.
Considering China's reality, China's population, vast territory, and the uneven development between regions, it would be even more difficult to completely eliminate the mid- to low-end manufacturing industry.
It's totally unnecessary,
Even if development reaches a certain level in the future, it is still very necessary to achieve self-sufficiency in certain areas.
Just like the natural disaster that swept the world in the original time and space, many so-called developed countries realized that they could not allow the manufacturing industry to flow out, and they must have a certain degree of self-sufficiency.
If you completely rely on imports, you will probably get stuck.
"Let me state in advance that no matter what decisions other companies make by then, Suiya must have an overall view and will never easily transfer industries overseas." Zhang Shuo also expressed his attitude in a timely manner.
Since it won't go overseas, the only option left for Maili Electronics is to move to the Midwest.
"From the current point of view, building the second factory of Maili Electronics in Jiangcheng may not be the optimal solution. But it can be regarded as an advance layout, paving the way for the development of Maili Electronics in the next five years, or even the next ten years."
"The elders have said that we should look at problems from a development perspective and solve problems through development.
"Jiangcheng's current shortcomings, such as lack of supporting facilities, lack of skilled workers, poor logistics, etc., won't they exist in the next five years? The problem is still there.
"It won't disappear or resolve itself just because we seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.'
"On the contrary, when Maili Electronics was still alive and well, and when Jiangcheng's sincerity was still very high, we implemented industrial transfer in advance, discovered various shortcomings in advance during the transfer, and found solutions in the practice of operation and management.
An effective solution. In the long run, isn't this a better solution?'
"That's what I say, but the labor force is really a deadlock."
Faced with the big boss's enthusiasm, Xu Maocai upheld the professional ethics of a professional manager. He did not completely go along with it, but insisted on pointing out the pain points.
Development can indeed solve some problems,
For example, in logistics, with the construction of highways, high-speed rail, airports and other infrastructure, and the control of river dredging projects, more convenient inland waterway transportation may be available in the future.
Another example is industrial supporting facilities.
As long as Maili Electronics Factory No. 2 is established in Jiangcheng, given Maili Group's influence in the mobile phone industry chain, as long as the production capacity is high enough, it will indeed attract a large number of suppliers to build factories nearby.
A new industrial cluster was then formed.
But the problem with the labor force is not that we cannot recruit people, but that there is a fundamental gap between the people we recruit and the assembly line workers in coastal areas.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! This is derived from lifestyle and life philosophy, which is difficult to change over time.
The room for management maneuvers is also very limited.
"You are wrong, or in other words, you have entered a misunderstanding in your thinking." Zhang Shuo's expression remained unchanged.
“???’
Xu Maocai said he didn't quite understand.
“Do you think it’s good to have a closed, semi-military management like the one at Fu Shikeng, train countless young people into assembly line workers with no self-awareness, and go to work on time every day?
"Uh, this...
Xu Maocai was not stupid, but he did not dare to nod in agreement.
Although Fujikeng is recognized in the industry and is even considered an excellent management model, even a fool knows that behind this success is the hard work of countless unknown workers.
To say it is a sweatshop is an understatement.
"You think it's inappropriate too, right?'
Zhang Shuo smiled half-heartedly, "China can become the world's factory, but times have changed, and it cannot remain a sweatshop, relying on squeezing labor to make profits and remain content with it.
Take Pingguo as an example,
For a Pingguo mobile phone, Pingguo Company easily took away nearly half of the profits just by engaging in upstream work such as design, and the rest had to be distributed to hundreds of suppliers.
And core suppliers such as chips have taken away the majority of profits.
The profits finally distributed to the foundry were already very meager, but they still had to act based on Pingguo's face, just like a dog, following its master's side wagging its tail and begging for mercy.
Then he turned around and turned into a wolf, baring his ferocious fangs at the industrial workers.
What kind of success is this?
"this
Xu Maocai was even more at a loss for words. He didn't know how to defend himself, or he didn't have the confidence to defend himself.
"Maili Electronics must not become this kind of sweatshop, and this model is destined to be unsustainable with the improvement of the living standards of Chinese people and the awakening of young people.
Who the hell would want to work overtime if they could have weekends?
To put it bluntly, when the industrial chain shifts in the future, isn't it because these coastal factories are experiencing labor shortages and are unable to exploit Chinese workers, so they will instead exploit Annan workers?
Will this set of tricks be used on Africans again in the future, and the cycle will continue?
Anyway, the West is very happy to see the results,
"Explore the flexible work system, improve workers' welfare and labor security, and explore a new production management model that is sustainable and in line with the objective laws of development. Let's start from Jiangcheng."
Zhang Shuo finally made the final decision.
Xu Maocai was completely shocked and gave a thumbs up sincerely: "Mr. Zhang is far-sighted and I am short-sighted. I admire him! I also agree to build the Maili Electronics Factory No. 2 in Jiangcheng."
I'm quite happy from the bottom of my heart.
Because Xu Maocai also sensed another layer of meaning from the big boss's speech - Moya will not give up the business of Maili Electronics, but will stick to it and do it in the long term.
There were rumors within Maili Group that the group would abandon Maili Electronics at a certain point in time and turn to full-scale OEM manufacturing. Gu Mingzhang, the president of the group, is a staunch supporter of this view.
As the general manager of Maili Electronics, Xu Maocai certainly doesn't want the group to cut off this business and turn to OEM. Now that he has the instructions from the big boss, isn't it a reassurance?!
“Then sign an investment cooperation agreement with Jiangcheng as soon as possible and start construction as soon as possible.
Zhang Shuo is also an activist.
"Don't worry, leave it to me!'
Xu Maocai is also very confident, but he is still anxious in Jiangcheng.
After finalizing the matter of Maili Electronics Factory No. 2, Zhang Shuo met with Lu Kai, the rotating president, in the afternoon to discuss working with Tengda to jointly establish Weizhong Bank in Houhai.
"How to divide the equity? Should it be split 50-50, or should we strive for a controlling stake?"
Regarding the establishment of Weizhong Bank, it was Lu Kai who made the suggestion. I just didn't expect that the big boss would want to work with Tengda. Considering the recent public opinion, it was a bit strange.
That's not all.
With Tengda's appetite and wisdom, if Moya can think of starting an Internet bank, so can Tengda.
It's just a matter of time.
Even if you don't expect it, when Suiya takes action, won't Tenda follow suit?
This is my specialty.
The businesses of the two companies in this area are highly overlapping. They both use mobile social platforms and mobile payments to carry out Internet financial services.
There is essentially no difference.
If Tengda can learn from it, there will probably be no pressure.
But both companies are located in the same coastal city, and Internet banking is a new thing. If one company applies for a bank license, it is expected to encounter considerable resistance.
"There is no need to hold a controlling stake or a 50-50 split. My suggestion is that it is best to find institutions such as Ping An and others to participate together." In this matter, Zhang Shuo showed an unprecedented low profile.
I don’t want to be in the limelight at all,
The purpose of agreeing to establish Weizhong Bank was not to make more money, but to better integrate the business of Sprout Financial Holdings into the regulatory system to prevent the people below from messing around behind his back.
Based on this, Zhang Shuo naturally has no interest in competing for the dominance of Weizhong Bank.
When the second uncle talked to him last weekend, he vaguely touched on the relationship between Moya and Tengda, and asked Zhang Shuo to pay attention to unity, so that led to the conversation between Zhang Shuo and the second uncle.
Of course, unity is unity, and we must continue to fight in areas where we should fight.
"Then, how about calling Ah Li too?" Lu Kai suggested.
Whether it is wealth treasures or Mai Finance, Ali is at the forefront of China.
“Don’t!!!’
Zhang Shuo was horrified, "In the field of Internet finance, you must not have anything to do with Ahri."
"Uh, okay.'
Although he didn’t know why Zhang Shuo’s expression changed, Lu Kai still agreed.
In fact, when he proposed the establishment of Weizhong Bank, he also wanted to build a public platform for Sprout Financial Holdings to conduct external business in compliance with laws and regulations.
Using Pingyi to sell the business of Meiya Financial Holdings is also the main source of income for Meiya.
Based on this, as long as Suiya can have a certain say in Weizhong Bank and ensure that the products of Suiya Financial Holdings will not be treated differently, it will be fine.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! There is no need to seek a controlling stake.
And to be honest, Internet banking itself is also a new thing, which means that it has room for survival in Binhai City. It is undoubtedly a wise choice to bring Tenda and Pingmin together.
"Then the follow-up of this matter will be left to you, including the docking with Tengda and Ping An." Zhang Shuo also took advantage of the situation and became the hands-off shopkeeper.
"Don't worry!,
Lu Kai was obliged to do so, and he also liked such a big stage.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
In the past week, there has been constant news in the Internet industry.
The most shocking thing is that last Thursday, the number of mobile Internet users in China reached an astonishing 388 million, surpassing the 380 million computer Internet users, becoming the largest Internet terminal.
This also marks that mobile Internet has officially replaced PCs and become the new mainstream.
As soon as the news came out, the stock prices of various listed Internet companies experienced a surge, especially large companies with deep presence in the mobile Internet field, such as Tenda, which rose by 8% in one day.
Finally, Tengda breathed a sigh of relief.
In addition, the matter of sprouting, Tengda, Pingmin and others joining forces to establish Weizhong Bank in Houhai, a coastal city, although it did not cause much heated discussion on the Internet, it caused quite a stir in the industry.
Internet finance has undoubtedly become a new and popular track.
In addition to the already-defunct Ali and Tenda, Internet companies such as Qiandu, Wangji, Jingdong, and Xingsheng Network have also bet on the Internet financial track.
Want to get a piece of the action.
This once again confirms the poor entrepreneurial environment in China. Whenever there is a smell of fishy smell, everyone rushes to it. With the help of capital, it is like a raging fire cooking oil.
It looks lively, but bubbles are accumulating inside.
When the bubble bursts, all that will be left behind will be a pile of chicken feathers, and it will be the users who ultimately pay the bill.
It's really pitiful.
In the office, while Zhang Shuo was busy browsing the news, Gu Mingzhang knocked on the door and came in.